Can a 2026 Ford F-150 tow a Malibu Wakesetter 23 LSV?
It depends on the engine
We estimate a loaded Malibu Wakesetter 23 LSV on its trailer at about 8,710 lb. 3 of 9 F-150 engine/package options pass with a 20% margin (for example the 3.5L EcoBoost V6 + Tow/Haul Pkg & Max Tow Axle). 3 are borderline (caution). 3 are not rated for it. Payload still needs checking against your door-jamb sticker: tongue weight plus two adults is about 1,171-1,606 lb.
Check your exact setup (add your door-sticker payload and real trailer weight)
Malibu Wakesetter 23 LSV loaded towing weight
| Approx. dry weight (Malibu) | 5,700 lb |
| Engine(s): included in the maker's weight (inboard) | 0 lb |
| Fuel: 65 gal x 6.1 lb/gal (full tank) | 396 lb |
| Gear allowance: 10% (batteries, anchor, coolers, safety gear, T-top/options) | 610 lb |
| Trailer: ESTIMATE, 35% of boat + engine (no trailer weight published) | 2,000 lb |
| Estimated loaded trailer weight | 8,710 lb |
Drain ballast before towing.
2026 Ford F-150 towing ratings vs this boat
| Engine / package | Published rating (lb) | Tow | Payload | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.7L EcoBoost V6 | 7,400–8,400 | FAIL | CHECK | FAIL |
| 3.5L EcoBoost V6 (without Max Tow Axle) | 10,500–11,000 | CAUTION | CHECK | CAUTION |
| 3.5L EcoBoost V6 + Tow/Haul Pkg & Max Tow Axle | 13,100–13,500 | PASS | CHECK | PASS |
| 5.0L V8 (without Max Tow Axle) | 9,000–10,500 | CAUTION | CHECK | CAUTION |
| 5.0L V8 + Tow/Haul Pkg & Max Tow Axle | 12,300–12,800 | PASS | CHECK | PASS |
| 3.5L PowerBoost Hybrid (without Max Tow Axle) | 10,800–11,100 | CAUTION | CHECK | CAUTION |
| 3.5L PowerBoost Hybrid + Tow/Haul Pkg & Max Tow Axle | 11,500–12,400 | PASS | CHECK | PASS |
| Raptor 3.5L EcoBoost H.O. | 8,200 | FAIL | CAUTION | FAIL |
| Raptor R 5.2L Supercharged V8 | 8,700 | FAIL | CAUTION | FAIL |
"Published rating" is the lowest–highest conventional (ball-hitch) rating Ford prints for that engine/package across cab, bed, drive and axle choices. PASS means the loaded trailer is at or under 80% of the lowest rating. Ford: do not exceed 5,000 lb without a weight-distribution system; tongue load should be 10% of loaded trailer weight.
Tongue weight vs payload
Tongue weight should be 10–15% of the loaded trailer: about 871–1,306 lb. That comes out of your truck's payload along with everyone in the cab, so with two adults (300 lb) you need roughly 1,171–1,606 lb of payload before any cargo in the bed.
2.7L EcoBoost V6 FAIL
FAIL 8,710 lb is over every published rating for this engine/package (max 8,400 lb).
CHECK Needs about 1,171-1,606 lb of payload. Ford only publishes a best-case max (1,775 lb); your door-jamb sticker is lower, so check it.
3.5L EcoBoost V6 (without Max Tow Axle) CAUTION
CAUTION 8,710 lb is within the 10,500 lb rating but uses 83% of it, which leaves less than our 20% safety margin.
CHECK Needs about 1,171-1,606 lb of payload. Ford only publishes a best-case max (2,440 lb); your door-jamb sticker is lower, so check it.
Includes Tremor (10,600 lb).
3.5L EcoBoost V6 + Tow/Haul Pkg & Max Tow Axle PASS
PASS 8,710 lb is 66% of the lowest published rating (13,100 lb), inside a 20% safety margin.
