Did F-150 towing change for 2009?

First year of the twelfth-generation F-150.

What tongue weight should I plan for a 2009 F-150?

At the cited 11,300 lb conventional maximum, an illustrative 10% assumption produces 1,130 lb of tongue weight. This is not a recommended percentage or a measurement; follow your trailer and vehicle instructions and measure the actual load. At the cited 11,300 lb fifth-wheel maximum, an illustrative 15% assumption produces 1,695 lb of pin weight. This is not a recommended percentage or a measurement; follow your trailer and vehicle instructions and measure the actual load. That load counts against payload and the rear axle rating.

Index · Ford · F-150

2009 Ford F-150

The highest conventional-hitch rating for the 2009 Ford F-150 is 11,300 lb, the top of 66 rows transcribed from Ford’s 2009 Ford RV & Trailer Towing Guide. That row is printed for the 5.4L V8, Regular Cab, 2WD, 145-in wheelbase, 3.73 axle, 6R80E automatic transmission. Most configurations are rated lower: 61 of the 66 transcribed conventional-hitch chart rows for 2009 are below 11,300 lb. The other cited maximum for the 2009 Ford F-150 is 11,300 lb on a fifth-wheel hitch. Across 132 manufacturer chart rows for 2009, ratings run conventional 5,100 lb to 11,300 lb; fifth-wheel 5,100 lb to 11,300 lb; the engine, cab, axle ratio and package on your truck decide its number.

conventional5.4L V8, Regular Cab, 2WD, 145-in wheelbase, 3.73 axle, 6R80E automatic transmission.11,300 lb

fifth-wheel5.4L V8, Regular Cab, 2WD, 145-in wheelbase, 3.73 axle, 6R80E automatic transmission.11,300 lb

The build table for 2009 is not transcribed. This page will not multiply trims, cabs, and engines into trucks the order guide did not list.

Hitch	Cited maximum	Configuration	Source grade
Conventional	11,300 lb	5.4L V8, Regular Cab, 2WD, 145-in wheelbase, 3.73 axle, 6R80E automatic transmission.	OEM chart
Fifth-wheel	11,300 lb	5.4L V8, Regular Cab, 2WD, 145-in wheelbase, 3.73 axle, 6R80E automatic transmission.	OEM chart

Highest rows among 132 transcribed chart configurations. Most trucks of this model year are rated lower; find your exact configuration in the table below.

Source: Ford, 2009 Ford RV & Trailer Towing Guide, Trailer Towing Selector: F-150 GCWR/Max. Trailer Summary page 17; Super Duty conventional page 18; Super Duty fifth-wheel page 19; Ranger page 22; Explorer Sport Trac towing table, PDF page 23.

Spec sheet

6 of 25 fields cited; 1 estimate. Field index

Cited fields may cover selected trims or only part of a measurement. Read the configuration and source beside each value; a cited field does not mean every version is researched.

Towing

Conventional maximum: 11,300 lb. 5.4L V8, Regular Cab, 2WD, 145-in wheelbase, 3.73 axle, 6R80E automatic transmission.Ford source
Gooseneck maximum: Not transcribed for this model year.
Fifth-wheel maximum: 11,300 lb. 5.4L V8, Regular Cab, 2WD, 145-in wheelbase, 3.73 axle, 6R80E automatic transmission.Ford source
Tongue or pin load: 1,130 lb tongue at the 11,300 lb conventional maximum. 1,695 lb pin at the 11,300 lb fifth-wheel maximum. Illustration at 10 percent conventional and 15 percent in-bed, not a measured load or recommendation. Follow the trailer and vehicle instructions; actual load may be higher.Estimate
Weight distribution: Not transcribed for this model year.
Trailer frontal area: Not transcribed for this model year.

Weights

Payload: Not transcribed for this model year.
GCWR: 10,400–17,100 lb across 132 chart rows that print a GCWR (each row's GCWR is in the chart table and explorer)Ford source
GVWR: Not transcribed for this model year.
Front GAWR: Not transcribed for this model year.
Rear GAWR: Not transcribed for this model year.
Curb weight: Not transcribed for this model year.

Body

Wheelbase: Not transcribed for this model year.
Bed length: Not transcribed for this model year.
Bed width and depth: Not transcribed for this model year.
Cab-to-axle: Not transcribed for this model year.
Overall length, width, height: Not transcribed for this model year.
Ground clearance and angles: Not transcribed for this model year.
Fifth-wheel clearance: Not transcribed for this model year.

