Towing with lighter F150

[Mark S]

I am thinking of replacing my 2011 F150 Ecoboost with a 2015. I know all the benefits of the "up to 700" pound lighter F150, but I was wondering how the lighter truck handled towing. From what I have learned over the years of reading this forum, a heavier truck gives more stability. Even though the max tow of the new F150 is around 12,000 pounds, I am wondering if it gets pushed around more than the older, heavier model.

I am getting close to pullng the trigger on ordering the new truck but I wouln't think of signing the paper without the blessing of this forum

[Toby]

So why would you trade up so soon? That's what I'm curious about.

[rana]

Originally Posted by Mark S

I am wondering if it gets pushed around more than the older, heavier model.

That's going to be a given, but it shouldn't be a significant difference in handling. If you don't have them yet, you might consider sway control bars. I would try it out on the highway for a distance and see how she handles.

You might consider a 250.. :-)

[Black]

Originally Posted by Mark S

I am thinking of replacing my 2011 F150 Ecoboost with a 2015. I know all the benefits of the "up to 700" pound lighter F150, but I was wondering how the lighter truck handled towing. From what I have learned over the years of reading this forum, a heavier truck gives more stability. Even though the max tow of the new F150 is around 12,000 pounds, I am wondering if it gets pushed around more than the older, heavier model.

I am getting close to pullng the trigger on ordering the new truck but I wouln't think of signing the paper without the blessing of this forum

What's the use for 12 000lbs towing capacity with no payload ?
That's the big handicap of any 1/2 ton...reach your payload capacity way, way before reaching the maximum tow capacity.

[Mark S]

Originally Posted by Toby

So why would you trade up so soon? That's what I'm curious about.

My current truck has been towing cross country for the past three years and has been great. It just turned 60,000 miles. So why trade now?

1. 5 year-60,000 mile power train warranty is now over. We travel far from home every summer and any major problems are now on me. With my wife and I travelling like we do I would like to lessen any worries of problems on the road.

2. According to Car Max my trade in vlaue is about $26,000. If I were to trade now cost difference will be more affordable than if I wait another year or two. Yes, I know all the financial considerations of waitng and saving and all. But still.

3. Most importantly, the new trucks have cool features and I have finally reached that point in life where I am able to buy a new truck because I want one, not because I need one.

4. My wife starts social security soon and I want to make sure those funds go to something really important, like a new truck, before they get absorbed into the budget and spent on extravagances like food, which I seem to eat too much of anyway.

I thought I would try this argument on all of you before I present to DW ��

[leew1936]

You gave the absolute best reason to buy a new truck. You want a new one. Lee & Alice

[LANShark42]

Originally Posted by leew1936

You gave the absolute best reason to buy a new truck. You want a new one. Lee & Alice

Agreed!!

[dustman_stx]

Keep in mind that the 2015's have a lower GVWR. The frame is supposedly stronger with more high strength steel. Unless they intentionally put on weaker axles and brakes, which I seriously doubt, I would venture to say that they can handle the same GVWR the old one's did. My hypothesis is that they figured that if they left the GVWR the same, most of the payloads would exceed those of the F250's that are similarly equipped, particular the diesel models. The 250's have to stay at or below 10K for registration purposes. With that being said, if I had a 15 model, I wouldn't have a problem loading it to the 2014 GVWR. You would then have as much weight, but more of it could be payload.

Edit: They possibly made some suspension changes to make the lighter truck ride better. If that's the case, a set of airbags and shocks will solve that.

[fanrgs]

Originally Posted by Mark S

I am thinking of replacing my 2011 F150 Ecoboost with a 2015. . . . I am getting close to pullng the trigger on ordering the new truck but I wouln't think of signing the paper without the blessing of this forum

Try buying a 2015 H-D Payload F-150! I ordered one on August 15, 2014, the first day 2015 pricing was available. After 3 delays and finally being told by the dealer on February 27 that I would get it in August 2015, I cancelled my order. My point is that those 2015 Ford Website payload numbers are fiction from the marketing department. My Ford dealer had 300 2015 F-150s on his lot or on order and not one was an H-D Payload truck. A few had the Max Tow package, but none of his and none he could find at other dealers had the H-D Payload package.

