Question on F150 Eco GVWR

[datadr]

Hello all,

We are zeroing in on our new TV - we've decided on an F150 SCREW... previously looking at a Suburban but the GVWR was too low on the 1500 and the 2500 was out of our range.

I've researched the differences in the max tow package and standard tow package, and there seems to be some strange inconsistencies in the GVWR that don't make sense. A 145" WB with the std tow and 3.55 rear has a GVWR of 7200#, GCWR of 15500#. Same vehicle with the max tow package has a GVWR of 7650#, GCWR of 17100#. Only difference is a slightly updated hitch (extra 800# capacity)and tow mirrors. The 3.73 rear is a requirement for the max tow, but you can find 3.73 rears without the max tow, and their GVWR is 7200#. I've inspected both on the lot and the suspension is identical, same number of leaf springs, same shock part numbers, etc.

From my understanding, GVWR has everything to do with frame, suspension, brakes, axle, etc. Here's how the axle ratings flush out:

MAX TOW
GCWR: 17100#
GVWR: 7650#
Rear GAWR: 4050#
Front GAWR: 3750#
Axle Ratio: 3.73

STD TOW
GCWR: 15500#
GVWR: 7200#
Rear GAWR: 3850#
Front GAWR: 3750#

The max tow pkg has a combined axle rating of 7800#, and std tow has a combined rating of 7600# (adding the two together). So therefore, if the combined limit of the axles on a std tow F150 is 7600#, why is the GVWR only 7200#? And if the max two gets you 450# additional capacity, why is there only a 200# difference in the two?

Here's why I care: I'm stressing over whether to get the max tow or not. They aren't easy to find in the XLT with the specific options we want and we don't want to order it. Plus, we aren't big fans of the mirrors, preferring to use slip-ons when towing. This vehicle will be used mostly as a daily driver for my wife, and we'll tow 3-4 weeks out of a year max. Our TT loaded for camping is only 5040#. However, when we do go camping, there's 5 of us which will put us at or slightly over the GVWR on a std tow F150. I think the numbers are a little fudged for marketing... suspension is the same, frame is the same, brakes are the same. The GCWR of the std tow F150 is 15500, which we won't even come close to.

Thoughts? Advice? Am I overthinking this?

Thanks, gents! Appreciate the feedback.

- Mike

[bimbert84]

datadr wrote:

Thanks, all. Looks like we're getting a Max Tow package. We'll skip the Max Payload. We won't need anything that heavy duty.

After all my research, I made the same choice. With the Ecoboost, the standard payload is over 1800#, which is enough for my needs. If memory serves, the HD package bumps that to like 2200#. For me, that small difference wasn't worth the wait (to order) or the cost.

-- Rob

[datadr]

aussy wrote:
For what it is worth....I just ordered a F-150 with max tow and chrome package in long bed. I did the long bed on the possibility I would want to do a small fiver......Mine is coming in Blue Jean....what color are you getting??

datadr wrote:
Thanks, all. Looks like we're getting a Max Tow package. We'll skip the Max Payload. We won't need anything that heavy duty. Appreciate all of the insight, and completely agree with the idea of "plan for the worst case". Better safe than sorry.

Not sure on color as available inventory will determine it... but kind of keen on the Kodiak Brown. We probably prefer the 145" WB, but not opposed to the 157" WB.

[Kevin_O_]

datadr wrote:
Thanks, all. Looks like we're getting a Max Tow package. We'll skip the Max Payload. We won't need anything that heavy duty. Appreciate all of the insight, and completely agree with the idea of "plan for the worst case". Better safe than sorry.

You will be very pleased with your choice!

[mbopp]

With the standard tow package the 3.55 and 3.73 rear ends have the same tow ratings. I had a chat with Ford - the standard tow package has an upgraded radiator, and the Max tow has an even bigger radiator.
We tow a small trailer, and since the F150 is my daily driver and I park in a city garage I didn't want the big tow mirrors. I opted for the standard tow package and put my P1 in the dash. It works for us.

