Ford not taking 4k Towing orders anymore

[clavicus]

Fortunately the AWD FX4 addition increases the towing capacity from 2,000lbs to 3,200lbs.

I haven't seen that info before. Got a link?

FX4 adds engine fan & radiator upgrade, but doesn't say transmission cooling upgrade like the 4Ktow does; no trailer brake controller.

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[klinger]

I haven't seen that info before. Got a link?

Nope. Wish I could give evidence; I looked for it. This was coming from the Ford Rep. He seemed to know what he was talking about, but you never know.

 

[r100gs91]

That's what I was thinking. I couldn't for the life of me understand how that could be added at a later date. I'm not sure why when he put in the computer to update our order to the Ecoboost with AWD, 4k towing, and FX4 package that it flagged it and said the 4k tow package was not available. I guess I will go in tomorrow and try to figure this out...

so many dealers are clueless

 

[HPR]

Minus the trans cooling and gearing, it does have some of the same bits as the tow package, so it is plausible!

 

[WasChops]

That doesn't sound right at all. As long as your truck hasn't started to be built you should be able to change the order. You certainly can't add the 4k package to the hybrid. The 4k package is only offered on the 2.0T AWD.

That is a true statement... cannot be added to the HYBRID

 

[altomav]

Wish I could present evidence that the FX4 can tow more. I personally looked for that information, but couldn't find any. He looked up the information and relayed it to me. I'm assuming he gave me correct information, but it's hard to trust these people.

The Tow package increases the towing capacity from 2K to 4K. lbs Mainly it's the upgraded gear ratio 3.81:1 that provides the capability.

 

[AngeloInSC]

We ordered the Lariat Hybrid back in July. We decided yesterday that we wanted the higher towing capacity and called to change our order to the Lariat Ecoboost with AWD, 4k towing, and FX4 package. Our Dealer said they are struggling to obtain parts for the 4k towing package and aren't taking orders at this time. He assured me that the 4k towing package could be added at a later date. Has anyone heard about this shortage, and Is it possible to add this package at a later date? The reason we made the shift was so we can "legally" tow more. If it's not possible to add this later, then we have no reason for changing our order. Any thoughts are appreciated.

That a BS story if I ever heard one. You can't change a final drive ratio (which ordering the 4k tow package does) without either replacing the transmission or the drive axels and that's just the start. At that point it would be better to sell and buy a new truck.

 

[notfast]

recommend that you reconsider the FX4. It will only gain you skid plates and drive modes. The bigger radiator etc are included in the 4K tow package and there is no difference in ride height.

I think it depends on how often @klinger goes off road. If it's daily or weekly, the FX4 drive modes would help. If it's occasionally, I'd want the non-FX4 drive modes (Eco and Sport) for daily driving as opposed to the Sand/Mud/Ruts modes of the FX4.

Mainly it's the upgraded gear ratio 3.81:1 that provides the capability.

I beg to differ. A drive ratio change of just 0.18 is not going to do much on its own.

Lower gearing helps get a heavy load going, but cooling capacity is a common, well, lowest-common denominator. That's why tow packages (Maverick included) often include larger or additional radiators, even if it's the only type of additional component making up a "tow package", such as for the Honda Odyssey.

But overall, I think every component combined gives the extra capability, but no one component in the package will provide a majority of that capability.

I wish Ford offered a 3k tow as a DIA or as an additional disclosure, but I guess they figured it'd take away from folks ordering the 4k tow.

From a long-term reliability perspective (warranty and legal implications aside), I wouldn't have an issue towing 4k with a non-4k tow if I put on a big enough trans cooler or lived where it was flat enough to keep the trans and water temps down to about 200F max.

 

[Rivers90]

I think it depends on how often @klinger goes off road. If it's daily or weekly, the FX4 drive modes would help. If it's occasionally, I'd want the non-FX4 drive modes (Eco and Sport) for daily driving as opposed to the Sand/Mud/Ruts modes of the FX4.

I don't know what skid plates the fx4 has but on other trucks getting a front skid plate, engine skid plate, and transmission skid plate can end up costing more then the fx4 option.

 

[notfast]

I don't know what skid plates the fx4 has but on other trucks getting a front skid plate, engine skid plate, and transmission skid plate can end up costing more then the fx4 option.

Again, depends on needs and wants. To me, the value in the FX4 is the drive modes since that can't be easily changed, at least unless a company like ForScan does something.

