Calculating Payload/Weights/etc F150 or SD

[mixedpuppy]

I've been considering an upgrade to a 2017 150 w/HDP and thought I'd like to estimate the payload with my options. A very similar 2016 I saw had a payload of 2364lbs.

After digging and finding documentation for 2016s on the fleet site, I created a spreadsheet. It lets me check off options as well as add in estimates on my own payload or 3rd party options. I figure at least for the f150, 2016->2017 isn't going to change much in option weights/etc. Unfortunately the SD calculations, while a good comparison for 2016, will not match up for 2017 models due to the changes in the SD lineup.

Interestingly, a similarly equipped F250 doesn't have much benefit over the F150 from a payload perspective.

The spreadsheet has links to the source data, you can copy the spreadsheet into your own google doc account and play with it.

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets...MldhH6IDOYhy_0

[xrvr]

I'd go with the 350 if I needed a lot of payload.

[Wanna EB]

This is a great resource and spreadsheet and super helpful to think through the options. I have been wondering about the same data you have thoughtfully assembled.

One angle which I have not been able to get my head around is the "real world" outcome of the the F150 W/HD payload vs the F250. Looking at the two, there is clearly a difference in the "beefiness" of the frame, suspension, and drivetrain. But the payload numbers don't bare that out. True, the 250 has to carry more of its own weight which may itself be a positive or negative towing factor.

Anyway, thanks for teeing up the discussion.

[mixedpuppy]

Originally Posted by Wanna EB

This is a great resource and spreadsheet and super helpful to think through the options. I have been wondering about the same data you have thoughtfully assembled.

Thanks! It's certainly a lot of $ so I'm trying to be complete as I can and figure others can benefit.

As close as I can figure, a similar 2017 f250 gives 500lbs more payload than the 150 HDP. Other benefits may be a heavier vehicle (less push around by the trailer, but I haven't experienced that with the 150) and better brakes. But I think the 150 wins as a daily driver. Comparing a 2016 F250 to a 2016 F150 HDP, I think the payload gain is negligible.

[SpletKay06]

Did you know some F-450 have a higher tow rating than a F-350? Seriously they do or did.

[Vitaver]

I am going through the exact same choice/situation. Test drove this morning the F250 2017 and then the F150 2016, the second is about 10K less at the dealer in Silverhorne. As I understand, the 250 provides an extra 2K of pulling weight and being Diesel, the torque is about double the gasser 150 I tested. The 250 has its own weight distribution system so the anti-sway bars (which I already have) appear to be unnecessary, the rear view mirrors extend electrically and it has a nice rifle/handgun box under the back seats, lockable. As for comfort driving them, the 150 is much like a car, the 250 is (for me) a little intimidating, overpowering. Will make a decision today and not sure which way I will go. I imagine that in less than ideal conditions coming down a steep slope, especially if the weather changed on me, I would wish to be on the 250. Any feedback is appreciated.

[LesMesa]

Are you able to find the HDP package on the Ford’s 2017 Build and Price tool? The package would become visible for the 2016 models if the XL, XLT, or Lariat model was selected with the 6.5’ bed and the 3.73 gearing. When looking at the 2017 tool I have not been able to find it.

Does the HDP package effect the F150’s unloaded ride? The F150 definitely rides smoother than the SDs, just wondering if the HDP package makes the ride any rougher.

[Bob Cooke]

Toaster: may not be big differences in Ford trucks but not so on Dodge Rams. I carry a 1966 Avion c-10 truck camper on mine and including jacks and water ready to camp weighing 2900 pounds on the
Grain elevator scales, load only makes the extra heavy duty helper springs touch. Put this load on a F-150 and you would "kill" it. Just saying. I tried pulling a 28 ft. 5th wheel and overloaded it. Went to the
Same Dodge 2500 Ram with no problems. Also currently pull a 1970 25 ft AS without WD hitch just friction sway control I have used both products and again I say "go Ram". Good day

[Wanna EB]

The question around the unloaded ride difference is a great one. It is probably hard to find a back to back comparison as very few dealers stock the HDP in the F150. I sure would like to give them both a whirl.

