The maximum towing capacity for the 2024 Ford F-150 is 13,500 pounds. That capacity is only unlocked if you choose the optional 400-hp twin-turbo 3.5-liter V-6. Going with the venerable 5.0-liter V-8 means the maximum towing capacity is 13,000 pounds; the hybrid model can tow up to 12,700.
Those are, to me, impressive figures, and I know other light trucks can do even better, usually based on the 2500 chassis. I dimly recall some Dodge rated at 35,000 lbs????
That said, I have also read these ratings are a bit wonky and can be, um, massaged.
But they're close enough. The main reason I bought my F150 is because of that twin turbo 3.5L V6. It's an absolute towing monster and not a single one of the V8s in the same market can touch it-- I know because I tried them all before I bought my F150.
The other reason I bought my F150 is because the Supercrew cabin was the largest in the market by a significant margin, at the time. And with my wife driving a sporty convertible at the time, and now a Jeep Wrangler, I knew that my pickup would also have to double as our family car.
One thing to note is that 4x4 diminishes both the towing capacity and the payload, because it's just heavier than 2WD.
Another thing to note is that the absolute highest tow rating combo is a single cab longbed. The Supercrew +short bed diminishes the capacity as well.
So the best combo for my truck's model year, would have been the 2WD single cab longbed 3.5L twin turbo with max towing package, at 13,500. Mine is a 4WD supercrew shortbed with the 3.5L twin turbo and max towing package, and is rated at 11,500.
My trailer is 6,500 lbs dry, and hits about 8,500 lbs wet and loaded with camping gear. It's rated up to 9,500 lbs but I can't imagine what I'd have to load into it to make that kind of weight
Anyway, knowing those tow ratings can be a little wonky as you suggest, I prefer to maintain a healthy safety margin. So at 8500 lbs wet and loaded, I have about 25% safety margin.
