We hitched a 7,500‑lb dual‑axle enclosed trailer to a 2024 Ford F‑150 3.5L EcoBoost with the Tow Technology Package to evaluate towing stability, trailer sway control, the integrated brake controller, and Ford’s Pro Trailer Backup/Hitch Assist in real-world conditions.
Our test truck was a 2024 F‑150 SuperCrew 4x4 (145‑in wheelbase) with the 3.5‑liter EcoBoost V6 (400 hp, 500 lb‑ft) and 10‑speed automatic, rated at 13,000 lb conventional tow and a stickered payload of 1,750 lb. Spec included the Max Tow hardware (3.55 axle, upgraded cooling), integrated trailer brake controller, Pro Trailer Backup Assist, Pro Trailer Hitch Assist, and the trailering app in SYNC 4. Tires were P275/60R20 all‑seasons on 20‑in wheels. We towed a 7,500‑lb enclosed trailer (12% tongue weight ≈ 900 lb) with tandem electric drum brakes and a 1,000‑lb spring‑bar weight‑distribution hitch.
The 400‑mile loop mixed 65–70 mph interstate with 15–25 mph crosswinds, rolling two‑lane with 6% grades, and tight urban docking. We ran Tow/Haul, set tire pressures to 42 psi front/44 psi rear, and logged data via OBD and VBox. Stability impressed from the first mile. Without weight distribution the rear settled 2.4 in; with it dialed, rear drop measured 0.8 in and front rise 0.3 in, restoring steering feel.
At 65–70 mph the truck tracked straight with small corrections; passing semis induced a brief yaw but it damped quickly via chassis and hitch setup. On 6% grades at 60 mph the powertrain held 5th–7th (1,900–2,800 rpm) without hunting; trans temps stayed 186–200°F and coolant 204–208°F. Indicated economy averaged 10.5 mpg over the loop. Trailer Sway Control intervened once during a 25‑mph gust at an indicated 68 mph.
The cluster flashed “Trailer Sway Reduced,” we felt light, brief brake pulsing and a touch of throttle trim, and the trailer settled within two oscillations. The calibration is conservative but not intrusive; it won’t mask poor setup, but as a safety net it’s well‑tuned. A deliberate lane change at 55 mph produced no intervention with our 12% tongue and WDH set correctly. The integrated brake controller supports electric and electric‑over‑hydraulic; gain adjusts in 0.5 steps and displays a clear output bar in the cluster.
We set 6.0 after a few 20–30 mph test stops; manual slide modulation felt linear. From 60–0 mph, solo stops averaged 135 ft; with the trailer, 205 ft, straight and drama‑free. The trailering app’s light‑check routine worked reliably, and BLIS extended coverage to the trailer length we entered. For maneuvering, Pro Trailer Hitch Assist backed up and centered the ball under the coupler in about 12 seconds within roughly an inch.
Pro Trailer Backup Assist’s rotary knob and on‑screen path preview let a novice place the trailer into a 10‑ft bay in two tries—faster and cleaner than without. Overall, the F‑150’s towing package feels cohesive and confidence‑inspiring. Stability is excellent when tongue weight and WDH are set correctly; sway control is a smart fallback, not a crutch. The brake controller’s integration and feedback are best‑in‑class, and the backup/hitch assist tech meaningfully reduces stress.
Frequent towers should spec Max Tow and consider LT tires; occasional towers will still benefit from the Tow Technology Package’s usability gains.
