How To Ruin A Truck

[Davexxxx]

I have not been through the build sheets but did casually cruise the new B&P site.

Just a SWAG but if I ordered my 23, on the 24 B&P, I'd probably lose about 30lbs of payload, putting me at 1628.

I'd pick up some niceties, like the bendy lights, heated steering wheel and power tilt but would be forced into 20" wheels and the power tilt and bendy lights have to weigh something.

There is also a not insignificant price reduction.

Do I love my 23? I do. If I was ordering today, would I fret enough about the 30 lbs. to step down to the XLT mid and give up cooled seats, better sound system and power fold? I would not.

I always planned to use a 3 camera trailer system, so purposely ordered my truck without tow mirrors but I'm gonna guess that their omission on the P&B for the 24 Powerboost is a mistake.

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[adyaro77]

The last couple of years I have had this same dilemma. Every other year we take our boat down to Florida which is approximately 1200 miles. Our boat weighs with trailer approximately 5,500 lb with a tongue weight of about 400. I've taken the trailer with the boat on it to the dealership and they made sure that the weight was distributed right. I learned that with boats the tongue weight is going to be much lower than say a travel trailer.

In early 22' I took delivery on Lariat 3.5 EcoBoost ....502a package with Max tow. No tow mirrors, moonroof, deployable running boards, or FX4.
The payload was approximately 1700 pounds. I never really looked at how much it can actually tow because for me it's so much more than what I am using it for.

I can honestly say that on the way down to Florida the boat did a lot of pulling on the pickup truck and it being a light duty truck it is honestly exactly what I expected. Even my wife as the passenger could feel the tugging on the truck especially through Ohio when the freeway was extremely flat and there was a lot of wind. I had no complaints from the 3.5 l EcoBoost. There was more than enough power.

Fast forward about 8 months or so being in the construction industry and contracting I had an opportunity to get a 2019 f250 Platinum with just the gas motor. At that time I had no issue selling my new 22 Lariat and I figured hey I could justify this exchange. Did the f250 do a good job? Yeah it was like the boat wasn't even there I mean honestly this doesn't even need to be said, but as a daily driver it was horrible. Now I'll remind you all that I've been in construction my whole life so I have been driving vans and out of alignment pickup trucks for decades.

During that time I had career change and several issues with that F-250 including the fuel pump which was replaced twice during the short time I owned it. I decided to go back to an F-150.

About 3 weeks ago I picked up a 2023 Lariat 502A package with the 3.5 l ecoboost. This truck has Max tow, deployable running boards, panoramic sunroof, and fx4. No tow mirrors. With my new job this truck will be used primarily as a daily driver. On a normal year I will put my boat in the water and take it out about 25 minutes down the road and then every other year I'll use it to take the boat down to Florida. This truck has a payload of 1504 lbs.

Do I regret my purchase? No not at all. The F-250 is a great truck and if I was towing a lot more and still contracting full-time it's worth some of it's minor inconveniences like maintenance, repairs, and fuel. Not to mention that everywhere I parked it had to be in the back of the lot. When we were in Florida there's really no room for an F-250 almost anywhere.

So my point is I think we all just get the truck that we want that makes the most sense. For me I've never had the panoramic sunroof. I had the deployable running boards on my f250. This is an option that I never thought I would like, but honestly think the trucks look better without the running boards. It makes the truck look higher when it's not even lifted or leveled.

I mean personally I think you need to be able to justify the purchase. These vehicles are extremely expensive now.

Now my two cents on ruining a truck... would be adding overweight wheels and tires. Installing aftermarket steel bumpers that weigh a ton. Lifting an 150 12 inches in the air. But to each their own.

 

[Snakebitten]

For whatever the reason is that Ford is not offering Tow Mirrors on a Powerboost, which is a head scratcher, I think it's quite a jump to claim Ford is discouraging anyone from towing with the Powerboost.

That's an anecdotal and emotional leap, in my opinion.

It's a Ford truck. Ford doesn't discourage anyone towing with a Maverick, Ranger, F150,.........

No Tow Mirror or troublesome Max Tow axle, and suddenly a Powerboost is a "Poser" F150? ??

Maybe I'm just getting old. Lol
But I remember the trucks we towed with in the "good Ole days".

A 2024 Powerboost, EVEN all dolled up and sub 1500# Payload would be a science fiction towing juggernaut for a 1/2 ton.

 

[Davexxxx]

For whatever the reason is that Ford is not offering Tow Mirrors on a Powerboost, which is a head scratcher, I think it's quite a jump to claim Ford is discouraging anyone from towing with the Powerboost.

That's an anecdotal and emotional leap, in my opinion.

It's a Ford truck. Ford doesn't discourage anyone towing with a Maverick, Ranger, F150,.........

No Tow Mirror or troublesome Max Tow axle, and suddenly a Powerboost is a "Poser" F150? ??

Maybe I'm just getting old. Lol
But I remember the trucks we towed with in the "good Ole days".

A 2024 Powerboost, EVEN all dolled up and sub 1500# Payload would be a science fiction towing juggernaut for a 1/2 ton.

Yeah, I get how people get frustrated with the payload vs. towing capacity thing but some people tow for a living. They don't have 3 other people, 2 dogs and camping gear with them, using up payload.

Fleet sales matter. So what is Ford supposed to do?

I wish there could be a running calculator on the P&B site, That would save a lot of angst but absent that, I wish the build sheets weren't so hard to find and the weights were complete and up to date. Also, salespeople need to be schooled up on the subject, A LOT. I had several that were completely clueless and billed themselves as truck salesmen.

But as for the Tow Guides, I think they do a good job and people wouldn't be near as confused, if they just read them, including the footnotes.

