Balancing Payload capacity vs. Offroad

[rruff]

The upside to the 3/4 ton is they have more wheel travel and it's really easy to put 37s on them.

Turning radius is a downside, however. It's not the length or wheelbase... the 3/4 and 1 tons don't turn the front wheels as sharp.

I was going to plan on adding some small mods to make the f150 a bit more off-road rdy, but I did not want to get into dealing with lift kits etc. I have younger kids and with trucks like the raptor out their I figured my time is better spent buying an off-road version f150 and put that time to my kids.

Just put something reasonable like Bilstein 5100s on it, and raise the front ~1.5" and install ~35" LT tires, and airbags if you will use it unloaded most of the time, else an extra leaf or a pack. If you have 18" rims, 285/75r18s will be easiest to fit. Skids are ok, but forget about the winch. Curb your enthusiasm. This is a family camping rig, and getting away from other campers is easy, but getting away from the SxSs is impossible. Fancy shocks are mostly for going fast on crappy terrain, but going slow is a good idea anyway. If it's washboard, air down.

I've been camping in the extreme SE corner of CA for the past 6 weeks. Beautiful area and a primo spot for camping this time of year... and completely devoid of campers... but not offroaders. I've ranged all over on my bicycle, and haven't seen another camper at all.

 

[tacollie]

Turning radius is a downside, however. It's not the length or wheelbase... the 3/4 and 1 tons don't turn the front wheels as sharp.

Agreed. RAM 2509 has a decent turning radius. Ford is awful. It's one of the things I miss the most of the Tundra.

 

[p nut]

…. but getting away from the SxSs is impossible.

I’ve come to really really dislike SxS’s. More so than ATV’s and dirt bikes. They’re like mosquitoes. Everywhere.
Best way I avoid them is park at a trailhead and hike in a couple of miles to a camp spot.