CAN THE FORD F-150 LIGHTNING REALLY TOW HEAVY LOADS? THE TRUTH REVEALED

EV Channels Review

The EV Geek podcast hosts Joel and Sebastian welcome Ford F-150 Lightning owner Joe Sholtes to discuss his experiences towing a substantial 9000-pound camper. Joe confirms the Lightning's capability to handle such loads, noting its strong acceleration and stable towing dynamics, even with the significant weight. However, the primary drawback identified is a drastic reduction in range, with Joe reporting as little as 120 miles on a full charge under towing conditions, despite having the extended-range battery. The built-in navigation system is highlighted as a crucial saving grace, as it intelligently plans charging stops while accounting for the trailer's impact on range. Challenges with charging station accessibility for large campers are also discussed, often requiring unhitching, which Joe estimates can take up to 18 minutes. Despite these hurdles, Joe expresses contentment with the Lightning for his specific use case within the Northeast, emphasizing the importance of managing expectations and conducting thorough research for potential EV truck buyers considering towing.