Ford F150 Options?

[John in Santa Cruz]

I highly recommend the 360 camera option, it was bundled with my 2019 Expedition Limited Stealth, I'm sure the F150 has it as an option too.. Makes maneuvering a big truck in tight spaces a LOT easier, urban parking, etc.

basically it uses the backup camera, wide angle cameras under each side view mirror, and a front camera to synthesize a top down view of the whole vehicle, so you can see exactly how close you are on all 4 sides to fenders, curbs, parking markers, etc.

 

[John in Santa Cruz]

oh, while I thought the power side steps on our Expedition were silly, we had a rental loaner while getting some warranty work done that did not have power steps, the fixed running board/steps are a fair bit higher which my wife immediately noticed and said it was harder to get in/out (she's quite short and has bad knees). Again, I'm assuming late model F150's have similar options

Several folks mentioned tow mirrors, I second that emotion. My old F250 had them, they were great. There is no such option on an Expedition, and no aftermarket other than clamp on tow mirrors, which while they work, are sub optimal and often annoying.

Even if you think you'll never go off road or drive in snow, I recommend 4x4 on a tow vehicle. I've had places where a rear wheel would slip on wet grass when trying to back the trailer out or in, kick the truck into 4x4, boom, no problem. My Expedition has 2H, 4A, 4L, and a separate rear axle lock (4L and the axle lock are bundled with the HD tow option on the Exp.). The 4A mode is like AWD, you can use it on dry pavement, and its automatically enabled if you put the drive mode into "Sport"

 

[Ron in BC]

Things that I like about my Lariat SuperCab F150

*4x2, good gas milage and never needed 4x4

*SuperCab, rear doors open 180*, very handy and with the rear seats removed makes a large secure dry storage area

*2.7 hauls the 21C like it's not there

*3.5 locking diff

*smaller gas tank only available in Canada with the SuperCab. Still have over 300 mile range and we never drive that far without a break.

*center console, where else would our chihuahua sleep?

*heated seats for sure

*sliding rear window, how else could I carry long lengths of metal without a rack.

*power folding mirrors, handy for a large vehicle in crowded parking lots.

Ron

 

[Centex]

I highly recommend the 360 camera option ....

Just FYI, the 360-degree camera setup is standard on XLT and higher trim F150s in 2024, not available at all on XL / STX trims.

Having said that, I've read reports of Ford deleting the "bed view cam" that's in the center high-mounted stop light above the rear window (aka "CHMSL Cam") on some trucks due to 'commodity shortages' . It's my understanding that when that's the case it's listed as a removed item on the window sticker with a token price deduction (-$50).

Apparently, that particular cam, though a huge benefit for 5.0 owners as it provides a wonderful view of the in-bed hitch and kingpin (or Andersen coupler block), is not necessary for the creation of the overhead 360-degree view.

And yes, I wholeheartedly agree, the 360-cams, especially with the bed-cam for 5.0 owners, is a wonderful feature even when not towing.

 

[hey_rls]

I'm not sure what the order profiles are with a 2024 Ford F150 today. But if you can order an XLT with the basic interior and the heavy duty payload, FX4 and max tow packages. You'll get a better suspension system, better rims and LT tires, engine and transmission coolers, the large gas tank and a 3.73 rear end which is great for towing. You'll also find the rear end won't sag like with a normal F150 and then having to get rear end air bags.

 

[John in Santa Cruz]

I've heard those F150 with the max tow package ride like an F250/350 when empty. speaking as the former owner of an f250, it rode like it was on rocks when it was empty, even if it was great with a full load and heavy tow.

airbags rock because you can lower the pressure when you're NOT heavily loaded or towing and get a cushy ride.

 

[Ron in BC]

I've heard those F150 with the max tow package ride like an F250/350 when empty.

News to me. The quite luxurious interior, compared to previous trucks, and smooth ride make me think that I'm driving a high end SUV. Depends on previous experiences I guess.

Ron

 

[hey_rls]

I've heard those F150 with the max tow package ride like an F250/350 when empty. speaking as the former owner of an f250, it rode like it was on rocks when it was empty, even if it was great with a full load and heavy tow.

airbags rock because you can lower the pressure when you're NOT heavily loaded or towing and get a cushy ride.

I had an 1997 F250 super duty. It rode like a tank. I can say the F150 with the heavy duty payload, max tow and off-road package is comfy by comparison. Firm but far from jarring. And you don't have to monkey with installing airbags or maintenance on them. But to each their own as needs may vary. I can see either working well.

 

[SRS]

I've heard those F150 with the max tow package ride like an F250/350 when empty. speaking as the former owner of an f250, it rode like it was on rocks when it was empty, even if it was great with a full load and heavy tow.

airbags rock because you can lower the pressure when you're NOT heavily loaded or towing and get a cushy ride.

My F-150 has max tow, supper cab, 4X4 and rides very smoothly. Everyone who has ridden in it has been very impressed with the ride comfort. Smother than my previous 2014 Xterra.

