Rikhard

I started towing a very similar trailer with my 09 fx4 (max tow) last year. The trailer has a 9500 GVWR but is only 7350 empty with propane tanks. I estimate that loaded it is 8000 lbs and 850 lb tongue weight (10 %), not as high as speculated in the previous posts. Also, me and the family weighs less than 700 lbs. The truck is lightly loaded with no box liner, bed mat and heavy rubber floor mats removed, no cap, no firewood.

The truck towed fine in the Rocky mountains and prairies even with a stiff crosswind. I have the 20 inch wheels and the extra leaf spring so the truck doesn't squat much and sits level with the weight distribution hitch. I have been shopping for a new truck but I can't make a decision with all of the fear and uncertainty about payload. A lot of sales people laugh at me when I ask to look at the yellow payload sticker.

I went to the auto show and look at the new Titan XD diesel. They say it can tow a 12000 lb trailer but the payload sticker for the platinum trim was only 1377 lbs! The F150 king ranch and Lariat at the show had payloads over 1600 lbs even with a lot of options. I came to the conclusion that the GVWR is mostly a performance rating for brakes/ride/handling and not as important as GAWR and GCWR.

I would like to buy a new f150 but I am worried that the lighter truck will not tow as good as the old mighty 5.4 with the 3.73 gears and 4000 lb rear axle.

TooManyVehicles

Higher payloads are out there. My 2015 XLT 302A supercab has a payload of 2046#. I was willing to give up the crew cab seats in order to get a 6.5' bed but still be able to put the truck in my crowded garage. My major criteria for upgrading from my 2003 Silverado (176k miles and running fine...knock on virtual wood) was to be able to get a higher tow capacity (it was limited to 6800#) and didn't want payload to impact that.

bwmartens

@TooManyVehicles


I ordered almost the same truck but a 2016 and it's a supercrew. No ETA on when they'll actually start building it though. The original order guide says the HD Payload package was going to start in the first quarter of the 2016 but I don't have a lot of faith in that. I'm so antsy to get my truck but I'm willing to wait to get a more reasonable payload. My father-in-law has a camping trailer and I want to pull it safely. I know it will be worth the wait but... waiting is hard!

Feathermerchant

rikhard - I bought a 2011 HD Payload with a 4,800 lb rear axle (3.73 LS) and 365 HP 5.0

Maybe you should shop used.

TooManyVehicles

Mine actually isn't a HD Payload package. Wished it were as the payload would be considerably higher.

You might want to check out the spreadsheet which can be linked on the first post of the thread in my signature. There is one 2016 w/HD Payload listed, a minimally equipped (300A) XLT regular cab available for sale in Canada. So they are being built, but still scarce.