I'm betting they value engineered everything else to offset the increased cost in aluminum... Which probably also helped reduced weight.

Also...there is little incentive to eat away at super duty sales.

 

There is zero chance that payload is going up by 700lb.

 

As mentioned, the order guide (see the 2015 F150 section of this forum, there's a topic with a link to it) has the payload and GVWR of the 2.7 EcoB. But not the 5L or 3.5L EcoB yet.

The payloads are similar to what we see now in 2014. GVWRs are lower.
So it does look like the rest of the truck has been lightened as well.

There is also no 7 lug wheels displayed for the HD Payload option, just 6 lug, so apparently the 4800# axle is gone from the HD Payload, replaced with ... the 9.5" rear end referred to in the order guide. No idea what the rear GAWR might be, but hopefully it will be more than the 4050# 6 lug axle n my truck.

We'll see when the actual numbers come out.

 

Speaking of Payloads, I've been researching the Heavy-Duty Payload Package:

Heavy-Duty Payload Package (622): Comes with the 2.7L Ecoboost, 3:73 axle, 9.75 gearset, mechanical parking brake, boosts payload over 2000 lbs. (actual payload not available yet).

Heavy-Duty Payload Package (627): requires 5.0L or 3.5L Ecoboost, comes with 3:73 axle, 9.75 gearset, LT tires, upgraded springs, auxiliary transmission oil cooler, and special wheels (pictures show 6-lug).

I'd love to get the HD Payload with the big axle, however, it's only available on the XL, and XLT with Base 300A or Mid 301A Equipment Groups, and the Lariat Base 500A Equipment Group. I wanted some other options that are only available on the XLT Luxury 302A or Lariat Luxury 502A, so I guess I can't get the Heavy-Duty Payload.
The Max Trailer Tow Package includes the auxiliary transmission oil cooler so I guess that will have to do.

I can only guess that Ford doesn't want the heavy springs on a luxury truck. I can't really think of any other reasons. Anybody else have any inside info on this? I know you'll definitely have speculative comments, so let's hear it.

 

I don't know if this helps anyone, when I ordered, the dealer gave me a "Packaging Information Guide", basically a sales brochure geared towards informing the sales rep about the truck's features. It says the 2.7 Ecoboost Payload Package (622) "boosts payload to over 2000 pounds. Actual Payload number not available at time of publication."

Also, I ordered a 145" wheelbase 4x4 Lariat Supercrew with the 3.5 Ecoboost (99G) and the the max trailer tow package (53C). On the order sheet, below the axle rating (3.55) it says 7000# GVWR Package. Several lines after, it lists the Max trailer tow package, but no line indicating an increased GVWR.

 

In 2013 that model would have had a GVWR of 7650# according to the brochure and a MAX payload of 1900#. Now with the GVWR of 7000# in 2015, that's probably just the amount of weight loss from the new Aluminium panels: 650#. So probably the same payloads.

Because of the options, your Lariat's payload will probably be less than 1900#.

 

It's a 2.7l v6. Why are you even remotely concerned with payload capacity? It'll haul a new couch and some groceries. That's it's intended use

 

It's 325 horsepower, and 375 lb.-ft. of torque. Which is virtually the same specifications as the 5.4L that was offered with a HD Payload option just four short years ago.

 

Yeah and how well did the 5.4 do when people started to try and max out payload/tow capacity? I know how the 5.4 handled my boat vs how the 5.0 handles it. There's a lot of difference. Plus the 2.7 is a tiny V6. It's going to be rich when people start hauling and towing with it. Probably wise to stick with hauling the occasional couch and the weekly groceries.

 

The 5.4 was also offered with max tow yet the 5.0 which tows better is not...

It is not always about performance, sometimes it is about marketing and/or pushing people who want certain things into a higher priced truck (more profit).