53A Hard Parts over 53B

[Cooter'sFX4]

I just want to share a little and see if anyone has more information.

I ran up against that warning sticker for how much the vehicle could tow:

4 Do not exceed a trailer weight of 7,000 lbs. (3,175 kg) or 36 sq. ft. (3.4 sq. m) trailer frontal area with only the Class IV hitch (53B), without the Trailer Tow Package (53A). -Trailer Towing Guide 2021 F150

I believe the warning is solely about brake controller, or is kind of boiler plate as they can't cover all options, but just saying get 53A insures the capability. Looking at the specifications online it seems a 5.0 can tow more than that (and the warning not found there). I opted for just 53B, and got the Integrated Brake Controller along with 3.73 E-Locker. Consulting this site before ordering I had trouble finding any mechanical differences between trailer towing packages that were not MAX Tow.

Just before ordering (literally, out in the dealer lot), I found a similarly equipped XL Truck. I believe there are three axles on these trucks: 8.8, 9-3/4 and 9-3/4 "3/4 Floater". All Max Tows clearly had a 9-3/4, I didn't quickly find a way to see the difference visually between a 3/4 Floater version or not. All "regular" (non Max Tows) F150s had the 8.8, but that one XL I found had opted for 3.73 E-locker and got a higher load rating along with a (believed regular) 9-3/4, so I went in and ordered!

Opinions? (Other than I should've got MAX Tow...)

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[Crapblaster]

My thoughts on this are there is the standard 8.8" for a lot of builds, the 9.75 for heavier/max tow builds and the the 3/4 floater for the HDPP builds. I found this ticker on my receiver hitch.

 

[Cooter'sFX4]

Bringing back my own thread as I still don't have understanding of why my truck (53B, see thread starter) would be limited to that 7,000 lbs. in the towing guide. Hitch shows 11,600 Distributed, other documents show 10,500. I have 5.0, 3.73, 4X4, 53B, 36 Gallon Tank with Trailer Brake Controller.

Is it the 3800# springs?

Is it the Trailer Brake Controller? Which I bought separately and therefore the 7,000 lbs. limit doesn't apply to my truck anymore?

What has anyone found (besides sway bar resolution, 5.0 got me the bigger solid one) lately when I was only wondering where my truck was.

 

[Cooter'sFX4]

Changed the title to generate interest! (well, maybe...)

 

[daemonic3]

Bringing back my own thread as I still don't have understanding of why my truck (53B, see thread starter) would be limited to that 7,000 lbs. in the towing guide. Hitch shows 11,600 Distributed, other documents show 10,500. I have 5.0, 3.73, 4X4, 53B, 36 Gallon Tank with Trailer Brake Controller.

Is it the 3800# springs?

Is it the Trailer Brake Controller? Which I bought separately and therefore the 7,000 lbs. limit doesn't apply to my truck anymore?

What has anyone found (besides sway bar resolution, 5.0 got me the bigger solid one) lately when I was only wondering where my truck was.

My theory is that rear spring... Once you go 4150# you get the "multi spring" rear leaf. Even though your truck is still rated the same 7050# GVWR, I think that beefier axle is what they feel can withstand more transient forces when you go over dips and bumps when towing. This is why even though max tow is a RIPOFF for powerboost upper trims, I still did not take any chances even though it seems like all I get is a friggin bumper and brake upgrade for my $2k.

 

[daemonic3]

If you look under at the springs on yours, you should see a big ole fat main leaf and a thin secondary leaf. The 4150# axle has a big ole fat main leaf and 2 thin leaves.

(ford calls them 2 leaf and 3 leaf total in the counts)

 

[Cooter'sFX4]

Could be, but I sure wonder why Ford wouldn't indicate the heavier springs as being part of 53A. (Talking non-Max Tow Trucks here.)

 

[Cooter'sFX4]

After reviewing more trucks, and some images of trucks with Max Tow, Trailer Tow, just Class IV and some with Tow Tech. Tow Tech with Class IV as well as Trailer Tow (53A) have the same -BH Suffix 3800# Springs I have (ML34-5560-BH)!!!! So, 10,400 it is!!!

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