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Context: This will be a weekend adventure vehicle for an expanding family where cargo space reigns supreme. We frequently enjoy outdoor/recreational activities/camping that requires a lot of gear. Plus, toddlers and their “gear” take up a surprisingly large amount of space. My wife and I are tired of playing Jenga and Tetris in a much smaller vehicle so I ~finally~ got the go ahead to order a truck to help enable our family adventure time. Additionally there is the possibility of a bed camper and/or boat in the future so payload and towing are also a major decision point. Based on the desire for maximizing storage space for gear and planning ahead for payload needs it would be wise to go for a super duty. Alas, super duties are big, like, really big. So big in fact, that I would not be able to park it in my driveway without blocking the sidewalk which is a big no no where I live. Ixnaying the super duty because of its size and some other considerations left me needing an F150.
I started looking into purchasing the truck during the tail end of the 2022 model year. As I was doing my research and comparisons between XL vs XLT vs Lariat, 2022 model year orders were blocked and preorders for 2023 model years began. This happened in late August/early September.
I originally had settled on the 2022 XLT HDPP. The XLT trim had many of the features I wanted but did come with a major con (for me) of having the 40/20/40 bench seat setup. I had gathered in forum posts that late model 2022 bench seat trucks (and perhaps earlier) were losing the storage console built into the top (back) of the foldable bench seat. Regardless of this, I was prepared to order a XLT HDPP/Max Tow and as I contacted my dealer to make this order I was told that they had flipped to preorders for the 2023 model year and that HDPP was no longer available in XLT trim. Bummer (at least I originally thought). I was concerned that a single option was going to pigeonhole me into something I was not excited about and at that point I had to question do I really ~need~ the HDPP?.
Based on the Ford Esource Book and Towing Specification documents I had scrounged up from the forums along with payload stickers of prior HDPP F150s I speculated the HDPP would get me between 2200 and 2500lb payload. Our current camp payload (including passengers and all gear/bikes/canoe/equipment/racks/food/water) is just shy of 1000 pounds which would be plenty for a mid spec F150 with 1600+ of payload. However this truck is going to receive a topper and a drawer organization system for the bed which will come at about 400lbs combined. So now we are at 1400. Still some wiggle room with most F150s. But what about a boat? Or a trailer for glamping? A 5000 boat or trailer translates into 500 pounds of tongue weight. That would push our fully loaded payload to about 2000 pounds. The odds that we purchase a trailer or boat in the next few years is pretty good and I want to make sure this truck will be able to handle anything we throw at it, or on it. I just think of it as future proofing and contingency planning. Ultimately the HDPP XL gave me the most coverage for the future and the basic XL trim in 102a provided me with everything I would “need” in a truck and perhaps just as importantly, nothing I don’t “want.” So what exactly am I sacrificing by being forced down to the lowly XL trim?
At the time (and still as of this writing) the Ford website was still showing 2022 model years so it was quite frustrating trying to see what features and options have changed between XLT and XL trims. My next quest had me locate the 2023 order book for F150s where I could preemptively check out the build combinations and compare/contrast the trim options for 2023. I was highly considering the XLT 302A (high) trim while being cognizant of my options to still try to keep payload reasonably high. The items that the XLT 302A had that I would be missing on an XL HDPP:
There were other differences between the various equipment groups in XL vs XLT 2023 trims but those are the ones that weighed on me, primarily the intelligent access and push button start. It is embarrassing how much I went back and forth about this single feature.
There were a few things about the XLT 302a package which I did not want:
During my research about F150s I found these forums to be, quite literally, the most helpful source of information the internet has to offer. It cannot be understated how the amount of knowledge and wisdom in these forums surpasses every dealership salesman I spoke with. After what amounted to quite literally/embarrassingly dozens of hours of research I was able to make a well informed decision about purchasing my truck. My desire is that this post may also help guide others to make better informed decisions.
As of the time of this posting I have received my VIN with a scheduled build date in early November. Time will tell if that holds true. I have quite a few aftermarket plans for this truck so check back in a few months (or years…)!
I started looking into purchasing the truck during the tail end of the 2022 model year. As I was doing my research and comparisons between XL vs XLT vs Lariat, 2022 model year orders were blocked and preorders for 2023 model years began. This happened in late August/early September.
I originally had settled on the 2022 XLT HDPP. The XLT trim had many of the features I wanted but did come with a major con (for me) of having the 40/20/40 bench seat setup. I had gathered in forum posts that late model 2022 bench seat trucks (and perhaps earlier) were losing the storage console built into the top (back) of the foldable bench seat. Regardless of this, I was prepared to order a XLT HDPP/Max Tow and as I contacted my dealer to make this order I was told that they had flipped to preorders for the 2023 model year and that HDPP was no longer available in XLT trim. Bummer (at least I originally thought). I was concerned that a single option was going to pigeonhole me into something I was not excited about and at that point I had to question do I really ~need~ the HDPP?.
