2 comments

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  • This truck is really a 1/2 ton in midsize. It's payload is just slightly under some fullsize trucks and equalling many others. It's towing at 7000 lbs is also not far behind the fullsize offerings. For me, the payload of the truck is the limiting factor considering tongue weight instead of the actual weight of the trailer. I haul 4 people many times with some gear. My trucks payload with integrated bedliner, integrated hitch, running boards and hard, locking tonneau is 1218 lbs. Without the Hard Folding tonneau cover which is 70#, the payload then would be 1288#. My New 2010 Ford F150 4WD SuperCrew with 5.5' bed optioned is 1430 lbs without a tonneau cover or bedliner. With Extang Solid Fold Cover, 50#, and Bedrug Bedliner, 20#, the payload is 1360 lbs. The F150 has 142 lbs more payload which is makes the Sport Trac pretty darn good for a midsize. My old 2004 Crew Cab 4WD Off Road XE Nissan Titan had less payload at 1203 lbs with the same options and even less, than than the Sport Trac or the F150. The Titan's tow rating was also 500 lbs less. The XEs didn't have the tow package and were rated for 6500 lbs of towing and 650 lbs of tongue weight. The 5.7L power gave me 13.3 mpg of mixed driving to work. With the 4.6L V8 Sport Trac, I get mixed driving with 18.5 mpg, plus I have higher payload, and more tow capacity at 7000 lbs and tongue weight of 730 lbs. Hard not to go with the midsize when it's a true 1/2 ton in capabilities as far as payload and towing. You do give up the bed cargo room with a shorter than usual 4' bed, but it's big enough to carry most everything though. It'll even carry 4' X 8' pieces of plywood when 2X4 risers are used to get the pieces on top of the wheel wells. It's designed for this.

  • said MikeUp1

  • 8 months 5 days ago

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  • So far this truck is really the best new vehicle I've owned to date. Even my dad whose a GM loyalist really likes this Ford. It's been more reliable and trouble free than any of the 3 Nissan trucks I've owned, more reliable than the Chrysler and GM(JUNK) I've also owned. My mileage has improved to 18.5 mpg for mixed driving, 1.5 mpg better than my previous 2005 4.0L DOHC V6 Pathfinder. These 2 vehicles engines aren't that far apart on size. The Pathfinder's 4.0L DOHC 24 valve V6 had 266 Hp (by new ratings) and 288 lbs of torque. The Sport Tracs small V8 is a 4.6L with a SOHC & 24 valves. Only .6L bigger but is only a SOHC with 3 valve/cyclinder. It has 292 Hp and 300 lbs of torque (however Ford rated it in 2009 for the same HP but 315 lbs of torque). I have to believe the 315 lbs of torque because 12 lbs wouldn't be that noticeable and let me tell you, this 'HEAVIER' Ford has gobs more torque at all RPM ranges. It's very noticable with accidental tire spin, and that's with the fulltime 4WD system! All in all, a great truck with 1/2 ton capacities for thousands less than the F150, much better gas mileage which will save hundreds per months, and more truck capability than any other midsize on the market. Ford has a winner here!

  • said MikeUp1

  • 2008.10.04 at 11:14:41 PDT

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