They are ordering what they sell the most of. The vast vast majority of people who buy F-150s never tow anything, and never haul anything. They want to look good, go fast, and brag about their 4x4.
The small minority that does use the truck for something has the same varied requirements as the vast majority, as far as option packages and trim levels go. One guy may want the HD package with crank windows and puke-on floors, and the next may want the full leather interior. Same as any other potential F-150 buyer.
It doesn't make business sense to dedicate 50% of your inventory to <10% of your customer base. It doesn't even make sense to dedicate 25%, or 15%. Once you hit 10% your selection is so slim that the odds of you having that "perfect" truck the customer wants are nil.
Frankly, I think I'm being generous in saying that even 10% of F-150 buyers ever intend to use their trucks for actual WORK...
2002 Chevy 3500 DRW 8.1L/Allison
2000 Palomino B1500
...and the reason why I need a DRW to haul a Palomino:
2004 United 7x14 tandem axle enclosed toy trailer
2011 PJ 8x20 7-ton deckover equipment trailer
Possibly to the surprise of the members on a camping forum, most truck buyers are not towing 8' wide trailers and do not need or want the elephant ears. Dealers order for their lots what they expect to easily and quickly sell.
The easy solution is for people with specific needs (like families towing high TW % TTs) to order or dealer search (and wait) for their truck.
A & A parents of DD 2005, DS1 2007, DS2 2009 2011 Suburban 2500 6.0L 3.73 pulling 2011 Heartland North Trail 28BRS 2012 VW Passat TDI
acadianbob wrote: People sometimes get confused. Max Tow and HD Payload are 2 different things. IMO, you need the Max Tow but you do not need the HD Payload. Max Tow DOES give you some extra payload capacity vs the Regular Tow Pkg. GVW goes up about 500 lbs and payload up about 350 lbs. Max Tow gets you an upgraded hitch, the big mirrors, integrated brake controller, a 51 tube radiator vs 42, heavier rear springs, upgraded front suspension, and an upgraded rear axle (but not the 7 lug). IMO the salesperson gave you good advice.
Max tow adds 200lbs to rear axle weight rating(3850 -> 4050) and max payload adds 950lbs to rear axle weight rating(3850 -> 4800). Big difference. Adding 500lbs to the GVWR doesn't buy you much as you think when the rear axle only goes up by 200.
You probably only need Max Payload if you are a contractor hauling heavy supplies, or if you are thinking of a fifth wheel with a hitch weight over 1200 lbs. Max Tow will take care of most RV towing. I started to wait for a 2012 for the Max Payload because I am thinking of a 5er, but it only appeared to be available for the 6.5' bed, so I just got a 2011 Max Tow short bed instead and am looking for a 5er with a suitable hitch weight. I wouldn't do it, but I've seen F150s towing 5ers with 1500-1700 hitch weights. They all had airbags, but hope they had 10 ply tires too.
2011 F150 Super Crew EcoBoost, Short bed, Max Tow, Truxedo Lo Pro QT, SuperSprings, Bilstein HD shocks, Reese 16K hitch.
2012 Cougar High Country HE 299RKS 5th wheel, Reese Sidewinder pin box
Isn't that odd? From their advertisements, and some on here, F-150's that can tow 11,000 pounds or more are commonplace. (I couldn't find one either, when I was shopping last fall)
Ford makes them without power windows or locks as well, but you'll be hard pressed to find much of a selection of them at any dealer here in Houston. But that doesn't mean they aren't available. The dealer orders what sells, and surprise surprise, 98% of F-150 owners aren't looking for something to tow a 5th wheel.
I don't see why it is so hard for people to understand that.
02 Ford Explorer 4.6 V8 4x4, prodigy and equalizer
07 Crossroads Sunset Trail ST19CK
and no payments
If you want a new F150 configured the way you want it just order it. It simple really. And I believe its only a 4-6 week wait right now. Dealer may tell you longer but I am pretty sure it's like 4-6 weeks. If I were looking I would get the Max Payload with the Max tow, easier to start with everything included than to add it later. Probably cheaper too! Good luck and Happy camping, John.
They make lots of money with this version of the "Bait and Switch" game. Somebody watches a commercial that says an F-150 can tow umpty thousands of pounds but when the dealer has none in stock he/she is pushed toward the more popular models which are much less capable at a lower price. Later, they get to sell them the model which they should have purchased in the first place.
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