CHECK Needs about 1,171-1,606 lb of payload. Ford only publishes a best-case max (2,440 lb); your door-jamb sticker is lower, so check it.
Requires Tow/Haul Package (53T) and optional Max Tow Axle.
5.0L V8 (without Max Tow Axle) CAUTION
CAUTION 8,710 lb is within the 9,000 lb rating but uses 97% of it, which leaves less than our 20% safety margin.
CHECK Needs about 1,171-1,606 lb of payload. Ford only publishes a best-case max (2,225 lb); your door-jamb sticker is lower, so check it.
Includes Tremor.
5.0L V8 + Tow/Haul Pkg & Max Tow Axle PASS
PASS 8,710 lb is 71% of the lowest published rating (12,300 lb), inside a 20% safety margin.
CHECK Needs about 1,171-1,606 lb of payload. Ford only publishes a best-case max (2,225 lb); your door-jamb sticker is lower, so check it.
Requires Tow/Haul Package (53T) and optional Max Tow Axle.
3.5L PowerBoost Hybrid (without Max Tow Axle) CAUTION
CAUTION 8,710 lb is within the 10,800 lb rating but uses 81% of it, which leaves less than our 20% safety margin.
CHECK Needs about 1,171-1,606 lb of payload. Ford only publishes a best-case max (1,750 lb); your door-jamb sticker is lower, so check it.
3.5L PowerBoost Hybrid + Tow/Haul Pkg & Max Tow Axle PASS
PASS 8,710 lb is 76% of the lowest published rating (11,500 lb), inside a 20% safety margin.
CHECK Needs about 1,171-1,606 lb of payload. Ford only publishes a best-case max (1,750 lb); your door-jamb sticker is lower, so check it.
18,400 lb GCWR rows.
Raptor 3.5L EcoBoost H.O. FAIL
FAIL 8,710 lb is over every published rating for this engine/package (max 8,200 lb).
CAUTION At 15% tongue weight you'd need 1,606 lb of payload vs 1,405 lb (best-case max; yours is lower).
Payload figure is with 37-in tires.
Raptor R 5.2L Supercharged V8 FAIL
FAIL 8,710 lb is over every published rating for this engine/package (max 8,700 lb).
CAUTION At 15% tongue weight you'd need 1,606 lb of payload vs 1,410 lb (best-case max; yours is lower).
Confirm with your door-jamb sticker and owner's manual. Your exact truck's rating depends on cab, bed, drive, axle ratio, options and tires, and your boat's real weight depends on its engine, options, fuel and gear. When in doubt, weigh the rig at a CAT scale.
Gear you may need
Placeholder links (not affiliate links yet). Disclosure.
Trailer brake controller
Boat trailers over about 3,000 lb usually need working trailer brakes (check your state's law); an electric-over-hydraulic or electric setup needs a controller in the truck.
Class IV receiver hitch & ball mount
Match the ball mount drop to your trailer so the boat rides level; the hitch rating must cover the full loaded trailer.
Tongue weight scale
The only way to know your real tongue weight (10-15% of the loaded trailer) before it eats your payload.
Sources
- 2026 Ford F-150: Ford 2026 F-150 Towing Guide / 2026 Ford RV & Trailer Towing Guide (F-150 conventional towing tables, pp. 14-16; performance table p. 12) (copy we read), checked 2026-10-29
- Malibu Wakesetter 23 LSV: Malibu model page (Approx. dry weight, fuel capacity), checked 2026-10-29
- Method and assumptions: How we calculate
Related checks
Other boats with a 2026 Ford F-150
- MasterCraft XT22 (~8,520 lb)
- Grady-White Freedom 235 (~8,060 lb)
- Tidewater 232 CC (~7,770 lb)
- Grady-White Fisherman 236 (~7,640 lb)
- Malibu Wakesetter 21 LX (~7,620 lb)
- Sportsman Open 232 (~7,380 lb)