Derodeo

So I spent some hours on Ford Canada's website configuring a King Ranch Screw 6.5' box to my liking. I found what to me are some interesting things.

Payload is pretty important to me but it appears there is no such thing as a Heavy Duty Payload package on a King Ranch. I did a comparison of the Lariat, FX4 and King Ranch models and it's available only for the Lariat. Fair enough except it also says that the Max. Trailer Tow package is only available on the FX4 - and that is not true at it appears as a Special Package on the King Ranch when 3.73 axle and ecoBoost engine are selected. Hmm...

I've been deciding on which engine option to go with but now see that there is major difference on tow rating if I can trust the configurator:
- with ecoBoost and 3.55 gears: payload 1560 max., towing 9500 max.
- with ecoBoost and 3.73 gears: payload 1560 max., towing 11100 max.
- with 5.0 and 3.55 gears = payload 1570 max., towing 7500 max.
- with 5.0 and 3.73 gears = payload 1570 max., towing 9100 max.
Conclusion: too much tow capacity sacrificed with the 5.0, must go with ecoBoost. (guess these 2 engines aren't all that comparable power wise after all)

With 3.73 gears selected, you can add the Off Road Package and it doesn't complain - interesting because the Off Road Package includes the 3.55 electronic locking rear axle. Another Hmm..

Off Road Package is more important to me than additional towing capacity of the 3.73 gears so it's the 3.55 electronic locking axle for me.

Of course the summary doesn't tell you what the payload/tow ratings end up being but can I conclude it will be 1560# less the additional weight of certain factory options which in my case would be: Off-Road Package (LT tires, skid plates, special shocks) box side steps, stowable bed extender, wheel-well liners, power heated telescoping mirrors. So what would be a good guess at final payload numbers?

Another question; this truck has the Sony stereo with a subwoofer placed under the rear seat. Does this affect the load flat floor or under seat tray option?

Thanks for your comments.

RDFTS

iTrader: (1)

Can't comment on the payload but the subwoofer does affect the flat floor usage and they make the tray with and without the sub, they even make a different full floor mat based on the sub or not.

sdreefsurf

Hey there!
Also not sure about exact payload #s but your build sure sounds a lot like my order. NICE!
I didn't get the bed extender or wheel well liners but I think those might come later. Good luck from so cal

astraelraen

My 2013 Lariat with similar options and max tow has an actual payload on the sticker of ~1600lbs (which is actually kind of low I think). Since you are getting a 3.55 axle, you aren't getting max tow unless the Canadian options are different than the US.

You don't mention wheelbase, but when I was shopping for trucks in the US, I saw 145" wheelbase loaded Lariats with actual payload all the way down in the ~1300lb range. I saw 157" wheelbase Lariats and NO max tow all the way up to ~1500lbs of payload.

Derodeo

Thanks for the actual payload numbers. I have since learned that selecting the 3.73 locker automatically mean getting the Max. Tow package which is supposed to mean a 500# increase in GVWR to 7700#. But the on-line configurator shows no difference in payload (remains at 1560 max.) while it is showing a 1600# increase in towing capacity. (Wheelbase is 157" for Screw w. 6.5 box.)

So what I conclude from that is that Ford is not being overly up-front about payload and the max. part of that payload number is already assuming the 3.73 locker with Max. Tow package. So in your case you have a 7700# GVWR with a 1600# actual payload which I agree is a little disappointing. But without Max. Tow, you would have only a 1100# payload?! Doesn't explain how a 157" WB Lariat with no Max. Tow can have a 1500# payload though. Confusing for sure.

Losing the Off-Road package is a bit of a problem. I can add the LT tires no problem and I don't overly care about the special shocks. Losing Hill descent control and the skid plates are a concern, can I assume skid plates are readily available aftermarket? For some reason Ford won't allow you to add the skid plates without choosing the whole Off-Road package.