Trailering: How the Ford F-150 Lariat performs with an electric boat in tow

How does the iconic powerhouse perform in everyday life and especially in Germany, where big cars meet narrow roads? We tested the F-150 - from interior luxury to towing capacity at the limit.

The Ford F-150 is the world's best-selling pick-up truck. The history of its success dates back to 1925, when the first Ford T with a load bed as an optional extra rolled off the production line. Today, the Ford F-150 can no longer be compared with its original model, but the concept of a vehicle with generous load space remains unchanged. What started out as a robust utility vehicle is now a symbol of lifestyle in the USA. In Germany, however, the F-150 is still a rarity. With around 20,000 annual registrations according to ADAC, the pick-up is a niche product in this country compared to the total registrations of around 60.7 million vehicles. By comparison, luxury vehicles such as the BMW 7 Series or the Mercedes S-Class have similar registration figures.

Why should you buy a car like this?

There are many reasons for this. The Ford F-150 is definitely too big for use in cities. The parking situation, especially in city centres, becomes a real challenge due to its massive dimensions. Car parks usually don't offer enough space and supermarket car parks are too short for a car of this size.

However, the pick-up scores with an impressive towing capacity of 3500 kg. If you look around on the roads, you will only see a few vehicles that can pull such loads. Models such as the Mercedes GLE, the Land Rover Defender or the VW Amarok belong to this exclusive group when maximum towing power is required.

Facts about the Ford F-150 Lariat

The F-150 test car measures almost 5.90 metres in length and 2.02 metres in width without wing mirrors (2.43 metres with wing mirrors). The height is an impressive 1.96 metres. For a better comparison: a current VW T6 bus is significantly more compact at 4.89 metres long and 1.90 metres wide. The Ford F-150 Lariat is around twelve centimetres wider and one metre longer - a dimension that demands respect even from experienced drivers.

The exterior of the test car is finished in a modern dark grey. The Lariat equipment gives the vehicle a sporty touch, which is demonstrated by bumpers in body colour, a dynamic radiator grille and a chrome single exhaust. The standard 20-inch rims with 275/60 tyres ensure a sturdy appearance that cannot be overlooked. Despite its size, the design of the F-150 is surprisingly subtle. Understatement meets a powerful character - a design that is both classic and modern at the same time.

Particularly striking are the rear lights that are drawn around the corner, which are not only a striking visual feature, but also make the length of the vehicle clearly visible in the dark. Another practical feature is the downward line of the windows on the front doors, which ensures that the wing mirrors are lower down and therefore improve visibility when turning and manoeuvring.

The inside of the pick-up truck

Inside the Ford F-150 Lariat, the driver can expect modern technology and plenty of space. A 12-inch touchscreen forms the centre of operation. Numerous buttons and switches with various functions offer additional control. The digital speedometer and the head-up display convey a feeling of high-tech. Of course, the width is also noticeable in the interior. It is rare to sit so far away from the front passenger seat. The two seats are separated by a full-length armrest. If required, it can be easily converted into a table for a short car office or for a break in between. The gear selector lever can be folded down for this purpose. The amount of space is correspondingly gigantic. There is also more than enough space for passengers in the rear.

More about trailers:

• How the weight affects the maximum payload
• Which electric cars are suitable for trailering?

The load area comprises 1,495 litres - an impressive size that is comparable to the boot of an Audi A4 (with the rear seats folded down). It has a scratch-resistant coating. Practical additional features such as a step with grab handle in the tailgate, which can simply be pulled out, make loading and unloading the pick-up easier. For tradesmen, there are also flaps in which screw clamps can be attached. The tailgate closes automatically at a light touch.

In terms of comfort, the Ford F-150 also offers many amenities. The two front seats can be electrically adjusted, heated and cooled. Additional brightness is provided by the panoramic roof, which floods the interior with light. Music lovers will appreciate the B&O sound system with 18 speakers, which provides first-class sound. Music can be easily streamed wirelessly from a mobile phone via Apple CarPlay or Android Auto.

The top speed of the Ford F-150 Lariat

Our test car is powered by a 5-litre V8 engine that delivers 406 hp and 555 Nm of torque. This engine is a real powerhouse that works together with a 10-speed automatic gearbox. The special feature: When driving at a leisurely pace or when full power is not required, two cylinders switch off automatically, which reduces fuel consumption.

The top speed of the F-150 is around 170 km/h. In the test, we were surprised by the driving dynamics: despite its size, the Ford F-150 drives almost like a normal mid-size car. The suspension is well tuned - not too soft and not too hard. Apart from its size and the fact that as a driver you can see over the roofs of most other vehicles, the F-150 feels rather compact on the road. The driving noise is quite present at higher speeds, but no more annoying than in a normal car. At a constant 130 km/h on the motorway, the F-150 is surprisingly quiet inside.

Helpful features

The F-150's assistance systems are equally impressive. The lane departure warning system, blind spot detection and adaptive cruise control come as standard and provide the driver with reliable support. Autonomous driving is also possible to a limited extent. The full LED headlights with dynamic bend lighting provide excellent illumination of the road at night. For additional lighting around the vehicle, work lights can be switched on as required, for example on the mirrors or the loading area.

Trailer the e-boat

As befits water sports enthusiasts, we naturally had to put a boat behind it. And what goes better with a V8 engine? Exactly the winner of the European Powerboat of the Year 2024 in the Electric category, the X-Shore 1. We were kind enough to borrow the boat and trailer from Mittelmanns Werft in Kappeln.

The boat weighs 1,700 kg, with the accompanying trailer it is around 2,450 kg. The weight did not bother the pick-up. Even when starting uphill or travelling uphill at a constant speed, it didn't even come close to reaching its limits. It may have shifted down a gear, but never several. We describe our impressions to Tim Heidt, who is responsible for selling the F-150 in Europe. He laughs: "In the USA, the car is allowed to tow just under six tonnes, so it doesn't mind over 3.5 tonnes less."

Easy manoeuvring with the boat trailer

Pro Trailer Assist makes manoeuvring with a trailer much easier. With the help of cameras, sensors and a special control dial on the dashboard, the system takes over the steering of the vehicle so that the driver only has to control the accelerator and brakes. The dimensions and configurations of the trailer are stored in the system in advance, which is particularly helpful for tight manoeuvres.

According to Ford, the F-150 Lariat consumes 14.4 litres per 100 kilometres. In our long-term test, however, we only managed 12.2 litres with a moderate driving style. When towing the trailer, consumption rose to around 15 litres per 100 km, which is an acceptable figure considering the weight of around 4.5 tonnes.

For those who favour electric mobility, Ford also offers a Lightning version of the F-150, which boasts over 1000 Nm of torque - but is only available in the USA. In Germany, the model would have to be imported.