 

[Centex]

I'm not sure what the order profiles are with a 2024 Ford F150 today. But if you can order an XLT with the basic interior and the heavy duty payload, FX4 and max tow packages.

Just FYI for 2024 ...

• There is no Heavy Duty Payload Package for any trim level and as already explained there is no Max Tow Package
• The only 'suspension' upgrade with FX4 is 'upgraded shocks'; IMO one can do much better with a lower-cost, higher quality aftermarket upgrade such as Bilstein 5100 shocks.

I've heard those F150 with the max tow package ride like an F250/350 when empty.

My 2022 4WD F150 has the then-available Max Tow Package and IMO rides very comfortably when empty, even on rough roads, certainly much better than my neighbor's same-year F250.

In fact, the ride of my 2022 4WD is much more luxurious than my still-owned 2005 2WD F150!

For all Gen 14 (2021 to 2024) F150s, the higher capacity payloads are accommodated by the use of a 2-leaf composite progressive spring pack at the rear and progressive coils at the front (lower payload versions use a single single-leaf non-progressive rear leaf spring).

The progressive nature of the higher capacity F150 suspension keeps the ride nice when empty or lightly loaded, while also supporting heavy loads when needed.

 

[hey_rls]

Centex, thanks for correcting my information. I was unaware of the deleted packages by Ford. What a drag.

 

[Centex]

Centex, thanks for correcting my information. I was unaware of the deleted packages by Ford. What a drag.

Though not a 're-design' since 2021, it's still a "Generation 14" F150, 2024 is a year of minor appearance 're-fresh' with significant change regarding how F150s are sold (meaning what's included as 'standard' in each trim level, what options are available, and what's included in the fewer option bundles).

One can certainly still get an XL or XLT with way more towing capacity than needed to tow any Escape trailer (the 'maximum possible' capacities have not gone down), just different or fewer options required due to increased 'standard' content and different options bundling compared to previous years (with attendant higher pricing across the board).

Depending on your preferences, it may be harder to get what you "must have" while avoiding 'features' you may "rather not have". So it goes as Ford tries to increase production efficiencies and profitability.

 

[Jeremy Kessenich]

I've heard those F150 with the max tow package ride like an F250/350 when empty.

Hello John,

I think it was the max payload package that was very stiff rather than the max towing package. I could be wrong on this, perhaps Alan will chime in here.

On the power running boards you recommended, here in WI several dealers told me not to choose that option as they don't play well in ice and snow accumulating on them during our winter months. I went with the stationary wheel to wheel running boards on mine to make it easier to items near the cab of the 6.5' bed.

 

[Nindy]

I'll chip in about my F150. I really love it and knew I would need a truck eventually for where I'm building so went ahead and traded my beloved diesel Grand Cherokee that was giving me trouble. I use 4WD nearly every trip for roads I go down exploring.

When I bought it in the fall of 2021 trucks were scarce due to the chip shortage. They were being sold as soon as they hit the lots. I had gone to look at a Lariat that wasn't available when I got there. They had this XLT that didn't have as many bells and whistles, not even a built-in garage opener!, but it had a tow package and really all I need. The large screen and backup and 360 cameras are wonderful.

Fast forward to today...I need to buy new tires and am finding out I do have the heavy duty payload package (not available now since they didn't find it was in demand) and a tire size that is fairly limiting. I want all-terrain and am limited to the 10-ply E load range heavy tires OR General Grabber C1 tires that are similar to the ones that came on it. My GVWR is 7,050 lbs. and payload is 1,752.

I really hesitate to buy the E tires because they really are overkill on the F150 for my driving (a lot of highway going back and forth to my property) yet some of the roads I drive... The tire place was telling me they are so heavy they will wear out parts on my truck quicker, until they realized that might be the only tire they can put on it. There are a lot of really nice choices in these tires.

On the other hand I did fine for 49K miles on the General Grabbers. Still on the fence on what to buy! I had some Goodyear Wrangler Duratrac AT tires on my Jeep and loved the wet traction with them but they were kinda noisy around 45-50 mph.

I used additional tow mirrors on my Jeep but haven't missed them on the truck and am fine with the standard mirrors.

I had no idea about the HDPP when I bought it. I just needed a truck at the time. Just my two cents!

 

[John in Santa Cruz]

I had Load Range "E" BF Goodrich All Terrain KO2's on my Tacoma 4x4, awesome tires. Very rugged sidewalls that won't shred if you cross a rock garden. Just run them at the pressure the TRUCK recommends for its weight, NOT at the 'maximum' load E pressure of 75 PSI or whatever. The KO2's are also good for dry and wet traction on the pavement, and surprisingly quiet for A/T tires.

