F150 for Eddie Bauer 27FB?

[jasperkins]

We have a 2012 EB 27'. I tow with a 2013 Ram 3500. Overkill- yes. However the EB can take a heavier load, and we fill our truck. A 150 could be fine in Florida flats, but the mountains you will see it strain. What is peace of mind and safety, balanced this will how many miles you expect to tow, and where.

[aphrodite]

Oh boy. I posted a similar question last year when I was trying to decide…100 people, 122 different opinions. What I learned is that a wide variety of solutions will work very well. SO at some point you have to address how you personally think about safety, comfort, margins of error, etc.

For me, that ended up directing me to the GMC 2500 diesel for our International Sterling 27FB. Some considerations for me: we added the ProPride hitch--200 more pounds, a lot of it on the hitch (i.e., not carried by WD), solar panels plus 2 additional AGM batteries, and finally living in the mountains I wanted the extra power.

We have a bit over 3,500 miles on the rig and I couldn't be happier. Plenty of power, plenty of additional hauling capacity, and most importantly for me--mental confidence/peace of mind. BTW--the ProPride hitch is amazing and worth every penny.

Good luck with your decision.

[mikebee]

Woo-hoo! Made it to page 2 with replies!

Originally Posted by mojo

The 3.73 axle with Limited slip is available with the max tow package. The HD payload package has the long bed only and with the upgraded axle (7 lugs) and HD springs.

I have been looking at some of the literature re: the HD payload package. It appears that the package is intended for slide-in camper applications, but I can understand the need to increase payload capacity for trailer towing (i.e. additional equipment in the bed). For example, see page 12 here:
https://www.fleet.ford.com/truckbbas...FLRVTT_gde.pdf

So far in my nationwide search for an appropriate F-150, I've only seen *one* of these 7-lug vehicles available used. It's a rarity in the used vehicle market. It's not that I couldn't use the extra payload capacity, it's just difficult to find a truck available with the HD Payload package.

Thanks to all for your advice. No final decision yet, but I am leaning to finding a 3.73 with the Max Tow Package. However, it has been surprisingly difficult to find this option combination in a Lariat.

[switz]

Initially tried to use my 2007 Mercedes ML320 CDI diesel. It had the power, but the weight specs were close. I was all legal on the numbers coming home from the dealership empty with the 2013 25FB International Serenity with a Hensley hitch. Loaded for camping, the scales reported I had an overloaded front axle and the GVW was exceeded. Thus we ended up with our Dodge.

We crossed the CAT scales at 18,860 pounds with everything loaded for a test run on our first camping trip with the new 31' Classic. No axle or tire ratings were exceeded. I now know that carrying less stuff will be okay.

Really crunch some real numbers before signing the vehicle contract. Pencil and paper are far cheaper than buying the wrong vehicle.

We learned that lesson after buying the wrong initial Airstream for us. But that is another long story...

[ROBERTSUNRUS]

Hi, I tried the Build Your Own Truck on the Ford site but couldn't get the max payload with any option that I tried. Everything that I tried kept changing the bed length, the engine choice, or the diff ratio to things that I didn't want. Never found the choice for Max Payload.

[JFScheck]

Originally Posted by ROBERTSUNRUS

Hi, and John can correct me if I'm wrong, but I think everyone should know this; His Ford Eco-Boost F-150 had a pitiful 1200 lb payload. My Navigator has a payload of 1600 lbs. Being that I'm considering buying an Eco-Boost F-150 to replace my Lincoln I will make sure that the payload is higher than what I have now. At John's cost, I think we should all have learned from this.

Bob's correct, if I could have picked up a Navigator with EcoBoost I would have done so!

Just makes no sense to me how a fully loaded Navigator has more max payload than a fully loaded 4-door truck...

The EcoBoost, along with all the 3.0 liter diesels are around 420lbs torque, and towing my 25FB with my diesel Touareg had no issues up mountains, etc. again, plenty engine, just not enough max payload.

[DKB_SATX]

Originally Posted by ROBERTSUNRUS

Hi, I tried the Build Your Own Truck on the Ford site but couldn't get the max payload with any option that I tried. Everything that I tried kept changing the bed length, the engine choice, or the diff ratio to things that I didn't want. Never found the choice for Max Payload.

Here is one:
Lariat
SuperCrew
6.5' bed
Ecoboost
3.73 limited-slip diff

There is no such thing as Max Payload on the current F150. The package is HD Payload (please see several previous rants on the topic).

You'll see it on the packages list if you're within 1 change of a valid config, and it'll tell you what has to change.

If you want a King Ranch or Platinum or short-box with more payload, wait and see what the aluminum body brings on the 2015.

[ROBERTSUNRUS]

Originally Posted by DKB_SATX

Here is one:
Lariat
SuperCrew
6.5' bed
Ecoboost
3.73 limited-slip diff

There is no such thing as Max Payload on the current F150. The package is HD Payload (please see several previous rants on the topic).

You'll see it on the packages list if you're within 1 change of a valid config, and it'll tell you what has to change.

If you want a King Ranch or Platinum or short-box with more payload, wait and see what the aluminum body brings on the 2015.

Hi, I tried two more times to get what I think that I want. I had to choose the Lariat instead of the XLT to get most of the options that I like. For some reason, unknown to me, I wasn't able to pick a color or a spray on bed liner. This got me up to $49,415 MSRP.