Huge discrepancies

[MargaretB]

We have been looking at F-150s. Each time we find one that looks like a likely candidate, we call the dealership and ask about it, including the payload capacity. Four out of four people have given us numbers in the 1500#-1900# range, based on the manufacturer's website.

When we arrived to look at the trucks, every single one of them had a sticker in the door jamb that showed a payload capacity of less than 1250#. Every one.

So... I've read here, many times, that the door sticker is the number we should go by. But the mfr's websites are giving totally different numbers, and when we do the math we get a third number that bears no relationship to the other two.

So who should we believe? The sticker? The website? Our own math?

[camp-n-family]

But the math is compelling. If you subtract the curb weight from the GVWR, you should get the payload, no? Math doesn't lie. So why is the sticker so much less? Where does the mfr. come up with these figures?

You are correct in that you get payload by subtracting the curb weight from GVWR. The discrepancies are due to the configurations and options. Most ads and salesmen will use the best case scenarios which sound best. A base model, regular cab, 2x4 can have 3k payload. A crew cab, Lariat, 4x4 will add a lot to the vehicle's curb weight, which subtracts directly from the payload.

You need to go by the sticker, they are legally mandated and are accurate. Keep in mind that sticker number also gets reduced by dealer added options like bed liners, side steps etc. The 2k+ payloads are rare to find on a dealer lot. You'll likely need to special order the tow and HD payload package. If you're going to go there you might as well get a 3/4 ton of the lot for less $.

[nomad297]

After reading all of this and the other threads, I just don't get why the truck has to be an F-150 and not an F-250. An F-150 with a 3,000# payload is going to have the same (if not, worse) ride as an F-250 with a 3,000# payload.

Why the aversion to the F-250?

Bruce

[campincandice]

We originally wanted an f150 EB, hd/tow package in a used truck. Looked for almost a year. Finally gave up and got a 5.4, which took us almost 6 months to find. It's a 2010 although we would have liked newer. Only had 50K miles, and has a payload of 1750. We had to give up nice-to-have options to get that payload. Years ago we searched for a Suburban 2500, 8.1 engine. Looked for 6 or 7 months for that also!

Good luck with your search. It just takes time when you're looking for something specific. We found ours at a Chevy truck dealer!

[coolbreeze01]

An F-150 isn't really a gain over the Sequoia. If you are stuck on a 1/2 ton, look at Ram, GM, Toyota, and Nissan also.

A 3/4 ton would be a better choice. You will be buying a larger, heavier trailer at some point anyway.

[Golden_HVAC]

Page 30 of the towing guide lets you know what axle is on what truck. So if the code is 26 it is not limited slip and is 3.73:1 rear ratio, while L6 is the limited slip 3.73:1 rear axle. Both of those come with the Max tow package, required for the higher GVWR.

So maximum 7,850 GVWR only comes with the XLT and higher packages. 7,600 GVWR comes with specially ordered XL trucks, with the Max tow and max GVWR 627 package in the build sheet.

The towing package is 53 C if it includes the trailer braking system, and will include the transmission cooler, 7 pin wiring harness, upgraded bumper, upgraded stabilizer bar.

Tow package 53A does not include the brake controller, or bumper or rear axle upgrade, but will include the 7 pin wiring, and stabilizer bar. This is found on page 14 of the towing guide.

So if you want a simple way to find the maximum GVWR, ask if they have any F-150's with the brake controller, thus they have towing package 53C, and the upgraded axle, bumper, ect. And should have the 7,850 GVWR!

Good luck!

Fred.

[MargaretB]

3oaks wrote:
I don't see any discrepancies just because the dealer doesn't have what you are looking for on their lot. Dealer's inventory usually consist of what they think their customers may want and will sell quickly. If buying new, order exactly the truck you want with the options you want, not what someone else thinks you may want. That is what I do.

The discrepancies lie between what the sticker says and how the math works out. I know the mfrs tend toward the conservative side to cover their bacon, but on one that we looked at, there was a 700# difference between the sticker and the website, and the sticker and the math.

[rbpru]

One has to keep in mind what you are going to do with the TV.

Are you are going to haul stuff with it all the time or is it your second vehicle for day to day errands.

Bigger TVs cost more,ride rough and cost more to maintain. This has to be weighted against it intended use.

