I currently drive an 02 250 4x4 with reg cab, 8' bed and a 5.4 with a 6 spd. My question is how close to the toughness of this truck (payload, towing, etc) will a new 150 with the payload package come?

I really like the new 150 (except for having to get an auto trans) and the smoother ride. I quite often haul 2,000 lbs+ and want to make sure the truck will get the job done.

Thanks

 

While the new F150 is probably capable, I'd think with the heavy hauling, the 250 would be better. That 6 speed auto in the heavy duty 250 will help a lot.

 

I had a 03 F250 SCAB 8' bed with a 5.4L auto. The truck was a beast, harsh ride, uncomfortable seats, I sure you know. I bought it because at the time I was looking for a SCAB 8' and couldnt find a F150.

I bought a SCAB 8' 04 F150 and I have not regretted it. I have had close to 3500 lbs on the back of the F150. Only had to go a couple of miles from Home Depot and was never on the highway. You could tell it was loaded.

I hauled a couple loads of hardwood, estimate that it weighed 2000 lbs. Had 25 miles on the highway and it handled it well.

Finally I tow not that frequently but I have had 6000# behind the truck a couple of times and it feels solid, had to do a quick, almost panick stop, and every thing was OK.

Of course the F250 has 600# more capacity based on GWVR I liked the creature comforts of the F150 which is why I went back.

 

The F150 with the payload package or the F150 HD is effectively the F250 "light duty".

Before the 2004 redesign, the F250 light duty was the F150 7700 GVWR package (2000-2003) and before that from 1997-1999 the F250 LD was the same as the F150 (1997 redesign) body, but it had the bigger rear end.

The rear end is the visteon 10.25 " semi-floater. GAWR 5300 lbs. Same one they've always used in the F250 light duty and the F150 heavy duty.

Pretty nice truck and can handle some weight too.

The only problem with semi-floaters if you overload them regularly is that the axle seals will start leaking. Check them regularly.

 

Are you hauling it in the back of your pick up truck or are you hauling it behind your truck? With the HD payload, I think the new F150 can carry up to 3000 lbs in the back of the truck and tow up 9900 lbs. I had a 1997 F250 Heavy Duty that I just traded in on a 2005 F150 with the Heavy Duty Payload Package. I went with the F150 because it was a less money, gave you a $1295 tow and go rebate which the F250 does not, $500 more in the cash back rebate than the F250, the F150 had more options, better ride, and it was the new body style (the '06 f250 will be the old body style by next year.) From another post..."Our trucks are a lot beefier than Ford says they are so Idiots can overload them to some extent and be safe."