[aussy]

For what it is worth....I just ordered a F-150 with max tow and chrome package in long bed. I did the long bed on the possibility I would want to do a small fiver......Mine is coming in Blue Jean....what color are you getting??

datadr wrote:
Thanks, all. Looks like we're getting a Max Tow package. We'll skip the Max Payload. We won't need anything that heavy duty. Appreciate all of the insight, and completely agree with the idea of "plan for the worst case". Better safe than sorry.

[datadr]

Thanks, all. Looks like we're getting a Max Tow package. We'll skip the Max Payload. We won't need anything that heavy duty. Appreciate all of the insight, and completely agree with the idea of "plan for the worst case". Better safe than sorry.

[whizbang]

Your answer is in the Ford F150 brochure. You can get one online or at the dealership. Turn to the section in back with the "packages". It explains exactly what is included in each package.

I have a 2010 F150. In the 2010 brochure, both the regular tow package and the max tow package have an upgraded radiator, trans cooler, wiring harness, and hitch.

The Max package has a stiffer bumper, stiffer springs, sliding mirrors, a brake controller and a heavy duty front eye bushing.

Packages for the new trucks will be similar. I cheaped out and upgraded my springs with Timbrens. No regrets.

[JIMNLIN]

datadr wrote:
Here's why I care: I'm stressing over whether to get the max tow or not. They aren't easy to find in the XLT with the specific options we want and we don't want to order it. Plus, we aren't big fans of the mirrors, preferring to use slip-ons when towing. This vehicle will be used mostly as a daily driver for my wife, and we'll tow 3-4 weeks out of a year max. Our TT loaded for camping is only 5040#. However, when we do go camping, there's 5 of us which will put us at or slightly over the GVWR on a std tow F150

Well for sure you don't need a F250/F350 to pull a small 5000 TT a few time a year or for your wife to drive as a dailey driver.
Any of the trucks you mentioned so far can handle a trailer that size.
As Skip says the 8200 HD package will give the best of all the worlds if you plan on a heavier TT or a 5th wheel trailer later on. Now add the EB V6 engine and you have the best of both worlds especially as a daily driver for the wife.
Mirrows :::.. you can add or replace them with ones of your choice.

[fla-gypsy]

BenK wrote:
Oh...answer to your question....

Sizing and class of vehicle is the most important to me

Very high on my 'have to have' list...aka performance and ratings.

Note that all things designed is not for the good days out there, when a riding
lawn mower 'can do it'. But for the worst day out there when Mr Murphy crosses
you path.

Either you have the right stuff or not. No time to go back to the store to buy
bigger stuff. Nor time to resetup the system

I prefer to have the biggest I can afford or get.

To then know it's ratings and live by those ratings.

Only you can make that risk management decision...aka...gambling...unless you
are only looking for those 'sure you can'...which you will get tons of

X2 This is my philosophy. As a person involved in industrial safety I lean toward decreasing the risk of failure and increasing my chances of overwhelming success. You should consider a 3/4 ton truck in your choices as you will learn that buying a fully tricked out 1/2 ton will cost about the same as a little less optioned 3/4 ton. I ordered my 3/4 ton to my specs and bought it for less than many 1/2 tons sell for off the lot. Choose wisely

[skipnchar]

My advice is that INSTEAD of fussing about Max Tow go for the HD Payload which comes WITH the Max tow so you get both. Payload is as importnat as towing capacity (actually MORE important) since payload is a safety related issue and max trailer weight is a warranty issue.
Good luck / Skip

[BenK]

Oh...answer to your question....

Sizing and class of vehicle is the most important to me

Very high on my 'have to have' list...aka performance and ratings.

Note that all things designed is not for the good days out there, when a riding
lawn mower 'can do it'. But for the worst day out there when Mr Murphy crosses
you path.

Either you have the right stuff or not. No time to go back to the store to buy
bigger stuff. Nor time to resetup the system

I prefer to have the biggest I can afford or get.

To then know it's ratings and live by those ratings.

