I do not see the confusion in the article at all. For those that do not think that the extra payload is needed or WANTED.....go by a chevy!! They are great at making the meek and "just enough" trucks..........trust me I have been one of those guys for 35+ years......NO MORE! I love the F150 and they BLOW chevy and dodge away on the payload and towing already....There is a big market in 5th wheel towing that do not want a Super Duty truck for a miriad of reasons! $$$$$ for one. If I have to pay 1-2K more for that extra 500# payload....that puts the F150 in a comfortable range for a lot of 5th wheel campers..........slight MPG drop but compared to the 10K+ increase in going to the F250 and lower MPG with that for city driving........You are way better off going with the F150 for the long term.

Now if you are doing alot of cross country towing......that is a different story...but I am talking about the majority of campers here that tow 5-10 times a year. 1,2,5 hours from home per trip.

 

Glad I have the 2010 KR. I rarely put over 1000 pounds in the bed and my towing is limited to 5,000 pounds. That truck on long rides is the most comfortable vehicle I have ever owned. One of the reasons I did not go for the 250 KR was the suspension was too stiff and the truck bounced. The price difference is very small unless one goes for the diesel upgrade, so price is not an issue. IMO, if one wants a stiffer suspension and a higher pay load capacity, simply purchase the 250. No need to diminish the ride in the 150 for the sake of an extra 500 pounds of pay load capacity and the decrease in gas mileage. IMO, if they want to make the 150 better, start with the GPS and the Sync and some drive shaft issues. They did a great job on introducing the 3.7 and the 5.0, which, IMO, gives Ford a leg up on the competition.

 

2011 F150 does give you both the navigation and the sync! Unfotunately, after the sunami in Japan, the navigation was no longer orderable! I have been told by Ford customer service that it will be back in the 2012 model.

I think the new Ecoboost will be the wave of the future! This is one awsome motor. IMO. It outperforms so many of the other motors! and even comes close to those that it doesn't.

 

I'm still not sure I understand fully - sorry for being so dense, but is this package OPTIONAL or is it part of the EcoBoost/supercrew package by default. I was thinking it would be an option like on the '11 XLT Scab with 8' bed. I've seen this discussed elsewhere and my curiousity has the best of me....

 

IMO I would think this will be built into the Max Tow Package.

 

I don't think it's a necessary change.
I would prefer the F-150 give better options for fuel economy. I'm all for higher payload, but I believe that making a truck line that hits all different areas of the market is more important. I don't need a pickup to do much work, but I want to buy a pickup. Give me the option to buy a full size pickup that gets great fuel economy and allows me to do the seldom hauling when I need to.
If you think you need the extra payload because you move heavy things often, then you have the 250 up options.

 

omahawildcat, if you want a pickup that gets great fuel economy, buy a single cab v6 or a compact truck. Just because you don't need it does not mean it is not necessary.
I think Ford is smart to offer the best of both worlds.

 

Then do not order the Max Tow package..........Assumeing that they offer this in that manor.

There is a BIG difference in driving the F150 vs the F250 on a daily basis. The 5 - 10 times a year that we NEED the payload capacity is critical! But the increase in MPG over the F250 for daily driving is large. I hope that they do offer this in the Max Tow package so that it will satisfy both of our Needs and not just one group.

 

i wish they had the hd payload option on the FX4

 

Me too.
The HD payload option will not be standard, and is not tied into the max tow package, it's a separate option. As far as I understand at least, and that's what both the Chrome Carbook as well as the 2012 order guide say.