2015 Ford F-150 Towing Capacity Charts (Full Guides)

The 2015 Ford F-150 launch was a watershed moment in the truck industry. It debuted with a class-leading maximum conventional towing capacity of 12,200 pounds and a best-in-class maximum payload of 3,300 pounds. These numbers were not just incremental improvements; they were a bold statement.

This was the year Ford famously shifted to a high-strength, military-grade aluminum-alloy body, a gamble that reduced the truck’s curb weight by as much as 700 pounds. This weight savings was the key to improving the truck’s power-to-weight ratio, which in turn allowed for these headline-grabbing capabilities. Ford needed to prove that “aluminum” and “Built Ford Tough” were not mutually exclusive. That 12,200-pound rating was a direct challenge to its competition, nosing out the Chevrolet Silverado’s 12,000-pound rating and the Ram 1500’s 10,650-pound rating.

However, for owners and potential buyers, this 12,200-pound figure is only half the story. It represents a “unicorn” configuration—a very specific model with a specific engine, axle, and package. As many owners have discovered, a 2015 F-150’s towing capacity can be a confusing and complex topic. Your truck’s actual, safe towing limit could be as low as 5,000 pounds.

This guide serves as the definitive, data-driven resource. We will not only provide the official towing charts but also disambiguate the confusing packages and, most importantly, provide a step-by-step guide to help you find the exact towing capacity for your specific truck.

2015 F-150 Towing Capacity by Engine: At-a-Glance

The 2015 F-150’s capability is first and foremost defined by its engine. Ford’s strategy was to offer “right-sized” power, providing four distinct options. This lineup included two high-performance “workhorse” engines—the 3.5L EcoBoost (optimized for maximum towing) and the 5.0L V8 (optimized for maximum payload)—and two high-efficiency/value engines in the all-new 2.7L EcoBoost and the base 3.5L Ti-VCT V6.

The table below provides a high-level summary of the maximum capabilities for each engine.

Table 1: 2015 Ford F-150 Maximum Towing & Payload by Engine

This data immediately highlights the central trade-off for 2015 F-150 buyers. The 3.5L EcoBoost V6 was the undisputed towing champion, a point of much discussion as the twin-turbo V6 out-pulled the V8. This was thanks to its massive 420 lb-ft of torque, available at a low 2,500 RPM, which is ideal for getting a heavy trailer moving.

Conversely, the 5.0L V8 was the “Payload King.” To achieve the absolute 3,300-pound maximum payload, the truck had to be configured with the 5.0L V8 and the rare Heavy-Duty Payload Package. This created the primary choice for high-demand users: max towing (3.5L) vs. max hauling (5.0L).

The “Max Tow” Champion: 2015 F-150 3.5L EcoBoost Towing Capacity Chart

For those looking to pull the heaviest conventional trailers, the 3.5L EcoBoost V6 was the only choice. Its 420 lb-ft of torque dwarfed the 5.0L V8’s 387 lb-ft, and it delivered that torque much lower in the power band (2,500 RPM vs. 3,870 RPM), which is what tow operators need.

However, to unlock the 10,000+ pound ratings in the chart below, the truck must be equipped with the Max Trailer Tow Package (Option Code 53C). Without this package, the towing capacity is significantly lower.

The following chart details the conventional tow ratings based on drivetrain, cab type, and axle ratio.

Table 2: 2015 F-150 3.5L V6 EcoBoost Conventional Towing Chart (lbs)

How to Read This Chart

Several key factors become clear when analyzing this data:

• The 12,200-lb Truck: The “unicorn” configuration that achieved the 12,200-pound maximum was a Regular Cab 4×2 with the 3.5L EcoBoost, the 3.73 axle ratio, and the Max Trailer Tow Package.
• The Axle Ratio is Key: The axle ratio is a performance multiplier. For example, a 4×2 SuperCrew with the 3.31 axle and Max Tow Package can tow 10,500 pounds. By simply changing to a 3.73 axle, the same truck’s rating jumps to 11,800 pounds.
• 4×4 vs. 4×2: 4×4 models consistently have slightly lower tow ratings than their 4×2 counterparts. This is because the 4×4 system adds several hundred pounds of curb weight. This weight is subtracted from the truck’s Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR), leaving less available capacity for the trailer.
• GCWR (Gross Combined Weight Rating): This is the “master number” from which tow ratings are calculated. It represents the total maximum weight of the truck, trailer, passengers, and cargo combined. The max-rated 2015 F-150 has a GCWR of 17,100 pounds.

