Ford has announced that the redesigned 2009 F-150 pickup will have best-in-class towing capacity of 11,300 pounds, up 300 pounds from the 2008 model, according to PickupTrucks.com. The weight rating is 500 pounds greater than that found on its nearest competitor, the Toyota Tundra, and marks an important competitive edge in the rapidly shrinking half-ton pickup market. Though Ford doesn't specify the configuration that will be rated for 11,300 pounds, expect it to be a 5.4-liter 2WD equipped with any optional towing packages. So, what changed?
Ford claims to have re-engineered the number three crossmember, allowing it to provide more torsional and lateral rigidity, providing the extra strength needed for the increased rating. And we're not surprised Ford is crowing about it: With the importance of contractor and work-truck sales in the face of a diminishing consumer pickup market, capability is again going to be the deciding factor in a lot of truck purchases. [PickupTrucks.com]