Stuck between 1/2 and 3/4

[Bowlerguy92]

Hi all,

Trying to figure out whether I'm good with a 1/2 ton of really should consider a 3/4 for my load

Max Load Scenario:

1. Hellcat Widebody (~4600 pounds) on ~3000 pound car hauler trailer (they have a 2k pound trailer as well, just using the uhaul TH as worst case example) = combined weight 7600lb
2. Tongue weight on that load should be around 760 pounds at 10%?
3. Myself, wife and 3 year old daughter weigh around 515 lb
4. I'd have a set of tires and wheels with me, a jack, some tools, case of water, clothes etc - estimated additional payload of 300 pounds?
5. WD hitch (although uhaul won't let you tow with one) 100 pounds?
6. Taking a look at local inventory and using Ford's towing calculator to run the vin, it looks like payload for the 3.5 ecos/PB in XLT trim is between 1700-1880lb
7. Remaining payload for worst case scenario of 1700 lb payload = 25 lb / between 125 or 225 if I choose a 3.5 eco vs the powerboost.

It's close, very close and I could not add a 3rd adult without being over GVWR

Towing Profile and Scenario

1. 2-3 events a year between 5 and 8 hours each way - Family likely would be with for these
2. Once a month or so local (~20 miles) - Family likely would not be with, so I would gain back a significant amount of payload

My question to you: Is this a concerning scenario for a half ton truck or would you hook it and go? I'm trying to avoid over analyzing this but I know there are potential ramifications of being overweight, etc. I also know there are things I can shift to the trailer to ease up on some of that cargo and likely unlock some more payload. I certainly see many people hauling their race cars behind F150's, so I know it can be done. However, I don't know that most people pay attention to tow ratings, payload, etc.

Couple other things worth mentioning: I intend this truck to be the family road trip rig whether towing or empty. I also work from home and do not drive into an office daily, so the daily driver aspect isn't quite as important here, although it will be MY primary mode of transportation, wife has her own vehicle.

Thanks for your help. I know the livability of the F250 is not anywhere close to an F150 so trying to see if we can make the F150 work safely.

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[CND Supercrew]

Payload will always be your limiting factory, all other number are subjective!!

So you have xxxx payload based on the yellow door sticker, this is how your numbers work.
xxxx minus any cargo you add into the truck. This includes you, passengers, cargo, and hitch. Plus the tongue weight of the trailer.
Take your trailers GVWR, multiple that by 0.13 will give you your max tongue weight. This tongue weight has to be taken away from your payload of xxxx. If you run out of payload, you're unsafe to tow, bottom line...

 

[Nasto]

Hi all,

Trying to figure out whether I'm good with a 1/2 ton of really should consider a 3/4 for my load

Max Load Scenario:

1. Hellcat Widebody (~4600 pounds) on ~3000 pound car hauler trailer (they have a 2k pound trailer as well, just using the uhaul TH as worst case example) = combined weight 7600lb
2. Tongue weight on that load should be around 760 pounds at 10%?
3. Myself, wife and 3 year old daughter weigh around 515 lb
4. I'd have a set of tires and wheels with me, a jack, some tools, case of water, clothes etc - estimated additional payload of 300 pounds?
5. WD hitch (although uhaul won't let you tow with one) 100 pounds?
6. Taking a look at local inventory and using Ford's towing calculator to run the vin, it looks like payload for the 3.5 ecos/PB in XLT trim is between 1700-1880lb
7. Remaining payload for worst case scenario of 1700 lb payload = 25 lb / between 125 or 225 if I choose a 3.5 eco vs the powerboost.

It's close, very close and I could not add a 3rd adult without being over GVWR

Towing Profile and Scenario

1. 2-3 events a year between 5 and 8 hours each way - Family likely would be with for these
2. Once a month or so local (~20 miles) - Family likely would not be with, so I would gain back a significant amount of payload

My question to you: Is this a concerning scenario for a half ton truck or would you hook it and go? I'm trying to avoid over analyzing this but I know there are potential ramifications of being overweight, etc. I also know there are things I can shift to the trailer to ease up on some of that cargo and likely unlock some more payload. I certainly see many people hauling their race cars behind F150's, so I know it can be done. However, I don't know that most people pay attention to tow ratings, payload, etc.

