Help! Ford (F150) has got me totally confused

[dwightr8]

We're currently towing a ~4500lb tt with a 4L V6 Toyota Tacoma. We've been looking at the Ford F150 w/ecoboost but in trying to figure out what options come with what model (and what options we really want) we've become totally confused. I think the XLT would probably work but it looks like you can only get a 3.55 diff with the eb. I thought we wanted a 3.73 but now I don't know if that's really necessary. Also wanted max towing and max weight but can't figure out if that's available on the XLT (we may upgrade to a bigger trailer some time so I wanted to leave all options open). The FX4 has all the options but is $10k more and has a lot of stuff we don't need or want. We went to a dealer today but the salesman, although a really nice guy, knew little or nothing about the trucks he was trying to sell. So I guess what I really need to know is if a 3.73 diff, max weight, and max towing are that important and what we can get on the XLT.

[tragusa3]

It needs nothing additional unless you exceed ratings.

[noteven]

Fordlover wrote:

bobx2 wrote:

Fordlover wrote:

bobx2 wrote:
$43k for a half ton, V-6 pickup??? Wow. No thank you.

I fixed it for you.

Hahahahaha, you're a funny guy. However, it didn't need any fix'n. No reason to try and fool anyone. Diesel like power delivery....hahahahaha, good one.

What's so funny? the Ecoboost does have diesel like power delivery (not quantity, but quality) Have you driven one? I have.

I have. It is a nice engine/trans package. It needs a sibling with 4 more cylinders 😮

[Fordlover]

dwightr8 wrote:
Thanks to all that have replied. The Ford build your own page is what is getting me confused. I want the supercrew w/5.5' box. When I select that and then select ecoboost it tells me I have to change from a 3.73 axle to a 3.15 axle at an extra cost of $2095. If I accept the change and then change to a 3.73 it's another $2270 but at least I'm where I want to be. It looks like the max payload package is not available with the 5.5' box which is why I couldn't find it. I guess the main question I have now is if we really want the 3.73 gears. I don't think we would ever get a trailer weighing more than ~7k lbs and less than 10% of our driving would be pulling a trailer. We do live in the northwest and most of our travel involves pulling through mountains, sometimes very large mountains but from the sounds of it the eb has ample power to handle just about anything.

There are two different packages. One is called Max Tow, the other is the HD Payload package.
The Max Tow includes tow mirrors, brake controller, and a few other towing package features and a ~7700 lb. GVWR. I'd recommend getting it.
The HD Payload has nothing to do with the towing package, it includes an 8200 lb. GVWR. I'd not recommend it unless you'll be towing a 5th wheel, a bed full of stuff while towing a big trailer, or you want the 6.5 foot bed.

The HD payload isn't available on the crew cab 5.5 bed, but the Max Tow is.

[93Cobra2771]

dwightr8 wrote:
I guess the main question I have now is if we really want the 3.73 gears. I don't think we would ever get a trailer weighing more than ~7k lbs and less than 10% of our driving would be pulling a trailer. We do live in the northwest and most of our travel involves pulling through mountains, sometimes very large mountains but from the sounds of it the eb has ample power to handle just about anything.

I would absolutely go no less than 3:55s. 3:73s are ideal, IMO. At 60mph, 3:55s put you around 1300rpm, give or take. 3:73s put you at 1700rpm, give or take.

I pull at 55-60mph, so unless I lock out sixth, I'm lugging it. 3:73s would put around 1700rpm, which is making decent boost, enough to avoid downshifting as much.

You will love the power of the EB, especially at altitude and around 2200-2800rpm. You will have power to spare with your current camper, and room to grow with a bigger one.

[Fordlover]

bobx2 wrote:

Fordlover wrote:

bobx2 wrote:
$43k for a half ton, V-6 pickup??? Wow. No thank you.

I fixed it for you.

Hahahahaha, you're a funny guy. However, it didn't need any fix'n. No reason to try and fool anyone. Diesel like power delivery....hahahahaha, good one.

What's so funny? the Ecoboost does have diesel like power delivery (not quantity, but quality) Have you driven one? I have.

[2112]

bobx2 wrote:

Fordlover wrote:

bobx2 wrote:
$43k for a half ton, V-6 pickup??? Wow. No thank you.

