The payload of 3300 lbs. is for trucks with the optional 18" wheels and there is also the option of 17" wheels and tires for a somewhat lower payload rating. What is interesting is that at this time Ford is not differentiating between the different cab types.
http://www.ford.com/trucks/f150/specifications/payload/
In the Ford 2015 towing guide Ford does provide the usual payload reduction of 160 lbs. for every passenger seat. 4WD only reduces the payload by 220-240 lbs. on the F-150 truck.
It is interesting how people get stuck in the past. A lot has changed in how materials are fashioned and machined. Adhesives are used with aircraft as it does not result in the metal fatigue as when rivets are used. Aluminum alloys vary widely in their strength and "aircraft" grade aluminum has been used for nearly half a century by auto racers to reduce weight without compromising strength.
The axles and wheel bearings are very seldom the limiting factor with payload ratings. All the heavy duty trucks have had axles and wheel bearings rated for 8900 lbs. or more (10,900 with the ones used by GM). The rims and tires are the weakest link and that is why pickup truck manufacturers use an extra set of tires at the rear as it is the cheapest way to add more load capacity while continuing to use standard E rated tires.
With 700 lbs. of dead weight removed that provides in and of itself for an increase in payload. This is not really rocket science. With 3000 lbs. payload with 4WD and the optional 36 gallon fuel tank the F-150 makes the best possible trail crawler with a light to medium weight camper in the bed.
I still cringe when people make blanket statements without bothering to check the facts. There are many campers that with a full load of gear can be carried on a pickup truck with a 3,000 lb. payload capacity. That includes campers by such obscure manufacturers as Wolf Creek, Lance, Adventurer, Palomino, Four Wheel Campers, Outfitter, Northern Lite, and Phoenix.
The Ford F-150 will appeal to those who do not feel the need for a 4,000 lb. camper to venture away from their homes. When not carrying their camper around who would not prefer a 1/2 ton pickup truck that got more than 20 MPG on average around town while burning regular gas?
With 90% of Ford's profits coming from the F-150 pickup I have to think that their people know a hell of a lot more than the bigger is always better Luddites.