Tires, I could find more suitable ones. OEM skids are typically stamped from steel thin enough to come on a roll, whereas aftermarket skids are usually bent and/or welded from 1/8" or thicker plate. Tow hooks, eh, I could carry a V-bridle with large J-hooks and a piece of cardboard to lay on.

But combined, the FX4 would be a good starting point, especially at the price offered. If you rip a tire open, then you know you need better ones. If you bash up the OEM skid plates, then you know you need better ones.

 

[Romac]

Emailed my dealer/sales manager last night to add ecoboost awd / 4K tow to my order, sales manager is a long time friend and very competent and is an actual ford enthusiast to boot, only saying this to specify that he’s not just a random.

He spoke with me this morning and told me Ford was not taking 4K tow on current orders due to commodity issues, and that we could proceed without or hold out to see.

Not saying he is the definitive authority on this but he’s someone who’s accuracy I trust. There has to be some fire to this smoke at least,

 

[JiMav]

I think it depends on how often @klinger goes off road. If it's daily or weekly, the FX4 drive modes would help. If it's occasionally, I'd want the non-FX4 drive modes (Eco and Sport) for daily driving as opposed to the Sand/Mud/Ruts modes of the FX4.



I beg to differ. A drive ratio change of just 0.18 is not going to do much on its own.

Lower gearing helps get a heavy load going, but cooling capacity is a common, well, lowest-common denominator. That's why tow packages (Maverick included) often include larger or additional radiators, even if it's the only type of additional component making up a "tow package", such as for the Honda Odyssey.

But overall, I think every component combined gives the extra capability, but no one component in the package will provide a majority of that capability.

I wish Ford offered a 3k tow as a DIA or as an additional disclosure, but I guess they figured it'd take away from folks ordering the 4k tow.

From a long-term reliability perspective (warranty and legal implications aside), I wouldn't have an issue towing 4k with a non-4k tow if I put on a big enough trans cooler or lived where it was flat enough to keep the trans and water temps down to about 200F max.

Any idea how difficult it would be to add a trans cooler?

 

[altomav]

I'd think the transmission cooler would be providing more capability than the gearing.

I posted this on another thread. The gear ratio is the main. The cooler is just that, it cools. The brake controller is the electrical link to a trailer that's already equipped with it's own set of brakes. The clip was from the Maverick's Tow guide. Note: an AWD equipped 2.0 Ecoboost is only rated 2K Towing which will have 3.63 drive ratio.

---
Technically, the numbers should be expressed as a ratio, such as 3.81:1, meaning the drive shaft turns 3.81 times for each turn of a wheel.

A lower (taller) gear ratio of 2.91 (Hybrid) will lead to less torque at the wheels but a higher top speed. Meanwhile, a higher ratio 3.81 (Tow Package) will result in the opposite; more torque at the wheels but a lower top speed. Taller gear means more top end speed but less acceleration, less wheelspin, better fuel economy, easier handling, and less noise.

A higher (shorter) gear ratio of 3.81 provides faster acceleration. A higher gear ratio provides more low-speed wheel torque, which means it takes less throttle to get the vehicle and the load it’s carrying or towing moving.

 

[notfast]

Any idea how difficult it would be to add a trans cooler?

@Mrboom_5.0 might be able to answer better since he owns a Maverick that he's removed the bumper cover and such on.

I'm not sure on the Maverick's powertrain, but most newer vehicles have some sort of a transmission cooler or heat exchanger.

If the Maverick non-4K tow has something along those lines, it shouldn't be too difficult if you're willing to cut hoses and use universal parts.

If the Maverick doesn't have a trans cooler or heat exchanger, and thus the trans fluid circulates only within the transmission itself, it will be on a scale of "more difficult" to "not feasible".

I'd be surprised if the Maverick doesn't have a trans cooler or heat exchanger though. I installed an aftermarket oil-to-air trans cooler in my Mazda3.

 

[klinger]

Emailed my dealer/sales manager last night to add ecoboost awd / 4K tow to my order, sales manager is a long time friend and very competent and is an actual ford enthusiast to boot, only saying this to specify that he’s not just a random.

He spoke with me this morning and told me Ford was not taking 4K tow on current orders due to commodity issues, and that we could proceed without or hold out to see.

Not saying he is the definitive authority on this but he’s someone who’s accuracy I trust. There has to be some fire to this smoke at least,

Would you mind emailing your dealer and asking if he knows anything about the FX4 having a 3,200lb towing capacity. Would like to see if another dealership can verify those numbers.

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