Power

Engine, horsepower, torque: Not transcribed for this model year.
Transmission: Not transcribed for this model year.
Fuel type and tank: Not transcribed for this model year.
Drivetrain: 2WD, 4WDFord source
Axle ratio: 3.73, 3.73/3.73, 3.55, 3.55/3.73, 3.15, 3.31Ford source
Tow package: 6R80E automatic transmission; 9.75-inch rear axle upgrade; 6R80E automatic transmission; 4R75E automatic transmissionFord source

Bed, tongue weight, and wheelbase

The trailer rating is one limit. The bed has to fit the load, the tongue or pin has to fit in payload, and the wheelbase is the column the chart uses.

An illustrative 10 percent of the 11,300 lb conventional maximum is 1,130 lb of tongue weight. This is not a measured load or recommended percentage; actual load may be higher.
An illustrative 15 percent of the 11,300 lb fifth-wheel maximum is 1,695 lb of pin weight. This is not a measured load or recommended percentage; actual load may be higher.

Bed capacity · Tongue and pin weight · Wheelbase · GCWR, GVWR, and GAWR. Wheelbase is not transcribed for this year. See the spec sheet for the sourced GCWR and its configuration.

Estimate payload margin and bed volume · How these limits work together

Change from 2008

Conventional: 11,000 lb in 2008, 11,300 lb in 2009 (+300 lb).
Fifth-wheel: 11,000 lb in 2008, 11,300 lb in 2009 (+300 lb).

What was different in 2009

First year of the twelfth-generation F-150.

Generation

Twelfth generation

2009 is year 1 of this generation (2009–2014). New frame and body for 2009. The 3.5L EcoBoost and 5.0L V8 arrived for 2011 and changed which trucks sat at the top of the tow chart.

2009 towing by engine

Lowest to highest printed rating for each engine across 132 transcribed chart rows. A missing hitch means the chart did not print one for that engine, not that it is zero.

Engine	Conventional	Fifth-wheel	Chart rows
5.4L V8	7,600–11,300 lb	7,600–11,300 lb	58
4.6L V8 3V	7,500–9,500 lb	7,500–9,500 lb	42
4.6L V8 2V	5,100–6,000 lb	5,100–6,000 lb	32

