ham77, just curious, how does that truck ride empty with the heavy payload package? thanks!

 

Thought I was all set to order the F150 with heavy payload package with the 8 foot bed as I haul plywood a lot. Talked to a sales manager in Houston, and was told that she had sold 2 of these and both customers hated them as they were beating them to death. She said you could see the rear end bouncing around going down the road. Sure put the stop on my plans. Too old to be beat to death. I remember riding in my friend's F250 a few years ago and you would literally hit the ceiling on a bad bump. Just saying.

 

I don't know, this sounds to me like a sales manager not having a HD payload F150 on the lot, but wanting to sell you a truck badly. I would make almost any bet that if they'd have had an HD payload F150 that you liked, they would have told you the ride is as smooth as silk.
I am wondering what others have to say. I am sure the rear will be stiffer (it has to be), but wondering if you really hit your head all the time. If I were you I'd try to test drive one before making a decision.
So what is your decision now? Get a regular F150 and install air bags?

I am really interested in this, as I am about to order a 2012 F150 HD payload. In fact, I am about to head out to another dealer for an offer and trade-in estimate.

 

That is correct. I've ridden in one of the new trucks with the HD payload package it it will jar your teeth loose depending on the road conditions. To have the carrying capacity the truck has got to have a fairly stiff suspension.

 

TRUCK

IT'S A TRUCK GUYS! Nature of the beast and all that

As far as bed bounce, you can look in the mirrors of any late model F-150 and see the bed bounce on rough roads. You are actually seeing the cab bouncing on it's rubber isolators. The bed is securely mounted to frame and isn't moving

 

It is moving because the frame can and will flex a small amount. And since the bed is attached to it, the bed will move. See 1:21 for a great example of this.

Ford F-150 Silvercreek - YouTube

 

Edit: wow, the 09+ does it worse than 04-08's.

 

Welcome to FTE!

Go get your truck and to hell with the sales person. It's bound to ride a little stiffer, it a heavier duty truck.

 

Actually the lady is a friend of a friend, and she didn't press for a sale. She told me that what I wanted would probably have to be ordered, and to send her a fax with specifics. I would agree as I could not find a XLT supercab with a 8' bed anywhere around. The supercab with 8' bed and 163"wheelbase has a 2660 lb payload. The supercrew with 6.5 bed and 157 wheelbase has a 1660 payload. Thus the buckboard ride I'm sure. She was just saying that the 250 was a better ride than the 2660 payload F150 for a little more money. Then I see the shudder problem that seems to be prevalent in the 6.5' bed new F150's, and the engineers can't figure out that problem.

 

They ride smooth as silk with some weight in the back

 

I have the HD payload/tow packages and would not trade them for the world. They give me the ability to haul up to just under 3K even though I have loaded heavier on a couple of short hops. Plus with the HD tow I can move my machines/feed/hay around without a care. Sure it's a little choppy going down the road unloaded but it's a truck not a sedan. For me, it's a tool not a fashion statement (that's what the Mercedes sedan is for). Now don't get me wrong I like my truck to look good but it's still a truck. And yes I understand that many on this forum have only vehicle and it has to serve as the family transporter. So if you need a compact work horse the F-150 loaded with the HD packages will give you the ease to do it. Chris

 

[QUOTE=7dog;10902490]Actually the lady is a friend of a friend, and she didn't press for a sale. She told me that what I wanted would probably have to be ordered, and to send her a fax with specifics. I would agree as I could not find a XLT supercab with a 8' bed anywhere around. The supercab with 8' bed and 163"wheelbase has a 2660 lb payload. The supercrew with 6.5 bed and 157 wheelbase has a 1660 payload. Thus the buckboard ride I'm sure. She was just saying that the 250 was a better ride than the 2660 payload F150 for a little more money. Then I see the shudder problem that seems to be prevalent in the 6.5' bed new F150's, and the engineers can't figure out that problem.[/QUOTE]

The shudder problem is by no means prevalent. Yes, we are reading some here on FTE but that's an eye dropper full compared to the sheer volumes that Ford has sold.

I just bought a 2011 Ecoboost and have absolutely NO issues what so ever. Build date 01/2011.

 

Well I have posted somewhere on this but here is how I see it. When I test drove the 2010 1/2 ton 4X4 one thing I did not like about the Ford was the jitteryness (for lack of a better description) I heard/felt in the steering etc when hitting a bump even though the ride was quite soft.

So now with the electric steering and the heavy duty suspension I have found that gone and the ride is quite good but most importantly it handles like a sports car without the harshness. With any kind of a load on it rides like a dream and is very good empty. I live on about 2 miles of wash board road and it just isn't a problem.

Now wether that is because Ford did something for all its half tons in 2011 I don't know but this rig just seems better damped and buttoned up than the 2010 I test drove.