Used F-150 Heavy Duty Payload Package Buying Guide

[TonyinFL]

FYI, Carfax now has a link to view the original window sticker within the listing.

[spammagnet]

Originally Posted by McStreamy_

This is intended to be the ultimate guide for finding a used F-150 with the Heavy Duty Payload Package (HDPP) from someone that’s actually done it. ...

Of all the sites that let you search used vehicles I found CarMax CarFax to be the best for the filters needed. I think other sites are nicer, but very few let you filter by bed size and engine size. ... The CarMax CarFax site doesn’t include the window sticker which is what you really need, ... A blue background window sticker is a standard order and unlikely to be HDPP. A green window sticker is a special order, which most HDPP are. You’re looking for the line items “HEAVY-DUTY PAYLOAD PACKAGE” and “7850# GVWR PACKAGE”. ...

Thanks for the reference to CarFAX. It does make searching easier. (Consider asking a mod to edit your OP to correct your Max/Fax error.) I find that CarFax does include the window sticker if you click the listing, then scroll down to Vehicle Highlights. There's a link between the icons at the top of that section, and "Top Features" section immediately below it. I don't know if that's available on all sites but it does make searching for the GVWR easier.

I had a 2022 on order until chip shortages led Ford to cancel some of the options I wanted, which led me to cancel the whole order. My goal is to get an HDPP with modern electric driving safety features like automatic avoidance braking and blind spot warnings.

I really want electric-opening tow mirrors, too, but they're available only in Lariat trim and the safety features may not be available in 2018 and older models. I confirmed on the F150forum that I can retrofit Lariat tow mirrors on an XLT if it already has electric-adjustable tow mirrors. That will be expensive but getting a used truck mitigates the cost.

[Mk3ski]

Hello. Thank you for all the work you put into the HPP info. I have a 5.0 HPP I ordered and have had for close to a year now. I am wondering what you guys think about the ride quality of your HPP F150 compared to a normal F150. Mine is very rough like a sharp hit when I go over even the smallest bumps. It feels like the front is not working and it’s a harsh feeling instead of a little bounce and absorbing feeling. Is yours like this? I just realized how harsh mine is because it’s getting fixed right now and I’m in a loaner F150 that is the same as mine just minus the HPP. And is yours making you run 48psi cold? My door sticker is saying that. I would really appreciate any info please. I do have my dealer looking into as well since I’ve been driving the loaner around.

[Joe15601]

I just went from a 2017 F150 CC 4x4 Max Tow Lariat with 1747# payload to a 2023 F150 CC 4x4 HDPP with 2551# payload. I got the 3.5, but that shouldn't make much difference in ride. I am very happy with it. It is harsher and yes, that is the recommended tire pressure for the HDPP. To me it handles better in all situations for only a slight reduction in ride quality (smoothness). Honestly, it rides better than I was expecting and doesn't skip around over bumpy surfaces like I have experienced with some other trucks. It seems more responsive with better body motion control than other 150s I have driven. Everything is a compromise and this truck is the perfect combination for me.

[Mk3ski]

Thank you for your experience with yours. That helps. I came from a 2013 XLT with the small V6. That truck was very soft. Mine seems like a complete 180 from that truck. Mine is a 2022 HPP with the 5.0. I do love my truck just seems like it’s harsher than it needs to be. But that could be because I came from such a soft truck. The rear seems fine but the front is almost like it’s not absorbing anything. I appreciate all the feedback to compare. Thank you.

[pjshier]

...but some say the sticker tire pressure is for a fully laden vehicle and when relatively empty it means a harsher than needed ride. Find the tire inflation/load chart for the tires and see if lower inflation adequate for the vehicle unladen weight improves the ride. Helps in my case. Another idea could be Sulastic rear shackles - softens the rear springs when unladen, but provides 100% load capacity when laden.

Don't try this at home; etc...

[Luchall]

I have a 2020 XLT SuperCrew with:
3.5 EcoBoost
157 WB
36g tank
Trailer brake
Backup assist
Tow mirrors

Basically everything required for the HDPP without actually having it. So what components does the HDPP have that I’m missing to give it those extra few hundred pounds of payload capacity?

From what I can tell I have the same chassis, axle, and tires. Is it the suspension and/or wheels that make up the difference?

[McStreamy_]

Originally Posted by Luchall

So what components does the HDPP have that I’m missing to give it those extra few hundred pounds of payload capacity?

IIRC the frame of an HDPP truck is slightly thicker than the standard model to allow for greater payloads. You get an auxiliary transmission cooler as well. I'm sure there's more but I can't recall off the top of my head. The forum's search function works pretty well.

[zackro]

Originally Posted by Luchall

I have a 2020 XLT SuperCrew with:
3.5 EcoBoost
157 WB
36g tank
Trailer brake
Backup assist
Tow mirrors

Basically everything required for the HDPP without actually having it. So what components does the HDPP have that I’m missing to give it those extra few hundred pounds of payload capacity?

From what I can tell I have the same chassis, axle, and tires. Is it the suspension and/or wheels that make up the difference?

Are you sure you don't have HDPP? That's an unusual combination to have (especially with the long bed) and not have HDPP. What's your payload?

Max towing on a 6.5' bed would be a very good towing platform, HDPP or not. My 2014 max tow XLT with a 5.5' bed has a payload of 1850 and tows great.

[Mk3ski]

Does anyone with the heavy payload package have a clicking sound coming from their brake pedal when in use? Every time I use it there is a clicking both in and out. I will try to attach a video. It seems to brake fine but I don’t think there should be this noise. It’s getting annoying. For the above post, I’m not sure what makes mine a heavy payload and not yours. I just clicked on the option when I was building my truck. I was building mine for camper pulling but also for around town as a daily driver. And it’s great for that so far because I didn’t want the 250.

