What Would YOU Do?

SpeakEasy wrote:
So we're getting right down to brass tacks here on a new TV. I'm down to this:

2012 F-150 with 3.5L V6 ecoboost

VS

2013 F-150 with 5.0L V8

If I'm reading my tables correctly the 3.5L has MORE towing capacity (9600 lb) but lower payload (1520 lb). Is this correct? It is counterintuitive.

But if it is correct, the 2013 has 180 lb more payload but 1900 lb less towing capacity. Under current usage, we would appreciate that extra 180 lb payload. Either towing capacity is well beyond what we need now, but the extra 1900 lb would be helpful if and when we might decide to upgrade the TT.

There are lots of variables in comparing the two vehicles, and I'm not going to get into all of them here and now. But just based on these differences in payload and towing capacities, is there a clear winner for you?

Thanks,
-Speak

You are right that there are lots of variables - so many to predict sight unseen how a particular TT and TV will match up. My F-150 3.5L Ecoboost 4x4 Supercrew has a 1777 lb payload. That means that I can take 250 pounds more than the one you refer to - another large passenger or a couple of smaller ones, or a generator, a large cooler, and a few other goodies - stuff that you would have to leave behind. Maybe not a huge difference, but every little bit helps. The more options you have on the vehicle, the heavier it will be and more they will reduce the usable payload.

I don't think that I've ever seen the same payload numbers posted for any 2 F-150's.