prepmonster

Hi all--I'm hoping to delve into the world of truck ownership soon. Doing a lot of research and we think we have our search narrowed down to a V6 EB, 2013-2015, in a Lariat, Limited or Platinum trim. Reason for this--the bells and whistles are nice and I'd really like to have the 4A option. This truck will mainly be a daily driver for me, but I want the ability to occasionally tow a small horse trailer in the next year or two.

In my research, it seems like the higher-end trims have less payload/towing capacity.....can someone give me a Cliff Notes version of why this is? I am doing as much reading as I can, but any help would be appreciated.

Thank you!

Jeff1024

Easy - the extra options on the higher trims make the truck heavier. "Payload" is calculated as GVWR - Curb Weight. As you add to curb weight you decrease the amount of weight leftover for hauling things.

Make Sense?

schmenke

Quite simple really. The payload capacity of a vehicle is calculated as the GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating) minus the curb weight. All those bells 'n whistle options are heavy and contribute to the curb weight, thereby reducing the remaining payload capacity (the GVWR doesn't change).

I'm sure someone else can explain it better than me...

From what I'm seeing the payload capacity of a '13 - '15 Lariant/Platinum is typically around 1,300 to 1,400 lbs, whereas the payload capacity of a minimally optioned XLT trim would be closer to 1,800 lbs. The difference represents the weight of all the bells 'n whistles.

schmenke

Oops, sorry, Jeff beat me to it...

Jeff1024

F150Froum.com is great for when you are bored in meetings. Really replied to that one quick.

prepmonster

Okay--makes perfect sense. Thanks for the quick responses! Not sure how I was missing that earlier--probably just my brain going to mush after spending so many hours researching online. This will be my biggest vehicle purchase ever and I don't want to f*** it up. Thanks again!

Jeff1024

You're good - it is a lot to take in. I actually didn't really research as much as I should have when I bought my platinum, in the end it worked out since I am only towing a boat and they generally have low tongue weights for their overall trailer weight. If I was towing a travel trailer that weighed what our boat does I would be way over payload.

Ask away now, easier than ending up /w a truck that wont do what you want.

prepmonster

Yeah--that's my fear is making this big purchase and then not getting the utility I need. The 4A is appealing to me as I live in a snowy climate and am a little worried I'm not skilled enough to go between 2WD and 4H fast enough when needed. I had a Blazer for a while that was manual 4x4 and I don't recall having problems--however I'm coming off of 8 years in a Ridgeline which has been fantastic in the snow, but obviously isn't a real truck and I don't I ever had to use the 4H. I'm out of practice!

Thank you again for the input!

Jeff1024

I wanted a Lariat or better for the 4A as well. We don't get a ton of snow, I think in the year and a half of truck ownership I have used it twice. Once to get up a boat ramp that was super slick from an afternoon pop up thunderstorm and the other while driving some back country roads also in a downpour. It's handy to have but I could have gotten away /w 4H in both those situations.

I guess what I am saying is an XLT isnt the end of the world if you need the extra payload for towing. Do you have a trailer picked out? Starting there could help us work backwards to what truck makes sense.

Guess I am saying if you need an XLT for the extra payload / towing then its not the end of the world. Do you have a trailer in mind? Starting there may help us figure out what truck makes sense.

prepmonster

I don't have one picked out yet--I'm probably a year out from needing to tow anything. But, it would be a very basic 2-horse bumper pull, no dressing room, so under 3000 lbs (empty). Only hauling 1 horse (~1200 lbs) and maybe another 350 lbs of stuff and passengers. Local trips to shows, vet, etc.