Ford F-150 Lightning towing range notes

If you spend any time on social media, you've probably seen the headlines. “Electric trucks can't tow.” “They only go 100 miles.” “They're useless for camping.”

Was it different than towing with a gas truck? Absolutely. Was it difficult? Not at all. In many ways, it was actually the most enjoyable towing experience I have ever had.

The trip

Our family loaded up the camper and headed nearly 1,700 miles round trip. The route included interstate driving, hills, city traffic, heavy rain, summer heat, campground maneuvering, and everything in between. This was not a controlled test. It was a real family vacation, exactly the kind of trip critics claim an electric truck cannot handle.

Towing performance is outstanding

The first thing everyone talks about is range. The first thing you will notice as the driver is torque. The Lightning produces 775 lb-ft instantly. No waiting, no downshifts, no engine screaming at 4,500 RPM while climbing a grade. Whether merging onto the interstate or accelerating around slower traffic, the truck simply pulls.

Even after years of driving pickups, the smoothness is hard to overstate. Ford’s independent rear suspension also keeps the truck remarkably composed compared to many traditional half-ton trucks. The trailer simply follows behind without constantly reminding you it is there.

Towing Our Camper 1400+ Miles With An Electric Truck, Branson Edition

Regenerative braking is a game changer

This was one feature I didn't fully appreciate until I started towing. Coming down long hills, regenerative braking captures energy while helping control speed. Instead of constantly moving between the accelerator and brake pedal, the truck naturally slows while returning energy to the battery. Combined with the trailer brake controller, it makes descending hills feel much more controlled and relaxed. After using regen while towing, it is honestly difficult to imagine going back.

The charging stops became part of the vacation

The biggest misconception is that charging means sitting around doing nothing. That was not our experience. Nearly every stop looked something like this:

• The kids needed a bathroom.
• Someone wanted food.
• We stretched our legs.
• Walked around.
• Grabbed snacks.
• Checked messages.

By the time everyone was ready to leave, the truck usually was too. Were there occasions where we waited a little longer? Sure. But those moments were far less common than many people imagine.

One of the biggest advantages of towing an EV is something that rarely gets mentioned: when we arrived at the campground, the truck didn't need a trip to the gas station before heading home. Like many RV parks, our campsite included electricity, so the Lightning quietly recharged while we enjoyed our vacation. By the time checkout rolled around, the truck was already fueled up and ready for the next leg. It is a subtle benefit, but after experiencing it firsthand, it is hard not to appreciate waking up each morning with a full battery instead of planning your first stop around finding fuel.

The biggest challenge isn't charging speed

It's charger design. Most charging stations today were designed for cars, not trucks towing 30-foot campers. That means you'll occasionally need to:

• Unhook the trailer
• Park creatively
• Take several charging spaces

Fortunately, this is improving rapidly as companies begin installing pull-through chargers designed for towing. Once that infrastructure catches up, towing an EV becomes dramatically easier. On this specific trip we got really lucky and actually did not have to unhook once, thanks to the A Better Route Planner trailer-friendly setting and a front charge port. On a previous 2,100-mile trip from Ohio to Maine, we had to unhook at least four times.

The hidden benefits nobody talks about

People love debating towing range, but they rarely talk about everything else. During the other 95% of the year, my Lightning gives me:

• Home charging every morning
• Almost no routine maintenance
• No oil changes
• A massive powered frunk
• Extremely quiet driving
• Pro Power Onboard for camping and projects
• Instant acceleration every day

It is not just a great tow vehicle. It is an outstanding daily driver.

What I'd like to see improved

No vehicle is perfect. My wish list is pretty simple:

• More trailer-friendly charging stations
• More pull-through chargers
• Slightly faster DC charging
• An even larger battery option

That is honestly about it. The truck itself has exceeded my expectations.

Would I do it again?

Without hesitation. In fact, we already have. Every trip teaches us something new, and every trip becomes a little easier as charging infrastructure continues to improve.

Would I recommend a Lightning to someone towing 12,000 pounds across the country every week? No. That is still heavy-duty diesel territory. But for families who camp a handful of times each year and use their truck as a daily driver the other 350 days, I think the Lightning makes an incredibly compelling case. The internet loves to focus on what electric trucks cannot do. After nearly 1,700 miles towing our camper across multiple states, I came away thinking about everything this truck can do. And that is a much longer list.

A few things I learned along the way

If you're planning your first EV towing trip, here are my biggest takeaways:

• Slow down a little. Driving 65 mph instead of 75 mph noticeably improves efficiency.
• Don’t fear charging stops. Plan them around meals and bathroom breaks instead of treating them as delays.
• Use the truck’s built-in navigation. It is surprisingly accurate at predicting battery levels and suggesting charging stops. A Better Route Planner is also a really awesome route-planning app.
• Arrive at chargers with a little buffer instead of trying to maximize every mile.
• Don’t obsess over range. Once you settle into the rhythm of the trip, towing becomes surprisingly relaxing.

Final thoughts

I've now spent thousands of miles living with my Lightning, including one of the longest towing trips I have ever taken. Would I buy another one? Absolutely. Would I change anything? Sure, better charging infrastructure and more range would make it even easier. But every year, that infrastructure gets better. Meanwhile, the truck hasn't changed. It's been quietly proving that electric trucks are far more capable than many people realize.