Couple other things worth mentioning: I intend this truck to be the family road trip rig whether towing or empty. I also work from home and do not drive into an office daily, so the daily driver aspect isn't quite as important here, although it will be MY primary mode of transportation, wife has her own vehicle.

Thanks for your help. I know the livability of the F250 is not anywhere close to an F150 so trying to see if we can make the F150 work safely.

@CND Supercrew is spot-on. I started a similar thread a couple of years ago and got a lot of good advice.

https://www.f150gen14.com/forum/threads/i-could-use-some-advice-from-towing-experts.18912/

 

[dmac]

If you're willing to get a truck without the tailgate step/pro-access tailgate, power deploying running boards, panoramic roof, you can pretty much get anything you want and have 1600+ lbs of payload.

If you skip the powerboost, you can get close to 2k lbs in payload on a nicely equipped truck.


Upgrading rear shocks, Roadmaster Active suspension and maybe a sway bar all can help you handle the trailer better.

 

[Nasto]

If you're willing to get a truck without the tailgate step/pro-access tailgate, power deploying running boards, panoramic roof, you can pretty much get anything you want and have 1600+ lbs of payload.

If you skip the powerboost, you can get close to 2k lbs in payload on a nicely equipped truck.


Upgrading rear shocks, Roadmaster Active suspension and maybe a sway bar all can help you handle the trailer better.

That's a great point. You really have to decide on whether you want a luxury truck or a workhorse. I went with all the options listed above and so I suffer from a low payload capacity. Even so, if you do the math and settle for a smaller trailer and a really good WDH and pack smartly, you'll be fine.
I'm still attempting to figure out how Ben Affleck towed a 34' Airstream PanAmerica loaded with guns and motorcycles with an F-150.

https://tinyurl.com/4fjz5879

 

[Bowlerguy92]

If you're willing to get a truck without the tailgate step/pro-access tailgate, power deploying running boards, panoramic roof, you can pretty much get anything you want and have 1600+ lbs of payload.

If you skip the powerboost, you can get close to 2k lbs in payload on a nicely equipped truck.


Upgrading rear shocks, Roadmaster Active suspension and maybe a sway bar all can help you handle the trailer better.

For sure, I'm looking at the XLT trim, for the most part. Not interested in a fully luxo truck. So far, the highest payload I've seen is around 1880 sitting on lots near me.

Not willing to part with crew cab or 4x4 so I'm not sure what else I can tweak to see more than that. Probably would need to order I imagine if I truly wanted to max the payload.

 

[dmac]

For sure, I'm looking at the XLT trim, for the most part. Not interested in a fully luxo truck. So far, the highest payload I've seen is around 1880 sitting on lots near me.

Not willing to part with crew cab or 4x4 so I'm not sure what else I can tweak to see more than that. Probably would need to order I imagine if I truly wanted to max the payload.

Here is an example of a 2022 5.0 XLT 302a 4x4 crew cab that has 1979 lbs of payload.

The GVWR base number for 2024+ trucks increased by 50 lbs but also is reduced by the standard 36 gallon tank which this truck does not have.

18" wheels also help your case here.

 

[dmac]

You can also look at the ford towing payload calculator for a truck like this
https://www.grangerford.com/new-Des+Moines-2025-Ford-F+150-XLT-1FTFW3L52SKE46563

https://www.ford.com/support/towing-calculator

 

[Bowlerguy92]

You can also look at the ford towing payload calculator for a truck like this
https://www.grangerford.com/new-Des+Moines-2025-Ford-F+150-XLT-1FTFW3L52SKE46563

https://www.ford.com/support/towing-calculator

Great, so I think it's going to be a matter of me visiting a dealer and looking at doorjams. I think with a config that gets me close to the 2000lb payload rating, I should be OK. There are also lighter trailers than uhauls and as @Nasto pointed out, some careful packing can go a long way as well.

 

[ks54703]

22 XLT 302a 2.7EB with the 2.7EB payload Package and 1735 Payload. 2005Magnum RT Wagon on a U Haul Trailer.
Put your truck information in the U-Haul web site. If they DO NOT like the combo they will reject it. Main ISSUE is the door hitting the fender. Climbing out the window is no easy task.