Based on the Ford Esource Book and Towing Specification documents I had scrounged up from the forums along with payload stickers of prior HDPP F150s I speculated the HDPP would get me between 2200 and 2500lb payload. Our current camp payload (including passengers and all gear/bikes/canoe/equipment/racks/food/water) is just shy of 1000 pounds which would be plenty for a mid spec F150 with 1600+ of payload. However this truck is going to receive a topper and a drawer organization system for the bed which will come at about 400lbs combined. So now we are at 1400. Still some wiggle room with most F150s. But what about a boat? Or a trailer for glamping? A 5000 boat or trailer translates into 500 pounds of tongue weight. That would push our fully loaded payload to about 2000 pounds. The odds that we purchase a trailer or boat in the next few years is pretty good and I want to make sure this truck will be able to handle anything we throw at it, or on it. I just think of it as future proofing and contingency planning. Ultimately the HDPP XL gave me the most coverage for the future and the basic XL trim in 102a provided me with everything I would “need” in a truck and perhaps just as importantly, nothing I don’t “want.” So what exactly am I sacrificing by being forced down to the lowly XL trim?
At the time (and still as of this writing) the Ford website was still showing 2022 model years so it was quite frustrating trying to see what features and options have changed between XLT and XL trims. My next quest had me locate the 2023 order book for F150s where I could preemptively check out the build combinations and compare/contrast the trim options for 2023. I was highly considering the XLT 302A (high) trim while being cognizant of my options to still try to keep payload reasonably high. The items that the XLT 302A had that I would be missing on an XL HDPP:
- Intelligent Access and Push Button Start: This is not found on standard 2023 XLTs but it does come with the high 302A package. It is a huge consideration for me. Our most recent vehicle has this feature and I love it. I am constantly juggling gear/toddler/other things in my hands and this is a feature that is appreciated daily. I would hate to lose it going down to XL
- LED Mirrors and headlights: This looks great aesthetically but I ultimately decided that I can upfit aftermarket LEDs with a style that I like even better than OEM LEDs. If I got the XLT I would probably leave well enough alone.
- Zone lighting: extra lighting is always good and it would have been conveniently built into the vehicle, but ultimately it can be added aftermarket.
- 360 camera package: Nice to have and could be quite helpful, but ultimately a luxury I that would probably not be used that frequently.
- Power Sliding rear window: I plan on a bed cap so this feature has limited uses, plus I wanted to keep payload down, easy pass
- Remote start system via your key fob. The XL version can still remote start via the Ford app but that is much more inefficient than the convenience of your key fob.
- Interior work surface: Oddly the interior work surface is not available on the 102A (high) XL trim. This is something that would have been nice to have but I have lived my life thus far without it.
- Pro Power Onboard: Very nice to have and convenient. Still decided I would have dropped the feature to save payload and would most likely find a portable battery generator to have more utility with my needs. With the 5.0 gas engine the engine must be running to use pro power so an easy pass. I also imagine appreciating all of the extra under seat storage opened up by not having the inverter there.
- Upgraded audio: can easily do aftermarket.
There were other differences between the various equipment groups in XL vs XLT 2023 trims but those are the ones that weighed on me, primarily the intelligent access and push button start. It is embarrassing how much I went back and forth about this single feature.
There were a few things about the XLT 302a package which I did not want:
- In the 302A package you must get the chrome appearance package to get the column shift. Pass on chrome for me.
- The Sport Appearance package is also available but that requires a console shifter. This is not a deal breaker alone but I also did not want the painted bumper. Looks awesome, but rock chips are a real thing.
- There is no carpet delete option for 2023 and the 302a package requires carpet. No carpet for this truck.
- The 302a XLT was about $8000 more than the HDPP XL. I would rather use that $8000 for aftermarket upgrades to make that basic truck more “mine.”
During my research about F150s I found these forums to be, quite literally, the most helpful source of information the internet has to offer. It cannot be understated how the amount of knowledge and wisdom in these forums surpasses every dealership salesman I spoke with. After what amounted to quite literally/embarrassingly dozens of hours of research I was able to make a well informed decision about purchasing my truck. My desire is that this post may also help guide others to make better informed decisions.
As of the time of this posting I have received my VIN with a scheduled build date in early November. Time will tell if that holds true. I have quite a few aftermarket plans for this truck so check back in a few months (or years…)!
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