EricTheOracle

I don't have a horse in this race but I image that the to overcome the harshness of the standard large diameter wheels, the suspension is very soft and the soft suspension doesn't provide the "base" necessary to tow heavier loads.

Irb Digital

I like how the 22s look and handle but at the expense of 2-4k lbs of towing capacity ford should've went in another direction. The escalade has a 22 inch option and the towing capacity is unchanged. If it's the "sport tuned" suspension, this isn't a lightning. No one buys a 3 ton pickup for it's sporty ride characteristics. He'll I'm assuming the Harley trucks probably could use that lost payload for those big @$$ bikes and heavy leathers they need to pack. If it is the suspension, then I wish ford would explain this so when I add my aftermarket suspension I can tow more in line with the rest of the lineup

Edit: can anyone explain why most of the Ford press release info indicated a 9300lb tow capacity for these trucks, yet once they were available the specs indicated the much lower 7200-7500lb capacity?

Harley6.2

Pissed me off too!!!!!! Ford build and price says 11200.

Dealer told me that 2!


Then I buy the truck and

I need to buy knew truck probably be chevy diesel in the future. Grrrrrrrr

I tried looking into changing components and getting certified for more buy no luck yet!

msgtord

It all starts with the tires. All F150's with the max tow package have the 17 inch wheels, 1 additional leaf in the rear springs, and extra cooling.

The 22 inch tires really take away from you ability to pull a load from a complete stop. The Harley tire275/45/22 is almost an inch taller tire, but the big difference is the sidewall height at over 2 inches difference.

Add that to the performance tuned suspension, and you loose some towing capability.

msgtord

Because the press release will always have the term "properly equipped" along with any claims of towing capability.

I know it's not much of a consolation, but this same conversation has taken place on various Super Duty sights. The best advice I have ever heard was to look at the total weight of trailer being towed, then shop for a truck based on that info. And always check the door sticker on the vehicle prior to purchase.

And you have to look at the truck as an empty basket. The empty basket has it's own weight to carry around. Now add "accessories" such as additional doors, seats, bigger engines, taller heavier tires, additional wheelbase, etc and you take away from the starting weight. Now you have less room in the basket. Put on the front grill guard, heavy tool box, skid plates, lift kits, and you really lose cargo and towing capacity.

Harley6.2

My problem was I bought the truck site un seen. Then I didn't check the door sticker as ford.com and the dealer both told me 11,000lbs.

I gave it to the dealer but ohh well.

I pull mmy 30 ft trailer no prob

geabis

My dealer also said I had the 11k tow rating only to find out it was much less. No worries though. Already pulled 8500# and she pulls like a champ. The suspension is why its derated. The tcase is a solid shaft design ( more reliable than the 2 spd) tires play some factor but not much bc you would still be well within the tire rating with the weight of the trailer, The rims don't even come into play (the tire diam is the same as if you had factory 20" rims and the 22" is a robust 5 spoke design). Light sport tuned suspension is the reason. The raptor has been derated the same for the same reasons. It has 4.10 rear and should have a greater ability to tow but it lacks the suspension

p38fln

Are the Harleys and Limiteds leveled from the factory?

The best place to get a new certified weight would be one of the truck conversion companies, such as Alton Truck Manufacturing - in Pigeon, MI (Saginaw Bay) or Laredo Truck Conversions somewhere around Laredo, Texas. Alton is probably the best bet, since Laredo Truck Conversion specializes in GM vehicles 4500 and larger.

I would expect that it won't be cheap, but I've never seen prices before so why not call and ask what it would take for them to certify a higher GCWR.

geabis

Some truck spring shops in my area can do the recertification. Seems like the ones that deal with large semi, and otr trucks are the ones that do it. I had a set of beefed up springs on my old 89 150 and they offered to do the state recert for me.

Irb Digital

Thanks for the responses, certainly some good info there regarding, weight rating recerts. My dealership also told me 11k towing capacity when I picked my limited up. Oh and as far as msgtord's response, the 9300lbs towing capacity was in direct reference to the 2011 Harley davidson press release info. So even if it said properly equipped, u can only equip a Harley 2 ways, 2wd and awd. There is no way to equip it to get 9300lbs. And if they were referi g to the entire f150 line up, they would have quoted 11300lbs. But the 9300lbs claim was in direct response to the severely neutered 5k towing capacity of the previous model. In the end I could've returned the truck but I choose to keep it since my biggest load will be between 4500-7000lbs. I just like knowing that I can legally tow more if the situation arises, especially with only 1100 payload capacity. Well if anyone finds out soon what recert costs are, post up. If it's reasonable I'll look into it after i go with an aftermarket suspension