 

[powerboatr]

Hmmm
Payload
But a f250 for 4 trips
Buy a dedicated hauler trailer...enclosed if budget allows
Longest with payload that fits your needs for car, tires, tools etc

F250 crew cab short bed
With high cap tow package
I would stay with 7.3 vice the
deisel
Because its not driven daily

 

[Bowlerguy92]

You can also look at the ford towing payload calculator for a truck like this
https://www.grangerford.com/new-Des+Moines-2025-Ford-F+150-XLT-1FTFW3L52SKE46563

https://www.ford.com/support/towing-calculator

Could you look at a couple VINs for me and let me know if the max tongue looks right to you? Seems like no matter what I fiddle with in the tow calculator, the tongue maxes out at 930. Is that normal or is this missing a package? 1FTFW3L55SKE38764 same deal with this one 1FTFW3L59SKD52843. Either way, I should come in under that but curious.

 

[Bowlerguy92]

22 XLT 302a 2.7EB with the 2.7EB payload Package and 1735 Payload. 2005Magnum RT Wagon on a U Haul Trailer.
Put your truck information in the U-Haul web site. If they DO NOT like the combo they will reject it. Main ISSUE is the door hitting the fender. Climbing out the window is no easy task.

Nice Magnum! Ya, uhaul seems less than thrilled with this combination for any of their car trailers......

 

[dmac]

Could you look at a couple VINs for me and let me know if the max tongue looks right to you? Seems like no matter what I fiddle with in the tow calculator, the tongue maxes out at 930. Is that normal or is this missing a package? 1FTFW3L55SKE38764 same deal with this one 1FTFW3L59SKD52843. Either way, I should come in under that but curious.

Tongue weight is just automatically 10% of tow rating per Ford.
If you want to eek out more, get the Max Tow Axle + Towing Package -> preferable the 3.5 or 5.0. Powerboost and 2.7 don't have much payload.



5.0 3.31 - 9300

5.0 3.73 - 10400

5.0 3.73 Max Tow Axle - 12900

3.5 3.31 - 10400

3.5 3.55 Max Tow Axle - 13100

 

[Bowlerguy92]

Hmmm
Payload
But a f250 for 4 trips
Buy a dedicated hauler trailer...enclosed if budget allows
Longest with payload that fits your needs for car, tires, tools etc

F250 crew cab short bed
With high cap tow package
I would stay with 7.3 vice the
deisel
Because its not driven daily

Not a bad idea either. I will test drive one with the wife and see what we think as another step up option.

Tongue weight is just automatically 10% of tow rating per Ford.
If you want to eek out more, get the Max Tow Axle + Towing Package -> preferable the 3.5 or 5.0. Powerboost and 2.7 don't have much payload.



5.0 3.31 - 9300

5.0 3.73 - 10400

5.0 3.73 Max Tow Axle - 12900

3.5 3.31 - 10400

3.5 3.55 Max Tow Axle - 13100

Ah yep, I found a 3.5 and the tongue is over 1000. Seems like I should for sure be good with that combo with some to spare so I will go and do a test drive tomorrow, maybe. I really don’t think I want an F250!

Thanks for your help!

 

[powerboatr]

feel the force
i really liked my 22 f150 kr
but this 24 is a fantastic

 

[Bowlerguy92]

feel the force
i really liked my 22 f150 kr
but this 24 is a fantastic

Those are such great looking trucks. Just don’t know about parking and dealing with it on a semi regular basis + ride quality.

 

[powerboatr]

It actually turns tighter than the crew cab 150 it replaced
Ride is choppy on my neighborhood roads

 

[skierd]

For a semi-dedicated tow rig, especially one that’s a car hauler, get a 250. It’s far safer to have a truck running at 50-60% capacity than running at 80-100% capacity. Everything on the 250 is built heavier to take the added stress and handle heavier loads.

The downside is that being overbuilt for unloaded work makes it more uncomfortable for daily driving, but it sounds like you don’t have a regular commute so that’s less of an issue. Though not much bigger on paper, the 250/350 feels like a hulking brute going down the road compared to the f150, not dissimilar to how it felt when I went from a Tacoma to a F150.

Second the thought on the 7.3 gas over the diesel.

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