Truck is a Lariat SuperCab long bed. Lariat HD adds 36 gal tank, upgraded leaf springs, 3.73 locking rear axle, 9.75 gear, 18” HD wheels. All this adds to an increase in the Brochure stated payload to 2,730. My actual Truck sticker says payload is 2373. Rear GAWR is 4,800. Front is 3750. Great combo for my specific, individual adventures. Shell build was worth it.
HD F150 Trucks are not a standard lot item, mine had to be ordered. Purchased in Dec. 2017, built in late winter & finished in April, 2018. The fit & finish are excellent. First Ford for me. The 10 speed transmission, when utilized with “select shift”, can offer manual gear like ascent or descent options. Keeps you in a narrow gear range. Easy, responsive acceleration. Controlled handling, with the Camper actually improving the ride. Do not feel a payload. Mileage is ~15mpg.
Grandby Shell ordered with rollover couch, side awning, heater, glass top stove, king bed, Yakima tracks, 12V AGM battery system, alum jack brackets, thermal pac, rear flood lights. Weight of Camper as built = 1,125 lbs.
I researched & planned to be light with a 1/2 ton Truck. It comes down to gear needs, mine are medium duty. Fly, spin rod, bow & game pack, (not too much with the bow these days) are light. A nice dry, warm interior to end the day after chasing a Steelhead run up the Klamath. 4WD is needed to access several of the River bars.
My Shell infrastructure build out was ~75 lbs. Replaced the 79 aH AGM battery with a 150 aH LFP4 Battery system, which saved 10 lbs. Added solar & aluminum roof rack w/240W, 7gal h20 tank, Dometic CFX 50, Starboard table & counter top, 3 step little giant, exterior shower curtain & hitch tank. Camper wet & loaded = 1450 to ~1,475 lbs.
Truck cab weight ... 2 adults = 325 lbs ... some recovery gear, camp gear, clothes, xtra h2o, fish/bow gear = 150 to ~175lbs, so cab at ~500 lbs ... Total weight load = ~1975 lbs, ~400 lbs under payload. Add another 50lbs, still ~350 lbs under.
Below is a link to my build. The truck handles the Camper easily without strain. Downside to a long bed ... it has a poor turning radius & can not engage in tight, heavy duty 4WD use. I miss my Tacoma in that regard. Upside ... It does offer the roomiest, retirement touring FWC, my wife is satisfied, & it still enables my lighter weight, medium duty hobbies.
http://www.wanderthe...-bt-new-choice/
Edited by Stokeme, 02 December 2019 - 05:21 PM.