 

[adyaro77]

Yeah, I get how people get frustrated with the payload vs. towing capacity thing but some people tow for a living. They don't have 3 other people, 2 dogs and camping gear with them, using up payload.

Fleet sales matter. So what is Ford supposed to do?

I wish there could be a running calculator on the P&B site, That would save a lot of angst but absent that, I wish the build sheets weren't so hard to find and the weights were complete and up to date. Also, salespeople need to be schooled up on the subject, A LOT. I had several that were completely clueless and billed themselves as truck salesmen.

But as for the Tow Guides, I think they do a good job and people wouldn't be near as confused, if they just read them, including the footnotes.

This link has been quite helpful.

https://www.ford.com/trucks/towing-guide/

When I put in my information it drops my towing capacity to about 50%. I mean it's still more than I need in my particular situation.

The one factor that really wasn't discussed especially when I was going to first start traveling cross country was the distance. Because now you have to take in account how comfortable you and the passangers are... ( wife didn't like the pulling on the truck by the boat)... obviously the weather conditions and the wear and tear on the vehicle. This was something that was shared to me by an old timer that spent most of his life hauling boats and vehicles across America and Canada.

 

[Davexxxx]

This link has been quite helpful.

https://www.ford.com/trucks/towing-guide/

When I put in my information it drops my towing capacity to about 50%. I mean it's still more than I need in my particular situation.

The one factor that really wasn't discussed especially when I was going to first start traveling cross country was the distance. Because now you have to take in account how comfortable you and the passangers are... ( wife didn't like the pulling on the truck by the boat)... obviously the weather conditions and the wear and tear on the vehicle. This was something that was shared to me by an old timer that spent most of his life hauling boats and vehicles across America and Canada.

Thats still only for the base level truck in whatever cab, bed, drive and engine configuration.

All that and more is in the tow guides.

 

[SteveP150]

The OP picture with ~1151 is weird. I have a pretty maxxed out 502a Lariat, and I'm at 1426. I'm not sure there was another 300 lbs of options I could have added, even if I wanted to.

 

[Samson16]

Because now you have to take in account how comfortable you and the passangers are... ( wife didn't like the pulling on the truck by the boat)...

Do you think that towing a TT with a WDH keeping the truck/trailer more tightly connected might reduce the tugging sensation you get when the boat is buffeted by gusts?

 

[adyaro77]

Do you think that towing a TT with a WDH keeping the truck/trailer more tightly connected might reduce the tugging sensation you get when the boat is buffeted by gusts?

I was using a equalizer weight distribution hitch with the adapter for my Phoenix trailer. Since my boat and trailer are roughly 5500 lb... that exceeds the 5,000 limit without the use of a weight distribution hitch.

This was much debated before I took the boat down to Florida. I contacted Phoneix trailers and my Robalo dealer. Both told me that I didn't need the weight distribution hitch. They stressed that boat weight distribution and light tongue weight didn't have the same issues as a travel trailer. I was just concerned about getting pulled over or getting in an accident and then that becoming an issue so I used one.

Next time I wasn't going to not use the weight distribution hitch. I've now learned that my boat is probably just under 5,000 lb (Fuel/fresh water added the add'l weight.

 

[Samson16]

I was using a equalizer weight distribution hitch with the adapter for my Phoenix trailer. Since my boat and trailer are roughly 5500 lb... that exceeds the 5,000 limit without the use of a weight distribution hitch.

This was much debated before I took the boat down to Florida. I contacted Phoneix trailers and my Robalo dealer. Both told me that I didn't need the weight distribution hitch. They stressed that boat weight distribution and light tongue weight didn't have the same issues as a travel trailer. I was just concerned about getting pulled over or getting in an accident and then that becoming an issue so I used one.

Next time I was going to not use the way distribution hitch. I've now learned that my boat is probably just under 5,000 lb.

Well then, our PB’s are heavy at close to 6000 lbs. and they have a low center of gravity when stock, so that’s about as good as a half ton gets for towing imo. Maybe we can fit a big air dam on top of the cab like semi’s do!

 

[mxwrk]

Forums can be funny. Am I the only one who doesn't add or subtract every pound of accessories and mods to work out their exact payload? It's a very capable truck. I would load 4 friends and all my camping gear including a rooftop tent and drive cross country without worry. I would really only really pay attention if I had a pallet of bricks or something to transport. If that was my regular mission id be in a superduty/dually work truck

 

[oneinch]

In my mind...
up to 6000 lbs enclosed - 1/2 ton
up to 8000 lbs flat bed trailer - 1/2 ton

I agree. Half tons are rather light duty. For me, the half ton has become a life style vehicle with great utility. The 250/2500 and up are the work trucks.

 

[oneinch]

Forums can be funny. Am I the only one who doesn't add or subtract every pound of accessories and mods to work out their exact payload? It's a very capable truck. I would load 4 friends and all my camping gear including a rooftop tent and drive cross country without worry. I would really only really pay attention if I had a pallet of bricks or something to transport. If that was my regular mission id be in a superduty/dually work truck

I think you and your friends and your camping gear are fine... Even if you're overloaded*. Your weight will be distributed evenly front to back. You and a "ton" of bricks being of the same weight not so much.

* Within reason of course.

 

[22redrocket]

lol. What engine do you have? Must be 3.3. Any other engine will pull that boat to damn near 100mph.

 

[JExpedition07]

lol. What engine do you have? Must be 3.3. Any other engine will pull that boat to damn near 100mph.

I wouldn’t want my engine in 9th gear with 5,000 pounds behind it no matter what motor. Tow/Haul specifically keeps that from happening so you don’t fry the torque converter lockup clutch and overheat it. I see why he is saying that but that’s just a part of towing. Only engine going into 10th with that load in Tow/Haul would be the 6.7 Powerstroke with the much beefier 10R140 transmission.

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