Unicorns and F150 w/Max Payload

[TommyAjax]

Just wondering if anyone has seen/driven/towed with one of these mythical beasts - the F150 Max Tow/Max Payload?

After two 7+ week trips, and over 110 nights in our current 26BH, we are looking at moving to a 32TSBH for the added space. Current truck is a Ram 1500 with no room to add extra tongue weight.

So I figured my only option was a 2500, but have found that Ford can build an F150 to take on 2,600+ lbs of payload and tow up to 11,600 lbs. My Ram advertised payload is 1,400 lbs, so the F150 would provide nearly 1,200 lbs extra payload capacity, and 1,600 lbs in extra towing capability.

So I am wondering if anyone has one of the F150 Max Tow/Max Payloads, and what are they pulling with it, and any feedback/observations...

Thanks in advance

[NVGun40]

Such an F150 exists. You would most likely have to order it. The F-150 with max tow is certainly worthy of respect and a good reputation. They are towing beasts.
Keep in mind though, you may still be looking into the 2500/250 range. Certainly today's 1/2 tons are not the same and much improved over what they were 20 or more years ago. Then again, the same can be said about the 3/4 tons and up.
So goes with the RV industry, trailers are much lighter than they used to be. Even with all these advancements, you cannot overcome the simple physics of size, and axle distance. Some trailers may very easily be light enough but they are still simply too long and too big. People get caught in the trap of thinking that these 32 plus feet (total length) trailers in the ultra light classes were built to fall into the half ton pickup range based on the weight specs; when in many cases they are built light to maintain better gas mileage for the heavy duty class trucks.


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[SkyBound]

The new MaxTow/Heavy Duty Payload trucks are out there, but are few and far between. You would likely have to order one to have one.

My best friend has a '16 F-150 with the EcoBoost and Heavy Duty Payload package. It is a SuperCab long box and it's a towing beast. He pulls a 10,000lb kitchen trailer with it for his business and it handles it like a boss. It barely even squats in the rear with no added suspension help (with a WDH of course). The stock wheels are steel on it versus alloy too, likely for higher weight rating. I think his payload is around 2400lbs.

My B-I-L has a 32TSBH and pulls it with a Ram 3500. It's a big, heavy trailer for sure. If I were you, and pulling that thing a lot, I would look at a 3/4 ton or better. If you were pulling it a few times a year then a heavy duty F-150 would do it.

[nwminnesota]

When I was shopping for a new truck. I looked at buying the unicorn but once I found out what they charged for the truck started to look at year old diesel 3/4 ton. Like someone said you probably would have to order one. All the dealers i visited it didn't have one in stock. However they all had a few trucks with the max tow package. A year end model with max tow was only $1500 dollars less then my 1year old duramax with 14000 miles on it.
To me it was a no brainer to get the diesel for $1500 more. You'll be surprised on how much $$ they get for those half tons. When thing I noticed with the 3/4 ton while towing is that the trailer doesn't move the truck around like it did with the half ton. Which makes it really easy to drive and also with my set-up it doesn't matter if I use or don't use the equalizer hitch. However I will probably but the equalizer hitch on for my SD trip just for a piece of mind if it gets really windy. I don't think I will tow again with a half ton.
Just my experience with the 1/2ton vs 3/4 ton.

[TWP723]

We have 3 in stock!

[Subaru297]

Originally Posted by TWP723

We have 3 in stock!

What is the doorjamb sticker payload on those and what trim level? Curious how much the payload drops with options over what is published in the "brochure" payload.

Thanks

[BuddyRay]

I've got a 2016 model Lariat. Ordered it equipped as I wanted with the EcoBeast. It tows the Eagle HT 26.5 FW like it isn't even back there. Rides great, drives great and gets pretty decent gas mileage.

Note that Ford actually calls this the "Heavy-Duty Payload Package" and that it does not appear to be available on some models because I believe it's already built in. If you spec the EcoBoost 3.5L in a Crew Cab with 6ft bed for example - the Heavy Duty Payload isn't an option but the payload is already just over a ton for this truck.