Highest-rated configurations

Trailer	Engine	Cab / bed	Drive	Axle / package	GCWR	Evidence
11,300 lb Conventional	5.4L V8	Regular Cab · 145 in wheelbase	2WD	3.73 · 6R80E automatic transmission^{note 1}	16,700 lb	Page 17, 2009 F-150 GCWR/Max. Trailer Summary (4x2 Light Duty), Regular Cab 145.0 in WB, 5.4L 6R80E, axle 3.73, Max. Conv. Hitch Trailer column
11,300 lb Fifth-wheel	5.4L V8	Regular Cab · 145 in wheelbase	2WD	3.73 · 6R80E automatic transmission^{note 1}	16,700 lb	Page 17, 2009 F-150 GCWR/Max. Trailer Summary (4x2 Light Duty), Regular Cab 145.0 in WB, 5.4L 6R80E, axle 3.73, Max. Fifth-Wheel Trailer column
11,300 lb Conventional	5.4L V8	SuperCab · 145 in wheelbase	2WD	3.73 · 6R80E automatic transmission^{note 2}	16,900 lb	Page 17, 2009 F-150 GCWR/Max. Trailer Summary (4x2 Light Duty), SuperCab 145.0 in WB, 5.4L 6R80E, axle 3.73, Max. Conv. Hitch Trailer column
11,300 lb Fifth-wheel	5.4L V8	SuperCab · 145 in wheelbase	2WD	3.73 · 6R80E automatic transmission^{note 3}	16,900 lb	Page 17, 2009 F-150 GCWR/Max. Trailer Summary (4x2 Light Duty), SuperCab 145.0 in WB, 5.4L 6R80E, axle 3.73, Max. Fifth-Wheel Trailer column
11,300 lb Conventional	5.4L V8	SuperCab · 163 in wheelbase	2WD	3.73 · 6R80E automatic transmission^{note 4}	17,000 lb	Page 17, 2009 F-150 GCWR/Max. Trailer Summary (4x2 Light Duty), SuperCab 163.0 in WB, 5.4L 6R80E, axle 3.73, Max. Conv. Hitch Trailer column
11,300 lb Fifth-wheel	5.4L V8	SuperCab · 163 in wheelbase	2WD	3.73 · 6R80E automatic transmission^{note 5}	17,000 lb	Page 17, 2009 F-150 GCWR/Max. Trailer Summary (4x2 Light Duty), SuperCab 163.0 in WB, 5.4L 6R80E, axle 3.73, Max. Fifth-Wheel Trailer column
11,300 lb Conventional	5.4L V8	SuperCrew · 145 in wheelbase	2WD	3.73 · 6R80E automatic transmission^{note 6}	16,900 lb	Page 17, 2009 F-150 GCWR/Max. Trailer Summary (4x2 Light Duty), SuperCrew 145.0 in WB, 5.4L 6R80E, axle 3.73, Max. Conv. Hitch Trailer column
11,300 lb Fifth-wheel	5.4L V8	SuperCrew · 145 in wheelbase	2WD	3.73 · 6R80E automatic transmission^{note 7}	16,900 lb	Page 17, 2009 F-150 GCWR/Max. Trailer Summary (4x2 Light Duty), SuperCrew 145.0 in WB, 5.4L 6R80E, axle 3.73, Max. Fifth-Wheel Trailer column
11,300 lb Conventional	5.4L V8	Regular Cab · 145 in wheelbase	4WD	3.73 · 6R80E automatic transmission^{note 8}	17,000 lb	Page 17, 2009 F-150 GCWR/Max. Trailer Summary (4x4 Light Duty), Regular Cab 145.0 in WB, 5.4L 6R80E, axle 3.73, Max. Conv. Hitch Trailer column
11,300 lb Fifth-wheel	5.4L V8	Regular Cab · 145 in wheelbase	4WD	3.73 · 6R80E automatic transmission^{note 8}	17,000 lb	Page 17, 2009 F-150 GCWR/Max. Trailer Summary (4x4 Light Duty), Regular Cab 145.0 in WB, 5.4L 6R80E, axle 3.73, Max. Fifth-Wheel Trailer column
11,200 lb Conventional	5.4L V8	SuperCab · 145 in wheelbase	4WD	3.73/3.73 · 6R80E automatic transmission^{note 9}	17,100 lb	Page 17, 2009 F-150 GCWR/Max. Trailer Summary (4x4 Light Duty), SuperCab 145.0 in WB, 5.4L 6R80E, axle 3.73/3.73E, Max. Conv. Hitch Trailer column
11,200 lb Fifth-wheel	5.4L V8	SuperCab · 145 in wheelbase	4WD	3.73/3.73 · 6R80E automatic transmission^{note 10}	17,100 lb	Page 17, 2009 F-150 GCWR/Max. Trailer Summary (4x4 Light Duty), SuperCab 145.0 in WB, 5.4L 6R80E, axle 3.73/3.73E, Max. Fifth-Wheel Trailer column

