payload: how many leaf springs

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Apr 3, 2016 | 08:19 AM

madscientist

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payload: how many leaf springs

Hi all,
I am considering moving out of my '03 F250 into a '16 F150. I don't tow heavy stuff often but I do get some heavy loads of hay and stone (typically 2000-2500#). If I get a new rig, I want to be sure that I can still handle these weights. I am looking at a 4WD F150 extended or crew cab with 6.5" bed and either the 3.5eco or the 5.0na.

The sales brochure shows the following max payloads:
--3.5Eco: 2170#
--5.0na: 2230#

If I go up to a crew cab then the payloads seem higher:
--3.5Eco: 2650#
--5.0na: 2660#

My superduty has 5 leaf springs and I wanted to know how many are on a std F150. I also wanted to know if they add more springs to the cc to achieve the higher ratings.
thanks for your help!

Apr 3, 2016 | 02:09 PM

JKBrad

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From: San Antonio, TX

This is what the Heavy Duty Payload pkg includes

Heavy-Duty Payload Package

$1,695

Add
Heavy Duty Payload Package Includes:

• 3.73 Electronic-locking rear axle
• 9.75-inch gearset
• Upgraded springs and auxiliary transmission oil cooler
• XL: 17-inch Silver Steel Wheels
• XLT/LARIAT: 18-inch Silver Aluminum Wheels

You'll want that package. I don't think anyone has actually seen one since the 2015s came out. I doubt you'll find one in stock anywhere. Ordering one about the only way to get one. Don't know how many leaves are in the spring pack, mine has 3 with the Max Tow pkg.

With the HD Payload package, the Ford website states that the payload is 2900 lbs with a 3.5 EcoBoost, crew cab and a 6.5 ft bed. The frame also has 10% thicker steel with that package.

Apr 3, 2016 | 05:30 PM

madscientist

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Thanks for the excellent info! I will ask about that package. I wonder if anyone on here has it and can comment....

Apr 3, 2016 | 07:57 PM

Tom

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From: Isanti, MN

Quote:

Originally Posted by madscientist

Thanks for the excellent info! I will ask about that package. I wonder if anyone on here has it and can comment....

Don't worry about leaf spring counts, you are just wasting your time. There are seemingly infinite different configurations they can use to achieve a set axle weight rating. The front axle on my Kenworth and Freightliner tractors was rated for 12,000 lbs, and did so with two leafs.

My truck has two leafs on each side of the rear axle, and one overload on the bottom of the spring pack. Yep, that means my F150 uses the same number of leafs to spring less than 1/3rd the weight of my Kenworth's front axle. My rear GAWR is 3,800 lbs, and my payload is 1,830 lbs. To get significantly higher than that you need the heavy duty payload package that includes heavier springs and higher GAWR, but NOT necessarily more leafs.

I've attached the spring spec sheet, take a look:

Attached Images

2015 springs.pdf (65.5 KB, 309 views)

Apr 3, 2016 | 08:25 PM

BlueOval5.0

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From: Long Island, New York

There are delays in the HD Package according to Donlen:

"Constraint on Crew Cab (W1C/W1E) 4x2/4x4 with 6.5’ box and 5.0L/3.5L GTDI (99F/99G) WITH Heavy Payload Pkg (627) – Late 2Q 2016"

Also, there is a Max Tow Package offered but I believe you need to get the 3.5 Eco in order to get that along with the HD Payload Pkg.

The only issue may be what level trim you desire. I believe the HD Payload Pkg is limited to 300A and 301A in XLT and 500A in Lariat (not sure about XL).

Good luck.

Quote:

Originally Posted by madscientist

Apr 4, 2016 | 03:35 AM

tvsjr

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There are all sorts of intricacies to this. For instance, the SuperCrew 6.5' bed has higher payload than the SCrew 5.5' bed. And what's listed in the brochure is *maximum* payload. If you start adding toys, you can tank that number in a hurry. Fully-optioned Platinums can turn up south of 1,500lbs.

Apr 4, 2016 | 01:19 PM

JKBrad

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From: San Antonio, TX

Quote:

Originally Posted by madscientist

Thanks for the excellent info! I will ask about that package. I wonder if anyone on here has it and can comment....

No one here has it. I wanted to at least look at one and there were none out there to be found. In the years prior to 2015, a truck with that package was easy to spot do to it's unusual 7 lug wheels. For 2015 and up a standard 6 lug wheel is used. Most trucks built with the HD Payload pkg will be fleet XL models.

In the previous generation trucks, I saw a lot of these used in the oil fields. I thought I found one once on an internet search, the dealer had it advertised as such with cap letters and an exclamtion point. When I clicked on the window sticker link it turned out to be the Max Tow pkg, not the HD Payload package.