Ford caught flubbing payload numbers

https://jalopnik.com/fords-best-in-class-super-duty-payload-claim-was-base-1848970666

I stumbled upon this article related to payload and thought I’d share it. Ford always struck me as being a more deceitful brand when it comes to their numbers.
I was reminded of one thing in particular in the comments section of this article, which is how they de-rate their tow rating at elevation. They de-rate it 2% per 1000’ above sea level in the manual, but of course the sea level numbers are advertised.
TFL truck experienced overheating issues towing with an F150 in their Ike Gauntlet test, and when they reached out to Ford for an explanation they learned that they rate the trucks at sea level and the capacity is reduced at elevation. It was alleged by a commenter that Ford is the only one who does this, while the other brands do not de-rate based on elevation. Is there any truth to this?

 

Yep, saw this on the news today. Was even a part of the local news as VA received about $370k from Ford in a settlement about the lies they told regarding MPG on some vehicles and truck payloads.

 

Yup, not surprised. Also, got caught up in a class action lawsuit for misrepresenting MPGs when they released the redesigned Fusion Hybrid. Ask me how I know and if it will be the last Ford I buy.

Such a shame because I know people will fall for this crap all the time. I'm sure Ford doesn't care because their sold numbers and brand loyalty far outweigh any litigation they have to pay out.

 

A few thoughts on the conservative Tundra payload ratings. Could Toyota be keeping the numbers low for reliability reasons? How about frame rust? Just brainstorming out loud. Old people talk to themselves a lot.

 

I usually don't since I'm hard of hearing.

 

I’m about to hit ‘em with another. They advertise still today the premium ambient lighting feature that you can now control with your phone.

it won’t be in the lightning and got removed because “cHiPs” . Yet price is the same buts still listed in the spec sheet and advertised online

 

Look at that, it's still up

 

Ford is JUNK to begin with. They are the most overrated pieces of crap out there. Working on them for friends and family, I just tell them to go buy a toyota, subaru, mazda, or anything that isn't an over-engineered domestic piece of crap.
Let these companies die... something better will fill the void.

 

What

 

But it’s the best selling truck for 45 years!!!! Just like McDonald’s is the best selling burger. Clearly the best based on this logic…

Gotta give it to their marketing team though. They know how to sell a truck. Unfortunately I think some number fudging does play a role in their success however.

 

At least GM gives you $50 when they leave out features!

 

It's 4:03am in MD and I laughed out loud!

 

Huh?

 

After being loyal to Ford for many years I switched to Toyota in 2009. My kids are both Toyota/Lexus owners. Ford owners can get very defensive. They will also over state their MPGs when defending their trucks. I am a member of the Texas Fishing Forum and there are a lot of Ford fan boys on there. When they criticize Tundras for MPGs I usually come back with "is that all you got?"

 

You forgot to mention how that there 'Tieotie' is a ferrin' truck, made in Japan!

 

Heard both Ford and GM being deceitful with payload numbers. Things like removing the spare tire, center console, radio and other non essentials when they get tested for payload ratings.

 

There are some very defensive tundra owners as well. Every manufacturer has their fanboys. Look at the 2022 page of issues and the people defending Toyota but trash others for the same issues.

 

Ford being Ford. No surprise.

Fun fact: they also lose the highest % of class action lawsuits, which to me says those lawsuits are brought against them for the most legitimate causes.

 

Toyota is not immune to misrepresenting vehicle “features”. Don’t forget about the “Missing transmission cooler on 2019+ Tundras” saga. Greg Marmalard was a casualty of that saga.

 

That interior looks absolutely terrible. I think it's the big screen TV in the dash that throws me, but there's no way in hell I'd buy a truck of any brand with that kind of interior.

 

It’s even worse in person. I thought the two-tone would be cool and different than all black. No. It looks cheap like work truck vinyl.

Dash is hard plastic, the interior components are cheaper quality than my 2021 was. The amount of material types and colors is abysmal. Two-tone seats, black wetsuit with gray accent on door panels, copper infotainment surround, silver air vents, flat aluminum accents with polished aluminum accents.

I hope the hype stays up and I can resell it for money.

 

I don't own a 2022 and have no interest in buying one. I don't even read the posts on 2022s. It is a first year redesign and they all seem to have problems. One of the best Fords I ever owned was a 1997. It was the first year for the Mustang with a bed. I was very hesitant to buy it but I could not stand the seat in my 1993 any longer. I sold the 1997 with 185k on it and no problems. The last year it was driven by my stepson and he was not easy on it. I told him to take care of it and he could have the title. One night he chased some horses through a pasture. The next day he was washing it and buffing it and it went up for sale and he got to drive an Escort station wagon. My next Ford had the infamous 5.4 Triton. That is the one that soured me on Fords.

 

When I was shopping in 2010, the only V8 Ford had was the 5.4. The F-150 I test drove was everything I was after. I tried my best to overlook the gutless performance when I drove it. My next stop before deciding was the local Toyota dealer. The rest is history.

 

First Lightning delivered today. It was a Platinum and didn't have ambient lighting.

 

To me it kind of makes sense, and I wouldn't be surprised in other forced induction trucks suffer the same fate. High elevation = less air, that's bad news for forced induction. Ever drive a turbo car in the mountains? The difference is significant at 10k feet

 

It's actually the other way around - FI overcomes some of the lower air density. Normally aspirated engines (like the 5.7) are significantly down on power at high altitudes.

But in saying that power is not what limits any trucks nowadays for towing/hauling. The only reason I can come up with higher altitudes causing an issue is cooling - the less air to pass through the coolers can cause temps to rise faster. And AFAIK all cooling systems are the same principle, it's just about how large the coolers are and maybe Ford is making them the size they need to be at sea level, whereas Toyota could be making them the size they need to be for lets say 15k ft.

 

NA engines lose 3% power/1,000ft elevation. Today's Turbo engines lose 1% power/1,000ft elevation. Maybe Ford decided to split the difference at 2% because the F150 can be had either way?
The ECU's of old like my 1989 Starion couldn't keep up the needed boost pressure at altitude and it definitely fell on it's face when I cruised up to Big Bear back in 1993. I haven't driven to the mountains in years though, so I can't comment on their abilities today. Internal combustion air planes during WWII had to be supercharged or turbo charged otherwise they were getting shot down.