Check real world fuel economy numbers. Fords tend to be exaggerated when comparing to what people are actually seeing on fuelly, and much closer to the tundras numbers. Same thing for tow ratings. Fords tow ratings have a way of magically changing without them making any mechanical changes to their trucks.

Has there been issues with Toyota's bending frames? I know it was an issue on the raptors for awhile.

As for overall philosophy I would agree Toyota seems to be going the wrong way in some regards. Fords attitude seems to be 'what else can we put in these trucks to sell more of them" and Toyota's attitude seems to be "what else can we remove from these trucks and keep selling them".