Ford F150 3.5L Eco Boost

[Moflash]

I found in my travel that most ford salespeople and the managers that actually order the trucks know very little about towing.I also noted they all could quote the maximum tow rating but did not realize that you had to order certain packages to achieve these ratings.Payloads ,tongue weights confused most.When I asked for Fords Tow guide books I received puzzled looks.Do your home work before buying a new tv.

[DMT]

I have an F150 and totally agree. Four of my buddies with clubs and my payload is already maxed out.

I believe Ford terminology for the options are "max tow" and "max payload". No "HD" in the title.

The Max Payload is not available on some models.

[BillTex]

Originally Posted by DMT

I have an F150 and totally agree. Four of my buddies with clubs and my payload is already maxed out.

You hang out with Cave Men?

Kewl...

[Moflash]

In order to get the Max payload pack they put different small wheels (no choices) and no Platinum pack.Must also choose 6.5 box only on Super crew.Very few available on the lots as dealers do not like to stock them.They will almost all tell you you do not need it and nobody orders it. BS!

I got tired of messing with it and just bought a new 2012 F350 Supercrew Turbo diesel 4x4 with a 8ft box.No more worries or counting pounds.You pay a little more upfront but you get more back at the end.I trade every 2-3 years so it works for me.
Mine listed for about $64k but I paid $51,650 so about $7k more than F150 V6 turbo.Was a no brainer for my usage.

[MaxTow]

Originally Posted by DMT

I have an F150 and totally agree. Four of my buddies with clubs and my payload is already maxed out.

I believe Ford terminology for the options are "max tow" and "max payload". No "HD" in the title.

The Max Payload is not available on some models.

In Canada at least, the packages for 2012 were Max Tow, and HD Payload.

The HD Payload bumps GVWR to 8200 lbs - which on my SuperCrew Lariat translates to a payload capacity of 2150 lbs.

This still disappears quickly once one adds in people, a box cap, the WD hitch and the tongue weight. But there is some left for canoes and limited cargo in the box.

[Wabbiteer]

Originally Posted by DMT

I have an F150 and totally agree. Four of my buddies with clubs and my payload is already maxed out.

Scary, I've seen that! - 2012 MN State Fair, Ford Motors booth, F-150 Platinum... Sweet truck, loitered there a while, then remembered the drivers' door pillar data sticker. 923 pounds passengers & cargo! Guess it's really for groceries, taking kids to the bus stop and picking up mail... or hauling the 1/4 miler race bike to the drag strip or some other manly man thing

[paiceman]

I've posted previously on this subject as my wife and I purchased a 2012 F150 Ecoboost to tow our 25'AS. Towed fine, but with the two of us, we are not heavy our 60# dog two generators, grill, truck rack, kayaks, and stuff PLUS loaded hitch weight we were over payload capacity. Then we bought a 30' AS, now we are even worse, so we ordered a F250 Diesel with 10,000# payload, but as usual it came in wrong so the dealership is "trying to figure out what to do".

My point is this, the only reference that matters with respect to payload is what is on your door frame on the drivers side. That is it. In PA we also have a weight class sticker on the windshield which is for the total GVW of the truck. Ours is a number 2, which is 7,000# - payload is about 1,200# - hitch weight of a 30' Flying Cloud is 880#. Wow, that leaves 320# payload.

So, prior to buying any TV, IN MY OPINION, check towing capacity total GVW and Payload capacity. and good Luck

[MaxTow]

Originally Posted by paiceman

My point is this, the only reference that matters with respect to payload is what is on your door frame on the drivers side. That is it. In PA we also have a weight class sticker on the windshield which is for the total GVW of the truck. Ours is a number 2, which is 7,000# - payload is about 1,200# - hitch weight of a 30' Flying Cloud is 880#. Wow, that leaves 320# payload.

So, prior to buying any TV, IN MY OPINION, check towing capacity total GVW and Payload capacity. and good Luck

My experience is that generally folks (especially RV and Auto Salesman) like to focus on the rated tow capacity of a vehicle - that is the maximum trailer weight that can be pulled (with an empty TV). But in fact it's payload capacity that is almost always the limiting factor in what can be towed. Axle loading also needs to be considered, but this more plays into whether a WD hitch is required or not.

[LaBigDogs]

I can talk fact, in real life the EcoBoost is a BEAST! It has toed my 25FB, 8,000 miles, on the flats, in the hills and in the mountains. All Flawless! You can sneak out of a campground early in the morning, quite, smooth, and with the massive torque you can idle up hill towing...... YES! I love my EcoBoost, the interior function, design and features adding reliability, is much more of a vehicle than the Range Rover I once owned (that was an overrated experience), the EcoBoost is much more of a match than the rough riding 2011 F-250 PowerStoke, I had when I first purchased my Airstream. A resent 220 mile trip to Houston (Solo, no Airstream) with my Son and his girlfriend, my BMW sat in the garage and we took the EcoBoast, he drove and I sat in the back... It's like limo seating in the back... all at 21 MPG with a 4X4 lifted 1.5" with slightly larger tires than factory. My new 2013 Platinum EcoBoost 4X4, 3.73, w/Trailer Toe Package should be in the next few weeks... replacing my 2011 Platinum - Headed to Jackson Center for service in mid Oct... may have it for that trip.... New will be the 36 gal fuel tank and power telescoping, and power fold tow mirrors like the F-250. In closing the F-150 EcoBoost is the Best truck, suv or car I have ever owned.... I love it. It toes like it running solo.

