Maxing Out Payloads of Your Tow Vehicle

[Bayou Magic]

New here. Great stuff in the forums.

Buying a new 22RBE and considering replacing a 2012 Silverado 1500. Looking at 2500HD gas burners (hard to find!!!) or possibly an F150 eco-boost 3.5. The 2500 will handle our payload easily, but if I were to go with the F150, I will most likely be maxing out the payload (2100). Have any of you ever had a problem running close to the maximum payload of your vehicle, especially an F150 with the 3.5 EcoBoost?

Thanks!

FP

 

[Second Chance]

New here. Great stuff in the forums.

Buying a new 22RBE and considering replacing a 2012 Silverado 1500. Looking at 2500HD gas burners (hard to find!!!) or possibly an F150 eco-boost 3.5. The 2500 will handle our payload easily, but if I were to go with the F150, I will most likely be maxing out the payload (2100). Have any of you ever had a problem running close to the maximum payload of your vehicle, especially an F150 with the 3.5 EcoBoost?

Thanks!

FP

There are several members pulling the 150 series fifth wheels with F150s with the EcoBoost - but the secret is not the HD towing package (which is necessary, too), it's the HDPP (heavy-duty payload package). They are two different options and you may have problems finding one with the HDPP on a lot anywhere... it can always be ordered (but so can an F250 gasser).

Rob

 

[NB Canada]

What do you mean by “maxing out” your payload?

If you are within the specs given by the manufacture what is the issue?

You do realize manufacturers don’t post the “maximum” a vehicle can actually carry
They would never be at a “breaking point”

If it works go with it

My set up I can drive with one finger. Others sitting in my seat may be driving with white knuckles

Do what is best for you


2021 Imagine 2400 BH
2018 GMC Sierra 4x4 crew

 

[Wicked ace]

New here. Great stuff in the forums.

Buying a new 22RBE and considering replacing a 2012 Silverado 1500. Looking at 2500HD gas burners (hard to find!!!) or possibly an F150 eco-boost 3.5. The 2500 will handle our payload easily, but if I were to go with the F150, I will most likely be maxing out the payload (2100). Have any of you ever had a problem running close to the maximum payload of your vehicle, especially an F150 with the 3.5 EcoBoost?

Thanks!

FP

Unless you have a vehicle in mind finding an F150 with 2100# payload is a rarity. Higher trim and more options take away from payload. You probably won't but that trailer you are looking at could easily reach 900# hitch weight. To be honest that trailer is pretty much in the F150's sweet spot. A nicely equipped XLT with the 3.5 Eco and the MAX TOW package would get you there with about 1700 to 1800# payload. You can get an idea at this link go to the last page and work back.
https://www.f150forum.com/f82/post-your-payload-332538/

 

[RV Sailor]

Feel free to look at the Dodge Ram 2500. Will pull you rig safely.

 

[That 1 Ron]

I’m at maximum payload (maybe even above it depending on the trip) on my tundra and 2400BH. I use an Equalizer 10k hitch and have spent considerable time at the Cat scale dialing it in. I’ve also towed a bunch of other stuff with the tundra, which I was probably over the available payload but I never weighed those loads or trailers. I can say that even towing heavy, the tundra doesn’t look, drive or feel like it’s close to or even over its payload rating. Very stable and confident feeling. Yes, I would love a new 1-ton truck but after 2020, that’s not going to happen anytime in the foreseeable future.

Years before the tundra, I owned a 2012 f150 ecoboost with the max towing package. I really wanted the HDPP but it was impossible to find and a hassle to order and I just couldn’t wait any longer at that time. I used that truck exactly like my Tundra, same loads, trailers and use. I found the f150 had much softer suspension and didn’t feel nearly as stable when towing heavy. I added some Roadmaster suspension and LT “E” rated tires and those helped tremendously but still it felt “loose” with a heavy trailer in tow. Part of it I believe is that the steering was quicker on that truck which made it twitchy on the freeways. Not sure how the current ones drive though. The ecoboost had a ton of low end power and was as close as you could get to turbo diesel power without the diesel premium price. Unfortunately, I was one of the unlucky ones that basically had a lemon. I had a lot of issues with that truck and I ended up trading it because we just couldn’t trust it anymore.

