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I will perhaps be going to put my order in this weekend for my brand new 2012 XLT.
My plan is to get a 5.5' bed Screw with the Ecoboost that is 4x4. Here is where the clarification begins. I can not get a 3:73 LS with that configuration, so I am going with the 3:73 E-locker. That means no HD payload pkg, but I still intend to get Max Tow and it appears that I will be able to get the Off Road Pkg that has a few of the things in the HD Payload.
Need is a strong word. If I am ordering I figured I might as well get everything.
In the next few years we are going to purchase a travel trailer and the heaviest I am looking at is 5000 lbs GVWR with a 505 lbs hitch weight. Other than that, I will be hauling lumber on occasion from the store to the house.
It looks like the 6.5' bed configuration is about 3 feet longer than my Expedition and that may be a little much.
It sounds to me like you may not need the HD payload package, but you would need to calculate how much total you need .... people, cargo in the bed / cab, trailer tongue.