If you’ve got a 2016 Ford F150 then you need to know its towing capacity before pulling or hauling anything with it.
Towing heavy trailers weighing greater than the 2016 Ford F150’s max towing capacity will affect engine performance and it’s equally important for towing safety. Now, what is the 2016 Ford F150 Towing Capacity?
The 2016 F150 Towing Capacity (Maximum) ranges between 5,000 – 12,200 lbs. (2,268 – 5,534 kg). It mainly depends on different configurations, engine types, GCWR, cab styles, axle ratio codes, drivetrain, and the tow package installed.
The following table will show you the 2016 Ford F150 towing capacity, payload capacity, power, and torque by each engine type.
| Type of Engine | Power (HP @ rpm) | Torque @ rpm | Max Towing | Max Payload |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5L Ti-VCT V6 | 282 @ 6,250 | 253 lb.-ft. @ 4,250 | 7,600 lbs. | 1,910 lbs. |
| 2.7L EcoBoost V6 | 325 @ 5,750 | 375 lb.-ft. @ 3,000 | 8,500 lbs. | 2,210 lbs. |
| 3.5L EcoBoost V6 | 365 @ 5,000 | 420 lb.-ft. @ 2,500 | 12,200 lbs. | 3,240 lbs. |
| 5.0L Ti-VCT V8 | 385 @ 5,750 | 387 lb.-ft. @ 3,850 | 11,100 lbs. | 3,270 lbs. |
Towing and payload capacities, shown in the above table, are the maximum capacities that can be achieved if your truck has one of these engine types.
Ford says that for all 2016 F150 trim levels and configurations, the trailer weight must not exceed 5,000 lbs when towing with or by bumper only.
For trailer weights exceeding 5,000 lbs., your truck must be equipped with either Trailer Towing Package or Max Trailer Towing Package and a proper weight distribution hitch.
Here I’ve collected all the 2016 Ford F150 towing and payload capacity information from the official Ford resources that includes the 2016 Ford F150 Pickup Brochure and 2016 Ford RV Trailer Towing Guide.
Table of Contents
2016 Ford F150 Cab Styles and Bed Lengths
There are 3 Cab Styles in the 2016 Ford F150: Regular Cab, SuperCab (Extended), and SuperCrew (Crew Cab) as listed in the below table.
| Cab Style | Passenger Capacity | Bed Lengths | Seat Rows | Doors |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Regular Cab | 3 | 6.5 ft. and 8 ft. | 1 | 2 |
| SuperCab | 6 | 6.5 ft. and 8 ft. | 2 | 4 |
| SuperCrew | 6 | 5.5 ft. and 6.5 ft. | 2 | 4 |
Different cab styles and bed lengths will result in different Payload Capacities and GCWR (Gross Combined Weight Rating) resulting in different Towing Capacities.
2016 Ford F150 Towing and Payload Capacity by Trims
There are 6 different Trim Levels in this 2016 Ford F150 (XL, XLT, Lariat, King Ranch, Platinum, and Limited).
| Type of Engine | Power (HP @ rpm) | Torque @ rpm | Max Towing | Max Payload |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5L Ti-VCT V6 | XL, XLT | 253 lb.-ft. @ 4,250 | 7,600 lbs. | 1,910 lbs. |
| 2.7L EcoBoost V6 | XL, XLT, Lariat | 375 lb.-ft. @ 3,000 | 8,500 lbs. | 2,210 lbs. |
| 3.5L EcoBoost V6 | XL, XLT, Platinum | 420 lb.-ft. @ 2,500 | 12,200 lbs. | 3,240 lbs. |
| 5.0L Ti-VCT V8 | XL, XLT, Lariat, King Ranch | 387 lb.-ft. @ 3,850 | 11,100 lbs. | 3,270 lbs. |
2016 F150 Towing Capacity Charts by Engine Type
Let’s look into the towing capacities of each of the 6 engine options in the 2016 F150.
You can find your truck specifications and engine types by using the VIN decoder or simply by checking the Truck Safety Compliance Certification Label (Door Jamb Label).
| Type of Engine | Power (HP @ rpm) | Torque @ rpm | Max Towing | Max Payload |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5L Ti-VCT V6 | 282 @ 6,250 | 253 lb.-ft. @ 4,250 | 7,600 lbs. | 1,910 lbs. |
| 2.7L EcoBoost V6 | 325 @ 5,750 | 375 lb.-ft. @ 3,000 | 8,500 lbs. | 2,210 lbs. |
| 3.5L EcoBoost V6 | 365 @ 5,000 | 420 lb.-ft. @ 2,500 | 12,200 lbs. | 3,240 lbs. |
| 5.0L Ti-VCT V8 | 385 @ 5,750 | 387 lb.-ft. @ 3,850 | 11,100 lbs. | 3,270 lbs. |
3.5L Ti-VCT V6 Towing Capacity
2016 F150 with 3.5L Ti-VCT V6 automatic transmission engine can have a maximum towing capacity of 7,600 lbs. when properly equipped with Trailer Tow Packages or Max Trailer Tow Packages.
