By Tim Bartz, Ford Video Guy
As a Ford owner or enthusiast, staying on top of the latest software drops, accessory packages, and pricing shifts is crucial to getting the most out of your vehicle. From highly anticipated F-150 towing capabilities to new custom F-150 stripe packages, there is plenty of news coming out of Dearborn this month.
Here is a comprehensive breakdown of the latest dealer news and insider information to keep you up to speed.
🛻 F-150 Gets Hands-Free BlueCruise Towing
For truck owners who regularly haul, the highway experience is getting a massive upgrade: Hands-free towing is now available for BlueCruise on the F-150.
If you plan to utilize this feature, here are the essential guidelines:
Towing Capacity: Standard BlueCruise with towing supports trailer weights up to 5,000 lbs. If your F-150 is equipped with the Tow/Haul package and the Max Tow axle, that capacity doubles to 10,000 lbs (or your maximum vehicle towing capacity, whichever is less).
Trailer Profiles: To engage BlueCruise while towing, you must first create a unique trailer profile in your vehicle's system. It is designed for conventional trailers and features smart sensors that will automatically disengage if it detects the trailer is too large, improperly loaded, or begins to sway.
Manual Lane Changes: For safety, hands-free lane changes and automatic in-lane repositioning are disabled when a trailer is connected. All lane changes will need to be executed manually.
Note: BlueCruise hardware is available on the F-150 XLT 302A equipment group and above.
🎨 Ford Custom Garage: Premium Two-Tone Packages
The aftermarket and custom build scene has always been a massive part of truck culture, and Ford is officially leaning into it with their new Ford Custom Garage packages. Right now, the spotlight is on a striking painted two-tone stripe package for the F-150.
Owners can choose between a white, gray, or black stripe depending on their truck's base color. To qualify for this package, the F-150 must be a SuperCrew with the 5.5-foot box in either the XLT or Lariat trim, and it requires the Chrome package.
Instead of a standard vinyl wrap, this is a premium painted finish executed by Penske, bringing the package cost to roughly $12,000. It is a bold aesthetic choice for buyers who want a custom-shop look straight from the dealership.
💵 Navigating F-150 Price Increases & Price Protection
Finally, navigating vehicle pricing requires attention to detail, especially when mid-year adjustments occur. Ford recently implemented a minor base price increase across all F-150 trim levels, bumping costs up by $320 to $330.
While it is a relatively small jump, buyers who already have an F-150 on order need to be aware of a crucial dealer tip: price protection.
Anything ordered prior to this price hike should be price-protected to the MSRP listed when you initially ordered the vehicle. When your truck arrives at the lot and the dealership pulls your available incentives, verify that they are using your protect date.
The Strategy: Always compare the numbers. If the current factory rebates are actually better now than they were when you placed your order, you might be better off accepting the new $320 base price increase if it unlocks significantly larger current rebates. Always calculate the sale date incentives versus the protect date incentives to maximize your savings.
Staying informed on these factory updates and pricing strategies ensures you are maximizing both your vehicle's capabilities and your budget. As always, navigate the road ahead with confidence, stay positive, be kind to one another, and enjoy the drive.
Tim Bartz has worked for Long McArthur Ford since 2001. He is considered an expert when it comes to Ford product information and news.
