Yahoo Autos Why the New Ford F-150 Has a Lower Max Payload Than the Old One
There is a simple rule in the truck wars. Numbers always go up. It doesn't matter if it's the maximum towing capacity, maximum horsepower, or maximum number of cupholders: This year's trucks must provide more in every category. That's why we were surprised to see that, for 2024, the new F-150's max payload number has actually fallen compared to last year's model.
The 2023 F-150 offered up to 3315 lbs of hauling capacity. For 2024, that number falls to 2455 lbs.
An 860-lb drop sounds cataclysmic. But for the trucks people actually order, it's not going to make much of a difference. Because while that 3315-lb number provided Ford with plenty of bragging rights, actual buyers almost never optioned a truck to have that kind of hauling capacity. It required you to get a 5.0-liter V-8 single-cab 4x2 truck with an eight-foot bed, the Max Trailer Tow package, and the Heavy-Duty Payload package. That last package is what gave it the 800-lb payload advantage over the rest of the lineup, but Ford axed it to limit configurations.
"The 2024 F-150 still offers best-in-class max payload capability. Payload was reduced when the Heavy Payload Package was removed for the 2024 model year," a Ford spokesperson told Road & Track.
The company focused heavily on eliminating order complexity for the new F-150. That means eliminating as many packages as possible. Given that the Heavy Payload Package was rarely optioned and required a bunch of tweaks—including different springs, tires, drivetrain cooling, etc—it's not surprising to see if off the menu. Especially because, as the spokesperson noted, Ford's max payload figure still trumps all of its rivals. If you want more than that, you'll have to get a heavy duty truck.
"We’re simplifying our offerings based on how we know customers actually use their vehicle and running the business more efficiently," the spokesperson told R&T. "We’re also bundling the most popular features and making it even easier for customers to quickly build, price, and order the F-150 that best meets their work and recreation needs. This results in many benefits: higher quality, improved customer experience—easier for customers to order and dealers to stock, and faster to turn the units."
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