XL Trim Tow Hitch Question

[SteelWheelDeplorable]

Hi 5G,

I have been asking many local dealers and getting mixed answers.

I have a 2020 4x4 XL trim with the 101A pack and the console has a trailer sway control button.

What is needed to properly tow with my truck?

I'm planning to tow a small motorcycle trailer and boat/trailer (under 1500lbs) occasionally. I assume I need more than a ball for the bumper hitch thats already there.

Sorry if this is a noob question, I have just had enough of dealers.

Thanks.

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[importfighter01]

I have this question too lol.

 

[Adventure Ranger]

Hi 5G,

I have been asking many local dealers and getting mixed answers.

I have a 2020 4x4 XL trim with the 101A pack and the console has a trailer sway control button.

What is needed to properly tow with my truck?

I'm planning to tow a small motorcycle trailer and boat/trailer (under 1500lbs) occasionally. I assume I need more than a ball for the bumper hitch thats already there.

Sorry if this is a noob question, I have just had enough of dealers.

Thanks.

The button is actually the Trailer TOW mode. It will alter the transmission shift strategy, ABS operation and possibly engine response when hooked to a trailer. I turn it on when towing our camper(pulls hills better and provides great engine braking in TOW mode). I leave it off with my utility/quad/sled trailer because it is quite short and doesn't have electric brakes.
If your under 1500 LBS you don't need a trailer brake controller, so I wouldn't even worry about putting it into TOW mode. You may want to try it just to feel the difference however.

 

[jsphlynch]

You can bumper tow up to 3500 pounds by simply getting a ball that fits the mount in the bumper, assuming your trailer tongue is high enough. Make sure to check the electrical connection; stock is a 4-pin flat connector, so if your trailer has something else you may need to get an adaptor.

If you need to tow more than 3500 pounds, or if the bumper is too high, you'll need to get a hitch receiver installed. If you want to stick with OEM, the Ford receiver is available, but is a bit spendy and a PITA to install. You can save a few bucks by buying a third party (Curt or Drawtite) and installing it yourself (installation takes about 20 minutes with no specialty tools required). With the drawtite, this will give you the full 7500 pound towing capacity stated by Ford*, whereas the Curt is a little lower.

*To safely (not to mention legally) tow higher weight trailers, you'll need to have functioning trailer brakes. Depending on the trailer, this may require installing a trailer brake controller or using a wireless controller like the Curt Echo. Please check your local laws regarding such requirements.

 

[jsphlynch]

The button is actually the Trailer TOW mode. It will alter the transmission shift strategy, ABS operation and possibly engine response when hooked to a trailer.

Mike brings up an important point here. The button controls Tow mode, not trailer sway control. Trailer sway control is always on by default. If for some reason you want to turn off sway control, it's somewhere in the menus of the center instrument cluster.

 

[SteelWheelDeplorable]

Thank you for all the replies!!!

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