I have always been a Ford guy, but my solution was to take my returned deposit and buy a 2015 Ram 2500 CC-SB 6.7L Cummins turbodiesel 4x4 off a dealer's lot that same week. And, for the icing on the cake, I paid $1,000 LESS for the Ram 2500 than I would have paid for the F-150 Supercab, Eco-boost, long-bed, Max Tow/H-D Payload, XLT 4x4 I had on order!

After a 1,000-mile all-Interstate break-in trip at a calculated 23.4 MPG and a 2,500-mile tow at 12.4 MPG (including an entire day on I-40 in OK with 40 MPH headwinds), we are now VERY happy that Ford couldn't deliver our special-order 2015 F-150!

[mike.t]

Don't know.Never towed with a 1/2 Ton but i am sure many here have and they will get you to where your going.
I like what fanrgs wrote.

[MtnGuy]

I have a neighbor with 1 of the new F150s, and the GVWR on his truck is only 6500 lbs, compared to the GVWR on my 2006 at 7200 lbs. He has the Ecoboost vs. my 5.4L. Just beware and check things out.

[Toby]

Originally Posted by Mark S

My current truck has been towing cross country for the past three years and has been great. It just turned 60,000 miles. So why trade now?

1. 5 year-60,000 mile power train warranty is now over. We travel far from home every summer and any major problems are now on me. With my wife and I travelling like we do I would like to lessen any worries of problems on the road.

2. According to Car Max my trade in vlaue is about $26,000. If I were to trade now cost difference will be more affordable than if I wait another year or two. Yes, I know all the financial considerations of waitng and saving and all. But still.

3. Most importantly, the new trucks have cool features and I have finally reached that point in life where I am able to buy a new truck because I want one, not because I need one.

4. My wife starts social security soon and I want to make sure those funds go to something really important, like a new truck, before they get absorbed into the budget and spent on extravagances like food, which I seem to eat too much of anyway.

I thought I would try this argument on all of you before I present to DW ��

I think number 3 trumps everything. I personally think now that mine has been paid off I'm going to enjoy no payments/interest and all the benefits that go with it....but it's not about me. #4 makes sense too amazingly enough. I'm not quite to 60K either. I'm at 45K. I might change my mind in a few years too. My vote would be to keep on trucking in the current truck but I can see it both ways. I bet that helps none.

[SULTINI]

I like the statement because I want one. Also another good reason is buy one before the wife buys some appliance or something.

[KMP44]

Originally Posted by fanrgs

Try buying a 2015 H-D Payload F-150! I ordered one on August 15, 2014, the first day 2015 pricing was available. After 3 delays and finally being told by the dealer on February 27 that I would get it in August 2015, I cancelled my order. My point is that those 2015 Ford Website payload numbers are fiction from the marketing department. My Ford dealer had 300 2015 F-150s on his lot or on order and not one was an H-D Payload truck. A few had the Max Tow package, but none of his and none he could find at other dealers had the H-D Payload package.

When the pricing and dealer order sheets first came out, a copy was posted someplace - can't remember where I saw it, but the HD payload was listed as "late availability." Looks like they still aren't available, plus the HD payload package isn't offered with the higher end trims & options, which really makes it less attractive. But without it, you run out of payload pretty fast.

[dustman_stx]

Originally Posted by KMP44

When the pricing and dealer order sheets first came out, a copy was posted someplace - can't remember where I saw it, but the HD payload was listed as "late availability." Looks like they still aren't available, plus the HD payload package isn't offered with the higher end trims & options, which really makes it less attractive. But without it, you run out of payload pretty fast.

Anybody get the feeling they wanna have a REALLY high payload number on the ads for marketing, but not really offer the ability to get it- or at least make it an unattractive option?????

[fanrgs]

Originally Posted by KMP44

When the pricing and dealer order sheets first came out, a copy was posted someplace - can't remember where I saw it, but the HD payload was listed as "late availability."

Yep, that's what I was told on August 15, 2014. I was also told that "late availability" meant "late January or early February 2015." In late January, it was "late February" and in early February, it was "late March-early April." So, on February 4, I special-ordered my Rockwood 8244WS for delivery and pickup in Chicago in "late March-early April." On February 27, the F-150 H-D Payload was going to be "built in mid- to late-July" with dealer delivery in early August, or ONE YEAR after my order. That's not "late availability," that's "no availability"!

