2026 Ford Maverick Towing & Payload Guide: 4K Tow Package, Trailer Hitch, and What It Can Actually Haul

The 2026 Ford Maverick is a compact unibody truck — and that platform distinction matters more when it comes to towing and payload than almost any other spec. Understanding what the Maverick can actually haul, what it takes to add a trailer hitch, and how payload varies across the five trims is the difference between buying the right truck for your needs and discovering six months in that it can’t do what you bought it for. This guide covers every confirmed towing and payload figure from the OEM source, straight from the 2026 order guide.

What is the 2026 Ford Maverick’s towing capacity?

Towing capacity figures for the 2026 Ford Maverick are listed as TBD in the official 2026 order guide across all engine and drivetrain configurations. We do not publish unconfirmed towing figures — doing so would mean presenting estimates as facts, which is not how we operate at Jay Malone Ford.

Important: The 2026 Maverick order guide lists towing capacity as TBD for every configuration. This page will be updated when Ford releases official figures. For the most current information, contact Jay Malone Ford at (320) 587-4748.

What is confirmed from the OEM source: the Maverick’s available 4K Tow Package is named for its towing capability target, and the truck uses a Class III trailer hitch receiver (2” receiver with 4-pin and 7-pin connector) — a lighter-duty hitch class than the Class IV found on the Ranger. This reflects the Maverick’s unibody platform and its positioning as a lighter-duty compact truck.

What is the 2026 Maverick’s payload capacity by configuration?

Unlike towing, payload figures are confirmed in the 2026 Maverick order guide. This is one of the most useful specs for buyers trying to understand what the Maverick can carry in the bed — and the numbers vary meaningfully by drivetrain configuration.

Configuration	Engine	Max Payload	Drivetrain
FWD — Hybrid	2.5L Hybrid	1,500 lbs	FWD
FWD — Gas	2.0L EcoBoost®	1,500 lbs	FWD
AWD — Hybrid	2.5L Hybrid	1,400 lbs	AWD
AWD — Gas	2.0L EcoBoost®	1,500 lbs	AWD
Advanced 4WD — Lobo	2.0L EcoBoost®	1,045 lbs	Advanced 4WD
Advanced 4WD — Tremor®	2.0L EcoBoost®	1,140 lbs	Advanced 4WD

Note: GVWR figures are listed as TBD in the 2026 order guide and are not confirmed at time of publication.

Why is Lobo and Tremor® payload lower than FWD and AWD configurations?

This is the most common payload question for Maverick buyers who are considering Lobo or Tremor® for their additional capability. The answer is weight. The Lobo and Tremor® trims use the Advanced 4WD system with a Twin Clutch Rear Drive Unit, a performance-tuned or off-road-tuned suspension, heavier-duty components, and in the Tremor®’s case, skid plates and front tow hooks. All of that additional hardware adds weight to the truck itself — which reduces the available payload capacity.

At 1,045 lbs for the Lobo and 1,140 lbs for the Tremor®, both trims are still capable of carrying meaningful cargo. But buyers who specifically need maximum bed payload — hauling heavy materials, bagged goods, or equipment — will find that the FWD or AWD XL, XLT, or Lariat configurations deliver more payload capacity at 1,400–1,500 lbs.

The tradeoff is intentional: Lobo and Tremor® trade some payload for performance and off-road hardware. If payload is your primary consideration, choose accordingly.

What does the 4K Tow Package include on the 2026 Maverick?

The 4K Tow Package (option code 53Q) is the primary towing upgrade package on the 2026 Maverick. It is available on XL (101A and 102A), XLT (301A and 302A), and Lariat (501A and 502A). It is not available on Lobo or Tremor®.

