raptorvsboost

I don't have a trailer or a truck yet. My basic question is "am I on the right track w/o HD Payload?"

I will be getting 4x4 screw, 3.5 eco. short bed. Screaming deals on 2015 leftovers makes an HD payload order realistically much more expensive.

Ford says (http://www.ford.com/trucks/f150/specifications/payload/) that the payload (presumably before options?) will be 2060 lbs.

Unfortunately I don't have a travel trailer yet. I will be looking for 2 person hunting base, 23-25 ft. range is more than OK.

If this is my ambition, am I OK w/ most tt's in that range with a normal 3.5 payload?

Sorry to be vague. It's just where I am in the process, and the numbers on both sides get confusing/seemingly contradictory. Thanks.

Saving 3-5k on a non-hd truck (12k off 2015's on lot) would be great, but obviously I don't want to wind up in a truck that I can't legally use to tow my load.

Steve Osborne

since your looking at trucks....look at a few close to what you want and check the payload....

mine is 1680 with max tow...and from what I have seen....the newer ones are not really showing that 700lb savings...for payload...

Wudwork

Its great you are working thru the PAYLOAD issues before putting money down. Smart. I have a 19ft TT that is 4350lbs dry. The tongue is 480 lbs. Certainly the 3.5 EB can pull up thru 8500 lbs (can, not should) but as you know the payload is the issue. I just got a loaded up 2016 Platinum, with max tow, and the payload is a paltry 1520 lbs. So 1520 - 480 tongue - 350 for 2 adults leaves around 700 lbs for firewood, gas, bicycle etc. You can see by my example how quickly things add up and who wants to bump the upper limit anyway? If you find a nice TT, with DUAL 3500lb axles and weighs around 6000 lbs you will probably be ok since you can put stuff in the TT and work against the TT axle ratings. This is a great option as the 3.5 EB can easily pull it. Good luck.

Steve Osborne

wudwork...your payload is close to what I have been seeing...very disappointing... for a lighter truck....

BRUTE448

my .02 is try and find a 15 max tow. are u in the lower 48? if so, be mindful for tow mirrors nad it should be a max tow w/ more payload.

Wudwork

I agree and I knew all this going in. To get better payload you need a F250 or 350. Both are MUCH harsher rides and don't have any goodies that I elected to get. As I understand it, 2017 model year will see the cab (with goodies) of a F150 in the F250 and 350. If they figure how to get a less harsh ride in those beefier trucks, the 150's will be less desired for the payload reason alone.

flc

There are some very nice lightweight travel trailers out there. Your truck will handle one of them just fine. My bird dog and I went all over upland country in a small Arctic Fox for many seasons pulled by one like you are talking about. For a Pickup camper, heavy travel trailer, or fifth wheel get the hd pkg but for a smaller lw tt you should be good to go. The trailer you tow is just as important a consideration as the truck.

raptorvsboost

heres the truth.

I could get a ram 2500 cummins for 8 grand more than a comparably-equipped f150 eco lariat.

The ride would be as good. I mean it. The 2500 new rams have amazing suspensions, it rides better than a half ton from late-2000's. It would hold it's resale value a lot better too.

But I am one of those guys who doesn't like diesels for DD. In fact I dislike them. Throttle response of the 3.5 eco vs cummins is simply pathetic. Cummins you're struggling to keep up with traffic, eco you're in a borderline sports car. 90% of my daily driving is unloaded.

...and, engine aside, fords are built better IMO.

Hence my dilemma.

Perhaps the adult move is to just pay more for a cummins, hate the fact that I don't have AWD option/it sucks in light snow on highways compared to f150 which is half my driving, and take pleasure in the fact that it's a beast with better resale value?

Take pleasure in the fact that the only reason I own a truck instead of a porsche is hunting and I can load 4 guys, get a bonus and upgrade my hunting trailer and never worry about the payload in my truck?

Steve Osborne

ill keep posting this....this was a great test for me and my truck.....the payload and towing all worked in my favor....

remember the gear in the box with the atv...lol

smokeywren

24' ultra-Lite TT with GVWR of around 7,000 pounds should be fine without being overloaded if you use your head for something besides a hat rack. Wet and loaded to the gills for a hunting trip, the 7k trailer will have hitch weight around 900 pounds.

Here's a candidate: Keystone Cougar X-Lite TT # 21RBS. The 21 in the model number means the box is roughly 21' long. Including tongue and rear bumper, the specs say the overall length is 25' 9". GVWR is 7,200, for a wet and loaded tongue weight of about 936. Here's the floorplan:
http://cougar-xlite.keystonerv.com/m...9/21rbs_16.jpg


Here's the link. Scroll down and choose 21RBS:
http://cougar-xlite.keystonerv.com/


If you can find a 2015 F-150 with payload of around 1800 pounds, then you should be okay. 936 pounds hitch weight plus 400 pounds for two healthy guys leaves 474 pounds for other stuff in the truck. I'm sure I could "make do" with those numbers. But you probably won't find an F-150 with fancy or luxury trim level if you need 1,800 pounds payload capacity. So "make do" with XLT, or at most. Lariat trim.