New Truck? Thinkin' hard about new F150

[MarkBC]

I've said in recent years: "A replacement for my gas-hog 2000 F250, 6.8L V10 rig will never pay for itself in fuel $aving$."
And that's still true...but I think I've decided I don't care about the $$-based argument for sticking with the 21-year old rig.

I'm very close to deciding on a 2021 Ford F150, 3.5L V6 EcoBoost engine, 4x4, Supercab, 6.5-foot bed



I guess it's just "modern technology" that allows this smaller engine to provide more power and torque than my current rig at significantly better gas mileage. And it has greater towing capacity. It has significantly smaller payload capacity than the current rig, but still enough to carry my FWC Hawk...and most of its driving time with be pulling my travel trailer or with just a canopy.

So, why exactly am I considering a new truck? Besides the intangible "new is fun" argument... I want the advances that have been made in the past 21 years. And even if the better gas mileage won't pay for it, it will give me a lot longer range between fill-ups -- which can be important in cross-country drives.
And my F250 won't last forever, and better to end its run while still up (knock on wood) than when it's down.

Possible Order Configuration ... F150 XLT Features & Specs

Maybe when I actually contact a dealer with my order (I'm sure I won't find exactly what I want on a lot) they'll tell me: "Yes, sir, we'll have your truck for you in just 18 months!" Hope not...we'll see.

 

[Casa Escarlata Robles Too]

Maybe when I actually contact a dealer with my order (I'm sure I won't find exactly what I want on a lot) they'll tell me: "Yes, sir, we'll have your truck for you in just 18 months!" Hope not...we'll see.


Mark,if a dealer wants your business bad enough they will find one close to what you want
somewhere in the country.

I think your ideas are very sound. For us I'll stick with our 2002 Tundra.
For us just can't justify a new truck for the little we use it.

In 2012 we traded our 2006 Escape Hybrid (great car) for a new Escape the 4 cylinder turbo AWD.
The power of a turbo engine is incredible and the MPG about that of the Hybrid.

There were features of the car that after a couple years we didn't like.Mainly the comfort level.
Sold it and got a 2006 used Toyota Highlander Hybrid. We have had that car since 2015 and
it's one of the best cars we have ever owned.



Good luck in your search.
Frank

 

[MarkBC]

....
I think your ideas are very sound. For us I'll stick with our 2002 Tundra.
For us just can't justify a new truck for the little we use it.
...

I was out and about away from home, traveling and camping with truck and trailer, crossed the USA twice, for 6+ months straight last year, and I plan to do something similar beginning next month (probably). So, whatever truck I have will definitely get plenty of use.

 

[Wandering Sagebrush]

Mark, I’m thinking about one, too. I like most things* about my Ranger, but it is simply too small.

*what I don’t like are is the center dash control layout. It’s not well lighted, and individual controls are difficult to find while driving (day or night). The F150 may have the same issue.

 

[ski3pin]

Looks like a very nice and comfortable truck for you, Mark! Both Julie and I very much enjoy the comfort and new safety features in Julie's 2019 Subaru, and it gets us thinking about a new truck. We've looked at and test driven what's out there and nothing has suited our needs and cried out, "Buy me, buy me!" I expect by the time we get around to it we may be thinking of a new designed camper also. That time is not here yet.

Keep us posted!

 

[Missing Link]

PM'd you

 

[CougarCouple]

Hi Mark
I would have thought you’d go for the v8.
I mean what happens when you have a small power plant tweaked.

Ford brought back a 7.3 push rod motor for the service industry for low end power simple maintenance.

https://www.motorverso.com/3-5-ecoboost-problems/

You have probably done plenty research just thought I’d throw this out there.


Russ

 

[MarkBC]

Hi Mark
I would have thought you’d go for the v8.
I mean what happens when you have a small power plant tweaked.

Ford brought back a 7.3 push rod motor for the service industry for low end power simple maintenance.

https://www.motorverso.com/3-5-ecoboost-problems/

You have probably done plenty research just thought I’d throw this out there.