 

[Nindy]

I had Load Range "E" BF Goodrich All Terrain KO2's on my Tacoma 4x4, awesome tires. Very rugged sidewalls that won't shred if you cross a rock garden. Just run them at the pressure the TRUCK recommends for its weight, NOT at the 'maximum' load E pressure of 75 PSI or whatever. The KO2's are also good for dry and wet traction on the pavement, and surprisingly quiet for A/T tires.

Yep, those are one of the great choices if I go with load range E. KO3 are out now too in some sizes, mine available Feb. 2026.

They have a 50K warranty, others like the Goodyear Wrangler AT Adventure with Kevlar having a 60K warranty. The Ford dealership was really pushing Falken Wildpeaks.

As soon as I decide and buy some I will likely soon forget about them and anything would be fine.

 

[GinoandLinda]

Yep, those are one of the great choices if I go with load range E. KO3 are out now too in some sizes, mine available Feb. 2026.

They have a 50K warranty, others like the Goodyear Wrangler AT Adventure with Kevlar having a 60K warranty. The Ford dealership was really pushing Falken Wildpeaks.

As soon as I decide and buy some I will likely soon forget about them and anything would be fine.

I had the Falkens on a Nissan Frontier 4x4 and they seemed to be a good tire. Sold that truck to get our F150 before we could put a bunch of miles on them. Probably going to go with Michielin Defenders for the F150.

 

[WillyB]

I had Load Range "E" BF Goodrich All Terrain KO2's on my Tacoma 4x4, awesome tires. Very rugged sidewalls that won't shred if you cross a rock garden. Just run them at the pressure the TRUCK recommends for its weight, NOT at the 'maximum' load E pressure of 75 PSI or whatever. The KO2's are also good for dry and wet traction on the pavement, and surprisingly quiet for A/T tires.

I have about 3k miles on a set of these (E Load) on my F150. Love them! My wife says the truck feels sure footed now.

I'm running them at 50PSI right now. They ride great but admittedly the stock tires road softer but I now have no concerns on stepping off the beaten path.

 

[Centex]

...
Fast forward to today...I need to buy new tires and am finding out I do have the heavy duty payload package (not available now since they didn't find it was in demand) and a tire size that is fairly limiting. I want all-terrain and am limited to the 10-ply E load range heavy tires OR General Grabber C1 tires that are similar to the ones that came on it. My GVWR is 7,050 lbs. and payload is 1,752.
...
Still on the fence on what to buy!
...

Nindy - 2021 was probably the year with the most available options of all the Generation 14 F150s. From your description, you have a particularly interesting combination of options.

It sounds like your XLT has LT245/70R17E tires, is that correct? If yes, I suspect your truck also has the "FX4 Off-Road Package" (that actually being the package that allowed the optional 17E tires as OE)?

Your 17" Load Range "E" tires were an option separate from and unrelated to the HDPP and its 1752# payload / 7050# GVWR ratings (the tires included with the HDPP were LT275/65R18C; that is, an 18" tire with Load Range "C").

FYI

• "Load Range" (SL, XL, C, D, E, etc) is an expression of the 'ply-rating' of a tire, not its load capacity in pounds.
• "Load Index" (a 3-digit numeral in this case) is an expression of a tire's maximum load-capacity in pounds.

For example, the OE tires on my F150 with 1848# payload / 7050# GVWR ratings are Load Range "SL" and Load Index "116" (Load Index "116" tires have a maximum weight capacity of 2756# per tire, well-over what's required to carry 7050# GVWR). My Load Range "SL" tires have a lower 'ply-rating' than your Load Range "E" tires, but again, that does not bear on their load capacity in pounds.

IF you want, you can look for other than Load Range "E" tires in the 275/65R17 size, and as long as those have a Load Index of 116 or higher, you will not compromise your truck's payload or GVWR capacity ratings.

Yes, of course, there are other implication which may or may not be significant for you. For example

• A lower Load Range tire (one with a lower 'ply-rating') may be less-resistant to damage from sharp rocks and similar of the sort potentially encountered in off-road driving.
• A lower Load Range tire may have a less-stiff sidewall, resulting in a slightly different 'road-feel' in certain conditions.

All of this long exposition just to say that you don't "need" Load Range E tires to preserve your F150's rated payload and GVWR capacities. But you do need to take care about the Load Index and be aware of other implications of a change.

A competent tire specialist can guide you through the process of evaluating all of the options to best suit your particular use-habits and needs. Those Load Range C Genral Grabbers may well be a more attractive tire for your application; BF Goodrich, Yokahama, Hankook, and others all offer lower than Load Range E tires of the size and capacity you can safely use.

Just for your consideration, Good Luck!

 

[John in Santa Cruz]

note a tire 'expert' might also not recommend a given tire because its not available in the vehicles speed rating.

for example, my 2019 Expedition, with 18" wheels uses 275/65-18... the factory specified speed range S tires, up to 112 MPH sustained. In that size, KO2's are only available as speed "R", 106 MPH.

now, I will never plan drive over 105 MPH in this SUV for even a short time, so the R speed rating doesn't bother me.