Built to Pull Heavy with the 2026 Ford F-150

If you need a truck that works as hard as you do, the 2026 Ford F-150 brings serious muscle to the table. With a max towing rating that hits 13,500 pounds when you spec it right, you get real capability backed by six different engines, smart trailer tech, and payload ratings that climb above 2,400 pounds. Whether you’re pulling a camper across state lines or loading up for a weekend project, the F-150 gives you options that fit how you actually use your truck.

• The 3.5L EcoBoost V6 provides the highest F-150 towing capacity at 13,500 lbs with the Max Trailer Tow Package.
• Payload ratings reach up to 2,440 lbs, giving contractors and weekend warriors serious hauling flexibility.
• Pro Trailer Backup Assist, integrated brake controllers, and 360-degree cameras make towing safer and less stressful.

Power Options That Match Your Needs

Ford offers six engines for 2026, each tuned for different jobs. The 2.7L EcoBoost V6 tows up to 8,400 pounds for lighter loads and daily driving. Step up to the 5.0L V8, and you get 12,900 pounds of towing with old-school V8 torque. The 3.5L EcoBoost V6 is the workhorse, pulling that headline 13,500-pound rating when paired with the correct axle ratio and Max Tow equipment.

For fuel savings without giving up capability, the 3.5L PowerBoost Hybrid V6 tows 11,200 pounds and adds Pro Power Onboard for job sites. The High-Output 3.5L EcoBoost pushes 8,200 pounds, while the 5.2L Supercharged V8 in the Raptor R focuses on off-road performance with 8,700 pounds of towing.

Quick Reference: 2026 F-150 Towing and Payload

Engine	Max Towing	Max Payload
2.7L EcoBoost V6	8,400 lbs	1,775 lbs
5.0L Ti-VCT V8	12,900 lbs	2,225 lbs
3.5L EcoBoost V6	13,500 lbs	2,440 lbs
3.5L PowerBoost Hybrid V6	11,200 lbs	1,750 lbs
High-Output 3.5L EcoBoost V6	8,200 lbs	1,400 lbs
5.2L Supercharged V8 (Raptor R)	8,700 lbs	1,400 lbs

Understanding Payload and Its Role

Towing ratings get most of the attention, but payload matters just as much. Payload includes everything in the truck: passengers, bed gear, and trailer tongue weight. A typical travel trailer puts 10-15% of its weight on the hitch, which eats into your payload capacity before the trailer moves.

The Ford F-150 handles this well. Regular Cab models can carry over 2,400 pounds with the right setup. SuperCrew models offer full-size rear seats while still delivering strong payload numbers. If you’re hauling heavy equipment or loading up the bed, that extra capacity keeps you legal and safe.

Tech That Makes Towing Easier

Raw power only gets you so far. Ford loads the F-150 with features that help when you’re backing up to a boat ramp or merging on the highway with 10,000 pounds behind you. Pro Trailer Backup Assist lets you steer the trailer with a knob instead of wrestling with the wheel. Smart Hitch and Onboard Scales estimate tongue weight so you don’t have to guess.

The 360-degree camera gives you eyes where mirrors can’t reach. Integrated brake controllers work with your trailer’s brakes for smoother stops. Trailer sway control kicks in if wind or passing trucks try to push you around. These systems work together, making towing feel controlled even when you’re new to pulling heavy loads.

Configuration Choices That Matter

Getting that 13,500-pound towing number requires the right combination of equipment. You need the Max Trailer Tow Package, which includes upgraded cooling, the right axle ratio, and a Class IV hitch. SuperCrew models with shorter beds typically tow the most, while longer beds add weight that slightly reduces ratings.

Four-wheel drive adds bad-weather capability but also adds weight, trimming a few hundred pounds off your max tow rating compared to 4×2 models. Regular Cab trucks offer the highest payload, while SuperCrew and SuperCab configurations balance interior space with hauling ability. The door jamb sticker on any specific truck shows its exact ratings.

How the F-150 Stacks Up

Ford’s 13,500-pound max tow rating edges out the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 (around 13,300 lbs) and the Ram 1500 (up to 12,750 lbs). The F-150’s advantage comes from years of engineering focus on towing, plus the 10-speed automatic that keeps power flowing smoothly under load. Ram trucks counter with plush interiors and new inline-six engines, while Chevy still appeals to traditional V8 buyers.

Finding Your Perfect Setup

If you tow a camper or boat regularly, the 3.5L EcoBoost with Max Trailer Tow is the sweet spot most buyers choose. It offers the highest towing rating and a substantial payload for bed cargo. For work trucks, the 5.0L V8 provides 12,900 pounds of towing and over 2,200 pounds of payload. The PowerBoost Hybrid makes sense if you want 11,200 pounds of towing with better fuel economy and Pro Power Onboard.

Off-road trims like Tremor and Raptor trade some towing capacity for specialized suspension and bigger tires. They still pull 8,200 to 10,900 pounds, depending on configuration. Match the truck to your real-world needs, and you’ll get the capability that makes sense for how you use it.

Test the Capability for Yourself in Richmond

Reading specs only tells part of the story. We keep a full lineup of F-150 models at our Richmond showroom, from work-focused XL trims to loaded Platinum builds. Our team can walk you through the differences in engines, show you how Pro Trailer Backup Assist works, and help you determine which configuration best meets your towing needs. We’ll also explain how axle ratios, cab styles, and packages affect your real-world numbers. Stop by and see how the 2026 F-150 stacks up when you’re sitting in the driver’s seat.

Tags: 2026 F-150 engine options, 2026 Ford F-150 towing capacity, F-150 Max Trailer Tow Package, F-150 SuperCrew towing, F-150 towing specs, Ford F-150 payload capacity, Ford F-150 towing technology
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