Ford F-150 XLT Powerboost 4x2 verus 4x4

[mefly2]

Listen to Empty Nester. I might suggest that your cargo capacity calculations are overly optimistic.
The best we could fiddle the cargo up to when trying to order a power boost F150 was 1610#.
Our configuration did not include the fancy bumper or sunroof on a Lariat trim level. The gadgets and hybrid batteries really drop cargo capacity. We took a bath on our new 1/2 ton and went heavier.
What pushed us over the edge was actually weighing the tongue weight .... without any water on board our 25 EB... 835 published ... 1,000+ actual !

[kdfulsome54]

My 2018 silverado 1500 4x4 crew cab has a payload of 2040. I tow a 28ft International with a tongue weight of 1160. I changed my receiver hitch for a class 5 hitch with a weight rating of 1600 with wdh. Towing with my 1/2 ton has never been an issue as far as the truck handling that trailer. Fuel mileage on the flats is average 12.8, with 10.5 to11 in the mountains. My buddies truck also a 2018 silverado 1500 is a 4x2 and gets almost exactly the same fuel mileage pulling a 30ft trailer. I for one would not be without 4x4.

[superChop]

4x2 vs 4x4 is very similar to the half ton vs super duty discussions. Everyone has a reason for supporting their opinions/decisions.

What are all the weights that you have considered besides payload, since we know tow weights are meaningless as proved many times on TFL trucks and Big Truck, Big RV (YouTube channels) when they tow 9,000 lbs with a half ton.
Payload + GCVW, Rear Axle. These are numbers that help define ability of TV to tow a particular trailer from any manufacturer.

Someone has already commented on what payload includes, but many of my fellow Show me the Ozarks 2021 caravan members had toppers on their beds, which weigh about 200 lbs. Add in approx. 1,000 lbs tongue weight, Passengers (300+ lbs), hitch, cargo (tool boxes, BBQ’s, chairs, etc.) and 2,000 lb tongue weight for any TV appears to be minimum needed for towing AS’s 26’ or longer.

Editorial note: for Tundra commenters: you are all aware of the Toyota’s phenomenal reliability, but their payload is pathetic and well under the requirements listed above and everyone towing a 26’ or longer AS, which many do, are ALL over their payload rating.

So my vote would be to go for the 4x2 for the improved payload, and share with us what your sticker tells you is cargo capacity.

Half tons are better daily drivers and 4x4’s can help you get out of challenging situations, but as others have said, in our 4 decades of towing and tens of houses of miles, we have never needed a 4x4.

NOTE: Big Truck, Big RV has a rule of thumb that around 6,000 lbs of trailer, the recommendation is to go with a super duty for the reasons listed in earlier comments.

[Spaggs]

I would go with the 2wd with a limited slip. I have a 2000 Ford Excursion 2wd with a TrueTrac LS. Installed the LS after the fact due to Ford’s infinite wisdom NOT even to include the LS as an option. I’ve towed all sorts of stuff and have never gotten stuck, yet.
Just purchased a pack of ActionTrax(s) for insurance for when I take delivery of a 28’ FC this coming May:

[uwe]

Up until recently, I had the absolute luxury of 3 tow vehicles. While unrelated to the F150, I had available a 2008 Suburban 1500, a 2001 Suburban 4wd 2500 with 8.1l engine, and a 2002 F250 4x4 with the 7.3l Diesel.
My favorite was the 01 3/4 ton 4x4 Suburban. I tow a 07 Safari FB full optioned, with an Airkrafters Gen set installed. So tongue weight hovers around 1100lbs. Also a 64 Safari with a tongue weight of 650lbs.
Towing these with the 4x4 or 2x4 makes very little difference, if any, on dry or wet roads. But where it counts is maneuvering on less than perfect surfaces, such as found in most of the best boon docking spots in my area. Or heading up through Utah on I-15 during a surprise 2hr snow storm, ending up with a solid snow covered I-15. Switching into 4x4 simply made my ride so much more stable. Plus having the option of low range during iffy maneuvering is a blessing. As many said before, you dont need it until you need it.
Payload was not an issue even with the Suburban 1500. I do travel light, though. So from my experience, 4wd is definitely a good idea simply from a point of available options. I have since sold both Suburbans in favor of a Cayenne S. The Ford is still available to me, but I use it infrequently. Thats all I know...

[PatLee]

I went with 4x2 F-150 but added the electronic traction option; which has saved me twice when I pulled off roads with softer shoulders than I realized. It's a round knob printed with ON and OFF on it. When you need it, you turn it ON and drive forward as straight as possible and angle back onto the road. I believe it employs all 4 tires when ON. As soon as you're on solid ground again, you turn it OFF and be on your way again. This from the Owner's Manual.

[allenkelley]

We were in a Vermont State Campground this Summer, and when we left I would not have been able to pull out of the site without the 4X4 due to the gravel and slope. My tow vehicle will always be a 4X4 for that reason.

[Scott S]

BogeyPro
I have towed my '60 26' Overlander since 1980. In 40+ years I have only wished I had 4X4 twice. First time was at a WBCCI rally in the spring where they had us park in a field...our delay was minimal as there was someone there with a tow rope to give us the small extra tug we needed to get out. The second time was this summer, there was a flash flood in Idaho and mud and rocks covered the road. A friendly patrol officer assured us that this was the worst and that if we used 4X4 and went really slow we would get through just fine...and we did, but just a half mile down the road was even a worse mudflow. We did not dare try that one.
So, twice in 40 years...one time I had it, one time I didn't. I personally would not spend the extra $$$ for 4wd, to me it is not worth it.
Now maybe if I wanted to do off-road camping I might rethink it, but as things stand, no.