3.5L Ti-VCT V6 engine delivers a power of 282 hp @ 6,250 rpm and a torque of 253 lb.-ft. @ 4,250 rpm and has a maximum payload capacity of 1,910 lbs.
2.7L EcoBoost V6 Towing Capacity
2016 F150 with 2.7L EcoBoost V6 automatic transmission engine can have a maximum towing capacity of 8,500 lbs. when properly equipped with Trailer Tow Packages.
2.7L EcoBoost V6 engine delivers a power of 325 hp @ 5,750 rpm and a torque of 375 lb.-ft. @ 3,000 rpm and has a maximum payload capacity of 2,210 lbs.
3.5L EcoBoost V6 Towing Capacity
2016 F150 with a 3.5L EcoBoost V6 automatic transmission engine can have a maximum towing capacity of 12,200 lbs. when properly equipped with Trailer Tow Packages or Max Trailer Tow Packages.
3.5L Ecoboost V6 engine has a power of 365 hp @ 5,000 rpm and a torque of 420 lb.-ft. @ 2,500 rpm and has a maximum payload capacity of 3,240 lbs.
This engine is the most powerful and has a max 12,200 lbs towing capacity.
The trailer weight must not exceed 6,000 lbs (3,175 kg) with only the Class IV hitch (53B), without the Trailer Tow Package (53A).
As you can see, that max towing capacity of 12,200 lbs. can be achieved on SuperCab 8ft. 4×2 drivetrain and SuperCrew 4×2 configurations with 3.5L EcoBoost V6 engine and truck will require Max Trailer Tow Package (53C) with a Class IV hitch installed.
5.0L Ti-VCT V8 Towing Capacity
2016 F150 with a 5.0L Ti-VCT V8 automatic transmission engine can have a maximum towing capacity of 11,100 lbs. when properly equipped with Trailer Tow Packages or Max Trailer Tow Packages.
5.0L Ti-VCT V8 engine has a power of 385 hp @ 5,750 rpm and a torque of 387 lb.-ft. @ 3,850 rpm and has a maximum payload capacity of 3,270 lbs.
This engine provides the highest amount of payload capacity in comparison with the other engines.
2016 F150 Towing Capacity Charts
The below charts show the conventional trailer and 5th-Wheel towing capacity of the 2016 Ford F150.
Conventional Trailer Towing Charts
5th Wheel Towing Charts
More Information from charts
Axle Ratio Codes Chart
2016 F150 axle ratio codes can be seen on the charts. You can find your truck axle ratio codes from the VIN decoder or simply by checking the Truck Safety Compliance Certification Label (Door Jamb Label).
2016 Ford F-150 Axle Ratio Codes Chart
Trailer Towing Packages
The following chart will show you the components included in the trailer towing packages (option codes 53A, 53B, and 53C).
2016 Ford F-150 Trailer Towing Equipment and Packages Chart
Frontal Area Considerations/Limitations
The frontal area can also affect the towing performance of your F150 truck.
Frontal Area Consideration/Limitation refers to the total area from the front of the vehicle and the trailer exposed to air resistance while moving. The area is measured in square feet. For the 2016 F150 Frontal Area Limitations/Considerations are given in this chart:
2016 F150 Frontal Area Limitations/Considerations Chart
Rear Step Bumper vs. Hitch Receiver
The 2016 F150 Pickup rear step bumper can tow a maximum of 5,000 lbs weight-carrying Trailers with a maximum tongue load of 500 lbs. You must not exceed this limit when towing with a bumper only.
To tow greater loads, your truck will require a particular hitch receiver (Class III or Class IV), weight-distributing hitches, and a max trailer tow package.
2016 Ford F150 Hitch Receiver Weight and Rear Step Bumper Towing Capacity Chart
With this equipment installed, you can get a max towing capacity of 12,200 lbs with a max tongue load not exceeding 1,220 lbs (10% of max towing capacity).
Max Cargo Weight with Slide-in Camper Chart
You can add a slide-in camper to your 2016 F150 Truck only if it has 3.5L EcoBoost V6 or 5.0 V8 engine equipped with a Heavy-Duty Payload Package. You should consider the information given in the below chart if you want to add a slide-in camper to your truck.
2016 Ford F150 Max Cargo Weight with Slide-in Camper Chart
Useful Resources
2016 Ford RV and Trailor Towing Guide PDF
Conclusion
The max towing capacity of the 2016 Ford F-150 is between 5,000 – 12,200 lbs. I’ve done deep research to find out and broken down as much information as possible within this article and made it an easy 2016 F150 towing capacity guide using charts, tables, and helpful resources, and recommended the best towing equipment.
You should always determine towing capacity and choose the necessary equipment considering the truck configuration and after contacting your local dealer.
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