[PattenLake]

I purchased a 2016 F-150 3.5 Eco-boost Lariat in July, could not be happier with it. I pull a 2015 FC 25, took and extended 32 day trip to Glacier in August, 5,700 miles no problems. The door sticker rates my F150 at 1,637 payload. I do watch what I put in the truck, but have no problems with up for down the mountains.

[dkottum]

This is what our two Ram 1500's have taught us while towing our Airstream and loaded utility trailer extensively, and hauling heavy loads in the bed over the last five years.

When hauling heavy loads in the bed we follow the GVWR (truck and "payload") recommendations, any more and we begin to feel instability and reduced braking while driving.

When towing our Airstream we can follow GAWR (axle weight rating) and GCWR (weight of truck and trailer and everything in them). A quality weight distribution hitch puts near equal loads on our truck axles and some to the Airstream. It handles and brakes beautifully, rock solid stability.

We are traveling with our Airstream now, sweet driving rig. Gave us 16.3 mpg 400 miles yesterday.

[Joellen]

Does anyone have any experience with a tow vehicle for a Classic 30? We test drove the 2017 F150 and F250 today....my preference is the F150 but the dealer was pushing the F250. Price wise they are about the same when we add all our options....If we decide on the F150 do we have to purchase the FC-30 instead of the Classic-30?

[Moflash]

If looking at a F250 spend the extra $600 and get the F350.They both ride on the same primary leaf spring so the ride is the same but there is a big difference in payload capacity.You will be glad you did.

[rodsterinfl]

I do not have experience with the F-250 but I have a 2015 F150 with the max tow pkg.

I would recommend the F150, especially if you plan to use it as a daily driver. It WILL pull the weight. The only factor you must be aware of is the payload figure- that it meets your needs. What others are telling you about payload is spot on. If around 800# (what mine is minus tongue weight) is enough for people and stuff in the truck then you fit a properly configured F150, otherwise, go larger. It works for me.

Something you do not hear often is the "RV Education 101" guidelines to towing, that, you take the tow weight rating (since it is based on an empty truck) and then subtract the payload weight from it to determine overall capacity. So, my truck's tow capacity is 11,900 and payload is 1720 (11,900-1720= 10,180 lbs.)

30' bunk is 880# tongue with 8800# gross weight.

The 30' is within my tow specs. The 880# tongue is very similar to my 25' which is published 860# but is actually 990#.

Back six months or so ago I posted some really good information on a unique article as it compared half-ton trucks to their larger brethren of the three major brands. Anywho, at the time, Ford was a champ, so much so that to get close to the same capability as their half-ton, you had to buy the 2500 of the other brands.

Side note: I will say that another issue to look at is engine RPM at peak torque and @70 or so mph. You will find that Ford will be quieter operating, at least in their ecoboost models based on the fact that the pull power is at low low RPM. Designed to tow. The others HAVE to gear down, raise the RPM to get to the peak RPM for torque much sooner. A roaring engine on hills 5000 RPM VERSUS 2400 RPM impacts the overall driving experience.

[raoulduke]

I recently picked up a 2016 F150 XLT with Heavy Duty Payload, Max Tow, FX4, etc. It has a payload of 2415. My father-in-law has a 2015 F150 Lariat, it has a payload of 1530.

I have driven both vehicles. While the Lariat is very comfortable and rides smooth, the XLT HDP is no slouch. It might feel a bit stiffer, but nothing jarring. In fact, I find it quieter inside, and more civilized than our previous car (2013 VW Jetta wagon). I also got a chance to drive a 2017 F250 with the gas motor, and some older diesel F250s. The HDP was hands down a better daily driver. It also fits our needs, we only have a 25 footer.

[mixedpuppy]

Finally took delivery last week. 2017 4x4 HDPP Lariat with twin moonroof and 404/40/console. Payload sticker at 2284#.

