Around 75% of Ford F-150 owners use their vehicles to tow. Because of this, towing capacity was a primary objective for Ford engineers while designing the F-150 Lightning.
The all-electric Ford can pull as much as a 2.7-litre EcoBoost-powered F-150, with a maximum tow rating of 10,000 pounds. But towing capability is only one aspect of making hauling with the Lightning enjoyable.
In this article, we will explain why the Ford F-150 Lightning is a great Ford truck for towing.
It's a shocker to tow a trailer with an electric vehicle. The reasons are self-evident: The conventional twin motors provide 775 lb-ft of torque at zero rpm. That means there's no need to wait for revs before proceeding at a decent speed.
Slow starts and panicky junction crossings are no longer an issue. You may simply press the accelerator and drive away as if you're not pulling anything at all. Highway merges and passing slower-moving cars are far less dramatic than in any equivalent-sized ICE-powered truck.
Because you don't have to consider seven steps ahead to make a maneuver, quick torque makes towing less stressful. Furthermore, there is no drivetrain slack or gearshifts to disturb the load.
You have to apply far more braking effort on any internal combustion engine-powered vehicle than you would without a trailer since you're slowing down a lot more weight. While the weight is the same (if not higher) in the Lightning, it never seems like you're spending more energy on the brake pedal than usual while slowing down with a trailer.
This is due to a well-tuned regenerative braking system. Tow/haul mode on the Lightning disables one-pedal driving and sets the pedal so that it mixes regenerative braking with the regular brakes, creating a smooth transition from one to the other. It's a far more excellent experience than having to, in some situations, stand on the brake pedal to slow down your truck and trailer.
It's not only the driving pleasure that makes the F-150 Lightning an excellent tow vehicle. With the Towing Technology Package, you get a slew of towing-specific capabilities.
Ford's Smart Hitch is the most remarkable piece of technology. It employs sensors to generate real-time cargo weight estimations. This also gives the driver an estimate of the trailer tongue load weight.
This allows drivers to alter how weight is distributed on the trailer to optimize their towing experience and ensure weight is put in the safest possible areas.
The package also includes Pro Trailer Backup Assist, which allows the driver to steer in the direction of a connected trailer while reversing via a knob on the dashboard.
The truck's bed payload capacity is 2235 lbs (1013.78 kg), roughly identical to that of a 2.7-litre EcoBoost F-150. Choose the proper selections, and you'll receive what Ford calls onboard scales, which assess the weight and location of your cargo within your truck, so you know just how much you're transporting.
Towing anything with an EV reduces range dramatically, and the F-150 Lightning is no exception. Ford understands how this may deter purchasers who would want an all-electric F-150 in their garage, so it has incorporated Intelligent Range into every Lightning.
It calculates an exact range based on payload, tow weight, driving style, traffic, elevation variations, and weather conditions. When range cannot be increased while towing, you will have an accurate reading of how far you can drive.
The Ford F-150 Lightning is a great towing truck because it has a powerful engine, a sturdy frame, and various features that make towing safer and more accessible. If you're looking for a truck that can handle your towing needs, the F-150 Lightning is an excellent option.
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