Ford F-150 in Clarksville, TN

Why the 2026 Ford F-150 Is the Best Tow Vehicle for Cumberland River Boaters in Clarksville

Best-in-class 13,500-lb towing means the F-150 pulls almost anything Clarksville boaters launch, from a jon boat at McGregor Park to a pontoon headed for Land Between the Lakes.

$39,330
Starting MSRP
13,500 lb
Best-in-Class Max Tow
400 HP
3.5L EcoBoost V6
500 lb-ft
Torque, 3.5L EcoBoost

Best-in-Class Towing for Clarksville's Boat Ramps

Liberty Park Boat Ramp at the Clarksville Marina runs four lanes into the Cumberland River, and it fills up fast on a summer Saturday. An F-150 with the 3.5L EcoBoost and Max Trailer Tow Package backs a boat down without a second trailer attempt holding up the line behind you.

McGregor Park off Riverside Drive and Trice Landing are the other two ramps most Clarksville boaters use. Both are close enough to downtown that you can launch, fish or ski for the afternoon, and still make dinner reservations without burning half a tank getting there.

Local Launch Points

  • Liberty Park Boat Ramp, Clarksville Marina
  • McGregor Park, Riverside Drive
  • Trice Landing

Best trim for this: XLT with the 3.5L EcoBoost and Max Trailer Tow Package covers most boats Clarksville anglers actually own.

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2026 Ford F-150 Platinum parked near a Clarksville boat ramp
2026 Ford F-150 Lariat towing on the way to Land Between the Lakes

Weekend Camp Hauler: Clarksville to Land Between the Lakes

Land Between the Lakes sits roughly 45 to 60 minutes northwest of Clarksville, with Kentucky Lake on one side and Lake Barkley on the other. It is the destination boaters graduate to once the Cumberland River ramps in town start feeling small.

With the Max Trailer Tow Package's upgraded cooling and integrated trailer brake controller, an F-150 pulls a pontoon or ski boat out to LBL without the transmission working overtime on the grades along the way.

Why Locals Make the Drive

  • 170,000 acres of public land between two major lakes
  • Multiple launch points on both Kentucky Lake and Lake Barkley
  • A genuine weekend trip, not just an afternoon
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McCormac Landing and the Red River: Local Launch Points Worth Knowing

McCormac Landing at Lock B gives southern Montgomery County boaters river access without the drive into downtown Clarksville. It is a quieter alternative to Liberty Park, especially where the Red River meets the Cumberland.

Some stretches near McCormac Landing are less improved than the city ramps, which is where 4WD earns its keep. An F-150 4x4 handles a soft or gravel approach that would leave a 2WD truck spinning at the worst possible moment.

Local Waterways

  • McCormac Landing at Lock B, Cumberland River
  • Red River confluence, southern Montgomery County
  • Clarksville Blueway water trail system
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2026 Ford F-150 XLT near a Montgomery County river launch point
2026 Ford F-150 3.5L EcoBoost V6 engine

Towing Tech That Helps First-Time Boat Owners

Backing a trailer down a crowded ramp is the part that scares off new boat owners. Available Pro Trailer Backup Assist lets the driver steer the trailer with a knob on the dash instead of fighting the wheel, while the truck handles the counter-steering.

The Max Trailer Tow Package's integrated trailer brake controller also means the boat trailer's brakes work with the truck's, for smoother stops coming down the hill into Liberty Park on a loaded trailer.

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Which F-150 Trim Fits Your Boat

Trim Starting MSRP Max Tow (w/ Package) Best For
XL $39,330 Up to 13,500 lb (2.7L/3.5L) Budget-minded first boat owners
Lariat $59,560 13,500 lb (3.5L EcoBoost) Same towing, more comfort for the drive
Tremor $64,915 12,800 lb (5.0L V8) Rougher approaches near McCormac Landing

F-150 Towing FAQ for Clarksville Boaters

What is the max towing capacity of the 2026 Ford F-150?
The 2026 F-150 tows up to 13,500 lb, best-in-class, when equipped with the 3.5L EcoBoost V6 and the Max Trailer Tow Package. That covers nearly any bass boat, pontoon, or ski boat launched on the Cumberland River.
Which F-150 trim is best for towing a boat from Liberty Park or McGregor Park?
XLT and above with the 3.5L EcoBoost V6 and Max Trailer Tow Package cover most Clarksville boaters. Lariat and King Ranch add the same towing capability with more comfort features for the drive to and from the ramp.
Does the F-150 have technology to help back a boat trailer down a ramp?
Yes. Available Pro Trailer Backup Assist lets the driver steer the trailer with a dash-mounted knob instead of the steering wheel, which helps a lot on a crowded ramp at Liberty Park or McGregor Park on a busy Saturday.
Can the F-150 tow a boat all the way to Land Between the Lakes?
Yes. Land Between the Lakes sits roughly 45 to 60 minutes northwest of Clarksville, an easy pull for an F-150 with the Max Trailer Tow Package, whether the destination is Kentucky Lake or Lake Barkley.
What is included in the F-150's Max Trailer Tow Package?
The Max Trailer Tow Package adds a Class IV hitch, an upgraded rear axle ratio, additional cooling, and an integrated trailer brake controller, on top of the 3.5L EcoBoost's 13,500-lb max tow rating.
Is 4WD needed to launch a boat at Cumberland River ramps in Clarksville?
Not usually. Most Clarksville-area ramps, including Liberty Park and McGregor Park, are paved, so a 2WD F-150 tows and launches without trouble. 4WD adds confidence on a wet or gravel ramp like some spots along McCormac Landing.
Where can I see F-150 towing packages in person near Clarksville?
Jenkins and Wynne Ford keeps F-150s equipped with the Max Trailer Tow Package in stock at 2655 Trenton Rd in Clarksville. Check New Inventory online or call 931-441-8041 to confirm what's on the lot.

See the F-150's Towing Packages in Person

Jenkins and Wynne Ford, 2655 Trenton Rd, Clarksville, TN 37040