Here is the way Ford decided if the gas tank was 26 gallon or 36 gallon:


2011:
26 gallon = all 4x2 except Harley Davidson and Lariat Limited, plus 4x4 on regular cab with 126" wheelbase.
36 gallon = all 4x4 except regular cab with 126" wheelbase, plus Harley Davidson and Lariat Limited 4x2s.


2012:
26-gallon = all 4x2, including Harley Davidson with 3.5L EcoBoost engine, plus 4x4 on regular cab with 126" wheelbase. They added a blurb that states: "3.5L engine with 4x2 always receivers 26 gallon tank." That blurb doesn't seen to change anything except the Harley-Davidson 4x2.
36 gallon = no change from 2011 except Harley Davidson 4x2 with 3.5L EcoBoost engine no longer gets the bigger tank.


2013: No change from 2012 except there is no Harley-Davidson trim package to confuse things.


2014:IDK


2015: New rules. 26-gallon tank is standard in all F-150s. 33 gallon tank is optional. Yes, you want the 33-gallon option. It cost me over $1,000 to replace my 26-gallon tank with a 36-gallon tank. My max towing leg was about 200 miles with 26 gallon tank, and it's closer to 300 miles with the 36-gallon tank.

 

If you had to do the tank swap over again, was it worth the hassle? I am toying with the idea but I don't honestly know if 6 gallons is worth the headache or not since I can carry that in a fuel can in the bed of the truck.

 

I hold your advice in high regard but in the case of the 2011 F150 4X4 EB it was 26 gal in the SCAB version. There were plenty of 4X4 2011 F150 EB SCAB leftovers on the lot when I start looking for a truck. Every one of them had the 26 gal tank. That was the dealbreaker for me so I ordered a 2012 to get the 36 gal tank.
Also for reference p 53 of Trailer Life magazine of October 2011 testing a 4X4 SCAB from 2011 bemoaned the measly 26 gal tank in their road test vehicle. They stated the 36 gal was not available in the 4X4 EB.
Perhaps different regions got different versions.

 

Beware of "advice" suggesting it is OK to overload your truck. It's bad advice.

 

My '11 FX4 SCREW 4x4 has a 26 gallon tank

 

Bummer that the only option on '15 is a 33gal tank

 

The key factor for me is "My max towing leg was about 200 miles with 26 gallon tank, and it's closer to 300 miles with the 36-gallon tank."


I live in the middle of west Texas, and from here it's 300 miles to El Paso, 300 miles to Fort Worth, and 300 miles to Austin. I'm glad I have the 36-gallon tank. I had to grit my teeth to write that $1,000 check, but I'm glad I did it.


Folks ordering 2015 F-150s have to write that check for only $200 to get the 33-gallon tank instead of the 26-gallon tank.



My post was based on the F-150 Order Guide dated 09/03/10. Apparently Ford revised the order rules after that, then changed them back for 2012?

 

The 36gallon tank was no charge on my 13 Screw EB

 

I also have a 36gal on my 2011.
Regarding increasing your load carrying capacity:
I have the GVW package which means my payload (on the sticker) is 2,221lb.
What is included? E-rated tires, 2,400lb rated rims, 7-lug larger ring gear heavy duty axle, higher rated springs, THICKER FRAME.
You can change everything on your truck but the frame.

It might be time to look for a bigger or more capable truck.

 

I'm surprised with all the upgrades the truck would only have 483lbs more payload then mine.