Have a 4X4 FX4 Supercab 6.5 ft bed. Decided to see what kind of payload this truck was capable of. I recently hauled approx. 1500 lbs in the back of my bed and it sagged a little past level. Of course I could tell that I had the extra weight but the throttle response and power were still pretty impressive. So that got me thinking of how much weight this truck could have in the back before it sagged to much. So I loaded 2300 lbs in the back and stepped back and took a look. The truck was sagging quite a bit, which was expected, but still had about 2 inches before the stop hit. Didn't bother to drive it, just wanted to see what type of weight it would take. The specs on my truck state that my max payload is 1650 lbs. Couple questions, 1) Why does the payload increase when the wheelbase is longer and when the truck is a 4X2? 2) What is the most weight anyone has put in the back of their 2004 F-150? Just a little experiment.

Sorry for such a long post.

 

1. Wheelbase doesnt really matter, just depends on springs. The heavier springs are an option on the longer trucks. 4x4 weighs about 400 lbs more than 4X2. That weight is subtracted from the payload capacity of the truck.

2. I have a HD 8' bed with a SCAB. Mine is rated for around 2200 lbs. I had a load of green hardwood in the back. My estimate for weight was around 2400 lbs. Very little sag.

 

1. Via the charts in the F150 book if you really examine it, there isn't an exact correlation between wheelbase and load cap....note

a 126" 4.6L Reg cab 4x4 rates at 1690
a 144.5 4.6L Reg cab 4x4 rates at 1720

An increase of 30lbs with wheelbase buuuuuuut.....

a 126" 5.4L Reg cab 4x4 rates at 1690
a 144.5 5.4L Reg cab 4x4 rates at 1630

A decrease of 60lbs with wheelbase...

So who knows exactly all the calculations. Maybe there are typeos

2. I'm in the same boat as CT 8ft Scab HD. rated at 2260lbs. I had 2600lbs of stone in her and she did just fine with some sag. The trucks are obviously underrated to protect from people overloading them.


Happy loading

-ii

 

CTford guy & Izinbloom -

My purchase will be the same as you two - Supercab 8' bed. Questions for you both - (1) did you get 4x2's or 4x4's and (2) are they XLs or XLTs? I heard there was some problem with the 4x2s (read it on this board, can't remember the problem, though). I know you can only get an 8' bed supercab with an XL or XLT; its a toss up for me. In your opinion(s), do all of the creature comforts and styling upgrades make up for the $3000.00 or so difference in price. Just trying to get educated before I buy...

thanks,

-aaorn

 

The highest payload package Ford offers is only available with the 8' bed. As for the actual numbers, you take the GVWR and subtract the truck's curb weight to determine payload. If a truck weighs more (5.4 vs 4.6, 4x4 vs 4x2), then it has less of a payload, all other things being equal. It's also why 4x4s are rated to tow less than 4x2s; the greater weight of the truck subtracts from the maximum tow capacity.

 

adunham,

I went with the XL 4X4 because I want the vinyl floor. Between hunting, fishing, dirtbiking, and my dog the carpet is just too hard to clean plus I like the grille in the XL better. I was tempted by the XLT with those power rear windows though.

My XL has a couple of XLT things, like cruise, fog lights and running boards.

The only downside is 8' SCABs have a stupid 7 lug bolt pattern and the stock wheels are ugly. Took me 3 months but I finally found a nice set of WELDs. Cant always have everything you want.