Size the truck for the heaviest trailer you will pull around the Metro East, not the lightest. With the 3.5L EcoBoost V6, the 2027 Ford F-150 pulls up to 13,500 lbs, properly equipped, as a 4x4 SuperCrew with the 6.5-ft box, a 3.55 axle and the available Tow/Haul Package along with the optional Max Tow Axle.

Two more engines need that same package and axle for their top ratings. The 5.0L V8 is rated up to 12,800 lbs, properly equipped, on a 5.5-ft box SuperCrew in 4x2 or 4x4, and a properly equipped SuperCrew 4x2 with the 3.5L PowerBoost Full Hybrid V6, the 5.5-ft box and a 3.55 axle tows up to 12,100 lbs.

• Regular Cab 4x2, 3.0L: up to 8,400 lbs, properly equipped
• PowerBoost 4x4 SuperCrew, 3.73 axle, properly equipped: up to 11,600 lbs
• Raptor tow rating, properly equipped: up to 8,200 lbs
• A properly equipped Raptor R pulls up to 8,700 lbs
• Weight-distribution system required past 5,000 lbs, per Ford

Walking back to check hitch alignment gets old on an icy January morning. On a 2027 Ford F-150, hold the Pro Trailer button and available Pro Trailer Hitch Assist does the steering, accelerating and braking to reach a conventional trailer. Backing up, turn the Pro Trailer knob the way the trailer should go, and available Pro Trailer Backup Assist steers.

BlueCruise with Towing debuts on the 2027 F-150, letting the driver tow hands-free on pre-qualified Blue Zone highways with eyes on the road. It is available on BlueCruise-equipped trucks, requires an active plan or trial, and supports trailers up to 10,000 lbs with the optional Max Tow Axle plus Tow/Haul Package, less where the truck's maximum is lower.

• Pro Trailer assists: standard on Tremor, Lariat, Platinum and King Ranch
• XLT offers Trailer Reverse Guidance; Lariat and above include it
• BLIS with Trailer Tow Coverage standard, XL through Raptor
• Standard integrated trailer brake controller on Lariat, King Ranch, Platinum, Raptor
• Trailer profile with accurate dimensions required for BlueCruise with Towing

Before a Fairview Heights shopping trip turns into a full bed, do the payload math. The 2027 Ford F-150 peaks at up to 2,430 lbs, properly equipped, on an 8-ft box Regular Cab 4x2 with the 3.5L EcoBoost V6, and the crew, the cargo and any trailer tongue weight all come out of that figure.

The 8-ft box holds 77.4 cu ft, the 6.5-ft box 62.3 and the 5.5-ft box 52.8, with 50.6 inches between the wheelhouses throughout. Even hitched to a trailer, the Pro Access Tailgate, available on Lariat, King Ranch, Platinum and Tremor, puts you up to 19 inches closer to cargo.

• Properly equipped 3.0L payload: up to 1,755 lbs, Regular Cab 4x2
• Tremor and Raptor SuperCrew trucks use the 5.5-ft box
• 8-ft box floor: 97.6 inches; 6.5-ft box: 78.9 inches
• Remote Tailgate Release standard from Lariat up
• 21.4-inch inside height in every box, at the molding

Torque is what you feel pulling a loaded trailer from a downtown Belleville stoplight in July. Pick an XL, STX, XLT or Lariat 2027 Ford F-150 and the 3.0L EcoBoost V6 comes standard, with 400 lb-ft and 325 hp; properly equipped on a Regular Cab 4x2 with a 3.73 axle, it tows up to 8,400 lbs.

For more twist, the 3.5L PowerBoost Full Hybrid V6 reaches 430 hp and 570 lb-ft, combined from its engine and electric motor at peak battery power, and the 3.5L EcoBoost V6 makes 400 hp and 500 lb-ft as standard equipment on Platinum, King Ranch and Tremor. Order the available 5.0L V8 and you get 400 hp with 410 lb-ft.

• PowerBoost trims: STX, XLT, Lariat, King Ranch, Platinum
• Available 2.4 or 7.2 kW Pro Power Onboard with PowerBoost
• 2.0 kW Pro Power Onboard standard on Tremor
• Raptor torque: 510 lb-ft, or 640 lb-ft in the Raptor R
• Raptor engine ratings are based on premium fuel