 

[Mulligan]

Exhaust brakes are brake savers

I love our RAM 3500 6.7 cummins with tow haul and the great exhaust break. I wouldn’t t leave home without it.
Looking to purchase a 303rls.
A diesel with an exhaust brake is a wonderful combination for those who tow RVs. Especially for mountain and long haul towing.
The exhaust brake is an amazing invention....love it love it.

 

[jmbopp]

I had a '12 F-150 with the 3.5 towing our Imagine 2650. CAT scales said I was overweight on my gross and rear axle, but the newer aluminum body trucks have a bigger payload (but less GVW.)
Rather than spec out a new F-150 I opted for a F-250 gasser.

 

[Calbar]

I’m at maximum payload (maybe even above it depending on the trip) on my tundra and 2400BH. I use an Equalizer 10k hitch and have spent considerable time at the Cat scale dialing it in. I’ve also towed a bunch of other stuff with the tundra, which I was probably over the available payload but I never weighed those loads or trailers. I can say that even towing heavy, the tundra doesn’t look, drive or feel like it’s close to or even over its payload rating. Very stable and confident feeling. Yes, I would love a new 1-ton truck but after 2020, that’s not going to happen anytime in the foreseeable future.

Years before the tundra, I owned a 2012 f150 ecoboost with the max towing package. I really wanted the HDPP but it was impossible to find and a hassle to order and I just couldn’t wait any longer at that time. I used that truck exactly like my Tundra, same loads, trailers and use. I found the f150 had much softer suspension and didn’t feel nearly as stable when towing heavy. I added some Roadmaster suspension and LT “E” rated tires and those helped tremendously but still it felt “loose” with a heavy trailer in tow. Part of it I believe is that the steering was quicker on that truck which made it twitchy on the freeways. Not sure how the current ones drive though. The ecoboost had a ton of low end power and was as close as you could get to turbo diesel power without the diesel premium price. Unfortunately, I was one of the unlucky ones that basically had a lemon. I had a lot of issues with that truck and I ended up trading it because we just couldn’t trust it anymore.

I found the same thing with the Tundra. Very stable tow vehicle even when at it's limits or even a bit over. I was about 300 lbs over payload but just under axle rating when I towed my 297RSTS with mine. Would have gone with another Tundra but there is a chance we may upgrade to a larger 5th wheel at some point while we own this vehicle so made sure I had enough TV to pull what we could upgrade to.

Rob

 

[Bayou Magic]

Feel free to look at the Dodge Ram 2500. Will pull you rig safely.

Thanks for all the responses. Leaning toward this ^^^^^^^..

fp

 

[jleonard]

Thanks for all the responses. Leaning toward this ^^^^^^^..

fp

I just got one. You'll like it.

 

[Rapid1]

Or, you could get the f150 and install E rated tires and an extra spring and call yours the HDPP. I know, ok, they say the axle is different but why buy a half ton that is basically turned into a 3/4 ton. I never figured out why someone would wreck the ride of a half ton by putting 10 ply tires on. Just get a 3/4 ton and your golden...except with Ford and you can't get the turbo 6 in the big truck...oh well. As we can all see, there's not much market for HDPP or they would make more of them. And we also see that the turbo 6 is not really that heavy duty or it would be offered in a 7k truck, not just a 5k truck. Therein lies the important factor...8k pulling 10k is much better than pulling it with 5k. Towing weight vs towed weight...never comes up with the sticker experts...as well as wheelbase...gets missed because most, if not all, duallys are long wheelbase, and this forum is all about get a dually. Even more so for F450 now...it turns better but don't worry about the sticker, it's bs in this case...LOL.

