Is 4k Towing Package Worth It

[Maverick Hopeful]

Thanks for the information. So it seems that for 2026, the EB no longer gets an auxiliary transmission oil cooler with the 4k tow package, but the hybrid does get one.

That's interesting. I would think the EB would need it more.

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[El Kabong]

That's interesting. I would think the EB would need it more.

I think both transmissions should get one! It's long been known that adding an aux oil cooler is beneficial for towing, not just for a Maverick.

 

[Maverick Hopeful]

I think both transmissions should get one! It's long been known that adding an aux oil cooler is beneficial for towing, not just for a Maverick.

I know! So from what I can gather, the 4k towing is still beneficial for better transmission cooling because of the bigger radiator and cooling fan for daily driving compared to a non 4k even without the auxillary transmission oil cooler?

 

[El Kabong]

I know! So from what I can gather, the 4k towing is still beneficial for better transmission cooling because of the bigger radiator and cooling fan for daily driving compared to a non 4k even without the auxillary transmission oil cooler?

Without the added transmission cooler on the EB I think the benefit is lessened if you know you will never need the added towing capacity. I am surprised to know they dropped the air-to-oil cooler for the EB!

I would say my point about added value down the line (resale) still stands. You can always add the conventional spare tire to a trim level that does not already include it (I think this is a wise thing regardless of having AWD or not).

Whichever powertrain/tow combination you decide on - keep to the "severe duty" servicing schedule and you should be good for a long time.

 

[tom_tucker]

I have a 2025 Hybrid AWD Lariat with 4K tow package and I do tow, so I see it as a necessity. If you absolutely never tow or haul heavy loads, it is arguably unnecessary but for less than $1000, the added components are a real bargain:

Class III trailer hitch with a 2-inch receiver
4-pin and 7-pin connectors
integrated trailer brake controller
upgraded cooling fan
high-capacity radiator (specifically for EcoBoost models).
Auxiliary transmission/eCVT cooler to manage heat under load.
Tow/Haul drive mode integration for optimized shifting and engine braking.
Heavy-duty alternator to support electrical demands from trailer lights and brakes.
Drivetrain Tuning: Optimized final drive ratios (approximately 3.81 for EcoBoost AWD) and Tow/Haul drive mode integration for better torque and shift management.
Spare Tire: A conventional 17-inch spare tire (215/70R17) to support heavier loads.

The 2026 XLT and other years has the hitch, 4 pin and tow/haul standard as part of the XLT trim. I also got the "full size" spare included in '23.

4K tow is still a good value when you opt for AWD/CP360, but you do get 2K towing with just the base XLT.

 

[OleFordGuy]

I know! So from what I can gather, the 4k towing is still beneficial for better transmission cooling because of the bigger radiator and cooling fan for daily driving compared to a non 4k even without the auxillary transmission oil cooler?

A larger radiator and cooling fan will always be better for heat situations imo

 

[Cogs n Sprockets]

The 2026 XLT and other years has the hitch, 4 pin and tow/haul standard as part of the XLT trim. I also got the "full size" spare included in '23.

4K tow is still a good value when you opt for AWD/CP360, but you do get 2K towing with just the base XLT.

Yes, agreed. ALL Mavericks come with a tow hitch and 4 pin connector, so small/lightweight trailer towing is absolutely possible with any model. Goes to show that any Maverick is a terrific utility vehicle straight from the factory.

 

[El Kabong]

ALL Mavericks come with a tow hitch and 4 pin connector

Not quite - XL is the only trim that can be had without it.

 

[LSchicago]

That's interesting. I would think the EB would need it more.

It relies on the cooler inside of the upgraded radiator.

 

[El Kabong]

It relies on the cooler inside of the upgraded radiator.

Don't all of the EBs get that? What was decontented was the auxiliary cooler on the Ebs.

 

[LSchicago]

Don't all of the EBs get that? What was decontented was the auxiliary cooler on the Ebs.

Correct.

 

[Scupking]

I am interested in the 4K towing package, I want to buy a 17 foot Casita camper. The dry weight is 2,780 lbs., all options. Hitch weight 280 lbs. I believe the time you load it up that's gling to be close to the max. Any thoughts?

