We spent two days towing with a 2024 Ford F-150 equipped with the 3.5L EcoBoost, Max Tow, and the Tow Technology Package to evaluate stability at speed, trailer sway control behavior, the integrated brake controller, and the Pro Trailer Backup Assist user interface in real-world conditions.
Our tester is a SuperCrew 4x4 with the 3.5L EcoBoost (400 hp/500 lb-ft) and 10-speed automatic, outfitted with Max Tow and the Tow Technology Package. Ford rates the 2024 F-150 up to 13,500 lb when properly equipped; our loads were a 6,800-lb dual-axle enclosed trailer (11% tongue) and an 8,800-lb equipment trailer with a weight-distribution (WD) hitch and sway bars. Tires were set to placard pressures, with rear increased +4 psi for the heavier pull. Routes included 65–75 mph interstate with 15–25 mph crosswinds, a 6% mountain descent, and urban maneuvering.
Ambient temps ranged 64–78°F. We used Tow/Haul mode exclusively when hitched. Hitch height and WD were set to restore front axle ride height within 0.5 inch; bed squat with WD engaged measured 0.8 inch versus 2.1 inches without. Straight-line stability is confident at 70 mph.
The truck tracks true with minimal corrective steering, and the electric steering stays reassuringly weighted on-center. Crosswinds do press on a tall enclosed trailer, but the chassis settles quickly after gusts. Mid-corner bumps don’t upset the rear, and the adaptive damping keeps fore-aft pitch in check. Passing at highway speeds is effortless; the 10-speed holds lower gears and the EcoBoost’s midrange grunt makes merging and grade pulls drama-free.
To evaluate Trailer Sway Control, we purposely mis-loaded the enclosed trailer to ~7% tongue and performed a gentle 70-mph weave. The system intervened within two oscillations, flashing a cluster message and applying brief, targeted brake pulses while trimming engine torque. Yaw buildup was arrested smoothly without abruptness, and stability returned by 65 mph. Proper loading is still the first line of defense; with our corrected 11% tongue weight, we could not induce sway in the same maneuver.
The factory integrated trailer brake controller is a highlight. Gain adjustment is straightforward (we settled at 5.0 for the 6,800-lb trailer; 5.5 for the heavier load), the manual lever is progressive, and the cluster shows real-time output along with trailer connection and light-check status. In instrumented stops, the F-150 stopped from 60–0 mph in 134 ft unladen and 197 ft with the 6,800-lb trailer; consistency remained strong on the 6% descent in Tow/Haul thanks to smart downshifts and assertive engine braking. Pro Trailer Backup Assist proved genuinely helpful: creating a trailer profile took three minutes, and the knob-based steering with on-screen trajectory lines and jackknife warnings made tight 90-degree back-ins repeatable.
The UI is clear, camera resolution is sharp, and response is intuitive, though very quick inputs can momentarily overcorrect until you learn to make small adjustments. Overall, the 2024 F-150’s tow tech isn’t gimmicky—it meaningfully reduces workload. Stability is excellent when the trailer is correctly set up, sway control intervenes subtly when you get it wrong, the integrated brake controller is easy to dial in, and Backup Assist lowers the stress of tricky reversals. Recommended spec: Tow Technology Package, a properly sized WD hitch, and diligent tongue-weight management (10–12%) for the best results.