[tjdonahoe]

4 X 4….

[Atwebs]

We bought a 4x4 because we had no choice at the time and thought we would never use it. Turns out we were wrong, it is handy in snow and ice for sure, but we've used it far more than that. We've often used it in mud (we do camp in the rain). We helped more than one stuck trailer pull out of a sticky spot. We've gone across a rocky creek where there was no other choice. We've been able to move our trailer on a slippery gravel slope. My own personal favorite was a road construction area where they just sort of pointed off the roadway to a dirt path as the choice to waiting an additional 2 hours for them to move their equipment, (only 4x4s had that choice). Rattled my teeth, but we had no issue at all going "off roading" and getting through. Yep, we'd do it again at this point!

[01bambi16]

Not trying to start a pissing match but towing a 30 footer with a half ton is penny wise and pound foolish.

[Life is a Highway]

Order a F-250 4/4 locking rear diff with towing options and HD Alternator. If the 7.3 Gas had been out when I bought our 6.7 Diesel I would have test drove it and and made a decision.

There are 2 camps here worse than the Civil War. As trucks are changing for towing our 25, now our 30 I left the Eco- Boost 150 for the F-250.

[dznf0g]

Originally Posted by 01bambi16

Not trying to start a pissing match but towing a 30 footer with a half ton is penny wise and pound foolish.

You're blatantly wrong. End of match.

[gypsydad]

Originally Posted by 01bambi16

Not trying to start a pissing match but towing a 30 footer with a half ton is penny wise and pound foolish.

Oh boy...you've started it now! You know most of those who have a 30 footer and drive a 1/2T with limited payload, are going to tell you all the reasons your wrong, right? We who have 3/4T-1T TV's know the difference and value the larger trucks have for towing larger AS's...even though many of us would much rather have a 1/2T if only to drive around town when unhitched!

[1StreamDream]

several reasons that I vote 4x4 but they work for *me*, not sure they work for you. I have had 4x4 for 20+ years, only use it sparingly, but when it is called for it is well worth the extra expense. Also worth it for general piece of mind. As others mentioned prior, its not about towing in a snowstorm. I suggest you contemplate your camping style, and use that as the primary influence in the decision. If you see yourself at "resort" style campgrounds all the time, with paved streets and concrete pads, then 4x2 is easier to accept as your winner. If you see yourself at national forest campgrounds, BLM land, corp of engineer parks, and similar (more primitive generally) then 4x4 makes a lot more sense. I prefer the latter so thats just one of several reasons 4x4 is right for me.

[Merlintiaga]

Brining this conversation out of the 2500 world back to the 1500 realm for the OP......

I am amazed at the range of numbers that folks report on their door jams for similar (4x4) trucks. For an F150, I've seen posts where people have 1500 pounds (or less) of payload and others who have north of 2000 pounds. I get that some of this is the trim level, but I don't think that is the primary factor. Anyone know what causes this variation?

Bogey Pro: can you report the actual payload from the door jams of both trucks and the trim level of each.

[dznf0g]

Originally Posted by Merlintiaga

Brining this conversation out of the 2500 world back to the 1500 realm for the OP......

I am amazed at the range of numbers that folks report on their door jams for similar (4x4) trucks. For an F150, I've seen posts where people have 1500 pounds (or less) of payload and others who have north of 2000 pounds. I get that some of this is the trim level, but I don't think that is the primary factor. Anyone know what causes this variation?

Bogey Pro: can you report the actual payload from the door jams of both trucks and the trim level of each.

Maxtow and max payload packages raise the payload, gvwr and typically rgawr. Those who say a 1/2 ton can't do it are not considering proper spec'ing for trailering. For example, my 1500 Silverado has payload at 2034, rear axle at 4300, gvwr at 7600, trailer rating at 11,900.
When loaded for my winter trip (3 months), including water, I am under on all specs.
PROPERLY spec'd 1/2 tons are more than capable for the job. Certainly from Ford and GM. I am not as familiar with ram, and Toyota has made a conscious decision not to offer these options.

[BogeyPro]

Originally Posted by Merlintiaga

Brining this conversation out of the 2500 world back to the 1500 realm for the OP......

I am amazed at the range of numbers that folks report on their door jams for similar (4x4) trucks. For an F150, I've seen posts where people have 1500 pounds (or less) of payload and others who have north of 2000 pounds. I get that some of this is the trim level, but I don't think that is the primary factor. Anyone know what causes this variation?

Bogey Pro: can you report the actual payload from the door jams of both trucks and the trim level of each.

YES!! I am on that mission right now. FYI, the 2WD is in the lot, the 4WD is slated for production. Both models are the XLT, exact same options (too many to list here). I will have the dealer go out to the 2WD and take a picture of all the stickers...hopefully today.

[1StreamDream]

BogeyPro in case this is helpful for a comparison, my prior tow vehicle was a 2016 F-150 XLT SuperCrew 4x4, 5.0L v-8, no spring/suspension upgrades, or snow plow prep, etc , just a mainstream standard truck. 2016 was the 2nd year of production for the all aluminum body. The payload sticker on that truck was just over 1900lbs. The key unknown for me in your current situation is how much weight is associated with the “power boost” equipment, and how that might de-rate your payload number. 4x4 is a couple hundred lbs I think.

[BogeyPro]

GVR Tag Information:
GVWR 7350, Front Axle 3750, Rear Axle 4150
with 275/60R20 Tires

Subtract shipping weight (aka curb weight) of 5066 from 7350 GVWR, you get 2284 lbs.

Tire and Loading Info Tag says, based on the tires that I have, I only get 1843 lbs


Riddle me this: Where does the difference of 441 lbs go? Into thin air?

Here's the truck itself, what a beauty!