Today is the Day… To Check Out this Epic ‘Ford-Trucks’ Thread!
The term ‘epic’ is overused — but this 1300-page thread absolutely deserves that description.
Right now, enthusiasts across the country are cooped up in their homes, waging a bold battle against boredom. We’re there too. So given that we’ve all been forced indoors for a little — make that a lot — longer than we’d like, many among us might be imagining the next time we can pull up stakes, fire up the trusty Blue Oval, and hit the road for an extended trip. It’s only natural.
But while we can’t get out and see the sites for real, this mandatory downtime is a great opportunity to think about everything we’d take on our dream trip to make it as fun, trouble-free, and comfortable as possible. That’s where the Today is the Day… thread from Ford Truck Enthusiasts forum member Karl4Cat comes into play. As you might have guessed from the page count noted above, it’s not the newest thread on the forum. In fact, it starts way back in 2015 — almost exactly five years ago. And there really is no other way to describe this thread except…
Still going strong today, the Today is the Day… thread is overflowing with tales from the road, informative how-tos, food pics, and much like a good road trip, some unexpected detours. If you’re looking way to live vicariously through a fellow Ford fan, this is your ticket.
Like some of the best stories, the narrative of this thread starts with the protagonists already underway. Here’s Karl4Cat’s very first post, straight from the cab of his 2017 F-350 Super Duty:
T-minus 2 hours until we pull into our RV dealer in OH. Road trip started yesterday with my bride as co-pilot. Did about nine hours and stopped in Medina OH. Got a great deal on an almost new Reese 25k Elite near there from a member of the Forest River forums that just happened to be right on the way to the dealer.
Sold my 18k last week on Craigslist and only cost me $150 to upgrade. Anyways, had dinner and adult beverages at Buffalo Wild Wings and after a good night sleep at our hotel, we are doing the final couple hours to Jeff Couch’s RV Nation in Hamilton OH. Saved about nine grand off my closest dealer who isn’t exactly local at two hours away. Plus, love me a good road trip! So, the moment of truth is on the horizon for my little SB, SC, SRW, 6.7. The story continues with pictures soon…
Fortunately, while he was updating the forum on the go, Karl4Cat wasn’t the one driving. That honor goes to his wife, who he describes as a “country girl” that’s at home behind the wheel of a formidable truck like the Super Duty. In the shot he posted of her, she looks happy as can be, which prompts member my_crib_too to comment with a “warning”:
I love this picture. This does not look like a woman ready to give hubby back his truck. Really seems to be enjoying the F250/350/450 experience. This is the look you get just before owning two Super Duties… His and Hers….
With all due respect to my_crib_too, after scouring this thread, we found no mention of a second Super Duty purchase. But there’s plenty on the stunning XLR Thunderbolt fifth wheel the couple scored. As the interior pics show, there will be no wanting for creature comforts, regardless of how far they go from home! That bare fridge door looks ready to display souvenir magnets from loads of tourist traps!
Certainly, nobody buys a mobile palace like this to leave it parked in their driveway, and we all know Super Duty owners love to hit the road.
Scrolling through this thread, you’ll find it’s loaded with pics that’ll fuel your wanderlust. And if you’ve never had the desire to get out and see the country through the windshield of your Ford? Well, let’s just say that after you spend some time checking out everything Karl4Cat and his wife have done, you might find yourself looking up the towing specs on your rig, and browsing fifth wheels.
That was our experience, at least. Though we didn’t find a lot of campers currently listed in the Ford-Trucks Marketplace, and something of this caliber would be a little outside our budget anyway.
One memorable stop was Cranberry Lake State Park in the Adirondacks, and as Karl4Cat explained, the trek proved no problem for his beefy Blue Oval — even with some new toys on board.
First trip with the PWC and 150 gallons of water. Added 2500# according to the CAT scale on the way. No difference in towing despite the terrain and added weight.
Of course, the performance of the rig won’t come as a surprise to any Ford-Trucks regulars, as towing toys is all in a day’s work for a Super Duty. That said, the pic below calls to mind one of our favorite inspirational quotes: “Money can’t buy happiness. But it can buy a jet-ski. Have you ever seen anyone sad on a jet-ski?”
In case you didn’t catch that, it’s a rhetorical question, and the answer is a resounding no.
There’s lots to love about this wicked fifth wheel, but we really dig the porch at the back. After all, given how you could have a different view every day if you wanted to, it only makes sense that there’d be a great place to sit out in the fresh air and enjoy the scenery.
This is the point where we’d say we’ve lived in plenty of places that didn’t have half the luxuries of this awesome set up, but that’s way too easy. So we’ll just say the place we currently live now doesn’t compare.
The personal watercraft isn’t the only vehicle that sometimes comes along on adventures either. On another trip, Karl4Cat and his wife brought along a pair of ATVs. Look how snug they look tucked in to the garage of the fifth wheel!
In one part of the thread, there’s actually a picture of the dedicated leaf blower that’s used to help tidy up after these babies are off loaded. Seriously, the further you go down this rabbit hole, the more clear it becomes that Karl4Cat has thought of everything.
Since we’ve had plenty of good times riding ATVs in areas all over the country, this pic made us even more envious than the one of the jet ski. If you’ve never had the pleasure, getting to ride on the famous Hatfield-McCoy Trails in West Virginia is so fun, it’s hard to believe it’s actually legal. In the towns next to that trail, you can even go through drive-through joints on your four-wheeler.
That said, picking up Big Macs obviously isn’t the point of these machines. When you’re riding a quad, there’s plenty of time to appreciate natural beauty, and from the looks of the thread, Karl4Cat and company saw plenty. While it might be spring right now, this shot of an ATV trail bordered by trees turning gold makes us think of crisp days out in the sun capped with chilly nights in front of the fire.
Another great setting was Kring Point State Park, in New York. While the campground there doesn’t have loads of amenities, as Karl4Cat, explains, that’s not the point:
Back when we had our boat we spent a lot of time in the 1000 Island region. Our favorite spot was Kring Point State Park. No hook ups but one of the few places I’ve ever felt were worth the sacrifice. Maryann would tow the boat and I would tow the camper.
Now, I don’t know about you, but if there’s an opportunity to catch sunsets like that for a couple of nights, it seems like the lack of hookups is something that would be easy to overlook.
Of course, in a thread that’s longer than the U.S. Tax Code, plenty of other members chime in with their experiences traveling.
We got a particular kick out of this contribution from Chad149. Because how legit would a thread on Ford-Trucks be if there wasn’t some poking fun at the Blue Oval’s crosstown rival, Chevy? So he posted a shot from one of his favorite off-road spots, where the driver of a Bow Tie ran out of talent in a big way…
This guy was driving like an idiot all morning. Didn’t surprise me to see this in the parking lot on my way back from lunch. (I don’t think the silver Ford was with them)
Here’s hoping everyone in that rig was OK. That bashed-in roof is a stark reminder that it’s all too easy for a truck to get away from you if you’re not careful when wheeling.
Obviously, we haven’t even scratched the surface of all the great content posted in this thread — even attempting to do it justice is tough!
So if you’re ready to experience some of the thrills of traveling without leaving the confines of your computer, head into the forum and check it out for yourself. Better yet, post some pictures of your rig and the places you’ve been. That’s been happening plenty almost since the very beginning, so you’ll be far from alone!
Also, if you’re looking to customize your fifth wheel to suit your needs? You’ll find plenty of inspiration in these pages. So, what are you waiting for?
Join the Ford Truck Enthusiasts forums now!
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