Only you can make that risk management decision...aka...gambling...unless you
are only looking for those 'sure you can'...which you will get tons of

[BenK]

Welcome and you are asking the right questions, but you are using
marketing verbiage where this is really a 'ratings' game

First decide if you believe in the ratings/limits/specifications or not

If not, then do whatever but know that if you still have warranty that
the OEM is now off the warranty hook if you exceed those ratings (that
'R' in all of the acronyms). Plus you are now on the hook for any
liability based on that 'ratings' system

If yes, then read up and learn how that system works. Yes, system
and most folks take an individual 'rating' by it self. Dangerous as
it is a 'system' and not any one component is a stand alone 'rating'

Since a system, any of the 'summations' of 'ratings' trump those
individual ratings

Below your quote is a diagram of how the ratings system looks like
as a whole. Also a link to a thread posted trying to answer your
question. Bottom line on that is to forget the marketing verbiage
and only use the 'ratings' acronyms

Like that another forum member posted that he found IIRC, 15 different
'half ton' truck offerings from Ford. These are 'half ton' trucks: 6.3K GVWR,
7.2K GVWR, 7.4K GVWR, 7.6K GVWR, 8.1K GVWR, 8.6K GVWR and am sure
there are many more

'Half ton' is the most common, as folks new to pickups normally only
look at a 'half ton', which has 'P' class tires (passenger car) that
has to be de-rated a min of 9% when used on a truck

Another point that confuses newbies and even older or seasoned pickup
truck owners is that the different classes (half ton, 3/4 ton, 1 ton)
all use the same base body. Take the half ton Suburban and the 3/4 ton
Suburban. They both use the exact same body, but everything underneath
that body is different (frame, drive train, suspension, brakes, etc)

datadr wrote:
Hello all,

We are zeroing in on our new TV - we've decided on an F150 SCREW... previously looking at a Suburban but the GVWR was too low on the 1500 and the 2500 was out of our range.

I've researched the differences in the max tow package and standard tow package, and there seems to be some strange inconsistencies in the GVWR that don't make sense. A 145" WB with the std tow and 3.55 rear has a GVWR of 7200#, GCWR of 15500#. Same vehicle with the max tow package has a GVWR of 7650#, GCWR of 17100#. Only difference is a slightly updated hitch (extra 800# capacity)and tow mirrors. The 3.73 rear is a requirement for the max tow, but you can find 3.73 rears without the max tow, and their GVWR is 7200#. I've inspected both on the lot and the suspension is identical, same number of leaf springs, same shock part numbers, etc.

From my understanding, GVWR has everything to do with frame, suspension, brakes, axle, etc. Here's how the axle ratings flush out:

MAX TOW
GCWR: 17100#
GVWR: 7650#
Rear GAWR: 4050#
Front GAWR: 3750#
Axle Ratio: 3.73

STD TOW
GCWR: 15500#
GVWR: 7200#
Rear GAWR: 3850#
Front GAWR: 3750#

The max tow pkg has a combined axle rating of 7800#, and std tow has a combined rating of 7600# (adding the two together). So therefore, if the combined limit of the axles on a std tow F150 is 7600#, why is the GVWR only 7200#? And if the max two gets you 450# additional capacity, why is there only a 200# difference in the two?

Here's why I care: I'm stressing over whether to get the max tow or not. They aren't easy to find in the XLT with the specific options we want and we don't want to order it. Plus, we aren't big fans of the mirrors, preferring to use slip-ons when towing. This vehicle will be used mostly as a daily driver for my wife, and we'll tow 3-4 weeks out of a year max. Our TT loaded for camping is only 5040#. However, when we do go camping, there's 5 of us which will put us at or slightly over the GVWR on a std tow F150. I think the numbers are a little fudged for marketing... suspension is the same, frame is the same, brakes are the same. The GCWR of the std tow F150 is 15500, which we won't even come close to.

Thoughts? Advice? Am I overthinking this?

Thanks, gents! Appreciate the feedback.

- Mike

Ratings, terms and opinions of what they mean... howmuchcanitow2


howmuchcanitow

[datadr]

Correction - Tires are the same with and without the max tow package.

[datadr]

Tires can be upgraded, but the 3.73 axle alone changes the tires - max tow pkg option does not.

Why suggestions for the HD payload? We won't hit the top end - the payload on the max tow is 1900#. We might hit 1600#, but that's a stretch even accounting for the hitch, people, dogs, etc.

Of course... the other side of the coin is the possibility of shredding the camper one day and wanting to upgrade... Right now I don't see it, but one wrong turn can change all of that. 🙂