Are You Buying All These Half-ton Claims?

As long as they're equipped right, yes I believe them. Not only have engines and frames been upgraded, transmission have come a long ways since the slipping slush boxes of yesterday.
But the same can be said for 3/4 & 1 tons. Years ago they were rated for maybe 10~12K lbs. Now many are rated for twice that or more.

I don't, and would never trust one to my families life. Have driven plenty of 1/2 ton trucks to know what they are capable of SAFELY towing. 1/2 tons have their place, but its not towing that kind of weight. IMO 8-9K lb is about the safe limit with a 1/2 ton truck. You can beef them up all you want but they just don't have the MASS to safely control a load like that in an emergency situation.

Yes, I am buying it because I went from a F350 PSD to a Silverado 1500 with a 6.2L engine and the NHT package. I routinely tow 8-10K gooseneck trailer in the mountains and it handles it very well. There is NO need to buy way more truck than needed and today the 1500/150 has all the power and safety features to handle anything up to 10-12K. My limiting factor is payload(2K±), not trailer weight.

The ratings are legit in some senses - they are following standards now, correct? So under ideal circumstances, a properly equipped F150 might be able to handle a 12k lb trailer okay. I'd be pretty leery doing it out where I live, but not everywhere has big mountains.

My main concern with these high tow ratings is you can pretty much tow those loads with a driver and no cargo. If you think about recreational towing, which is where your half ton market is, that's mostly a family towing a camper trailer out in the mountains for a camping trip. Load up the trailer, the family, and the toys and the reality is your the trailer you could actually tow within the payload or RAWR ratings might be more like 7,000 lbs. I'm not sure how many people pay close enough attention to realize that, however. My old neighbor was a classic case in point.*

*Old neighbor because we moved, he is happily still alive.

IdaD: *Old neighbor because we moved, he is happily still alive.

Had me worried!

The problem, well, just one of the problems I have with these claims is the race that has gone on for years. Watch for the competition to rejigger their numbers and come out with 12,500#, without meaningful component enhancements.

The 3300# payload on that new F-150 was the number that caught my eye. That is what is on the door sticker of my F-350. I'll have to say I'm from Missouri on this. Are the transmission and brakes likewise upgraded?

At least on the 2014's and earlier everything from the frame down was upgraded, they even came with sturdier tires than my 1991 F250 or 2003 E350 so it seems that Ford has given it some thought. My 2013 with Eco-boost will out power either one of those two vehicles but it does sway a bit more. However, I do not have max payload package. Putting Rancho 9000 shocks on helped but I really need to use an equailizer hitch if I go any heavier with the trailer (6000lbs now). As far as stopping goes the factory brake controller combined with 4 wheel trailer brakes works beautifully, better than the heavier vehicles listed above. If I buy another F150 I will make the dealer order one with max payload package but they made me too sweet deal on the 2013 to pass it up.

I bought a new F150 in 1979. My last Ford product.

Ford has advertised a 3100 lb payload for the older F150Hd 8200 GVWR models and now 3300 lb payload for the aluminum body truck.

Most F150HD folks may think they can carry 3100-3300 lbs in the bed ..WRONG !!!
Hell just simple math shows a F150HD with a 4800 RAWR may weigh say 2500 lbs on the rear which leaves 2300 lb payload before exceeding 4800 RAWR. The trucks rear axle/suspension now has a 800-1000 lb overload.

The payload sticker is a GVWR sticker which is derived from the front and rear axles.

A 3000 lb+ payload is in 3/4 ton truck arena with the 6000-6200 RAWR.

Don't get rid of the One Ton but I have long wondered why they bother with the 3/4.