Chart row: 4x2 Light Duty, WB 145 in, GVWR 8,200 lb, engine 5.4L, transmission 6R80E, axle 3.73. Footnote (1): Reduce GCWR and Maximum Trailer Weight by 500 lbs. on models with 18" or 20" wheels (On SuperCab, Fifth-wheel Towing applies only to 5.4L engine).
Chart row: 4x2 Light Duty, WB 145 in, GVWR 7,050 lb, engine 5.4L, transmission 6R80E, axle 3.73. Footnote (1): Reduce GCWR and Maximum Trailer Weight by 500 lbs. on models with 18" or 20" wheels (On SuperCab, Fifth-wheel Towing applies only to 5.4L engine).
Chart row: 4x2 Light Duty, WB 145 in, GVWR 7,050 lb, engine 5.4L, transmission 6R80E, axle 3.73. Footnote (1): Reduce GCWR and Maximum Trailer Weight by 500 lbs. on models with 18" or 20" wheels (On SuperCab, Fifth-wheel Towing applies only to 5.4L engine). Footnote (2): While F-150 SuperCrew (145" WB) and SuperCab (132.5" WB) 5 1/2' box will accept a fifth-wheel hitch, current fifth-wheel trailer designs are not compatible with these models.
Chart row: 4x2 Light Duty, WB 163 in, GVWR 8,200 lb, engine 5.4L, transmission 6R80E, axle 3.73. Footnote (1): Reduce GCWR and Maximum Trailer Weight by 500 lbs. on models with 18" or 20" wheels (On SuperCab, Fifth-wheel Towing applies only to 5.4L engine).
Chart row: 4x2 Light Duty, WB 163 in, GVWR 8,200 lb, engine 5.4L, transmission 6R80E, axle 3.73. Footnote (1): Reduce GCWR and Maximum Trailer Weight by 500 lbs. on models with 18" or 20" wheels (On SuperCab, Fifth-wheel Towing applies only to 5.4L engine). Footnote (2): While F-150 SuperCrew (145" WB) and SuperCab (132.5" WB) 5 1/2' box will accept a fifth-wheel hitch, current fifth-wheel trailer designs are not compatible with these models.
Chart row: 4x2 Light Duty, WB 145 in, GVWR 7,100 lb, engine 5.4L, transmission 6R80E, axle 3.73. Footnote (1): Reduce GCWR and Maximum Trailer Weight by 500 lbs. on models with 18" or 20" wheels (On SuperCab, Fifth-wheel Towing applies only to 5.4L engine).
Chart row: 4x2 Light Duty, WB 145 in, GVWR 7,100 lb, engine 5.4L, transmission 6R80E, axle 3.73. Footnote (1): Reduce GCWR and Maximum Trailer Weight by 500 lbs. on models with 18" or 20" wheels (On SuperCab, Fifth-wheel Towing applies only to 5.4L engine). Footnote (2): While F-150 SuperCrew (145" WB) and SuperCab (132.5" WB) 5 1/2' box will accept a fifth-wheel hitch, current fifth-wheel trailer designs are not compatible with these models.
Chart row: 4x4 Light Duty, WB 145 in, GVWR 8,200 lb, engine 5.4L, transmission 6R80E, axle 3.73. Footnote (1): Reduce GCWR and Maximum Trailer Weight by 500 lbs. on models with 18" or 20" wheels (On SuperCab, Fifth-wheel Towing applies only to 5.4L engine).
Chart row: 4x4 Light Duty, WB 145 in, GVWR 7,200 lb, engine 5.4L, transmission 6R80E, axle 3.73/3.73E. Footnote (1): Reduce GCWR and Maximum Trailer Weight by 500 lbs. on models with 18" or 20" wheels (On SuperCab, Fifth-wheel Towing applies only to 5.4L engine).
Chart row: 4x4 Light Duty, WB 145 in, GVWR 7,200 lb, engine 5.4L, transmission 6R80E, axle 3.73/3.73E. Footnote (1): Reduce GCWR and Maximum Trailer Weight by 500 lbs. on models with 18" or 20" wheels (On SuperCab, Fifth-wheel Towing applies only to 5.4L engine). Footnote (2): While F-150 SuperCrew (145" WB) and SuperCab (132.5" WB) 5 1/2' box will accept a fifth-wheel hitch, current fifth-wheel trailer designs are not compatible with these models.

Chart source: Ford, 2009 Ford RV & Trailer Towing Guide. The evidence column gives each row’s page and table.

Find your exact configuration (132 rows) →Download 2009 rows as CSV ↓

What changes the number

Engine and transmission
Cab, bed, and wheelbase
Two-wheel drive, four-wheel drive, or all-wheel drive
Axle ratio and tow package
Conventional hitch versus fifth-wheel versus gooseneck
People, options, and cargo, which spend payload the chart assumed was empty

Questions

How much can a 2009 Ford F-150 tow?: The highest conventional-hitch rating for the 2009 Ford F-150 is 11,300 lb, the top of 66 rows transcribed from Ford’s 2009 Ford RV & Trailer Towing Guide. That row is printed for the 5.4L V8, Regular Cab, 2WD, 145-in wheelbase, 3.73 axle, 6R80E automatic transmission. Most configurations are rated lower: 61 of the 66 transcribed conventional-hitch chart rows for 2009 are below 11,300 lb. The other cited maximum for the 2009 Ford F-150 is 11,300 lb on a fifth-wheel hitch.
Did F-150 towing change for 2009?: First year of the twelfth-generation F-150.
Which configuration hits the maximum?: The 11,300 lb conventional maximum is printed for the 5.4L V8, Regular Cab, 2WD, 145-in wheelbase, 3.73 axle, 6R80E automatic transmission.
What tongue weight should I plan for a 2009 F-150?: At the cited 11,300 lb conventional maximum, an illustrative 10% assumption produces 1,130 lb of tongue weight. This is not a recommended percentage or a measurement; follow your trailer and vehicle instructions and measure the actual load. At the cited 11,300 lb fifth-wheel maximum, an illustrative 15% assumption produces 1,695 lb of pin weight. This is not a recommended percentage or a measurement; follow your trailer and vehicle instructions and measure the actual load. That load counts against payload and the rear axle rating.

Compare with

2007 · 2008 · 2010 · 2011 · All F-150 years