I love it.

[TommyAjax]

Originally Posted by Subaru297

What is the doorjamb sticker payload on those and what trim level? Curious how much the payload drops with options over what is published in the "brochure" payload.

Thanks

I would be interested in seeing the sticker as well...

[spoon059]

Just curious why you would prefer the Max HD/Max tow over a 3/4 ton truck...? The ride will be as harsh as a 3/4 ton, the price will be at least as much as a 3/4 ton truck and the 1/2 ton will literally be at the very top end of its capabilities, while the 3/4 ton will have plenty of leftover axle capacity to spare.

I think that the max payload F150 was a fantastic idea in theory, but the cost and axle ratings are huge turn offs to me. For the same price you can buy a gas 3/4 ton truck with 1000 more lbs of payload and several thousand more lbs of axle rating.

The half ton is not a floating axle and usually in the 90-95% axle rating. The 3/4 ton is a floating axle with bigger brakes, bigger suspension, heavier parts and a much much larger front and rear axle rating.

Just my thoughts...

[TommyAjax]

The ½ ton provides more options and trim levels, and the specs all meet my needs and the difference is only in the hundreds of lbs, not thousands, and that is why I am looking for insight from people that actually have that Max Payload package.

My current Ram 1500 Sport Crew Cab is 5.7l Hemi w/3.92 gears 4x4 – 1,450 lbs payload, 10,000 lbs tow weight. My actual available payload is around 900 lbs based on CAT scales after options/add-ons.

2016 Brochures
F150 SuperCrew 3.5l EcoBoost w/ 3.55 gears 4x4 – 2,650 lbs payload, 11,600 lbs tow weight
Ram 2500 Megacab 6.4l Hemi w/ 3.73 gears 4x4 – 2,910 lbs payload, 12, 520 lbs tow weight
Ram 2500 Crew Cab 6.4l Hemi w/ 3.73 gears 4x4 – 3,300 lbs payload, 12, 630 lbs tow weight

I am comparing the Megacab vs Supercrew because they have the same amount of leg room in the back seats for my two boys who will be teenagers in a few years – basically, these are comparable cabin sizes. The 2500 Crew cab is 3” less legroom in the back so smaller cabin, less metal, hence more payload.

The F150 has a 10 speed transmission and less weight that I am assuming provides much better mileage when not towing. I haven’t found MPG for the ¾ ton trucks yet.

[havnfun]

I have one of those F150 beasts with a door sticker towload of 2405 pounds and steel wheels, supercab and 8'bed. It's a 2009 and was custom ordered by the previous owner to tow a 11,500 lb. 5er. They told me it was a good pull with no handling problems.
I have used it only to pull my 7500 lb. 24FBS trailer and don't even know the TT is there. I researched the truck a few years ago and supposedly it will tow something like 13,300 lbs. Not anything I will try but WOW!

I do agree with some that a 3/4 ton is the better way to go and that will be my next tow vehicle, but I have no regrets about my current F150.

Happy RVing,
Jeff

[havnfun]

Originally Posted by havnfun

I have one of those F150 beasts with a door sticker towload of 2405 pounds and steel wheels, supercab and 8'bed. It's a 2009 and was custom ordered by the previous owner to tow a 11,500 lb. 5er. They told me it was a good pull with no handling problems.
I have used it only to pull my 7500 lb. 24FBS trailer and don't even know the TT is there. I researched the truck a few years ago and supposedly it will tow something like 13,300 lbs. Not anything I will try but WOW!

I do agree with some that a 3/4 ton is the better way to go and that will be my next tow vehicle, but I have no regrets about my current F150.

Happy RVing,
Jeff

Oh, I also forgot to say that the steel wheels are 7 lugs which I believe gives way to a stouter rear axel and drivetrain.

