[JMR]

I came across this 12/16/21 Discover Your Ford livestream video from Ford earlier today and heard something I have not heard anywhere else.

At 50:50 in the video, Erroll says having the extended battery on the Platinum as a standard feature means you'll also get a benefit in the future. Has anyone heard a statement like this any other time? I went with the Lariat+ since I wanted the most range but this comment is intriguing since I still have time to change. I sure hope it's not something like a patented range extender in the bed (article link below) that would only be made available on the Platinum trim. I just don't understand why they being so secretive. This information could potentially put more people in the Platinum and futher justify the $13K price increase.

Ford F-150 Electric Pickup May Get Newly Patented Range Extender in Its Bed

It looks deceptively like a toolbox, but it could be used to increase the range of the upcoming electric F-150 pickup truck.

www.caranddriver.com

And for those that are curious based on previous threads, I made my reservation on 5/19 timestamped at 8:38 CDT. It would have been sooner but I didn't realize I needed a Ford account to make the reservation. I got the first truck (only one in wave 1) at my dealership and wasn't prioritized to get it. They told me they were alloted three. They are selling at MSRP.

 

[GDN]

I don't know, but I'm not sure I believe there is anything truly extra only the Platinum would get. He notes the Platinum gets fewer miles on a full charge due to it's "extra equipment". The only thing I'm aware of that would change the dynamics of the truck or hurt the mileage would be the wheels not being as aerodynamic. I can't imagine that what ever it might be would be worth adding $12K to move up to the Platinum now. If it is truly more range you need you'll likely be better off trading this first truck you buy for a new one in 2 to 4 years if and when they increase the battery, which will likely happen. I'm thinking when they move to the new factory there will be slight updates and tweaks, including battery and what ever else they've learned from the first 2 years of trucks.

 

[EVolution]

I don't know, but I'm not sure I believe there is anything truly extra only the Platinum would get. He notes the Platinum gets fewer miles on a full charge due to it's "extra equipment". The only thing I'm aware of that would change the dynamics of the truck or hurt the mileage would be the wheels not being as aerodynamic. I can't imagine that what ever it might be would be worth adding $12K to move up to the Platinum now. If it is truly more range you need you'll likely be better off trading this first truck you buy for a new one in 2 to 4 years if and when they increase the battery, which will likely happen. I'm thinking when they move to the new factory there will be slight updates and tweaks, including battery and what ever else they've learned from the first 2 years of trucks.

Could the Max Trailer Tow Package be contributing to the loss in range in addition to the 22" wheels? The extra weight in the cooling system must limit the overall efficiency of the Platinum trim. If that is the case then adding this package to any trim would also decrease the range.

I, too, have a hard time justifying the added price for Platinum over an already very richly priced Lariat +. If this technology is accurate, I would hope that it would be available to all trim levels.

 

[JMR]

I don't know, but I'm not sure I believe there is anything truly extra only the Platinum would get. He notes the Platinum gets fewer miles on a full charge due to it's "extra equipment". The only thing I'm aware of that would change the dynamics of the truck or hurt the mileage would be the wheels not being as aerodynamic. I can't imagine that what ever it might be would be worth adding $12K to move up to the Platinum now. If it is truly more range you need you'll likely be better off trading this first truck you buy for a new one in 2 to 4 years if and when they increase the battery, which will likely happen. I'm thinking when they move to the new factory there will be slight updates and tweaks, including battery and what ever else they've learned from the first 2 years of trucks.

I can't think of anything else either that wouldn't be rolled out to any vehicle with extended range, but the comment on the extra equipment seems to suggest something exclusive to Platinum is coming. I don't "need" the range necessarily but my favorite lake to boat on is 150 miles round trip so I do have a little range anxiety since we still don't know the range. If we lose 50%, I'm right there. I would love to see that range extender become reality for sure. But yes, worst case is I trade it in a few years for a tuck with better range if it becomes necessary.

