I've been driving my 2000 F150/7700 for eight years now. Tow rating 8800 lbs. It hauled my Palomino pop-up truck camper for many years with no modifications.I wish it was a vanity truck, but it's a work series, so it doesn't even have carpet, let alone electric windows, seats, etc. From experience, I will tell you that these "heavy 1/2s" are extremely versatile. Yeah, probably best suited for a popup camper, but will easily accommodate some of the lighter hardsides with no more mods than most of the 3/4 or 1 tons carrying heavier units. See picture on page 6 (oldest first) of camper pics. If I were in the market for a new truck - I'm not 'cause I like this truck more now than ever - I'd look hard at the new heavy duty 150s. As for numbers not yet published, I'll bet they're in line with 2008 numbers, maybe even better.
Don't mean to rattle anyone, but my opinions are based on experience with these trucks. They are what they are and they do what they do...
It's Friday!
2000 F150 7700
2006 Trail Sport 22'
2000 Triumph Tiger
Also, don't forget that the "Payload package" or HD package as it is sometimes called, is essentially a carryover from the old F250 LD or light duty series from 97-98.
Insurance on so called 1/2 ton trucks is cheaper than on work series 3/4 and 1 ton trucks.
The crew cab HD option for 09 is one they should have had a LONG time ago.
I don't see a downside to more choices. My prediction is that campers and trucks will have to get smallern (or at least more efficient), cuz they can't get any bigger and fuel isn't getting any cheaper.
From what I saw on the Ford F-150 website is that the 3080 lb Heavy Duty option is for a regular cab 4x2 only and has an 8200 GVW. It kind of limits you to 2 people and good weather.
I don't think I would choose any truck to haul a camper that did not have a full floater rear axle, unless the camper was less than 1500# when loaded.
The durability is not there in a semi floater for sustained usage under anything close to the vehicles GVWR.
It doesn't mean these HD 1/2 T trucks don't have a market, but they are not necessarily the choice for TC hauling. Especially considering the choices for TCs. Add in the fact that many people often get a TC and then upgrade in size when the 1st one proved to be too small. Then they have to upgrade on the truck too. (Been there, done that)
They are however great modest load work vehicles / daily drivers, or tow vehicles.
Dave & Sue,
DINKS and dedicated to having fun as much as possible.
05 GMC LT crewcab dually
07 Northern Lite 10.2 CD SE, highly optioned version...
A lot comes on a SE.
At any rate, you can't haul much camper in the super tiny bed of a crew cab F150 anyways. If Ford would increase the bed length to be the same as a normal full-size short-box pickup, then the F150 Supercrew would finally be useful as a pickup truck.
SoCalDesertRider wrote: Truck frame made of channel barely over 1/8" thick (0.150") doesn't sound too 'heavy duty' to me....
.150 when it comes to steel thicknesses isn't "barely" over 1/8"
Steel is measured in gauge. Typical 1/8" thick material is 11 gauge and measures .1196". 10 gauge is .1345". 9 gauge is .1495 and is 2 gauges thicker than typical 1/8" material. When it comes to steel, that is a considerable margin.
Yes, I am aware of gauge measurement in steel plate and formed members, thanks.
~0.025" is the difference in thickness, which is 0.010" smaller than the wire electrode I use to weld those thicknesses together. Not very thick.
Sorry to hear Dodge is building their 3500 frames so light. Maybe that's why Dodge won't offer the Megacab with a long bed....
SoCalDesertRider wrote: Truck frame made of channel barely over 1/8" thick (0.150") doesn't sound too 'heavy duty' to me....
.150 when it comes to steel thicknesses isn't "barely" over 1/8"
Steel is measured in gauge. Typical 1/8" thick material is 11 gauge and measures .1196". 10 gauge is .1345". 9 gauge is .1495 and is 2 gauges thicker than typical 1/8" material. When it comes to steel, that is a considerable margin.
Yes, I am aware of gauge measurement in steel plate and formed members, thanks.
~0.025" is the difference in thickness, which is 0.010" smaller than the wire electrode I use to weld those thicknesses together. Not very thick.
Sorry to hear Dodge is building their 3500 frames so light. Maybe that's why Dodge won't offer the Megacab with a long bed....
So what wire size do you weld 1/2" plate with? But, really, what does that have to do with the thickness of frame?
Nice dig on the Dodge frame, do I really need to give you a dissertation as to the thickness versus design versus alloy versus construction method, I mean since you understand gauge and all?
They don't offer the Mega Cab with the long bed because it makes the vehicle too long.
05 Dodge 3500 4x4 DRW Long Bed 4dr
07 Lance 992
III so far.
• Heavy Duty Payload Package(1)—Includes:
– GVWR— To be provided at a later date
– Axle, rear— To be provided at a later date
– GAWR/springs, front—To be provided at a later date
– GAWR/springs, rear— To be provided at a later date.
– Frame upgrade (.150" rail thickness)
– Super Engine Cooling
– 72 amp-hr./650 CCA battery
– 6-channel (18-plate) oil-to-water auxiliary transmission oil cooler
– LT245/70Rx17D BSW all-terrain tires (five)
– 17" x 7.5" J 7-lug steel wheels
The list no longer includes the larger brakes as it did in the past. Should I assume that all F150s now get the larger brakes?
2001 F150 SuperCrew 5.4 Lariat Offroad 4x4 Tow Package 4.10 Truetrac
2006 Keystone Springdale 249FWBHLS
12K SuperGlide, KGE3000Ti 2.3kw rated 2.6kw max
Frank's voltage booster, Prosine 1800 powered by 4 GC2 batteries
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