Everything you need to know about: Towing with a 2026 Ford

There’s a moment that hits a lot of first-time towers the same way: you’re standing in a dealership or scrolling through listings, thinking you’ve found the perfect truck for all your towing needs—until someone asks, “but what are you towing?”

That’s where towing can seem easy, but difficult if the user isn’t fully equipped.

Towing isn’t about having a big truck; It’s about understanding the weight, balance and how everything works within itself.

New to the 2026 Ford Truck Lineup includes an advanced, torque powertrain lineup, which delivers impressive payload and trailer tow ratings, across all models. Ford’s towing guide lays it all out in detail but here at Hunt Ford in Franklin, KY—we’ve made it easy for you and our customers.

First Trailer, Then Truck

Start by asking yourself:

• How much does your trailer weigh fully loaded?

• What will you be hauling?

• Where and how you will be driving, Flat land or higher terrain?

Before heading out on a trip, check your Ford Owner’s Manual for brakes and in severe duty maintenance schedules. Ford recommends that you don’t tow anything until you’ve reached 1,000 miles on the odometer.

Check your state’s law/requirements for braking systems on trailers. Many states require a separate braking system on trailers with a loaded weight of more than 1,500 pounds.

Ford also recommends that a separate functional brake system be used on any towed vehicle, including those dolly-towed or tobar-towed. The basic types of brake systems designed to activate trailer breaks are Electronically Controlled Brakes, Electric-Over Hydraulic Trailer Brakes or Surge Breaks.

Know What Trailer you Need

Trailers come in different sizes and shapes. Falling into a few general categories, each one changes what kind of vehicle you need.

• Light-duty trailers (under 2,000 Ibs) – Small campers, small boats, motorcycles, etc.

• Mid-range trailers (2,001- 3,500 Ibs) – Single-axle campers or small travel trailers

• Heavy-duty trailers (3,501 – 5,000 Ibs) – Larger campers, dual-axle trailers

• Extra-Heavy Duty (over 5,000 Ibs) – Mounted in the truck bed for better stability and weight distribution.

The bigger and heavier the trailer is, the more important your setup becomes—not just your engine, but the hitch, brakes and weight balance.

The Numbers That Actually Matter

This process is where it can get tricky. However, these numbers are the difference between safe towing and damaging your truck.

GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating): The maximum your truck itself can weigh, including passengers and cargo.

GCWR (Gross Combined Weight Rating): The maximum weight of your truck PLUS your trailer combined.

Tongue Weight: The downward force the trailer puts on your hitch. Typically is less than 10% of the trailer weight.

What Truck Best Suits Your Towing Needs?

Our biggest suggestion is to not underestimate or overestimate, but most importantly, don’t overspend.

F-150: Everyday towing like boats, small campers and utility trailers. You can tow from 8,200 – 13,500 Ibs, depending on engine with the 3.5L EcoBoost H. O. V6 being the lowest and the 3.5L EcoBoost V6 being the highest engine level.

Super Duty’s: Built for serious loads—large RVs, equipment and heavy trailers. Four available engine choices are engineered to provide outstanding performance so you can take on whatever the tow throws on you. With max towing starting at 18,900 Ibs in the 6.8L Gas V8 engine, to the 6.7L High Output Power Stroke Diesel engine at 40,000 Ibs.

The Bottom Line

Towing isn’t about pushing your truck to its limits—but it’s about understanding the right setup. It all comes down to knowing your trailer weight, choosing a vehicle that can handle your tow comfortably (but most importantly, if you can handle the vehicle comfortably) and setting everything up correctly before you hit the road. Here at Hunt Ford, we want it to be less about second-guessing and more about feeling confident on your adventure.

Still not sure which Ford truck is right for your towing needs? Let the experts at Hunt Ford help. As the #1 F-Series volume dealership in the state of Kentucky for two consecutive years, we’ve helped thousands of drivers find the perfect truck for work, recreation and everything in between. Visit us in Franklin, KY, browse our inventory online or contact our team today to find a Ford that’s built to handle whatever you’re towing.

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