[Stovebolt]

Originally Posted by fanrgs

Try buying a 2015 H-D Payload F-150! I ordered one on August 15, 2014, the first day 2015 pricing was available. After 3 delays and finally being told by the dealer on February 27 that I would get it in August 2015, I cancelled my order. My point is that those 2015 Ford Website payload numbers are fiction from the marketing department. My Ford dealer had 300 2015 F-150s on his lot or on order and not one was an H-D Payload truck. A few had the Max Tow package, but none of his and none he could find at other dealers had the H-D Payload package.

I have always been a Ford guy, but my solution was to take my returned deposit and buy a 2015 Ram 2500 CC-SB 6.7L Cummins turbodiesel 4x4 off a dealer's lot that same week. And, for the icing on the cake, I paid $1,000 LESS for the Ram 2500 than I would have paid for the F-150 Supercab, Eco-boost, long-bed, Max Tow/H-D Payload, XLT 4x4 I had on order!

After a 1,000-mile all-Interstate break-in trip at a calculated 23.4 MPG and a 2,500-mile tow at 12.4 MPG (including an entire day on I-40 in OK with 40 MPH headwinds), we are now VERY happy that Ford couldn't deliver our special-order 2015 F-150!

Ford made the statement early on that they would build the most popular 2015 F150's first after production finally started. The most popular trucks are the supercrew short beds, then the supercab with the 6 1'2 foot beds and then the rest would follow. The heavier duty version like the max tow and the max load aren't as popular and that is the reason you have a hard time finding one. I'm waiting until the 2016's come out in anticipation of the new 10 speed automatic that will replace the 6 speed and the fact they had some problems with the aluminum bodies on the 2015's.

[roanmountaincampers]

Originally Posted by Mark S

My current truck has been towing cross country for the past three years and has been great. It just turned 60,000 miles. So why trade now?



1. 5 year-60,000 mile power train warranty is now over. We travel far from home every summer and any major problems are now on me. With my wife and I travelling like we do I would like to lessen any worries of problems on the road.



2. According to Car Max my trade in vlaue is about $26,000. If I were to trade now cost difference will be more affordable than if I wait another year or two. Yes, I know all the financial considerations of waitng and saving and all. But still.



3. Most importantly, the new trucks have cool features and I have finally reached that point in life where I am able to buy a new truck because I want one, not because I need one.



4. My wife starts social security soon and I want to make sure those funds go to something really important, like a new truck, before they get absorbed into the budget and spent on extravagances like food, which I seem to eat too much of anyway.



I thought I would try this argument on all of you before I present to DW ��

I definitely agree with number 4. Just bought me a new 2014 and love it.

[fanrgs]

Originally Posted by Stovebolt

Ford made the statement early on that they would build the most popular 2015 F150's first after production finally started. The most popular trucks are the supercrew short beds, then the supercab with the 6 1'2 foot beds and then the rest would follow. The heavier duty version like the max tow and the max load aren't as popular and that is the reason you have a hard time finding one.

My dealer had supercrews and Supercabs with short beds; regular cabs and Supercabs with long beds; regular cabs, supercrews, and Supercabs with Max Tow packages; but no H-D Payload anything. So, popular or not, Ford is building every size F-150, with every available option package except the H-D Payload package.

My dealer is one of a 31-member dealer advisory council to Ford management, which, to quote him, "meets regularly with senior management, including one named Ford." He said that he would be bringing my suspicions that Ford can't meet the published F-150 payload to that council at their next meeting because he can't understand the reasons for the delay/refusal to build those trucks either.

[LANShark42]

Originally Posted by fanrgs

My dealer had supercrews and Supercabs with short beds; regular cabs and Supercabs with long beds; regular cabs, supercrews, and Supercabs with Max Tow packages; but no H-D Payload anything. So, popular or not, Ford is building every size F-150, with every available option package except the H-D Payload package.

My dealer is one of a 31-member dealer advisory council to Ford management, which, to quote him, "meets regularly with senior management, including one named Ford." He said that he would be bringing my suspicions that Ford can't meet the published F-150 payload to that council at their next meeting because he can't understand the reasons for the delay/refusal to build those trucks either.

Rather than admit to marketing hype, I suspect the answer will be "spun" to Ford's benefit. Mark my words...