Happy RVing,
Jeff

[BuddyRay]

I just went on the Ford site and configured an F150 and an F250 - both Lariat's with all the tow features, same color, same interior, same bells and whistles. The price of the F250 was about $1k higher. Not bad.
The only thing I could get on the F150 that I couldn't get on the F250 was the EcoBoost engine. Why, you ask, would you WANT an Ecoboost on a heavy duty truck. You probably wouldn't except when you use that truck as your daily driver and LOVE the gas milage you get around town with the EcoBoost.
They have made some improvements in the Tow Package on the F250 that you can't get on the F150 this year (I expect them in 2017) - for example, the Blind Spot warning system works with a trailer behind you on the F250 - and warns you when a car is beside the trailer. It doesn't yet do that on the F150 - when a trailer is hooked up it turns off the BLIS.
Also - the F250 can be configured to support a backup camera on the back of the trailer and TPMS on the trailer in the dash system - not with add on boxes stuck on the dash.

However, when I bought my F150 - none of these fancy bells and whistles were available on the F250 -and the F150 was my best choice.

If I were ordering a new truck today - I think I'd seriously look at the F250. It's a better tow vehicle in many respects. But the F150 is still a better daily driver.

[2nOZ]

We purchased a 2016 F150 XLT 4x4 3.5 ecoboost with max tow because it was touted as a pulling beast, which it is. We then purchased a 2017 White Hawk 27DSRL it pulls it like it isn't there. The only issue that we discovered was the truck has a useful load of 1825 pounds. Pack in 2 adults, hitch and a 950 pound tongue weight and there isn't payload left. We love the truck but will be moving to a 250 so we can pack in grandkids. Moral of the story is to check the weight sticker on the door jam.

[TWP723]

Originally Posted by Subaru297

What is the doorjamb sticker payload on those and what trim level? Curious how much the payload drops with options over what is published in the "brochure" payload.

Thanks

I'll surely get that for ya Monday!

[TommyAjax]

Which GVWR package did you get? According to the brochure, the payloads are as follows:

Setup = 3.5l EcoBoost, 4x4, SuperCab, 163" Wheelbase
7,050 lbs GVWR = 1,990 lbs payload
7,600 lbs GVWR = 2,480 lbs payload
7,850 lbs GVWR = 2,710 lbs payload

Setup = 3.5l EcoBoost, 4x4, SuperCrew, 156" Wheelbase
7,050 lbs GVWR = 2,060 lbs payload
7,600 lbs GVWR = 2,420 lbs payload
7,850 lbs GVWR = 2,650 lbs payload

These numbers supposedly include 150 lbs for the driver...so if you weigh 230 lbs like me, take 80 lbs away right off the top. Also deduct any options that add weight (ie. tonneau covers, side steps, winches, etc), and then also the passenger weights, and "junk" in the truck (tow straps, tools, tarps, blankets, jumper cables, etc)

I have learned through my purchase of the Ram 1500, and researching the F150, the devil is in the details...

[bansai]

I have the max tow, ecoboost, 3.73 gears/ and am comfortable with my 27BHS. I thought I would have to upgrade my TT next year, but it's almost paid off, so I plan on continuing to tow with it for the next several years.

The cash I'd have to burn to upgrade to an F250 that meets my standards will be spent on paying off my camper instead. My next truck however will be a 250/2500.

[Mustang65]

2012 EcoBoost
Super Crew XLT
157" Wheel Base
3:73 Rear end
4x2
HD Payload/MaxTow
Bucket Seats

Tow's the EAGLE 284BHS like it is not there... was GREAT in the Rockies a few years ago. The only way to get it back in 2012 was to order it from the factory. Now has 60K miles on it and runs like the first day we got it. It is our everyday driver also.

Would we purchase another one? ABSOLUTLEY!!!

Don

[smithm21]

just ordered my 2017 screw 6.5 box 4x4 xlt with max tow and HD payload 3.5 eco and 10 speed my co worker has a 16 same spec as mine the door sticker payload is 2450lbs just to put that in perspective to all the half tonnes can't do it my f250 long box 4 door gas that is is replacing has a marked payload of only 2600lbs

[oldmanAZ]

Welcome to the JOF.