Increase Tow Capacity?
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Joined: Aug 2025
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Increase Tow Capacity?
I've got a 2018 F150 with a 3.55 axle and a 3.5L V6 Ecoboost with Tow Package/integrated brake controller and max tongue weight of 1,100 pounds. I am inquiring if there are any reasonable accessories/kits available that can help increase towing capacity?
We are within towing limits with our travel trailer which is 7500 max weight, about 4800 pounds dry, and a tongue weight of 610 pounds, but edging up between 800 to 1000 pounds with batteries and propane added to the front of the trailer, and filling the fresh water tank.
I've seen some people discuss a "Max Tow Package" but I do not recall one being available when we bought the truck back in 2018, just a "tow package" as I recall. At the time I was only envisioning towing a 4000 to 5000 pound max trailer weight, but we like traveling with our travel trailer so much we have decided to go with a larger one which will allow us to stay on the road much longer.
So I don't want to rip the truck apart to add kits, but looking for some minor things to increase our towing margins would be helpful. This is the first time getting a travel trailer that only "some F150's" are capable of towing, which ours should be, but any way to add towing margin will be appreciated if it is possible. We'd rather not have to switch to an F250 if we can avoid it. To be fair we have not towed this yet and are going on feedback from other trailer owners who have a similar truck. Most say it's fine, but a few have switched to an F250 or equivalent.
Thanks in advance!
We are within towing limits with our travel trailer which is 7500 max weight, about 4800 pounds dry, and a tongue weight of 610 pounds, but edging up between 800 to 1000 pounds with batteries and propane added to the front of the trailer, and filling the fresh water tank.
I've seen some people discuss a "Max Tow Package" but I do not recall one being available when we bought the truck back in 2018, just a "tow package" as I recall. At the time I was only envisioning towing a 4000 to 5000 pound max trailer weight, but we like traveling with our travel trailer so much we have decided to go with a larger one which will allow us to stay on the road much longer.
So I don't want to rip the truck apart to add kits, but looking for some minor things to increase our towing margins would be helpful. This is the first time getting a travel trailer that only "some F150's" are capable of towing, which ours should be, but any way to add towing margin will be appreciated if it is possible. We'd rather not have to switch to an F250 if we can avoid it. To be fair we have not towed this yet and are going on feedback from other trailer owners who have a similar truck. Most say it's fine, but a few have switched to an F250 or equivalent.
Thanks in advance!
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 43,542
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From: Joplin MO
No way to increase the towing limits, legally or otherwise. Best things you can do are get a good weight distribution hitch with sway control, adjust it properly, and properly distribute cargo.
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Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 7,890
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From: Among javelinas and scorpions in Zoniestan
Glc just gave you spot-on advice. You absolutely need a good Weight Distribution Hitch (WDH) with sway control. Without it, ALL of the tongue weight will be supported by our rear axle. It will be overloaded, your front axle will be lifted, badly effecting steering, handling and braking. And, the trailer will ride "tongue low" without a WDH which puts most of its weight on its front axle, overloading it. Some people put airbags on their trucks to fix all this, but this only raises the rear of the truck and the trailer tongue, all the tongue weight is still borne by the truck's rear axle. Air bags also make it impossible to properly set up a WDH.
- Jack
- Jack
