The capabilities drop off in the Limited. The Platinum and King Ranch payloads are higher.
Is it just the 22 inch wheels/tires?
If so, can the Limited payload be increased by changing them out for smaller wheels/larger sidewalls?

 

Doubtful,at least not legally. Once the sticker is on the truck that's what the law will go by.

Now will it actually increase it? Maybe, the weight rating of the wheels and tires would have to be compared.

 

It's not going to change the yellow sticker. HOWEVER, if you make the truck lighter, that gives you more room before hitting the GVWR. So anything to make the truck lighter will increase GVWR "headspace" which is the true payload capacity.

 

The Platinum and King Ranch trims have "luxury" factory bells & whistles that all add to the GVW of the truck, thereby reducing the payload capacity. That's why a bare-bones stock XLT will typically have the highest payload capacity.

 

Buddy of mine has a 17 Limited he is at 1345 payload, my 15 platinum is at 1565 so yeah, pretty large difference. Next time I see him I will check but I think his GVWR is only 6,800 which accounts for most of it. Think the limited's have different springs in the back, and also have the 22in wheels.

 

Whereas my '13 XTR is at 1,754.

 

Yup - I would not be in a platinum trim level if I was towing heavy. The only thing we pull is a 23ft boat which is around 7000lbs but relativity light on the tongue so it works for us. There is no free lunch - you either use your GVWR for fancy options like heated massaging seats and twin panel sunroofs or for truck things like towing heavy travel trailers.

 

My 2015 XLT with 302A and 36 gallon tank has a payload of 1641. All those extra options come directly out of the available payload.

 

As well as engine choice? Yours is a 2.7L? I believe it starts with a lower GVWR.

 

The 22"s are the reason for the lower payload, I'd also be willing to bet that the Limited springs are nothing special and are the same as other F150s too.

Wayne