Towing Charts & Capabilities for Other 2015 F-150 Engines

While the 3.5L EcoBoost was the tow champion, the other three engines offered a wide range of capabilities.

5.0L V8 “Coyote” Towing Capacity (Max: 11,100 lbs)

For many, the appeal of the 5.0L V8 was its classic V8 sound, perceived mechanical simplicity, and smooth, linear power delivery. This engine was also the key to unlocking the 2015 F-150’s absolute 3,300-pound maximum payload. To get this payload, the truck had to be equipped with the rare Heavy-Duty Payload Package (HDPP). This same package was also required to hit the 5.0L’s maximum tow rating of 11,100 pounds.

Table 3: 2015 F-150 5.0L V8 Conventional Towing Summary (lbs)

This table highlights a critical pitfall. Many 5.0L SuperCrew owners with the 3.31 axle see the 9,000-pound rating in the manual. However, as we will explain, if they only have the basic hitch (package 53B), their actual limit is a much lower 5,100 pounds.

2.7L EcoBoost V6 Towing Capacity (Max: 8,500 lbs)

The 2.7L “Pocket Hercules” was the revolutionary new engine for 2015. It was heavily marketed for its incredible power-to-weight ratio and V8-like power in a small, efficient package.

This engine was not designed for max towing; it was designed to be the perfect daily driver that could occasionally tow a respectable load. Real-world owner reports confirm it tows trailers in the 5,000-7,000 pound range well, but it can struggle with the high wind resistance of a large travel trailer and “becomes a gas hog under boost” when working hard.

To achieve the 8,500-pound max tow rating, the truck needed the specific, special-order 2.7L EcoBoost Payload Package (622). This package bundled the required 3.73 axle ratio and the Trailer Tow Package (53A).

Table 4: 2015 F-150 2.7L EcoBoost V6 Conventional Towing Summary (lbs)

3.5L Ti-VCT V6 (Base) Towing Capacity (Max: 7,600 lbs)

This was the standard, non-turbo, non-V8 engine. It was a reliable workhorse for fleets and budget-conscious buyers. Its maximum towing capacity was 7,600 pounds, a rating that generally required the Trailer Tow Package (53A) and a 3.73 axle. This engine was not compatible with the Max Trailer Tow Package.

The Most Confusing Part: Understanding Your 2015 F-150 Tow Package

This is the single most critical, and most confusing, part of determining a 2015 F-150’s capacity. As documented in countless owner forums, dealers often listed a “Towing Package” on a used truck, which owners assumed meant they could tow the high-end numbers in the manual. This is a dangerous assumption.

Here is the single most important rule from Ford’s 2015 towing guide: For towing trailers over 5,000 pounds, the F-150 must be equipped with either the Trailer Tow Package (53A) or the Max Trailer Tow Package (53C).

The “Hitch Only” Trap (Package 53B)

Many F-150s were sold with only the Class IV Trailer Hitch (Option Code 53B). This package provided the hitch receiver, the Smart Trailer Tow Connector, and the 4-pin/7-pin wiring. Critically, it did not include an upgraded front stabilizer bar or an auxiliary transmission oil cooler.

Without this extra cooling, a truck with only the 53B package is limited to 5,000 pounds (or 5,100 lbs) of towing, regardless of what the engine/axle charts say. This is the “gotcha” that traps so many owners. They have a 5.0L V8 and see 9,000 pounds in the manual, but their actual, safe limit is only 5,100 pounds because they lack the cooling and stability components of the 53A package.

This table breaks down the differences.

Table 5: 2015 F-150 Tow Package Comparison (53A vs. 53B vs. 53C)

The “Unicorn” Package: What is the Heavy-Duty Payload Package (HDPP)?

There is one more critical, and very rare, package: the Heavy-Duty Payload Package (Option Code 627). This was the only way to achieve the 3,300-pound maximum payload rating.

This package essentially created a “heavy half-ton” F-150. It was a special-order package limited to XL, XLT, and Lariat Base trims and required either the 5.0L V8 or 3.5L EcoBoost engine. It included upgraded springs, heavy-duty 18″ aluminum wheels (or 17″ steel on XL), LT-rated tires, a 9.75-inch gear set, and a 3.73 electronic-locking axle. It also increased the truck’s Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR). Finding one of these “HDPP” trucks on the used market is difficult but highly desirable for those towing heavy travel trailers, as it provides the payload capacity needed to handle a heavy tongue weight.