[xrvr]

Still not the payload I need but sounds like you like it. Jimv

[Moflash]

My 2012 F350 rides great as it has progressive spring rates and gets stiffer as you add weight.Not slamming your Ecoboost.They are just short on payload for what I do.My point is sometimes we dont pay attention to payload capacity(or just don't think about it as in my case). Towing is not a problem for Eb as stated.It is just light on payload rating.Pull out your owners manual and read it.When you are pulling a large trailer across country with your gear for a few weeks,your gens,passengers and normal stuff.You max out very quickly.My previous tv 2010 f150 SuperCrew 4x4 5.4 pulled my trailer no problem but I was over my payload capacity when traveling.I had to trade it for something that worked for my needs.
The new F150's are capable of pulling great weights as advertised but are limited by there payload capacities(things you take and passengers) .I was shocked when I read the owners manual for my F150 with Max tow package!Even with the max payload pak You have to watch what and who gets taken with you.

Just trying to help others as I have researched this for myself and made a few mistakes.I might also mention I have been in the autobile business for 37 years and am still learning.

[Gene]

There is no doubt that payload is the critical question for half ton trucks. Because some companies make many, many models, figuring it out is not easy (the Tundra has far fewer models, so it was easier, not easy, for us).

Some companies include a full gas tank, so that does not count against payload. You have to read carefully to find that out. Dealer installed options and especially aftermarket option (tonneau or topper for ex.) may not be included on the door sticker.

I found at one dealer a booklet that included all weight info for Tundras, but I don't know if Ford has a similar one. I also looked on websites such as Edmunds and Kelley's Blue Book. And you can try the manufacturer's website. Our owner's manual has detailed info also, but if the truck you are interested in doesn't have the same truck on the lot, that won't help.

Tongue weight as stated in Airstream materials may not be true. I have seen different weights cited for the same model in company materials. Full propane tanks add weight and the spare tire probably does. But about 2/3 of tongue wt. is transferred to the truck (1/3 to the trailer axles) when you have a WD hitch.

Many threads over the years have pointed out that payload is the issue for 1/2 trucks and you will get bad info at dealers and from advertising materials. Our truck's payload is about 1,500 lbs., but different Tundra models in '07 ranged from about 1,350 to 1,800 lbs. 1,500 lbs. is adequate for us, but not for everyone.

Gene

[paiceman]

Another critical factor in safe towing are the tires and tire rating on the TV. For instance the 20" tires that come standard on the F150 Platinum are rated at only about 1,200#, (not sure too early to go out and look). So the payload capacity is significanlty less due to the tires Ford has decided to put on the truck and it's all printed on the door or door frame.

I now have my Ford dealer in disucssions with Ford corporate over what the door sticker really means.

Safe Travels

[richinny]

Ford has a pdf file that gives the base weight and the weights of every added accessory. i had to come in under 5,500 lbs. The chart numbers came in about 50 lbs under the door sticker weight.

[slowmover]

Many threads over the years have pointed out that payload is the issue for 1/2 trucks

The "elbow room" is the tire/wheel rating and RR axle rating. A 1/2T is about like the full-size cars of years ago, but with a bit less overhang (but higher COG). 4-whl disc, antilock and other electronic stability programming -- along with 6-speed autos -- make them pretty good TVs in comparison to what they were 20 or 30 years ago.

Being reasonable about payload is the key where a 1/2T pickup has genuine use as a truck when not towing the A/S. Otherwise a better TV from the perspective of handling/braking plus solo use might better suit all-around duty.

The EB motor is not a miracle worker. An average mpg of [preferably] above 20-mpg is the place to start, IMO, when looking at an all around vehicle. An EB motored vehicle (not just a pickup) might be capable of 20+ mpg averages (when looking at all uses over all miles in re all gallons).


.

[cars7070]

I have 2012 F150 163 wb 4x4 Heavy Duty Payload Package.....This payload package provides stiffer frame 9.75 rear ring gear vs 8.25 3.73 locking diff. 7 lug wheels factory 10 ply tires....only HD payload package will provide these items I have a 2013 25 AS I don't have any kind of eq hitch only sway control this truck does not sag at all.

[xrvr]

Now that sounds like a good setup. Way to go on your purchase. Jim

[newroswell]

Always do your number research in the comfort of your own chair. All the numbers you could possibly want are out there.

https://www.fleet.ford.com/truckBBAS...12_F150_SB.pdf

[MaxTow]

Originally Posted by BigAl

I'm getting a f150 4x2 supercab with 8foot box. Ecoboost engine, max tow package and hd load package. 11,300 tow capacity and 2640lb cargo capacity. It will tow my 31 footer just fine. Had a e150 rated for 7000lb trailer maximum and it towed my 31 footer just fine except really steep grades. My trailer is rated max 8300 lb loaded. So it went up a bit slow. If not mistaken the only axle offered is the 3.73 with the ecoboost.

Al

Note that the cargo capacity will drop with added features. (I just went through this on my F150). A 2640 lb payload is the base truck with no options.

The Max Tow package looks to add significant weight to the truck.

My 2012 Ecoboost, SuperCrew, Max Tow, HD Payload, Lariat has a payload capacity of 2150 lbs as printed on the yellow sticker.

[xrvr]

Any more info on the shutter, or was it just from not using premium fuel. Seems to be forgotten here on this thread. Jim