 

[GDN]

I agree with you - don't think it is Max Trailer Tow - I added that to my Lariat as well and they don't show a hit to range. I don't figure I will ever pull with it, but since the rest of the trailering equipment is there by default I figure I would add the extra cooling which is I believe the main part of the "Max Trailer Tow" package.

 

[GDN]

In last night's live stream it was noted/revealed that the Platinum also has less towing capability. Lariat 10,000 pounds, Platinum was 8,600 pounds I believe. Something is crazy here.

 

[Cutler03GT]

In last night's live stream it was noted/revealed that the Platinum also has less towing capability. Lariat 10,000 pounds, Platinum was 8,600 pounds I believe. Something is crazy here.

I suspect it’s mainly the wheels and tires at fault here. Large, heavy wheels, and probably lower load rating for 22” low profile tires.

 

[GDN]

I suspect a very robust wheel aftermarket. It may take a few years to get many good efficient tires available too.

 

[Cutler03GT]

I suspect a very robust wheel aftermarket. It may take a few years to get many good efficient tires available too.

Aftermarket wheel companies are much more willing to lighten and cut corners than OEMs. So I’m sure they’ll be much lighter wheel options, but unfortunately there’s no way to know how robust they’ll be. Which is particularly important with such large wheels, since they have less sidewall to soak up the conditions.

I purposely want the 18s for the efficiency and ride quality benefits. I live in Detroit, the land of wheel and tire destruction.

 

[JMR]

In last night's live stream it was noted/revealed that the Platinum also has less towing capability. Lariat 10,000 pounds, Platinum was 8,600 pounds I believe. Something is crazy here.

Note that he also said it was due to the extra equipment again (like in the 12/16/21 Discover Your Ford livestream). I believe there's something more to it than bigger tires and there is some future feature exclusive to the Platinum that requires this "additional equipment". It was clearly stated (or misstated?) in the 12/16/21 livestream (link in original post), hence my original question to start the thread.

 

[Cutler03GT]

Note that he also said it was due to the extra equipment again (like in the 12/16/21 Discover Your Ford livestream). I believe there's something more to it than bigger tires and there is some future feature exclusive to the Platinum that requires this "additional equipment". It was clearly stated (or misstated?) in the 12/16/21 livestream (link in original post), hence my original question to start the thread.

I rewatched that and he was kinda all over the place at that part. I seriously don’t think there’s anything to it.

 

[GDN]

It's unfortunate, but those two livestreams were just almost worthless. Give us an engineer and some real answers. Ford is way too worried about lawyers and what they say. Just give us information. Quit hiding.

 

[corradoborg]

Pretty sure he was talking about the Charge Station Pro, which he goes into after he mentions the lower range of the Platinum. And he adds "with the Platinum or with the extended range battery". As has been reported elsewhere, the Charge Station Pro will ship separately from the truck, at least at the start. Hence, "a benefit that you'll get later."

The reduced range is almost certainly due entirely to the larger, heavier wheels. People have been putting bigger wheels on EVs since the start, and it always kills range. It's not the Max Tow Package, as that's available on all models, but they're only saying the Platinum has the lower range. Therefore, it's got to be related to equipment that is ONLY available on Platinum. The 22" wheels are only on the Platinum, and can't be optioned on lower models.

 

[jason1168tx]

I'm hearing rumors that the Platinum may have 4 motors and considerably more power which combined with the massaging seats would explain the shorter range estimates and the higher price.

 

[ChasingCoral]

I'm hearing rumors that the Platinum may have 4 motors and considerably more power which combined with the massaging seats would explain the shorter range estimates and the higher price.

In a word: no.

 

[jason1168tx]

Bummer.

 

[FM_Jack]

I'm still going with the wheel size is the reason for the decreased range. You see that change happen on Tesla's site when picking the type of wheel. The only extra equipment that would matter in the Platinum is the seats and the wheels (if they are heavier - and they should be). The max tow package is an option for the Lariat and I would hope they'd indicate that your range drops like Tesla does when you select certain items.