Northstar 850SC on 2015 Ford F-150 truck

This is probably what you don't want to hear, but you should go with a Super Duty.

You should check to see what the maximum payload package adds, but for $3000 you can do a lot of modifications.

Would it be more cost effective to get a truck with a larger cargo capacity?

Start out doing it right...not adding band-aids.
Go with a 3/4 or 1 ton truck.

Good luck and enjoy your new rig....and welcome to the Forum.

I agree. you need more truck. No matter what you do to the 150. You will not change the payload rating, and you will still have a 150. 250s are not hardly any more than a 150. So for pretty much the same money. You can get the right truck

If this is your model truck camper I think you might be able to pull it off using the F150... Having this type of roof sure takes off a bunch of the weight as well as the wind load... ???


GOOGLE IMAGE Northstar 850-SC

Having said this I still see a whole bunch of posts using this same truck camper on bigger trucks... Even some with dullys...

Of course we are always thinking ahead and most folks like to go bigger and bigger...

Roy Ken

With a regular F150 you will need not only timbrens and other suspension prop-ups, but you will also be throwing away a brand new set of tires, as you will be over the tire ratings.

Even with the Maximum Payload package you will still be a little bit over the GVWR when you add in passengers, truck accessories, and such.

However, a 2-300 pounds is a lot less than a THOUSAND pounds. Plus you will still be under your axle and tire ratings.

It is very common to be over GVWR, but still within the axle and tire ratings. Most here agree that exceeding the tire ratings is not a good thing to do. Tires are the only components in your truck's suspension system that are distinctly marked with a weight capacity, and they're arguably the most important components in your suspension system.

Since it sounds like you're ordering the truck anyway, why not go directly to at least an F250 or even better F350. You would save the time and headaches involved trying to upgrade your F150 into the truck you should've bought to begin with, and may end up buying anyway if the mods don't work to your satisfaction.

If your buying the 150 hopefully its for good mileage and not hauling the camper a lot I'd say make sure its a 4X4 (heavier axle)get a set of 3000 lb wheels,LT E rated tires and air bags, go for it. But if your going to use the truck camper a lot I'd go for the heavier truck, a 250 has the same drive line as the 1 ton but sits lower.

I cannot add to what already has been said about going to a 250 series truck or better. You may want to tow something later on and that would tax further the 1/2T capacity.

Thanks for all the speedy feedback! Bit more info: I enjoy boondocking and so new truck needs to be 4x4, and will be using truck both with and without camper (for around town and light farm work). Mpg is important to me, and I expect all 3/4 ton trucks will have about the same 14 mpg vs the F150's 19 mpg average.