I fixed it for you.

Hahahahaha, you're a funny guy. However, it didn't need any fix'n. No reason to try and fool anyone. Diesel like power delivery....hahahahaha, good one.

Bob, have you towed with one?

[EcoBullet]

bobx2 wrote:
$56k for a 3/4 ton, oil burner pickup??? Pocket change.

Fixed it for you.

[dwightr8]

Thanks to all that have replied. The Ford build your own page is what is getting me confused. I want the supercrew w/5.5' box. When I select that and then select ecoboost it tells me I have to change from a 3.73 axle to a 3.15 axle at an extra cost of $2095. If I accept the change and then change to a 3.73 it's another $2270 but at least I'm where I want to be. It looks like the max payload package is not available with the 5.5' box which is why I couldn't find it. I guess the main question I have now is if we really want the 3.73 gears. I don't think we would ever get a trailer weighing more than ~7k lbs and less than 10% of our driving would be pulling a trailer. We do live in the northwest and most of our travel involves pulling through mountains, sometimes very large mountains but from the sounds of it the eb has ample power to handle just about anything.

[bobx2]

Fordlover wrote:

bobx2 wrote:
$43k for a half ton, V-6 pickup??? Wow. No thank you.

I fixed it for you.

Hahahahaha, you're a funny guy. However, it didn't need any fix'n. No reason to try and fool anyone. Diesel like power delivery....hahahahaha, good one.

[Fordlover]

bobx2 wrote:
$43k for a highly capable, nicely loaded, half ton, diesel like power delivery V-6 pickup??? Wow. No thank you.

I fixed it for you.

[Fordlover]

1wayhighway wrote:
You can look at my signature and see what we purchased. In my case I am pulling right around 7000 lbs loaded, the truck pulls fine with no issues. The only shortcoming is I am over on my cargo capacity when loaded and I still have room for more stuff. We will we see what's available in a couple of years but I would get the 3.73 rear end next time (just for the added towing capacity) and the heavy duty package for more payload.

If you look at the sales brochure in the back they have all the numbers and charts for towing and load carrying (same as online). The one thing I found confusing was the tow package and the max tow package and based on what I could see the max tow package just added mirrors and stuff, it didn't change the towing capacity at least for the screw with a 5.0 from what I could tell.

The Max Tow isn't available on the 5.0 V8. If you want Max Tow, your only options are the 3.5 Ecoboost or 6.2 V8. The HD payload package is only available with the 5.0 and 3.5 Ecoboost.

To the OP, If you want the max tow, stick to your guns. I've heard salesman trying to talk people into buying a truck off the lot, even if it doesn't meet their needs. Remember their job is to sell you a vehicle now, not sell you what you need/want.

[bobx2]

$43k for a half ton, V-6 pickup??? Wow. No thank you.

[rhagfo]

06Fargo wrote:
What the pickup truck world really needs is more choices....

LOL!

The F150 has like 16+ GVWR listings increasing about 50# a pop.

Good luck getting the correct payload!

[1wayhighway]

You can look at my signature and see what we purchased. In my case I am pulling right around 7000 lbs loaded, the truck pulls fine with no issues. The only shortcoming is I am over on my cargo capacity when loaded and I still have room for more stuff. We will we see what's available in a couple of years but I would get the 3.73 rear end next time (just for the added towing capacity) and the heavy duty package for more payload.

If you look at the sales brochure in the back they have all the numbers and charts for towing and load carrying (same as online). The one thing I found confusing was the tow package and the max tow package and based on what I could see the max tow package just added mirrors and stuff, it didn't change the towing capacity at least for the screw with a 5.0 from what I could tell.

[NiasWagn]

I currently have an XLT with a 3.73 and EB with the towing package. I really love the mirrors and the integrated brake controller. It's not the HD version so I added a leaf spring to it and that tightened it up perfectly. I bought it to tow my 4500 lb 19RR but have since moved up to a 25RR so I'm glad I had the extra truck to expand. The thing tows like a dream. I'm getting around 10 MPG if I keep it under 65. If I go up and beyond it drops to like 8. As the tires on the trailer aren't rated for that speed I rarely do. I do pack a lot of firewood in the bed when I camp and do fine.