New Ford F-150 towing, payload and pricing revealed

Detailed towing numbers unveiled for the new Australian-spec 2023 Ford F-150 full-size ute reveal it will be close to the RAM 1500 on payload when towing heavy loads and ahead of the Chevrolet Silverado 1500.

But the reality is these big American trucks all struggle to match top-selling smaller 4x4 dual-cab utes such as the Toyota HiLux and Ford Ranger for payloads when towing.

Also confirmed in the F-150 specifications is an advantage over its rivals when it comes to potential range between refuelling, thanks to a much larger petrol tank.

The F-150 rolls into Ford dealerships in November in locally-converted right-hand drive form, and like almost all RAM and Silverado models, which are also converted locally to right-hand drive, it claims a 4500kg braked towing capacity using a 70mm tow ball.

However, like the RAM and the Chevrolet, the F-150 has a relatively low payload and that limits the amount that can be carried when towing at 4500kg. Even at 3000kg braked towing, payloads are quite restricted.

Unladen, the four-model F-150 line-up claim payloads as low as 685kg and as high as 794kg.

The Chevrolet Silverado LTZ manages 757kg, the off-road-oriented Silverado ZR2 717kg and the RAM 1500 line-up as much as 878kg for the new Big Horn and as little as 701kg for the Limited luxury flagship.

These low payloads restrict carrying capacity once ball weights are taken into account, despite huge gross combined mass (GCM) claims beyond 7700kg most of these vehicles boast.

That’s because towing payload is dictated by the lowest numbers produced by either of two different calculations. One subtracts kerb and trailer weight from GCM, while the other deducts down-ball weight from payload. Down-ball weights are usually about 10 per cent of trailer mass.

The model in the F-150 line-up with the best net payload capacity is the XLT long-wheelbase which can carry 344kg including passengers and their luggage when towing at 4500kg and a 494kg payload when towing at 3000kg.

The Silverado LTZ manages just 117kg at 4500kg towing and 457kg at 3000kg and the ZR2 an unusable 68kg at its maximum 4200kg braked towing capacity and more respectable 417kg at 3000kg.

The RAM 1500 Big Horn claims payloads of 428kg and 578kg at the same towing numbers. The Limited drops that to 255kg and 405kg.

While the likes of the HiLux and Ranger have lower GCMs and top out at 3500kg braked towing, their bigger payloads make them clearly better load luggers at 3000kg. The HiLux SR5 auto is rated at 640kg, while the new Ford Ranger Wildtrak X can manage an 818kg payload.

Meanwhile, the F-150 is clearly ahead of its rivals on fuel range because of its enormous 136-litre fuel tank, compared to 98 litres for the RAM and 91L for the Chevrolet.

The Ford’s twin-turbo V6 officially averages a claimed 12.5L/100km, while the RAM 1500 5.7-litre V8 range claims 12.2L/100km and the 6.2-litre V8 Silverado LTZ and ZR2 claim 12.3L/100km and 12.2L/100km respectively.

Based on those claimed averages the Ford can theoretically travel over 1000km between refuels, while the RAM manages just over 800km and the Chev at about 740km. However, those ranges will likely halve when towing a big load.

*10 per cent estimate