Max Tow brake components for a LIGHTNING are the same as non-Max Tow

[JMD359]

No brakes/suspension difference.
You are probably right with that decision, but in extremely hot areas like some areas of Arizona, the added cooling during summer months may be of some help during charging, or even towing moderate loads.

Heat is understood to be a problem for our batteries in order to maintain their max range for the longest possible time.

Ford will not let you hurt the battery it will reduce power as needed slowing you down to maintain safe battery temps . So it really doesn’t matter to most people on cooler areas , the truck protects itself , the extra cooling all seems to go thru the same size condenser anyway . That’s where the heat exchange takes place giving off the heat . The maxtow package doubles the surface area inside the battery where it is picking up the heat ,and adds an additional pump , but it’s sending to the same surface area to be given off it seems .

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[TaxmanHog]

The maxtow package doubles the surface area inside the battery where it is picking up the heat ,and adds an additional pump , but it’s sending to the same surface area to be given off it seems .

Partially correct.

 

[ctuan13]

Going forward for '25 it appears the only difference now would be those without Max Tow don't have the e-locker in the rear motor/diff.

Man they really just keep deleting standard features, don't they...

 

[RickKeen]

Max Tow also requires Pro-Power. So you also have a larger inverter. You also needed Tow Tech to get the trailer brake controller for the most capable towing configuration (might be different now). Those three option packages added several $thousand to the sticker price. The frequent combination of those three option packages may explain the price difference you see in the used market.

The only time I actually use the locking diff is pulling boats out of the water at the ramp, but its nice to have in the winter for peace of mind.

 

[Firn]

I thought the max tow package also includes on board scales / smart hitch, reverse trailer control knob, and trailer break adjustmemt squeeze lever? Unless I'm confused my self?

In 25 and maybe 24s the Tow Tech is an option on the pro, and standard on XLT and above, but does not include a brake controller.
The Max Tow adds the brake controller amongst other things.
9.6 pro power is required on the pro trim if you get max tow, for the trims above that it looks to be a stand alone option.

I dont think scales are available on any trim currently but were on 22s and iirc some 23s.

In 22s and 23s the brake controller is part of the Tow tech, max tow is just more battery cooling.

 

[chl]

Max Tow also requires Pro-Power. So you also have a larger inverter. You also needed Tow Tech to get the trailer brake controller for the most capable towing configuration (might be different now). Those three option packages added several $thousand to the sticker price. The frequent combination of those three option packages may explain the price difference you see in the used market.

The only time I actually use the locking diff is pulling boats out of the water at the ramp, but its nice to have in the winter for peace of mind.

Yes, on my 23' Pro the Tow Tech was listed on the sticker at $1,950.00 and the max trailer tow at $1,100.00

The on-bard scales / smart hitch were removed and a $650 credit applied on my sticker. Apparently it was due to a shortage of ride height sensors?

"...Lastly, a bit of bad news for 2023 F-150 Lightning shoppers: Due to a ride height sensor shortage, Ford says the onboard scales and smart hitch features are omitted on all Lightnings built after September 5, 2022. Buyers will instead see a $650 credit on their window stickers. Ford intends to bring the onboard scales back at an undetermined date..."

https://www.motortrend.com/reviews/...ng-review-update-2-hauling-and-payload-scales

 

[Robob]

Also when I look up rear brakes in my catalogs for any current gen f150 ICE or BEV the rear rotors are different size depending if you have max tow.
336mm for non tow and 350mm diameter for the max tow. Although it may only be correct for the ICE trucks I don’t always trust these catalogs haha

 

[hturnerfamily]

all LIGHTNINGS are built exactly the same, regardless of 'options' you choose, such as "Max Tow", which is ONLY an additional CHILLER unit and lines that wrap the battery pack. Max Tow is ONLY about keeping the battery pack cool, nothing else - the truck, ALL the trucks, already have 10,000lb towing capacity BUILT IN at the factory, from a structural standpoint, for suspension and braking. The BATTERY is the only difference. There is NO suspension, brake, or other components DIFFERENCE between any trims.

yes, don't confuse, or listen to other "F150" discussions which are referring to ICE or DIESEL versions - they, yes, have DIFFERENT components for upgrades to towing capacity, etc. The LIGHTNING is totally different - although it carries the same "F150" naming.
It's like the Mustang MACH E. It is NOT a Mustang. It is a MACH E, with the confusion of adding the "MUSTANG" naming. No Mustang has EVER had four doors, and CERTAINLY NOT a rear hatch!

 

[3rdgenfan]

No Mustang has EVER had four doors, and CERTAINLY NOT a rear hatch!

 

[TaxmanHog]

Yup, I had one of these with a V6

 

[3rdgenfan]

Yup, I had one of these with a V6

I could never swing one growing up as a teen, the Camaro/Firebirds of that era (hence the user name) were in the price range of a few hundred dollars for a good V8 car to the $3000+ for a good foxbody...it never made sense haha.

Paid $500 for an '88 IROC with the 5.7 and 17yo me drove it everywhere.

(Granted this was in 2003-2004)

 

[DeePagne]

all LIGHTNINGS are built exactly the same, regardless of 'options' you choose, such as "Max Tow", which is ONLY an additional CHILLER unit and lines that wrap the battery pack. Max Tow is ONLY about keeping the battery pack cool, nothing else - the truck, ALL the trucks, already have 10,000lb towing capacity BUILT IN at the factory, from a structural standpoint, for suspension and braking. The BATTERY is the only difference. There is NO suspension, brake, or other components DIFFERENCE between any trims.

yes, don't confuse, or listen to other "F150" discussions which are referring to ICE or DIESEL versions - they, yes, have DIFFERENT components for upgrades to towing capacity, etc. The LIGHTNING is totally different - although it carries the same "F150" naming.
It's like the Mustang MACH E. It is NOT a Mustang. It is a MACH E, with the confusion of adding the "MUSTANG" naming. No Mustang has EVER had four doors, and CERTAINLY NOT a rear hatch!

so if I never plan to tow over 7000# it would be a waste correct?

 

[MountainAlive]

so if I never plan to tow over 7000# it would be a waste correct?

Well not exactly. The max tow version provides a separate, dedicated cooling system for the battery and motors. Some argue that this helps maintain the health of the battery more effectively in high stress scenarios, like extreme ambient temperatures or during supercharging etc.

 

[DeePagne]

Well not exactly. The max tow version provides a separate, dedicated cooling system for the battery and motors. Some argue that this helps maintain the health of the battery more effectively in high stress scenarios, like extreme ambient temperatures or during supercharging etc.

yeah that’s what I’m trying to figure out. “Some argue”. Why can’t we get information from ford? Seems like if that was true they would want people to know

 

[Firn]

yeah that’s what I’m trying to figure out. “Some argue”. Why can’t we get information from ford? Seems like if that was true they would want people to know

It would take some monitoring to confirm but I do not believe the max tow version keeps the battery "more cool".

The temperatures Ford has programmed in should be the same regardless, from there it only matters if your use case overwhelms the non max tow cooling system. My guess is for most their use does not.

The one thing I would like to see is side by side testing over a long DCFC session in a hot environment.

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