Hi folks, I just took delivery of my Caribou F250 XL!
This forum has been invaluable for answering my questions during the research process, so I wanted to see if anyone had any questions for the configuration I ordered. See a lot of info on the
Platinums around here, and I have a very uniquely equipped XL that might be interesting to others where there hasn't been as much discussion.

I have just about 100 miles on it, equal city/hwy. Averaging about 12.5 mpg with 60 miles @75-80 mph, 40 miles normal city driving.

Here's the info:
Ordered - 8/10 (stock but changed to retail)
Built - 9/10
VIN - 9/15 (after the build date)
Delivered - 9/26

F250 XL CCLB - Caribou
6.2L w/ 4.30 Locking diff and FX4/ESOF
Camper package (but no snow plow prep)
Sync3 w/ Ultimate Trailer Tow Cameras
17" Steel wheels with 245x75xr17 Michelin LTX2 AT
5th Wheel Prep
Sliding rear glass, remote start, power equipment group, cloth seats

GVWR: 10,000
Payload: 3009
Front GAWR: 5200
Rear GAWR: 6340
Front tire pressure: 70 PSI
Rear tire pressure: 80 PSI

Just let me know what you guys would like to know/see, and I'll see what I can do. So far, very very happy with everything.

 

6 weeks and 2 days from order to delivery. Amazing. Wait for a minute and we'll get a post from Rob.

 

I know I feel terrible about that. Nobody was more surprised than my dealer, except for me. I was all settled in for a Christmas delivery. Even with the cameras (unfortunately required on the XL if you want Sync3). There must have been something else delaying the high trim trucks aside from the notorious wiring harness.

 

Am I that predictable? I was just heading out the door to go shoot some trap but in order to make you look good I decided to answer. Dammit. I have been waiting a long time......to just get more promises and reschedules. Dealer and Rep are conferring on the next steps to get something moving. 6 weeks. hmmmmmmph.

 

LOL. Thanks Rob. There you go, always looking out for other folks!

 

Would love to see some pictures! I also ordered Caribou and haven't seen many pictures of this color yet.

 

Driving impressions so far - I actually test drove a 2016 CCLB 6.2 with the 3.73 a few months ago for about 20 miles. Nice truck, but it was just...acceptable. It felt strong enough, but if you wanted to get moving, you really had to goose it.

The 2017 and 4.30s are night and day from that experience. This truck has no issues whatsoever, and feels strong throughout the power band. I know we haven't really seen any dynos yet, but I would be very surprised if the torque curve wasn't flatter then previous trucks. Any concern I had with being able to pull some of our larger trailers at speed are gone.

The ride is pretty much what you'd expect. Very solid, not harsh, just very confident. No bumps, squeaks, rattles, jounces, jolts, or other onomatopoeia. I have driven a few other HD type trucks, and this isn't the smoothest, per say, but it has the most presence and the right amount of feedback in the suspension so it feels like a solid truck instead of a 7000 lb vehicle doing a Crown Vic impression.

Steering is much heavier than I expected. Family has a 2011 KR 250 FX4 6.7 and it is quite a bit easier to operate, but this isn't bad. In fact, it's probably a good thing because this truck is TALL. There is a noticeable ride height difference between the body styles.

Overall, I'm really excited. I think it will handle the intermittent periods of hard work well. Looking forward to the next 10 years.

 

What rear leaf pack do you have?

 

I've got a question, will the truck stay in 6th gear and maintain speed on the highway while driving up slight hills and inclines with the cruise control on?

I drive a 2013 Ram 2500 with a 5.7 Hemi and 3.73 gears which is terrible on the highway, constantly shift to maintain speed on the highway. It drives me NUTS!!!

I'm considering another Ram with a 6.4 Hemi and 4.10 gears, but I am real interested in the 2017 F250 with a 6.2 and 4.30 gears.

Thanks

 

You can see my previous vehicle peeking out there - '85 GMC I got when I was 16. Upgrading to the F250 is quit a leap.

 

@T_Diesel - I will double check in a bit, but I believe it has 3 leaf + 1 Overload

@Marc308 - So far it stayed in 6th at 77mph up about a 1-3% grade. It shifted to 5th once or twice on 3-4% grade at 77 mph. At 70-75, it stayed in 6th all the time between 2200-2500 RPM.

Cruise will let you go +/- 2 mph before intervening.

 

Not that it's important to me but I would expect that the 6.2 coupled with the 4:30 would want to break the tires loose anytime you have it moderate to heavy throttle from a stop or low speeds. Regardless I ordered the same due to the fact my truck will be loaded down with about 1,500lbs in tools and supplies at all times. And during working months it will have a 950# western mvp3 on the front and a salter with 550# on the back. Hoping this gearing will help to get the load moving better than my current 3.73

 

Here is what a 2016 looks like in Caribou. Probably doesn't help you with what a 17 really looks like, but the color is the same. Also has the Adobe interior

 

Yes it is - being used to my 30 year old Chevy SB with a sticky throttle cable...I squealed the tires on accident pulling out of the dealer to go for a test drive lol.

It's pretty easy to get used to though, you learn to ease into it, those gears make the truck move from a stop pretty effortlessly. Dropping the tire pressure down from 80 in the rear along with some 285x70s I think would nearly eliminate this altogether. I think most guys probably do that eventually.

 

Nice truck! You've done yourself right with the 4.30's, damn good choice right there. I no longer have to lock out 6th on my commute. And the truck holds 6th very well so far in my recent experience coming from a 3.73 6.2.