4K Tow Package (53Q) confirmed content:

• Trailer Brake Controller — integrated system that manages electric trailer brakes
• Trailer Hitch — Class III 2” Receiver with 4-pin and 7-pin connector
• Transmission Oil Cooler — 2.5L Hybrid only
• Higher Capacity Radiator — 2.0L gas only
• Upgraded Cooling Fan
• Conventional 17” Spare Tire (215/70R17) — replaces the standard tire inflator and sealant kit

Important requirement: The 4K Tow Package requires Ford Co-Pilot360® (66C) on XL and XLT. You cannot add the 4K Tow Package without also adding the Co-Pilot360® package on those trims. On Lariat, Co-Pilot360® Assist 2.0 is standard so this requirement is already met.

What is the 2K Trailer Hitch Receiver on the Maverick?

The 2K Trailer Hitch Receiver (option code 60B) is a lighter-duty standalone hitch option available on XL and XLT. It includes a 4-pin connector but does not include a 7-pin connector, a Trailer Brake Controller, or the cooling upgrades of the 4K Tow Package.

It is not available with the 4K Tow Package — the two are mutually exclusive. The XLT also includes the 2K hitch as standard equipment on all configurations, which means XLT buyers already have a basic hitch without needing to add either package.

Which hitch option is right for you:

• 2K Receiver (60B) — for light trailer use only. No brake controller, no 7-pin. Not for trailers with electric brakes.
• 4K Tow Package (53Q) — for any serious towing. Includes brake controller, 7-pin wiring, and cooling upgrades. Required for trailers with electric brakes.

Towing package availability by trim — 2026 Ford Maverick

Package / Feature	XL	XLT	Lobo	Lariat	Tremor®
2K Hitch Receiver (60B) — 4-pin only	Optional	✓ Standard	—	—	✓ Standard
4K Tow Package (53Q) — Class III, 7-pin, brake controller	Optional (req. 66C)	Optional (req. 66C)	— Not available	Optional	— Not available
Trailer Brake Controller	w/ 53Q	w/ 53Q	— Not available	w/ 53Q	— Not available
Max Payload	1,500 lbs (FWD) / 1,500 lbs (AWD)	1,500 lbs (FWD) / 1,500 lbs (AWD)	1,045 lbs	1,400 lbs (Hybrid) / 1,500 lbs (Gas)	1,140 lbs

Important for Lobo and Tremor® buyers: The 4K Tow Package is not available on Lobo or Tremor®. These trims have the 2K hitch receiver as standard but do not offer the Trailer Brake Controller or 7-pin wiring through any package. If you need a brake controller for trailers with electric brakes, Lobo and Tremor® are not the right configurations. XL, XLT, or Lariat with the 4K Tow Package is the path.

Does the 2026 Maverick have a Trailer Brake Controller?

Yes — but only through the 4K Tow Package (53Q) on XL, XLT, and Lariat. It is not available on Lobo or Tremor® in any configuration.

In Minnesota, a trailer brake controller is required by law when towing a trailer that weighs more than 3,000 lbs. If your trailer has electric brakes — which most boats, campers, and enclosed utility trailers above that weight threshold do — you need a brake controller. On the Maverick, that means adding the 4K Tow Package on XL, XLT, or Lariat, with Ford Co-Pilot360® required on XL and XLT.

What can the Maverick actually tow in central Minnesota?

Official towing figures are TBD, so we won’t name specific numbers. What we can give you is the practical framing for buyers in Hutchinson, Willmar, Litchfield, and the surrounding area:

The Maverick is a good fit for:

• Smaller aluminum fishing boats — 14–16 ft aluminum fishing boats with small outboards and a trailer are well within the Maverick’s capability range
• Jet skis and personal watercraft on a single PWC trailer
• Small utility trailers for lawn equipment, ATVs, or light cargo
• Small camper trailers at the lighter end of the weight spectrum
• Snowmobile trailers with one or two sleds depending on trailer weight

Where the Maverick has limitations:

• Larger boats — 18+ ft fiberglass boats, larger pontoons, and heavier bass boats may exceed what the Maverick is rated to tow. The Ranger with its Class IV hitch and body-on-frame platform is the right truck for heavier boats.
• Horse trailers and livestock trailers — these regularly exceed compact truck capacity. The Ranger or F-150 is the appropriate platform.
• Large enclosed cargo trailers — especially when loaded with equipment
• Fifth-wheel or gooseneck trailers — not applicable; the Maverick is a compact truck

The honest summary: the Maverick is a capable light-to-moderate tower for the recreational trailer use common in central Minnesota’s lake country. For heavier towing — bigger boats, campers, farm equipment — the Ranger is the right step up. Both are available at Jay Malone Ford in Hutchinson.