Russ

Russ, I haven't done a lot of research yet. I read good initial reviews, but I haven't dug beyond that. Thanks for the link, I'll check it out.

 

[MarkBC]

I just found and watched this in-depth video from a guy comparing an F150 with the 5.0L V8 vs the 3.5L V6 Ecoboost. It's based on his personal experience with both trucks engines, but he sounds like a knowledgeable truck-guy in general. His main point in favor of the 3.5L V6 is its superior low-end torque.

My primary use of a truck in the past year -- and in the foreseeable future -- is towing a travel trailer, so having tow-torque is something that's become more important to me than when I bought my F250 21 years ago. But I'd rather not buy a diesel.



In the linked article titled "3.5 Ecoboost Problems", the first couple of paragraphs have an important qualifier:
"...Many of the problems with the 3.5 EcoBoost that we will discuss in this article relate to the first-generation model....In 2017, the second generation engine was launched, which helped to iron out many of the faults found in the first..."

I haven't decided for sure...yet.

 

[TGK]

I have a 2017 F150 4x4 Crew with the shorter 5.5 ft bed. It has the 3.5L Ecoboost and I love it. Also has the off road, sport & max tow pkg along with the large 36 gallon fuel tank. The sport pkg in 2017 gave one the shifter on the center console, which I also like. I tow a 23ft vintage Airstream with a gross weight of 5,200 lbs. and it hardly knows it's there. This truck out performs the 1999 F250 4x4 with the 5.4L V8 I owned previously. Much more enjoyable to drive and better mpg, even when towing. The only thing I would do differently if ordering a new one today, would be to order one with the "payload" pkg., which gives one more breathing room if carrying a FWC loaded up with goodies. I recall it is possible to get the payload pkg on a crew cab with the 6.5" bed as well as the various super cab configurations. However, compared to 2017, for 2021, they played around with how the various packages are optioned out. I actually got some quotes for a new unit with the payload pkg earlier this year but decided to not go that route. I will say that do the supply situation one it will be tough to find anything below sticker, even if placing an order from the factory. I did find one dealer in the Portland area who quoted at $1,000 below sticker in February. I doubt that is the case today. However, I believe there are now some $1,000 incentives for factory orders that are being advertised on TV. Back in 2017 when I ordered my current rig, I shopped 8 dealers for a factory order (via e-mail) in the region and and ended up getting a very sweet discount of sticker. Those days are gone for now though.

Prior to purchasing my truck in 2017, I searched the forums extensively for input on the newer 2nd gen Ecoboost, particularly the Airstream Forum site. I found quite a bit of input from users towing trailers bigger than mine who were very pleased with the truck and engine. Over the past 4 years, my sense is that other users continue to very happy with the truck and Ecoboost. The only modification I made to my truck was to ditch the OEM tires the day after I took possession.

 

[MarkBC]

I have a 2017 F150 4x4 Crew with the shorter 5.5 ft bed. It has the 3.5L Ecoboost and I love it. ...

Prior to purchasing my truck in 2017, I searched the forums extensively for input on the newer 2nd gen Ecoboost, particularly the Airstream Forum site. I found quite a bit of input from users towing trailers bigger than mine who were very pleased with the truck and engine. Over the past 4 years, my sense is that other users continue to very happy with the truck and Ecoboost....

Hey TGK, thanks for the review! All reviews are helpful, but I like positive ones the best because they don't make me doubt my path, change my mind.

From what I can see on Ford's site and on the master spec sheet, the "heavy duty payload package" isn't available on the Supercab with the 6.5-foot bed. Without that boost in payload it looks like the payload (for my configuration of interest) is about 2,200 pounds. But I'll talk to the dealer and see what's what regarding payload before I make a final decision.

I don't expect to get much of a deal -- in plague times. I accept that. This may be the last truck I ever buy.

 

[TGK]

Hey TGK, thanks for the review! All reviews are helpful, but positive ones are best because they don't make me doubt my path, change my mind.

From what I can see on Ford's site and on the master spec sheet, the "heavy duty payload package" isn't available on the Supercab with the 6.5-foot bed. Without that boost in payload it looks like the payload (for my configuration of interest) is about 2,200 pounds. But I'll talk to the dealer and see what's what regarding payload before I make a final decision.

