How to Increase Towing Capacity in Ford F-150?

The Ford F-150 has long been hailed as a powerful and capable pickup truck, renowned for its towing prowess. 

However, if you find yourself needing to tow heavier loads or seeking to maximize the towing capacity of your F-150, you may be wondering how to unlock its full potential.

In this article, we will delve into the world of increasing the towing capacity of your Ford F-150. Whether you’re a seasoned truck owner looking to push the limits or a new F-150 owner seeking guidance, our comprehensive guide will provide you with valuable insights and actionable steps to enhance your truck’s towing capabilities.

Increasing Towing Capacity in F-150: Key Takeaways 

• To increase your towing capacity in F-150, use a hitch, air springs, bump stops, or towing mirror. 
• You can also upgrade your vehicle’s performance with a better exhaust, new air filters, and a coder, and change your brakes to be able to tow more.

Four Ways of Increasing Towing Capacity in F-150

As the title suggests, there are 4 ways to increase your towing capacity in an F-150 truck. Towing bigger loads now seems quite a manageable job!

Use a Hitch 

Hitches are the brackets you put on the back of your F150 to hold things. Right there at the back is where the hitch receiver goes. It’s easy to put on a hitch because you only have to bolt it to the car.

Most F-150s come with hitches built right in. If you already have one, you don’t need to add another. But if your hitch gets broken, you should get a new one right away.

The hitch works with the hitch receiver. Basically, the trailer will be hooked up to the hitch receiver. Be sure to choose a trusted brand because it will keep you safest and work best.

There are many different kinds of hitch devices, and all of them can help you tow. You can even get a combination hitch and trailer that can pull your load on off-road trips.

The F-150 can also pull more weight when it has a hitch connection. These plug into the car’s power source to give the trailer lights.

Consider Air Springs

Air springs and air bags, regardless of the choice you make between them, operate on the same fundamental principle. 

These towing suspension components employ captured air to effectively cushion your F-150’s suspension system, mitigating excessive sagging and minimizing the risk of bottoming out when encountering bumps and uneven terrain.

In addition to their sag-prevention function, air springs enhance the rear suspension’s stiffness. This stiffness creates a heightened sense of control and stability while towing a trailer, significantly improving your overall driving experience.

Opt for Bump Stops

When your Ford F-150 is under significant compression, such as carrying a heavy load or towing a substantial trailer, aftermarket bump stops are crucial in minimizing the contact between the rear axle and the frame.

Rather than allowing the metal components to collide, bump stops act as resilient bumpers made of durable rubber or polyurethane materials. These bumpers effectively absorb the impact, resulting in a much smoother ride for you and your vehicle.

For those who frequently engage in heavy hauling or towing, specialized heavy-duty bump stops are available.

These towing-oriented bump stops are designed with an elongated and wider shape, allowing them to engage earlier during compression and provide added support. Similar to airbags, this towing bump stops prevent excessive sagging and contribute to stiffening the rear suspension, ensuring optimal stability and control.

Try Towing Mirrors

When your trailer is bigger than your car, towing mirrors help even more.

You add the pulling mirror to the rearview mirror you already have. Some US states make you put these on if your trailer is longer than a certain length.

When your trailer is bigger than your truck, the pulling mirror will help you see farther. When you put this kind of mirror up, you will also have less blind spots.

Clip-on mirrors and mirrors that go on the door are the two kinds of pulling mirrors. The type that is attached to the door is stronger because its brackets and links are better connected to the car. You can also get small mirrors that you can take off when you don’t need them.

Newer models also have extra features like stop lights and lights that turn on when you turn. Some types can be used as power mirrors because they can be adjusted automatically, heated, or made to clear the fog.

More Tips for Increasing your F-150 Towing Capacity 

There are other things you could try to increase your towing capacity.

Keep reading to find out what else is there!

Upgrade Your Vehicle’s Performance

To increase the amount you can pull behind your car, you’ll need to improve its speed. Putting in a better exhaust system is one way to do this. If you update your truck’s exhaust and get new air filters, it can pull more. You can also buy a new coder to get more horsepower and speed.

It’s important to note that you don’t have to buy all of these things to make your towing ability bigger. Some of these parts might be able to come from an RV or a different truck. But each state has its own rules about what kinds of changes are allowed on the road.

You should always study different laws to ensure that any changes you want to make are safe and legal and won’t get you in trouble with the law.

Change Your Brakes

You should think about changing your brakes when it comes to towing bigger loads.

Brake problems can lead to severe accidents on the road, but you can avoid them easily by making sure your brakes can stop a big load.

Depending on how heavy your load is, you might want to get new brake pads and wheels so you don’t spin or lose control when stopping.

So, what are you towing this summer?