Initial impressions. Don't like the wheels, silver painted next to some of the chrome parts just looks weird. Other minor cosmetic things that I liked in the older 150 vs this. Turning radius is larger, but not as bad as I thought it might be. Lots of little improvements everywhere which is nice, much better nav, haven't tried the phone apps capability yet. Rougher ride when not towing, but not as big a difference as going to the 250. I put a bunch of break-in miles on it quickly to get back on the road. Towing is night and day, the HDPP is a big improvement, it's just not squirmy on the road, incredibly smooth towing by comparison (and really the previous 150 didn't really bother me much, but it was squirmy). IMO that's from the combination of features the HDPP has (longer wheel base, load C tires, better suspension, etc). Through the scale...roughly managed to get an extra 650# payload above what we had before, hard to be exact, since we've added a few things and changed location of some times, since the previous weigh in at a scale. That plus the improved tow handling, I'm quite happy.

http://www.windowsticker.forddirect....FW1EG1HKC50545

One thing I'm confused about...rear GAWR of 4800#, but the rims have a load rating of 2100# (from the 2017 ford manuals).

[Wanna EB]

Payload in the F250/F350 is an interesting thing. The dramatic increase in payload when going to the 350 causes me to question the payload calculation methodology. The differences between the two trucks is very small...extra leaf spring and some different leaf spring weight ratings. Other components are identical (except for the rear axle)...frame, engine, transmission.

[switz]

We tow our 2014 31' Classic model 30 with twin beds and lots of modifications with a heavily modified 2012 Ram 2500HD Cummins. We scale 19,200 pounds camping ready with all tanks topped off including the Titan 56 gallon diesel tank that replaced the stock 34 gallon fuel tank under the RAM.

The sweet spot for the Cummins is 1,650 rpm which is peak torque and 65 mph in sixth gear. A straight six is always smoother than any V8 due to the inherent design of the firing circle. With the down tube exhaust brake brake. we can control descent on 8% grades without using the brakes and conversely maintain speed going upgrade.

The Classic itself scales just over 9,200 pounds out of the 10,000 pound GVW. We cut off the 1,200 pound limited factory receiver and installed a CURT 15049 receiver rated for 2,550 pounds of tongue weight and up to a 17,000 pound trailer. After the second battery modification removed four 96 pound Lifeline 6Vdc 300-amp hour batteries and stainless steel box from just behind the propane tanks to a single 600 amp-hour lithium battery under the front sofa, we got the tongue weight down from 1,375 pounds to just under 1,200 pounds. We did upgrade the Classic to disc brakes.

We carry two 2,000 watt Honda generators, a 30 pound propane tank, a Weber grill and anything else that comes to mind in the bed of the truck under the shell. As at the post office, if it fits, it ships.

[MWBishop]

My two cents (about all I have left).
We have a 2017 26U on order to arrive sometime in May.
The 26U has a higher tongue weight than most of it's brethren.
The 2016 F150 Eco Platinum yellow sticker has payload 1568#.
I was very afraid of always being on razor's edge of (or over) payload.
To eliminate my anxiety I just traded it for a 2017 F250 Diesel Platinum.
I looked at F150 HDP, but would have missed the luxuries of the Platinum.
Plus I figure a 7000# TV would just be more comfortable for me.
The F250 yellow sticker has payload just over 2000# (less than F150 HDP).
Not tons more than the F150, but enough to get me past my fear factor.
True, for now the ride is a little more raw than the F150 for daily driver.
But then again, it took me awhile to adjust to the F150 from a Murano.
I am sure in a few weeks the F250 will just feel normal, as the F150 did.
Besides, I just like having a BIG truck. What I wanted in the first place.
Once I discovered I *could* get it in my garage, I had to have it.
An F350 would have been a good choice too, but F250 fits my needs.
It's just a BEAST (and the ultimate camera system is awesome)!

[rodsterinfl]

Here's another two cents!

The F150 is quite the hauler/towing machine. Airstreams can be towed with one, at least properly configured. My tongue weight is also heavy at 1000# but it does great. My '09 F150 did good too but roared when pulling hills- the torque/power band on the engine was similar to the 5.3 Chevy as a 4.6L 3V HO, it had power but the newer ecoboost 3.5 blows it away. I get about the same MPG but with a much greater power reserve- what I expected.

As a never owned a truck person pre 2012, I have grown to like the larger interior and higher seating of the truck. Now when I get in a car or even SUV it is like sitting in a compact car!