Well I have ordered a Truck but I have a few days to make some changes, and I am at a bit of an impasse. When I ordered the truck I assumed getting the Max Tow package got you all the Max Tow upgrades. It turns out I (and the dealer) was wrong, unless you order 20 inch wheels you really do not get much of an upgrade with the MaxTow in fact the tow capacity remains the same as the regular tow package!
My needs I use for my as a truck but mostly lighter duty stuff now as we don't farm as much as we once did.
I tow a Travel Trailer with a 6500 pound GVWR on a couple of trips a year one being long (<2000 miles) and a lighter horse trailer, about 15 times on short trips.
The truck is lightly loaded when towing with 2 adults and a 100 pounds of dogs. Most of the load is in the TT.

What I ordered
157 inch wheelbase 500a Lariat, 3.5 EB Max Tow, Tailgate Step, LT tires

Changes I am considering (same build but add)

1. MTTP/HDPP combination loads of payload will include all the tow stuff and I get to keep the LT tires, downsides rougher ride, MPG decrease with the 3.73 axle and extra weight.

2. MTTP order 20 inch wheels, get the tow stuff, downsides I wonder about 20 inch wheels on rural roads, 20 inch LT tires few and far between, perhaps effect payload 20 inch wheels are heavier and the tow stuff adds weight but I don't think increases GVWR so lower payload.

3. Keep what have ordered hope for the best and stop worrying about it!

Any insight anyone might have would be greatly appreciated, I'm starting to loose sleep over this!

Thanks

 

Well one thing that i will comment on is those 20 in wheels with prob a lower profile tire that's going to give you a rougher Ride.
a 18in wheel is where you want to be at, Smaller wheel less weight a tire that has a 4in Sidewall and not a 2in Sidewall like the 20in
there is a Gentleman here that has finially special ordered his truck with all the right stuff for his needs,Im going to give you his Link
You'll get what you need.

 

Some of the payload packages require the 18s. I have 20s with the Hankook snowflake AT tires. No ride issues due to tires IMO.

 

I think all of the payload packages require 17 or 18 inch wheels it is just the MTTP package with the upgraded springs etc. requires 20s Weird!

 

Order the LT rated load range C 275/65/18 tires and you should get your payload back. They will be Goodyear Wranglers with Kevlar. They are the same tires that will come with the HDPP equipped with 18” wheels.

 

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...ed-2018-a.html

Here's the Link to read for ordering a New Truck.

 

As far as ride is concerned I don't think the 20" wheels will make a noticeable difference, my wife's F150 has 20" wheels and it rides really smooth, I really don't notice the difference when compared to my buddy's F150 with the 18". My wife's truck has slightly larger tires(+ 1 over stock) so there is a tad bit more sidewall that the stock size. BF Goodrich offers the AT KO2 and Hankook offer the Dyna Pro ATM in 20" sizes, both are great tires.

I see a lot of trucks running around me on rural roads with 20" tires and I think they hold up pretty good to normal 4wd use. If you plan on doing some heavy offroading then I'd probably wouldn't get the 20".

With that said, I like more sidewall on my trucks so I usually op for 17" or 18" wheels. I just think it looks better and I rarely load to max capacity so the payload drop isn't an issue for me.

 

I went with first option added the HDPP. My wife had the deciding question "what do we use our truck for" and the answer was we use it as a truck. Towing, hauling etc. most long trips we or running around we use the CRV. When you think about it those terms the addition of the HDPP was a no brainer. The cost was certainly reasonable under 600 dollars (I was already getting the LT tires) I test drove one again and this truck only had 45 psi in the tires and the ride was much better then the one with 50.

The HDs are a different feeling truck to drive they are only about 200 pounds heavier but they feel heavier then that, more planted but certainly not sporty. The combination of HDPP/ MTTP and 157 inch wheelbase should give me the ultimate F150 tow truck. I won't always need the extra payload but it will be nice at times. As a bonus I guess the HDPP trucks actually come with a factory "lift" the front end is over an inch higher then the standard truck while the rear is about the same. The other bonus is that all seem to come with matching wheel/tire spares. I guess it's the only HD choice.

So I guess I ordered a "Unicorn" 157" Screw Lariat 500a, HDPP/MTTP 3.5 Eb, with a tailgate step. I know it sounds fairly basic but the Canadian 500a Lariats are actually pretty nice.

Side note Ford pricing is just plain odd at times.
145 wheelbase to 157 inch wheelbase same price!