I don't expect to get much of a deal -- in plague times. I accept that. This may be the last truck I ever buy.

The quote I received in February was for a SuperCrew with the 6.5ft bed. At the time, I was told the Hvy Duty Payload Pkg was not compatible with the FX4 (off road) & XLT Sport packages. Of course, that was for 2021 models. Any orders placed now would likely be 2022 and sometimes they juggle the packages around. The key is to find a dealer with a good commercial/fleet guy who is familiar with the Hvy Dty Pkg.
My experience has been that some of the sales people are clueless regarding the Payload option. I always try to deal with the commercial guys.
The payload on my 2017 supercrew 5.5 ft bed was published as 1,765 lbs. Also, my 2017 was ordered primarily as a daily driver and a tow rig. A FWC was never mounted. I would have ordered a different configuration had I wanted to mount a FWC.

 

[MarkBC]

So.... I wonder what my total payload is when camping with my FWC? How much weight is added to the truck when my 2005 FWC Hawk and me and gear are on/in it?

 

[fish more]

Mark, find a dealer with a fleet or commercial department, those salespersons are up to date with payloads and capacities. I had F150's before my Super Duty. They are very comfy vehicles.

 

[Foy]

FWIW I'm very happy with my 2015 F150 CC 4WD short box (5.5'). I have the smaller 2.7 liter twin turbo engine. Kept the old diesel F350 thinking I wouldn't want to use the 150 to tow the camper but tried it early on after the 2018 purchase and loved it.

I'm pretty sure some redesigns (2017 and newer?) have addressed a serious carboning up issue in the direct injection cylinder head. The direct injection nozzle tip was moved within the combustion chamber to cure the problem, as I understand it. Mine has done it and only a carefully and precision application of "Italian tuneup" (heavy dose of SeaFoam in the fuel tank along with 93 octane nonethanol gasoline followed by a dozen or more intervals of foot-to-the-floor acceleration with a fully warmed up engine) cured it.

I can get an honest, hand calculated 14.5-15.5 mpg towing a 3,000 lb popup camper at 70 mph on reasonably flat ground running the A/C. It's 1.0 to 1.5 mpg better than the old 7.3 diesel can do with the same tow. Differential in fuel prices add to the fuel cost per mile savings.

Foy

 

[Beach]

Talk to a dealer and get up to date availability per cab/bed configuration on the payload pkg. Ford has changed that spec since first offering it.

 

[MarkBC]

A bigger question, perhaps, than payload:
Should I continue to match truck color to RV color?

 

[TGK]

A bigger question, perhaps, than payload:
Should I continue to match truck color to RV color?

FB_IMG_1633027342034.jpg

IMG_20191016_163739.jpg

The first time I had my new "Ingot Silver" F150 hooked up to our old Airstream in front of our house, my neighbor commented "so, you have the silver thing going on"?. Turns out I also appear to have an "aluminum" thing going on.

How do you like your Escape trailer? is that the 21ft unit? For a while we considered letting go of our 50 year old trailer and getting a newer unit. Not particularly interested in the new Airstreams but we did consider an Escape. A few years back we drove up to BC to the factory for a closer look (I understand they have new ownership now).
In the end, we decided to postpone any changes on the RV side for now.

 

[MarkBC]

,,,
How do you like your Escape trailer? ...

I sent you a PM about this.

 

[goinoregon]

good luck with your search. u will like the newer vehicle/technology. i got a 2015 gmc with 6.5 bed, and smaller rear seating, and v8. put atc pop up on it this spring. on my last trip from portland to the wallowas overlooking hells canyon and back, the truck averaged +17 mpg. on the freeways i get +19 mpg, if i keep the speedo under 65. my atc is a shell model, and right now with battery , fridge, awning, i think i am at about 950 lbs - it hardly feels like a load.
just purchased a new to me, 2019 small mazda suv. really like it for a city driver. but am somewhat surprised at their AC, and fan countrols - u actually have to look down from the windshield to find the little push buttons....