Should be good! I tow a jayco jay flight slx 170bh with mine. It's 3000lb with a 300lb hitch weight dry.

 

[notfast]

I know! So from what I can gather, the 4k towing is still beneficial for better transmission cooling because of the bigger radiator and cooling fan for daily driving compared to a non 4k even without the auxillary transmission oil cooler?

Seeing as you're a non-tower, I honestly wouldn't make 4K tow a must-have. If you can find a great deal on one with 4K tow, great! If the better deal is one sitting on the lot without it, I don't think you'll miss it.

Without actual temperature data, it's all speculation. Seeing as you're in Phoenix, I suggest that, with whatever Maverick you end up buying, 4K tow or not, you plug in an advanced OBD reader, go for a drive on a really hot day, and see how hot the transmission actually gets. Then make a determination as to whether you want to look into aftermarket auxiliary transmission coolers, again, regardless of whether you got the 4K tow or not.

As a real-life example, I was once headed to LA from Vegas, midday, in mid-July (a worst case scenario), in my Nissan Frontier. On that southbound climb on I-15 to Wheaton Springs, I initially held the speed limit of 70mph and watched the transmission temp climb to 240F and the engine coolant temp climb to 230F on my ScanGaugeII. I then dipped behind a semi climbing the hill at 35mph. I watched the temps slowly drop, and eventually crested the hill, still behind the semi, with the trans and engine temps holding a steady 210F.

I got no indication from the instrument cluster that the temps were hitting the upper end of the scale, and the vehicle didn't feel like it was struggling at 70mph as the temps were increasing. I still had plenty of passing power. Had I not had the ScanGaugeII to watch the temps, I'm sure I would've drastically shortened the transmission fluid life at the least.

 

[Maverick Hopeful]

Seeing as you're a non-tower, I honestly wouldn't make 4K tow a must-have. If you can find a great deal on one with 4K tow, great! If the better deal is one sitting on the lot without it, I don't think you'll miss it.

Without actual temperature data, it's all speculation. Seeing as you're in Phoenix, I suggest that, with whatever Maverick you end up buying, 4K tow or not, you plug in an advanced OBD reader, go for a drive on a really hot day, and see how hot the transmission actually gets. Then make a determination as to whether you want to look into aftermarket auxiliary transmission coolers, again, regardless of whether you got the 4K tow or not.

As a real-life example, I was once headed to LA from Vegas, midday, in mid-July (a worst case scenario), in my Nissan Frontier. On that southbound climb on I-15 to Wheaton Springs, I initially held the speed limit of 70mph and watched the transmission temp climb to 240F and the engine coolant temp climb to 230F on my ScanGaugeII. I then dipped behind a semi climbing the hill at 35mph. I watched the temps slowly drop, and eventually crested the hill, still behind the semi, with the trans and engine temps holding a steady 210F.

I got no indication from the instrument cluster that the temps were hitting the upper end of the scale, and the vehicle didn't feel like it was struggling at 70mph as the temps were increasing. I still had plenty of passing power. Had I not had the ScanGaugeII to watch the temps, I'm sure I would've drastically shortened the transmission fluid life at the least.

This is basically where I'm at. Since I work fully remote, might drive 7-8k miles a year and won't be towing, the 4k addition is honestly just cooling insurance in my case. If I can get it at a good price I'll go for it. The hot PHX summers are the only reason I'm considering it. But I certainly won't be driving a lot or pushing it hard.

 

[tom_tucker]

Not quite - XL is the only trim that can be had without it.

All 5 model years it's been like this. All you have to do is add the 2k tow package for $150 to the XL. That's less than 1% of MSRP. Yet inexplicably, there are plenty of Mavericks with a completely blank bumper.

So 2k tow for $150 is apparently not a must have but (I certainly would add it). On the other extreme, we've got people adding AWD, CP360 and 4KT and calling that a must have. I have 0/3 and in 50k miles, I'd just call them nice to haves. I think a lot of people are gonna be happy with the XL FWD in either powertrain for some time. And of course the only AWD XL in 2026 is the Hybrid option.

All this leads me to believe Ford really knows how to get to us climb the ladder on the build-and-price website. They've got us by the short and curlys. Come for the XL, leave with the Lariat, lol.

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