Ford has introduced a new F-150 for 2021 that could be a big deal for those of us who pull trailers. While there are lots of places covering the new truck, I was able to contact my friends at Ford for a deeper dive into the new truck from the standpoint of trailer towing. And when it comes to towing a trailer, Ford has really done a lot with the 2021 F-150.

One of the more significant features of the new truck is an available hybrid powertrain that boosts Ford’s existing 3.5L turbocharged V6 and ten-speed automatic transmission beyond present levels. But this isn’t your Prius hybrid powertrain, what this does is take the existing very powerful 3.5L turbocharged V6 that Ford has dubbed “EcoBoost” and adds additional power.

The hybrid portion of the powertrain adds up to 47 horsepower to the total output of the powertrain with an electric motor attached to the transmission in addition to the turbocharged gasoline engine.

That electric motor is integrated into he 10-speed automatic transmission and gives the new F-150 a claimed towing maximum of 12,000lbs. The system is called PowerBoost and combines with tow/haul modes in the transmission to enable a better towing experience.

In addition to providing power when needed, the electric motor can also provide regenerative braking to recharge the on-board battery while going downhill and helping in deceleration when towing, sort of like a Jake brake in a semi (although that’s a totally different technology but the resulting performance is similar).

Since this is essentially a power generator Ford has enabled us to utilize that functionality of the system for just that, with various power output options up to 7.2 kilowatts. That means you could literally use your truck as a generator enabling you to leave the existing portable generator behind. That translates into bringing less stuff when camping since the generator’s built into the truck otherwise known as more room for other stuff.

Because, really, do we ever bring less stuff?

There’s even a 30amp connector on the optional Pro Power Onboard system so you could literally run your trailer’s air conditioner with this system. The plug is not the standard 30amp plug we’re all used to but is actually a 240vac 30amp circuit. There are adaptors available so you can use the plug for your RV, though.

In the accompanying chart, Ford claims that the truck can run in 30amp generator mode for about 32 hours maximum with a full tank of fuel. Presently I use two 1600watt generators tied together when I need 30amp power. Even though these little generators claim to be “quiet” and are inverter generators, I bet the F-150 running in generator mode is going to be much quieter than two little air-cooled engines, but this is obviously an assumption.

Furthermore, there is no way I could run my existing generators for 32 hours without refueling them every couple of hours or so. Not fun in the middle of the night.

Powering that electric motor is a 1.5 kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery. The battery is packaged such that there is no difference in interior space or cargo space for the F-150.

By comparison, the battery in the Tesla Model S is between 75-100 kilowatt hours (kWh) but that vehicle is only electric with no gasoline or diesel engine as a backup. By comparison the battery in the Prius is just 4.4kWh.

Of course Ford also touts the fact that you can recharge tools on the way to a job or even at the job site and they have a new tailgate available that’s basically a work surface. This is definitely a group of features that offer real-world benefits to contractors but also to those of us who tow travel trailers.

Driver-assist technologies

The 2021 F-150 offers the latest driver-assist features as part of Ford Co-Pilot360™ 2.0. More features are now standard on XL, including Pre-Collision Assist with Automatic Emergency Braking and Pedestrian Detection to help avoid a possible collision with another vehicle or a pedestrian, rearview camera with dynamic hitch assist, auto high-beam headlamps and auto on/off headlamps.

F-150 also adds 10 new driver-assist features and is the only pickup to offer Active Drive Assist, which allows for hands-free driving on more than 100,000 miles of divided highways in all 50 states and Canada. Its advanced driver-facing camera tracks head position and driver eye gaze to enable hands-free driving when available. It allows owners on certain sections of pre-mapped, divided highways to drive with their hands off the steering wheel – if they continue to pay attention to the road ahead – granting them an additional level of comfort during long drives.

The Active Drive Assist prep kit contains the hardware required for this feature, while the software to enable functionality, expected in the third quarter of the 2021 calendar year, will be delivered by over-the-air update or dealer visit. Separate payment will be required to activate full functionality at that time. Obviously Ford has learned how to charge for features already in the truck from Tesla, who offers expensive upgrades even though those features are already there.

Other new available features include Intersection Assist, which detects oncoming traffic while the driver is attempting a left turn. If there is risk of a collision with an oncoming vehicle, F-150 will apply the brakes to mitigate or avoid it. F-150 is the only light-duty full-size pickup with available Active Park Assist 2.0, which handles all steering, shifting, braking and accelerator controls during a parallel or perpendicular parking maneuver while the driver holds down a button.

The rear seat has a lockable bottom on certain models so you can stow items underneath and lock the seat cushion.

For those of us who would buy this to pull a trailer, the F-150 offers Trailer Reverse Guidance and Pro Trailer Backup Assist. Trailer Reverse Guidance, made popular on Super Duty, uses the truck’s high-resolution cameras to provide multiple views along with helpful graphics that tell drivers which way to turn the steering wheel while backing up. Pro Trailer Backup Assist, which makes backing up a trailer as easy as turning a dial, continues on F-150.

Every new F-150 comes standard with new cleats mounted to the sides of the tailgate to act as tie-down locations for extra-long items in the bed. New clamp pockets are built in to the tailgate of every truck, so customers can hold materials down for precision work. An available flat Tailgate Work Surface also includes integrated rulers, a mobile device holder, cupholder and pencil holder.

My Opinion

Ford is all excited about a new table feature in the cab where you push a button on the gearshift lever that then uses a motorized system to lay the gearshift lever flat. The table is a great idea and allows you to create a work surface so you can work on a notebook computer or even (gasp!) write things on paper on a clipboard. This table feature is cool.

But why even have a gearshift on the console? Why does there need to be this much thought and technology and space wasted on a gearshift? It’s simply an electronic control surface so it could just as easily be pushbuttons or a rotating knob so you wouldn’t even have to pay for a fancy mechanism to make it disappear.

I also don’t understand why automakers are still incorporating navigation into vehicles rather than just displaying what’s on our smart phones. While Ford indicates that their nav system will get seamless over-the-air updates why not just forego this system since I already have one in my phone?

In Summary

This truck really intrigues me, especially with the on-board generator and electric motor assisting the turbocharged V6.

If I were to get one, I’d forego a second battery in my trailer and just put a single Lion Energy Lithium Ion Phosphate battery in the trailer. Then, if I need more power, it’s there in the vehicle I towed the trailer with.

I personally like as simple a tow vehicle and trailer as possible and I would wonder how much technology I want is available in this truck without getting one at the price of a Lincoln. But that’s just me, there are going to be lots of folks who appreciate all the fancy upgrades available.

I think this truck is probably the best package of features of any full-sized truck when it comes to trailer towing. With the available on-board generator functionality, all the electronic safety nannies and assist features and the really nice interior and seats I am absolutely going to want to look into these trucks when they hit the showrooms.