New TV, to buy or not to buy.

Shackrat · 05-29-2017, 10:26 PM

It's decision time regarding my 3 year old TV, a 2014 F-150 with 3.5 EcoBoost just hit 37k. When I first got it we were avid tent-campers for the first couple summers. Last year we got our first TT, and this year upgraded to an even larger TT. I am considering a trade for a F-250 or F-350; the truck isn't paid off but has a decent amount of equity.

So why get rid of a relatively new truck? First, the new TT is heavier, about 7300k loaded but within towing limits for the truck and cargo is tighter, about 400lbs overhead hitting the limit. Second, I am in need of new brakes, tires, and transmission and axle service. I could put the $2k towards maintenance, or towards a down payment. Finally, having the heavier suspension and cargo capacity of the bigger truck will certainly be nicer for towing not that the EB has been a slouch.

The single biggest drawback I can come up with at the moment is I don't have access to my ex's X-Plan PIN as I did three years ago.

What would you do? Keep and fix, or trade?

I am staying with Ford no matter what, so please let's keep it popcorn-free!

pbrown1988 · 05-29-2017, 10:34 PM

If you plan on putting on some serious miles, it would definitely make the trips more enjoyable. I personally haul my TT grossed at 6800lbs with a 16' F150 5.0L and have no desire for more truck. Has there been any talk of possibly parking it somewhere seasonally? If so I'd maybe hold off on extending payments (which will need more expensive services at some point just the same as your current truck).

Bluepill · 05-29-2017, 10:57 PM

My method of vehicle selection:

List with 4 columns

Must have.
Would like to have.
Nice, but no biggie.
Don't care.

After applying that filter, I do a cost/benefit overview including purchase price, insurance cost differences, and expected value at 5 years.

whj77372 · 06-01-2017, 08:31 AM

If you price the F250 or F350, diesel, CC, that may deside for you! Good Luck

ben31 · 06-01-2017, 08:54 AM

Buying new will cost as much as a small house. It is all a matter of what you want. If you are happy with the F150, put the money to maintenance and keep it until it falls apart (literally).

Add up the cost of the annual payments, the insurance, and the maintenance to get your present cost. Then figure out the annual costs of an F250 or 350. Once the F150 costs outweigh the costs of the F250, then it is time to upgrade. If you get a diesel, the maintenance costs are quite a bit higher. I love my F250, but I will tell you an oil change costs about $100. 15 quarts of oil. Fuel costs more. Repairs also tend to cost more, when needed. Some things will likely be less. Your F150 needs to work harder to pull that trailer. So, transmission repairs will likely be recurring. We had to rebuild our F150 transmission twice, the bushings tended to wear more quickly, etc. The F250 or 350 really doesn't give a hoot what is back there. It chugs along with barely a care (as long as you do the required oil changes, etc.). Therefore, you will likely have less large repairs. Like Bluepill wrote, do up a list and make a rational decision.

I'm not trying to scare you, just giving you information most people don't think about. There is more than just the sticker price to consider, when moving up.

Or...you could ignore all of this and just enjoy your new real truck.

Either way, good luck and enjoy camping!

DreiHunde · 06-01-2017, 09:08 AM

You have upgraded trailers once already....if you think that might happen again might as well upgrade your truck now, so you won't have a new camper and new truck payment starting off around the same time.

If you are pretty certain that you will be happy with this trailer, then keep the ecobeast.

llr · 06-01-2017, 09:10 AM

Do you garage your truck? For some reason Ford raised the 2017 SDs to over 7 feet and they won't fit in a standard garage

CamperJo · 06-04-2017, 06:54 AM

You can get an F250 with a gas engine at very reasonable prices. Be prepared for a rougher ride. Not sure what mileage you get towing with your 3.5 but I bet it is better than a SD gas. The amount of towing and non towing miles will also help you decide cost vs benefit. I also have a Ford X-plan PIN. In the end I got a better deal by not using it.

Camper Dad -
2015 F250 4x4 6.2 Gas

lbrjet · 06-04-2017, 08:58 AM

You will get 60K miles from LT tires. I didn't need new brakes on my F250 until 100K miles and 25K of that was towing a 9K trailer. I did axle at 40K and tranny at 40 and 80. I am a firm believer in service and my truck never let me down.

If you have had no problems with the F150 I would keep it. I am also a firm believer in keeping what works.

If you really want the F250 though go for it. I love mine even though it rides like a tank and doesn't fit in most parking garages.

JLud · 06-09-2017, 10:36 AM

X plan can be easily beat by most dealers so that's not a factor. Having had both F150 and F250s in the past creature comforts are nicer in F150 and a bit more refined...at least comparing my 16 f150 to my 15 f250....both loaded xlt. Might be better now.

Scrapper · 06-09-2017, 06:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shackrat

It's decision time regarding my 3 year old TV, a 2014 F-150 with 3.5 EcoBoost just hit 37k. When I first got it we were avid tent-campers for the first couple summers. Last year we got our first TT, and this year upgraded to an even larger TT. I am considering a trade for a F-250 or F-350; the truck isn't paid off but has a decent amount of equity.

So why get rid of a relatively new truck? First, the new TT is heavier, about 7300k loaded but within towing limits for the truck and cargo is tighter, about 400lbs overhead hitting the limit. Second, I am in need of new brakes, tires, and transmission and axle service. I could put the $2k towards maintenance, or towards a down payment. Finally, having the heavier suspension and cargo capacity of the bigger truck will certainly be nicer for towing not that the EB has been a slouch.

The single biggest drawback I can come up with at the moment is I don't have access to my ex's X-Plan PIN as I did three years ago.

What would you do? Keep and fix, or trade?

I am staying with Ford no matter what, so please let's keep it popcorn-free!

Man, you must run the crap out of that truck. I have a 2011 Silverado 4x4 and just put the first set of new tires on at 84000 miles. My Chevy dealer says the brakes, drive train and tranny are great shape for having that many miles on it. It was my daily driver, 56 miles round trip until I retired. Now it gets 100 - 200 in 3 months.

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