We MIGHT end up looking for a 4-5 year old F150 EB next spring. Not sure yet, but it's a possibility. If so, I'd want to have the HD Payload and the Max Trailer packages. It looks like the integrated brake controller is a giveaway that a vehicle likely has the Max Tow. Is that true? What other ways are there to make sure it has it?For the HD payload, it looks like a stickered GVWR in the 7k range is the indicator on that one, am I correct? Thanks all!

All HD Payload packages are long bed and have 7 lug axles(versus 6 for the standard F150) in that model year. Because of this the HD's had a special wheel that the regular trucks did not have so they should be easy to spot a mile a way.The 2015 and up HD F150's have a 6 lug axle. It is only the 2011-2014 that had a 7 lug.

The HD payload F150 is a rare thing unless you order one new. Good luck on your quest, but you might need to shift gears to an F2/350 instead if you need more truck than a regular F150.

IdaD wrote:The HD payload F150 is a rare thing unless you order one new. Good luck on your quest, but you might need to shift gears to an F2/350 instead if you need more truck than a regular F150.Thanks. The HD payload is not a huge issue, as our current rig has 2,000 and we do just fine. I’d be more concerned with the max tow, and it seems hard to figure out which trucks have that in online listings.

ShinerBock wrote:All HD Payload packages are long bed and have 7 lug axles(versus 6 for the standard F150) in that model year. Because of this the HD's had a special wheel that the regular trucks did not have so they should be easy to spot a mile a way.The 2015 and up HD F150's have a 6 lug axle. It is only the 2011-2014 that had a 7 lug.NOPE. My ‘13 HDPP has a 6’-3” bed and 8200# GVWR. Payload is 2592#

joshuajim wrote:ShinerBock wrote:All HD Payload packages are long bed and have 7 lug axles(versus 6 for the standard F150) in that model year. Because of this the HD's had a special wheel that the regular trucks did not have so they should be easy to spot a mile a way.The 2015 and up HD F150's have a 6 lug axle. It is only the 2011-2014 that had a 7 lug.NOPE. My ‘13 HDPP has a 6’-3” bed and 8200# GVWR. Payload is 2592#Is it a crew cab? If so, then you have the longest bed in that cab configuration just like I did with my 2012 F150HD.

F150 HD Payload and Max Trailer - How to spot them?

28 Replies

Groover
Explorer II
Nov 19, 2019
packpe89 wrote:
@kw/oo I don't think you can get the powerstroke option. Wish you could.

I just tried but I can't even find max payload mentioned on the build sheet so I must assume that it is still tied to the 3.73 axle. If I specified the diesel engine then the 3.73 axle the configurator dropped the diesel engine.
packpe89
Explorer
Nov 18, 2019
@kw/oo I don't think you can get the powerstroke option. Wish you could.
Huntindog
Explorer
Nov 17, 2019
Have to be lucky to find one at a good price used.

My boss likes to hit the auctions. He was all excited about one such Ford. Was telling me all about it. Said he was sure he could get it for under his 20K budget.... I told him that they were very highly sought after.
Next day, he told me it went fo 40K. He was shocked.
I don't remember the details year, mileage etc.
joshuajim
Explorer II
Nov 15, 2019
goducks10 wrote:
Some upsides to the HDPP is a better mpg's and from what I've read a little better ride. If you get the tow mirrors then it's almost exactly the same width from mirror to mirror as an F250/350.
Towing with an HDPP 3.5 should be quieter. The 3.5 EB won't be turning 4,000-4800 rpms when pulling steeper grades.

Sorry to have to disagree with you but my real world experience with my HDPP is that it rides like a truck (LT tires and heavy duty springs and shocks). Part of the problem is that the TPMS is set for 55# front and 60# rear. No way to get a decent ride at those pressures. I rarely get over 15 MPG empty and typically 8 to 9 towing 8,000#.

I live 9 miles outside of a little town so most driving is on rural roads with very little in town.

Six years of ownership confirms all these facts.
kw_00
Explorer
Nov 14, 2019
Got a buddy who has one, I do believe that his is a 7 lug. Can’t recall the year for you. Overall great truck and should do what you need it to do. I’m thinking if you can’t find one that you may get a good deal on a close out 2019 model... I wonder if one could order it with a diesel..?
BenK
Explorer
Nov 14, 2019
Jim...you make too much sense and have the exact same thoughts

But...it makes for great theater using marketing nomenclature instead of GVWR & RGAWR...

And...the OEM's sell more trucks to those who bought the wrong F150...thinking advice from those who own top end GVWR F150's saying sure you can...
JIMNLIN
Explorer III
Nov 14, 2019
At some point in time Ford dropped the 7 lug wheels for the F150HD models. Fleet Ford specs shows a '14 model with 7 lug wheels and a '15 models and up going with a 6 lug..... so lug numbers won't help newer year models.

The drivers side door sticker tells a story. All F150HD trucks will have a 8200 gvwr for older trucks and a 7850 gvwr for the newer gen truck but they all have a 4800 rawr on the cert sticker. Other package may not be that easy to find.
wing_zealot
Explorer
Nov 14, 2019
If it has the E-Locker rear axle it's more likely got the Max Tow pkg. If it's got 18" wheels (and a very distinctive wheel cover if you know what your looking for) and the e-locker its probably got the HDPP pkg. None of those are going to be readily apparent, but when i was shopping for a new truck, a lot of listings would say it had the max tow package. But, your chances of finding a truck (new or used), that has both max tow and HDPP are very, very slim.

The HDPP is the only way to get the more robust frame; and you have to have the max tow pkg to get the HDPP pkg.
goducks10
Explorer
Nov 14, 2019
Some upsides to the HDPP is a better mpg's and from what I've read a little better ride. If you get the tow mirrors then it's almost exactly the same width from mirror to mirror as an F250/350.
Towing with an HDPP 3.5 should be quieter. The 3.5 EB won't be turning 4,000-4800 rpms when pulling steeper grades.
Boomerweps
Explorer
Nov 14, 2019
Mickeyfan0805 wrote:
We MIGHT end up looking for a 4-5 year old F150 EB next spring. Not sure yet, but it's a possibility. If so, I'd want to have the HD Payload and the Max Trailer packages.

It looks like the integrated brake controller is a giveaway that a vehicle likely has the Max Tow. Is that true? What other ways are there to make sure it has it?

For the HD payload, it looks like a stickered GVWR in the 7k range is the indicator on that one, am I correct?

Thanks all!

Sorry I can't be more help but...
My 2019 SuperCrew w/ 5.5 bed STX and factory basic tow package has the integrated brake controller and 7K# payload package both as options, so those are NOT clues to HDPP or Max Towing package. Also have the trailer backup assist.