Changing my Maverick "build" after ordering the vehicle

[SDFF]

I ordered my 2026 Maverick Lariat Hybrid AWD in April. Dealer not responsive to this question: "I would like to add the towing package. How can I do this?" I thought I'd previously read somewhere here in this forum that it was possible. Ford emailed me " The production of your 2026 Maverick Lariat® vehicle is slated to begin during the week of June 8, 2026. " Has anyone here changed their options after the order was placed? If so, any advice? Dealer says they have to speak with Ford tomorrow about it. Thanks.

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[Darnon]

If it's scheduled for this week of production odds are probably almost zero.

The dealer can modify pretty freely up until it's scheduled. Once it's scheduled then it takes a bit more work including approval from the factory scheduling. But this late? It's probably already at blend date where they've begun assigning the bill of materials.

 

[LGM30G]

I ordered my 2026 Maverick Lariat Hybrid AWD in April. Dealer not responsive to this question: "I would like to add the towing package. How can I do this?" I thought I'd previously read somewhere here in this forum that it was possible. Ford emailed me " The production of your 2026 Maverick Lariat® vehicle is slated to begin during the week of June 8, 2026. " Has anyone here changed their options after the order was placed? If so, any advice? Dealer says they have to speak with Ford tomorrow about it. Thanks.

I think you can make changes up until the point that you get the VIN. the VIN is the build.

 

[Darnon]

I think you can make changes up until the point that you get the VIN. the VIN is the build.

VIN is issued when scheduled. It is still possible to request some changes at that point, but as mentioned it requires extra approval on Ford corporate's side.

 

[Cancunbadlands]

Odds are probably almost zero.

 

[SDFF]

Uh-oh. I received the VIN. My salesman was 20-something, never suggested a thing. I figured why get a tow package when I wasn't going to tow. Later I read some people suggesting resale value alone, not to mention transmission cooling upgrade, made it a good choice. I'm driving my '04 Sport Trac w/200K+ miles, so I tend to be in it for the long haul. I think there might be a small decrease in mileage due to gearing, but quicker acceleration (when not towing, of course). I could repost this in another thread but it's too late I guess. Thanks.

 

[notfast]

I figured why get a tow package when I wasn't going to tow. Later I read some people suggesting resale value alone, not to mention transmission cooling upgrade, made it a good choice.

I wouldn't sweat it. If you keep the Maverick 22 years, the 4K towing package might add $200 to the resale value. As the car gets older, most buyers are more concerned with miles and overall condition than specific features. The cooling capacity is nice, but realistically as long as you keep on top of trans fluid changes and don't drive up the Cajon Pass at 80MPH with the A/C blasting when it's 100F out, you'll be fine. Even with the 4K towing package I wouldn't suggest doing that. It makes the margin a little wider, not eliminate it.

I think there might be a small decrease in mileage due to gearing, but quicker acceleration (when not towing, of course).

Any decrease in mileage and increase in acceleration is marginal at best. You're better off ensuring the tires are properly inflated and not driving around with 100 pounds of extra stuff inside the car. It'd be like saying that replacing the steelies with alloys on an XL will increase fuel economy, and reduce suspension and brake wear because you stand to lose 20+ pounds of unsprung weight. Technically? Yes. Realistically, it might get 2% better fuel economy and you might have to replace the shocks at 100k miles instead of 120k miles.

Heck, when I regeared my F-150 from 3.55 to 4.56 (a nearly 30% increase in engine RPM) that resulted in about a 10% drop in fuel economy. Yes the engine has to spin faster, but it's also under less load. Sorta like pedaling a bicycle in a lower gear going up a hill versus standing on the pedals in a higher gear.

Enjoy your new Maverick.

 

[SDFF]

Thank you! I get it. All this waiting around for 6 weeks makes my mind wander!

 

[notfast]

Thank you! I get it. All this waiting around for 6 weeks makes my mind wander!

We're in an era of analysis paralysis. You already decided that you never tow and don't need the towing package, so that should answer that, externalities be darned.

When I was helping my neighbor buy a car, I strongly suggested the AWD variant of the vehicle he was looking at, partly due to resale, partly since AWD can be considered a safety feature. He was like, "Nah, I'm never taking this thing to the snow, we live in SoCal, and I don't want to deal with AWD maintenance and repairs." He's had the car for nearly 100k miles and never once said he wished it was AWD.

 

[SDFF]

Good point...

 

[tom_tucker]

Just hit 50,000 miles and not missing the tow package. Haven't towed a damn thing. You don't need it at all. People want to justify their own upselling and you're buying into it just like I did. I tried to change my build too after waiting 10 months and moving to the next model year. No dice to change the build even on a re-order.

 

[SDFF]

I appreciate the response... my biggest worry now is simply timing out the sale of my '04 Sport Trac so I minimize the time that I have to rent a car ...

 

[Waterick]

Thank you! I get it. All this waiting around for 6 weeks makes my mind wander!

Six weeks!? You should have been here 3-5 years ago! I waited 14 months and many waited longer. The good company here really helped the time go by and provided enough info that when my order rolled to the next year and had to be reordered all over again, I changed it based upon things l learned here. You will not miss the 4k on your hybrid if you never tow. The added features help the durability of the EB more than they do the hybrid IMO.

 

[Darnon]

Later I read some people suggesting resale value alone, not to mention transmission cooling upgrade, made it a good choice.

It sounds like you don't plan on reselling it in any timeframe that matters. And on the hybrids there is no cooling upgrade with the tow package; the extra power handling was fundamentally incorporated in the HF55 design.

 

[babytruk]

Thank you! I get it. All this waiting around for 6 weeks makes my mind wander!

What most of us did during our wait times was focus our brains on the “stuff” that can be done with the truck. Bed liner, floor mats, bed cover, and all the smaller things you can add to personalize your Mav. Let your brain spin on those things. When I ordered mine I wanted the tow “just in case”, but the MTC would list parts availability and the hitch would have added two more months so I didn’t order it… and not missed.

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