[McStreamy_]

Originally Posted by Mk3ski

Does anyone with the heavy payload package have a clicking sound coming from their brake pedal when in use?

I've never had any sort of clicking sound from my brake pedal.

[Joe15601]

Originally Posted by McStreamy_

I've never had any sort of clicking sound from my brake pedal.

On my 2023 it almost sounds like an electric motor when the brake pedal travels. For some reason these brakes seem better than my 2017 max tow did. I see no need to upgrade brake pads and the feel is much improved.

[Luchall]

That's what I thought too, but my door jamb says only 1739 lbs (7050 lbs GVWR). However I went to the scale and my curb weight is roughly 5130, so I feel pretty comfortable with assuming it's really around 1900 lbs.

Originally Posted by zackro

Are you sure you don't have HDPP? That's an unusual combination to have (especially with the long bed) and not have HDPP. What's your payload?

Max towing on a 6.5' bed would be a very good towing platform, HDPP or not. My 2014 max tow XLT with a 5.5' bed has a payload of 1850 and tows great.

[DogMomDeb]

Originally Posted by Luchall

That's what I thought too, but my door jamb says only 1739 lbs (7050 lbs GVWR). However I went to the scale and my curb weight is roughly 5130, so I feel pretty comfortable with assuming it's really around 1900 lbs.

Ours is a 2022 with both max trailer and the HDPP. And the GVWR is 7850. Our payload is 2406. Would have been more (because we went mostly option light) except we have the 4x4.

[zackro]

Originally Posted by Luchall

That's what I thought too, but my door jamb says only 1739 lbs (7050 lbs GVWR). However I went to the scale and my curb weight is roughly 5130, so I feel pretty comfortable with assuming it's really around 1900 lbs.

Personally, I trust the scale more than the sticker, especially if you've done a few mods. People sometimes don't realize that changing things like tires, wheels, shocks, bedliners, etc. make door stickers less accurate. Of course, I don't expect better than +/- 50 pounds accuracy, so I'm not quibbling about a few pounds here. But if you've weighed on a couple different scales with a full tank of gas and then backed out your own bodyweight, subtracting that from GVWR is probably the most accurate understanding of payload that you can get. A full tank of gas is key, though, as that's how it's rated from the factory.

GVWR is really all that matters. Payload is a secondary number. The goal is to not exceed GVWR.

Either way, that sounds like a truck that could tow well.

[gypsydad]

Originally Posted by zackro

Personally, I trust the scale more than the sticker, especially if you've done a few mods. People sometimes don't realize that changing things like tires, wheels, shocks, bedliners, etc. make door stickers less accurate. Of course, I don't expect better than +/- 50 pounds accuracy, so I'm not quibbling about a few pounds here. But if you've weighed on a couple different scales with a full tank of gas and then backed out your own bodyweight, subtracting that from GVWR is probably the most accurate understanding of payload that you can get. A full tank of gas is key, though, as that's how it's rated from the factory.

GVWR is really all that matters. Payload is a secondary number. The goal is to not exceed GVWR.

Either way, that sounds like a truck that could tow well.

Note that the "payload" number on your doorjamb, says "maximum weight includes passengers and cargo". You surely can use your GVWR numbers and deduct if you want, but if your pulled over or have an accident where the "payload" is exceeded, you may have some explaining to do. Lots of posts on this topic here over the years. That payload number on the sticker is what they will check out. I did have this experience years ago in a roll over accident caused by hi winds in CO and bad Firestone tires, where the insurance folks from Ford wanted to know if the vehicle and occupants with their ski gear were over payload numbers..since we were suing Ford for medical injuries of one of the passengers. Can happen...

[zackro]

Originally Posted by gypsydad

Note that the "payload" number on your doorjamb, says "maximum weight includes passengers and cargo". You surely can use your GVWR numbers and deduct if you want, but if your pulled over or have an accident where the "payload" is exceeded, you may have some explaining to do. Lots of posts on this topic here over the years. That payload number on the sticker is what they will check out. I did have this experience years ago in a roll over accident caused by hi winds in CO and bad Firestone tires, where the insurance folks from Ford wanted to know if the vehicle and occupants with their ski gear were over payload numbers..since we were suing Ford for medical injuries of one of the passengers. Can happen...

I question what the legal weight of this would be. I'm not an attorney, but it seems to me that if I take a 20 pound factory item out of the truck and replace it with a 20 pound box of stuff, I haven't meaningfully changed the dynamics of a vehicle in any crash-relevant sense. Ford would have to show that you not only broke a "rule" they had but that breaking the rule made you more likely to crash. That seems like a tough bar to cross, assuming no actual ratings (GVWR, GCVWR, RAWR, FAWR) are being exceeded.

I'd be curious to hear if someone knows otherwise, though.

[propchef]

Originally Posted by zackro

I question what the legal weight of this would be. I'm not an attorney, but it seems to me that if I take a 20 pound factory item out of the truck and replace it with a 20 pound box of stuff, I haven't meaningfully changed the dynamics of a vehicle in any crash-relevant sense. Ford would have to show that you not only broke a "rule" they had but that breaking the rule made you more likely to crash. That seems like a tough bar to cross, assuming no actual ratings (GVWR, GCVWR, RAWR, FAWR) are being exceeded.

I'd be curious to hear if someone knows otherwise, though.

This would only be relevant in a civil suit or a crash involving a commercial outfit. No officer or insurance investigator will weigh anything at the crash site. Doesn’t happen.

[gypsydad]

Originally Posted by propchef

This would only be relevant in a civil suit or a crash involving a commercial outfit. No officer or insurance investigator will weigh anything at the crash site. Doesn’t happen.

Ours was a civil suit due to injury.