I've been looking at their Payload capacity for the last 4 days.. Yes it says the payload capacity is higher but there is absolutely nothing on their website that suggests why that is... A rear bumper, trail brake controller or mirrors can't do anything that'll increase the payload capacity..

Aside from driving to/from work, material pickup which includes 5/8" sheetrock, compound, beams, plywood, concrete..etc...

The problem with the max tow package is that it replaces the PowerFold mirrors with the tow mirrors which I don't want... Mirrors that fold at the flip of a switch are needed in NYC..

If it wasn't for the mirrors change I wouldn't be wasting my time or anyone else's with trying to figure out the vagueness of Ford's website...

 

nvm

 

If you read the '09 order guide, it says Max Tow also gives you upgraded rear springs, Heavy Duty front eye bushing, and 20:1 steering gear (regular tow only had 17:1.) Then there was a change in the rear springs for 2010. For 2011, I'm not sure what kind of steering they have, but the part numbers for the springs are different.

 

Mirrors are an easy thing to swap, like 10 min. Many people have swapped to the towing mirrors as well as others to the power folding mirrors.

Also, if I had regular need to haul that kind of stuff, I would look into an F350 SRW with near 4000 pounds of payload, which also offer Power Scope mirrors. Reference on how they work.

 

Thank you. The reason I don't want to go up in class is because NY requires the larger trucks to be registered as a commercial vehicle or have a camper cap installed. I am trying to avoid having to spend the additional money on a camper.

I did some research on swapping the mirrors, found some good information on this site and the raptor site... Just one problem with swapping them, it'll cost about $700 just for the parts, of course the tow mirrors can be sold, maybe for a few hundred but if I spend $550 on the max tow than another $500 on the mirrors doesn't do anything to the max payload I don't want to do it..

 

Towing mirrors are an extra, and they don't come with the towing packages.
The heavy duty payload package is not available with the SuperCrew... otherwise I would have had it installed on my 2011 FX4... I could only get the max towing package with ecoboost.

 

The towing mirrors are included with max tow package in the states, not in CA.

You are buying (slightly) used towing mirrors. Buy (slightly) used power fold mirrors. Net should be close to even.

 

Max Tow Package is a deceiving marketing option IMO.

It's hitch rating is only increase 80 lbs from the standard tow packages 1050 lbs hitch rating to 1130 lbs.

The GVWR is boosted on a Screw 4WD 5.5' bed combo from 7200 lbs to 7675 lbs with "ONLY" a 200 lb increase in rear axle rating. The rest of the Max Tow package do nothing towards payload. PLUS the component of the Tow package weigh an additional 75 lbs according to Fords 475 lbs GVWR increase but 400 payload increase. So you actually gain only 125 lbs of axle capacity but Ford boost payload 400 lbs !!! It's a little game playing. BTW, chevy has a 3950 lbs front axle, 4000 lbs rear axle and their GVWR is 7000. Ford Max Tow has a 3750 lbs front axle, 4050 Rear axle, but has a 7675 lbs GVWR. Doesn't make any sense. Then again these are non-commercial trucks so Ford can be loose with specs I guess.

BTW, I did replace my standard mirrors with the OEM tow mirrors, and added the OEM integrated trailer brake controller and OEM Mudd Guards (to keep from kicking up rocks on the camper). I also get pretty good mileage with the 3.55 LS Axle included in the 'standard' tow package, ~15 mpg town driving, 16 mpg to 17 mpg mixed driving, and never had any true expressway driving yet. Nearly the same as my 2008 Sport Trac and better than my midsize V6 SUVs I had.

 

Max tow hitch goes to 11,500 max lbs from 10,500 otherwise. (tounge is 10% @ 1,150 & 1,050)

My max tow 5.5 Screw rear GAWR is 4,200, not 4,050.

 

Ive seen a 2011 lariat with the standard GVWR of 7200#s, but instead if it having the standard 3850# rear axle, it had the 4050# axle for some reason. Given Fords Max Tow Package GVWR of 7650# now, it should had been the same even though it had the 5.0L and not the Max Tow Packages Ecoboost or 6.2L motors.

 

I reached out to Ford after stumping another dealer... The rep at Ford said they were passing the question up the chain and would have an answer back to me soon.. I also got a number to follow up with.. The guy agree'd, something doesn't make sense in their documents..

I will keep you all updated and thanks for the help!

 

just checked my sticker after reading this thread...

2011 FX2 Screw ecoboost 3.55LS 18" wheels

GVWR 7100# , Payload 1570#

Doesn't seem to bad to me.. 4 passengers, 500-600# tongue weight, 150# of misc gear = ~ 1350#

 

I just looked at a Lariat Screw 4x4 5.5' bed Max Tow package EB. GVWR, 7650, TREAD act payload 1853. I could live with that, about 600 pounds more than what I have now.