I finally ordered a truck and have a few days to make changes. (I think) All my numbers check out but I still wonder about going for the Max Payload. With the Max Payload you get 3.73 axle which I don't really want for daily driving (rural highways and very flat)
My build is very basic:
3.5 EB Screw
500a Lariat (base Lariat)
Max Tow
157 Wheelbase
Lt Tires
Tailgate Step
I tow a Ultra Lite TT on a few long trips every year and a Horse Trailer infrequently which is lighter then the TT
The TT is 27.5 feet total length, but low height (for a TT) at 10 feet max.
GVWR is 6500 pounds dry is 4780 with a low TW of aprox. 650 pounds (rear kitchen trailer)
with the large load capacity of the trailer we tend to load it instead of the truck when traveling

By my calculations (Ford Spec) and observations of other F150s my Payload should be a little over 1700 pounds
I will be way under on all other limits I think.
So my thinking is the Max Payload would overkill.


I don't buy trucks often and this might be my last one so I want to get it right.
Thanks for the help.

 

With the trailer fully loaded and max 15% tongue weght you could have a tongue load of 975# Subtract from 1700# payload, you have 725# left to load in the truck. So if you stay below that with your passenger and other csrgo you would be within limit. You probably won't load the trailer to max weght or go to extreme of 15% TW. Max tow capacity tow chart says 10,700#

 

I don't know about in the US, but up here in Canada the Max Tow gives you the 3.55 rear end. To get the 3.73 you need to get the HDPP as well.

 

I've read that with the 10 speed transmission and 3.5 EB, the diff between 3.31 and 3.55 is not the same concern as with the previous 6 speed tranny.

 

The majority oif us do recognize that Payload is where the weight/towing capacity conversation begins and ends. So I will comment on other items...

I am not thinking for daily use, that you will notice any difference between the 3.73's and the 3.55's if you are ordering the 10sp trans. You possibly will notice the difference when towing in limited, but important to some, situations. Mainly in hilly situations where the trans will stay is a gear longer, or go to another a tad quicker, working the engine in the sweet-spots longer or sooner.

We went with the Max Tow for the first time with our 2018, and cannot be happier with all the additional equipment the truck gets. Well work the package. Not to mention, the ride is better than our 2016 302A Sport crew cab was.

Our 2016 f150 Crew was a 5.0 with the 6sp and 3.73's. It actually seemed to struggle more when towing that our 2018 3.5EB 10sp 3.55's does. For us it is rather noticeable and we are still commenting on that 8-9 months later (Purchased our 2018 in Aug 2017). We do find a spot or two in our travels where a 3.73 gearing would have been better. But we live by the 90% rule. Being, what we need it to do 90% of the time is what we are going to focus on as long ans any of the 10% does not create a risk that is to high to accept.

 

It actually sounds like you answered your own question. You have adequate payload and don't want 3.73 axles. I think you will be happier without the HDPP package. I think your estimate for a tongue weight of 650 pounds is a little light. With a GVWR of 6500 pounds, your tongue weight could be as high as 975 pounds, but more realistically, it will probably be in the area of 750 to 800 pounds. However, if your estimate of payload rating is accurate at 1700 pounds, that still leaves you 900 pounds for you, family, and stuff. Even at the max TW of 975 pounds, you still have 725 pounds of payload capacity left.

 

Don't forget 100 pounds for a WDH.

 

What size trailers are you towing, and what is your payload?

I have ordered the Max Tow package but not the Max Payload/Max Tow combination.
I really don't think the tongue weight will be higher, I have not weigh it but the number comes off Jayco's website and the TT is a rear kitchen model where the majority of the weight is in the rear and over the axles.

Thanks for all the opinions I know I am really over thinking this, but these things (trucks) cost a fortune and I want to get it right.

 

The manufacturer is the worst possible place to get reliable information on this subject. It is to their benefit to downplay this number. I am not saying it is wrong, but I would take their claims with a LARGE grain of salt.

 

They might, I'm sure they base it on the dry weight, but it is a reasonable number being 11% of dry weight. I'm actually surprised it's not a little lower. Rear kitchen TT tend to have the minimum of tongue weight. I think I read somewhere that the yellow door sticker on a TT is a Government mandated item and it is the actual weight of the trailer including Propane tanks and battery, but no water or anything else. What helps my Trucks payload is the fact that my TT has a fairly massive load capacity of over 1700 pounds. So we tend to load our "stuff" in the trailer and not the truck.