 

[thegreenblade]

I have a 2021 f-150 with the payload package. Payload is 2577Lbs. That’s more then my friends F-250 with at payload of 2374lbs. There was only 2 with the payload package in the whole Midwest. I got lucky, one was 20mins from me. Better gas mileage too.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[That 1 Ron]

I have a 2021 f-150 with the payload package. Payload is 2577Lbs. That’s more then my friends F-250 with at payload of 2374lbs. There was only 2 with the payload package in the whole Midwest. I got lucky, one was 20mins from me. Better gas mileage too.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Which engine does your truck have? How’s the ride? More importantly, how does it tow?

 

[thegreenblade]

Which engine does your truck have? How’s the ride? More importantly, how does it tow?

3.5 eco boost. I had a Chevy Colorado so I can compare it to that. It’s really fast and quick. It rides straight like tight on the hi-way no swaying I guess. Like on rails. It’s little bit stiffer ride. 1 week driving it and I’m getting comfortable in the seat. I like slouching to the right. I still would rather have my Colorado for a daily driver though. It is the LX model but still has the Ford pass which gives me navigation and remote start for free. Plus trailer info input. I haven’t towed with it yet. Going to Florida from Chicago for spring break. Will find out soon enough.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Hornsky]

New here. Great stuff in the forums.

Buying a new 22RBE and considering replacing a 2012 Silverado 1500. Looking at 2500HD gas burners (hard to find!!!) or possibly an F150 eco-boost 3.5. The 2500 will handle our payload easily, but if I were to go with the F150, I will most likely be maxing out the payload (2100). Have any of you ever had a problem running close to the maximum payload of your vehicle, especially an F150 with the 3.5 EcoBoost?

Thanks!

FP

I don't understand how you think you will max out your payload on an F-150 with a dry hitch weight of 500 lbs. The camper GVW is 7000 lbs., so 12.5 % is 875 lbs. My 2018 F-150 XLT payload is 1694 lbs., so that would leave 819 lbs. of "stuff" to put in my truck. I have the 2800BH (604 dry hitch weight) with a ProPride hitch and I'm not close to my payload. I don't bring a ton with me, but we are just weekend warriors pretty much. I love my F-150 for towing and a daily driver.

 

[bobmunro]

We love our Silverado 2500 gasser. We pull our 2800BH all over the mountains in the western US. There’s a significant difference between our truck and two of our buddy’s F150 ecoboosts. No comparison on any type of grade.

 

[NB Canada]

We love our Silverado 2500 gasser. We pull our 2800BH all over the mountains in the western US. There’s a significant difference between our truck and two of our buddy’s F150 ecoboosts. No comparison on any type of grade.

The eco boost has considerable more torque than the 6.2. They likely outpull you


2021 Imagine 2400 BH
2018 GMC Sierra 4x4 crew

 

[Trl_boss]

As someone who has had both a Silverado 1500 V-8 and F-150 with the big ecoboost you want a 3/4 ton. I just switched to a gas F-250 and what a difference it has made. I tow a 247bh so well under the towing limit of the two previous as well as the payloads. The issue isn't towing the rig it's the control. I've got a blue ox anti sway weight distribution hitch and honestly with the half tons it still swayed. Every time a semi went by or any wind. I was white knuckle driving the whole way. No such issues with the F-250. Now I'm not saying you can't tow with the half tons but I feel like those are better for very small travel trailers or smaller , shorter footprints like an airstream.

 

[bobmunro]

The eco boost has considerable more torque than the 6.2. They likely outpull you

I would have thought the same however we camp with this group at least twice a year every year and what we've found in real driving conditions it is different than that.
EDIT:
I just looked up the torque and HP specs. I've got more HP while the ecoboost is just slightly ahead in torque by 20 lbs/ft. Maybe the difference is elsewhere like gear ratios, etc? All of this is well above my pay grade.