A 3-Step Guide: How to Find Your Exact 2015 F-150 Towing Capacity

Given the complexity, how can an owner find their true capacity? The answer is not online.

A critical warning: Ford’s official online VIN-based Towing Calculator does not work for 2015 models. The tool only supports the 2020 model year and newer. Furthermore, generic VIN decoders or dealer lookups are notoriously unreliable, often just saying “Towing Package” without specifying 53A, 53B, or 53C.

The only 100% reliable method is to physically inspect your truck’s stickers and cross-reference them with the official Ford Towing Guide.

Step 1: Check Your Door Jamb Stickers (Find Your Real Payload)

Open the driver’s side door and find the two labels on the door frame.

• Sticker 1: The “Tire and Loading Information” Sticker (Yellow)This is the most important number for safe towing. It will clearly state: “The combined weight of occupants and cargo should never exceed XXXX lbs.”.5 This number is your truck’s specific Payload Capacity as it left the factory, accounting for all options. Write this number down.
• Sticker 2: The “Safety Compliance Certification” Sticker (White)This sticker lists your GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating)—the maximum allowable weight of the truck. It also contains your “AXLE” code.14 This two-digit code identifies your axle ratio.

This process can be visualized by imagining the driver’s door jamb. The white, larger “Safety Compliance” sticker is typically lower down, near the rocker panel. The yellow “Tire and Loading” sticker is often higher up, on the B-pillar, and is the one that contains the specific payload for that exact vehicle.

Step 2: Decode Your Axle Ratio

Take the two-character “AXLE” code from the white sticker in Step 1 and match it to this table to find your axle ratio.

Table 6: Common 2015 F-150 Axle Codes

Now you have the key variables: your engine, your axle ratio, and your specific payload.

Step 3: Calculate Your Real-World Towing Limit

Your safe towing limit is not one number. It is the lowest of two different calculations: the Payload Limit and the GCWR Limit. In 9 out of 10 cases, the Payload Limit is the one that matters most.

Calculation 1: The Payload Limit (What your truck can carry)

This is the limit new towers almost always unknowingly exceed. The trailer’s tongue weight (10-15% of its total weight for a conventional trailer) counts against your payload.

Formula:

(Your Payload from Sticker) – (Weight of You + All Passengers) – (Weight of Cargo in Bed/Cab) – (Weight of Weight-Distributing Hitch) = Max Safe Tongue Weight.

Real-World Example:

Let’s use an owner who finds their payload sticker says 1,869 lbs.26

• 1,869 lbs (Payload)
  • 180 lbs (Driver)
  • 300 lbs (Family)
  • 100 lbs (Gear in the bed)
  • 100 lbs (Hitch)
• = 1,189 lbs of available payload for tongue weight.

Now, convert that to a trailer size (assuming 13% average tongue weight):

(Max Safe Tongue Weight) / 0.13 = Max Real-World Trailer Weight

1,189 / 0.13 = 9,146 lbs

Conclusion: Even if that owner’s 5.0L V8 truck has a chart rating of 11,100 pounds, their real, safe towing limit is 9,146 pounds because they run out of payload first.

Calculation 2: The GCWR Limit (What your truck can pull)

This calculation checks against the total weight of the entire rig.

Find your truck’s GCWR from Table 2 in this guide.

Formula:

(Your GCWR from Chart) – (Your Truck’s Curb Weight + All Passengers + All Cargo) = Max Safe Trailer Weight.

The Final Answer

Your true, safe towing capacity is THE LOWER of the number from Calculation 1 (Payload Limit) and Calculation 2 (GCWR Limit).

A Note on 5th-Wheel & Gooseneck Towing the 2015 F-150

The 2015 Ford Towing Guide lists 5th-wheel and gooseneck ratings as high as 31,200 pounds, which can be misleading. These ratings are for Super Duty trucks, which are included in the same fleet-wide guide.

The 2015 F-150 was not offered with a factory 5th-wheel/gooseneck prep package; this was introduced in later model years. All official F-150 tow ratings for 2015 (like the 12,200-pound maximum) are for conventional towing with a weight-distributing hitch.