Big TT means big TV; my F-150 has a maximum cargo of 1411 lbs. It is maxed out with my 5000 lb. 25 ft. TT. Anything bigger and I would have to step up to an F-250.

[Golden_HVAC]

Hi,

My boss is looking for a supercab F-150 and I was looking at the Ford.com website for the truck he is looking for, so I could print out the window sticker.

I finally found a secret way to get the larger capacity truck. When I picked out F-150 then supercab, under the truck it said 'capacity up to 1800 pounds passengers and cargo'. By selecting the 8' long bed, it changed to 'capacity up to 3000 pounds' and I was impressed.

I think that you need to find a truck type of dealership that knows what to order in a pickup. I was able to find this by clicking on 'diesel' as a selection guide for finding a dealership near my home zip code that is near me, and also specializes in Diesel trucks. That dealership does not stock cars, but has a huge selection of F-250 - F-550 trucks, and many are already equipped with service body beds on them. So they know trucks!

You can play around with the Ford "Build your own truck" or just put in your contact information and ask the local Ford dealer to search for your truck, and call you with the specs. Be sure to tell them you are looking for the truck with (super cab, regular cab, or super Crewcab) that you are looking for. Color, and what options you might want. Towing package and brake controller should bring up the higher GVWR package.

You can get more information about the GCVWR in the Ford towing guide for 2015.


http://www.fleet.ford.com/towing-guides/

Once I looked up "Camper ratings" on page 9 of the towing guide, it says to order payload package 627 and either the 5 liter or 3.5L Ecoboost to get the maximum GVWR of 7,600 pounds with a XL truck or 7,850 pounds with a XLT or Lariat truck. It changes it to a 3.73:1 rear axle ratio, and must also include the towing package. It includes upgraded springs and increased transmission cooling too!

Max GVWR and cargo weight rating with slide in camper are listed on page 10 of the towing guide.

Pages 16 and 17 have all the information about the GCVWR for trailers and the trucks.

Good luck!

Fred.

[Steeljag]

My Eco has the HD tow package but not the HD payload package, and has a payload sticker reading 1932lbs.

Do pay attention to the payload sticker as I looked at numerous F-250s with much less payload ratings. Also, keep a eye on the gearing.

They are out there, keep looking!

[handye9]

TomG2 wrote:

MargaretB wrote:
.......snip..................and not a single one that we've seen - all with tow packages - has a payload greater than 1380. Not one.

So where are these super-payload trucks? We don't believe that we have to go to 3/4 ton to get the number we need.

Where? In the television commercials that say that F-150's can haul something like 3,000 pounds. What they don't say is that is only true for a small percentage of the pickups that they actually have on the dealer's lots. All the manufacturers do this to some degree or the other. Best advice is to quit looking for a super half ton and get a heavier duty model to start with.

That difference in GVWR, based on various packages, is also done on the Super Duty trucks, but, they have a higher starting number.

Finding one of those super F150's, sitting on a lot, almost like winning the lottery.

[Big_Love]

Keep in mind that not all "3/4 ton" trucks (e.g, F-250) have large payload capacity. When I was looking, I saw several F-250 diesel 4WD Crew Cabs with only 1300 lb payloads on the yellow sticker! If getting a diesel, I would look at F-350s.

[Lynnmor]

Tom/Barb wrote:
Why do those who tow for a living, tow with a diesel?

Diesel power is more efficient. A large trucking company needs to control all costs to remain competitive. They would run the trucks on skunk pee if it would save a nickel.

[Caveman_Charlie]

Never mind I read your other thread and answered my own question.

[TomG2]

MargaretB wrote:
.......snip..................and not a single one that we've seen - all with tow packages - has a payload greater than 1380. Not one.

So where are these super-payload trucks? We don't believe that we have to go to 3/4 ton to get the number we need.

Where? In the television commercials that say that F-150's can haul something like 3,000 pounds. What they don't say is that is only true for a small percentage of the pickups that they actually have on the dealer's lots. All the manufacturers do this to some degree or the other. Best advice is to quit looking for a super half ton and get a heavier duty model to start with.

[MFL]

Just at a glance, you should spot a max trailer tow 150, due to the large towing mirrors. This would have the 7700 gvwr. Ask the dealer when you call, if it has the towing mirrors.

The HD 150, will have 7-bolt wheels, also easy to spot. You likely won't find one of these on the lot.

Jerry