Maverick vs. Ranger — towing comparison

For buyers deciding between the two based on towing needs, here’s the confirmed comparison from the OEM source:

Feature	Maverick	Ranger
Platform	Unibody	Body-on-frame
Hitch Class	Class III (2” receiver)	Class IV (2” receiver)
Towing Capacity	TBD — not confirmed	TBD — not confirmed
Max Payload (highest config)	1,500 lbs	TBD — not confirmed
Trailer Brake Controller	w/ 4K Tow Pkg (XL, XLT, Lariat only)	w/ Advanced Towing Pkg (XLT, Lariat) or standalone (XL)
Pro Trailer Backup Assist™	✓ Standard on Lobo and Lariat	w/ Advanced Towing Pkg (XLT/Lariat) or standard (Raptor)

One Maverick advantage worth noting: Pro Trailer Backup Assist™ is standard on the Lobo and Lariat trims. On the Ranger it requires the Advanced Towing Package on XLT and Lariat. If backing a trailer matters and you’re considering either truck, the Maverick Lariat includes it without an extra package.

For a full comparison of the Maverick and Ranger across all dimensions — platform, capability, powertrain, and winter use — visit our Maverick vs. Ranger guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the towing capacity of the 2026 Ford Maverick?

Official towing capacity figures for the 2026 Maverick are listed as TBD in the Ford order guide and have not been confirmed at time of publication. Contact Jay Malone Ford at (320) 587-4748 for the most current information when figures are released.

What is the payload capacity of the 2026 Ford Maverick?

Payload capacity varies by configuration: 1,500 lbs for FWD Hybrid, FWD Gas, and AWD Gas; 1,400 lbs for AWD Hybrid; 1,045 lbs for Lobo Advanced 4WD; and 1,140 lbs for Tremor® Advanced 4WD. These are confirmed from the 2026 order guide.

Does the 2026 Maverick come with a trailer hitch?

The XLT includes a 2K trailer hitch receiver (4-pin connector) as standard equipment. On XL, both the 2K receiver and the 4K Tow Package are optional. Lobo and Tremor® include a 2K hitch receiver as standard but cannot be ordered with the 4K Tow Package. Lariat can be ordered with the 4K Tow Package.

Can the 2026 Maverick Lobo or Tremor tow with a brake controller?

No. The 4K Tow Package — which includes the Trailer Brake Controller — is not available on Lobo or Tremor®. These trims have a 2K hitch receiver as standard but cannot add a factory brake controller. If a brake controller is required for your trailer, choose XL, XLT, or Lariat with the 4K Tow Package.

Can the Maverick tow a boat in Minnesota?

Yes — for smaller boats. The Maverick handles smaller aluminum fishing boats, personal watercraft, and light recreational trailers well. For larger boats, heavier pontoons, or trailers that require a brake controller above 3,000 lbs, the Ranger with its Class IV hitch and body-on-frame platform is the more appropriate truck. Contact Jay Malone Ford for current towing figures when confirmed.

The Maverick’s towing and payload story is genuinely capable for a compact truck — especially at the FWD and AWD configurations where 1,500 lbs of payload is competitive for the segment. If your towing and hauling needs are on the lighter end — small boats, recreational trailers, light cargo — the Maverick is a strong fit. If you need heavier capability, the Ranger is the right conversation. Either way, we carry both at Jay Malone Ford in Hutchinson and we’ll help you pick the right one. Stop in at 1165 Highway 7 West, give us a call at (320) 587-4748, or browse inventory online. Family-owned since 2005 and we’ll give you a straight answer.

For the full 2026 Maverick trim and spec breakdown, visit our 2026 Ford Maverick overview page.