While it is physically possible to install an aftermarket in-bed hitch, 5th-wheel towing with an F-150 is almost always limited by payload. A 5th-wheel trailer places 20-25% of its weight on the pin, as opposed to 10-15% for a conventional trailer.

Example: A 10,000-pound 5th-wheel (a common size) will place approximately 2,000 to 2,500 pounds of pin weight directly on the truck. This would immediately max out or exceed the payload of any 2015 F-150, except for a rare “unicorn” HDPP model.

For this reason, 5th-wheel towing is not recommended for the 2015 F-150, as it is extremely difficult to stay within the vehicle’s payload and GVWR limits. This type of heavy hauling is best left to Super Duty trucks.

External Source Citations:

1. Ford Motor Company. (2014). 2015 RV & Trailer Towing Guide. Retrieved from https://rvsafety.com/images/pdf/FordTG2015.pdf
2. Mihalascu, D. (2014). Aluminum-Bodied 2015 Ford F-150 Gets 12,200 Lbs Max Towing Rating. Car and Driver. Retrieved from https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a15360669/aluminum-cans-can-work-ford-releases-2015-f-150-max-towing-and-hauling-ratings/
3. Automotive-Fleet Staff. (2014). Ford Releases More 2015 F-150 Towing, Payload Specs. Automotive-Fleet. Retrieved from https://www.automotive-fleet.com/125640/ford-releases-more-2015-f-150-towing-payload-specs

Conclusion: The 2015 F-150 – A Capable but Complex Hauler

The 2015 Ford F-150 is a landmark truck. Its revolutionary aluminum construction and powerful, efficient EcoBoost engine lineup allowed it to post chart-topping numbers that set a new standard for a half-ton pickup. Its capability is undeniable, with ratings that span from a modest 5,000 pounds to a massive 12,200 pounds.

However, this capability is complex. The 2015 F-150’s tow rating isn’t a single number but a matrix of variables, including engine, axle, cab, and, most critically, the specific tow package installed.

The chart-based numbers in this guide are only the starting point. The true, safe towing capacity of a specific 2015 F-150 is not on a generic website; it’s printed on the stickers on the driver’s side door. We urge all owners to walk outside, check their “Tire and Loading” sticker, find their axle code, and use the payload-based formulas in this guide. This is the only way to ensure a safe and confident towing experience.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: What is the maximum towing capacity of a 2015 Ford F-150?

A: The 2015 F-150 has a maximum conventional towing capacity of 12,200 pounds.1 This rating requires a very specific configuration: the 3.5L EcoBoost V6 engine, a 3.73 axle ratio, and the Max Trailer Tow Package (53C).

Q: How much can a 2015 F-150 5.0L V8 tow?

A: The 2015 F-150 with the 5.0L V8 can tow a maximum of 11,100 pounds when properly equipped.1 This top rating typically required the Heavy-Duty Payload Package (627). More common 5.0L models with a 3. axle are rated for around 9,000 pounds, but only if they have the 53A Trailer Tow Package.

Q: How much can a 2015 F-150 2.7L EcoBoost tow?

A: The 2015 F-150 with the 2.7L EcoBoost V6 has a maximum towing capacity of 8,500 pounds. This requires the optional 2.7L EcoBoost Payload Package (622), which included the 3.73 axle.

Q: How do I know if my 2015 F-150 has the Max Tow Package (53C)?

A: The Max Tow Package (53C) was only available with the 3.5L EcoBoost engine. The easiest way to check is to look for the factory-installed Integrated Trailer Brake Controller on the dash, which was included in 53C.7 It also included a 3.55 or 3.73 electronic-locking axle.

Q: What is the difference between the 53A, 53B, and 53C tow packages?

A: This is a critical distinction. 53B (Class IV Hitch) is just the receiver and wiring; it is limited to 5,000 pounds. 53A (Trailer Tow Package) adds an upgraded front stabilizer bar and auxiliary transmission cooler, and is required for towing over 5,000 pounds. 53C (Max Trailer Tow Package) is 53A plus an upgraded axle, integrated brake controller, and upgraded bumper, required only for the 3.5L EcoBoost to hit its 12,200-lb max.

Q: How do I find the towing capacity of my 2015 F-150 by VIN?

A: You cannot reliably. Ford’s official online VIN-based towing calculator only supports 2020 and newer models. Generic VIN decoders are often inaccurate for specific packages. The only 100% accurate way is to check the payload and axle code stickers on your driver’s side door jamb and use the calculation methods in this guide.