I have been thinking about getting an ecoboost fx4. I have never owned a truck. I want to get off pavement some and may get a slide in camper, hence the interest. I recently rented a Silverado 1/2 ton and as expected sometimes found parking a challenge. I live in an urban setting and sometimes have to park in tight underground garages --not too often though. How big a hassle do you experienced types find parking the f 150 to be when used as a DD? Thanks.

 

I hope that's a really small camper you're looking at. Those things get heavy quick and most of them are too big for an F150.

 

A version comes with a 2000 pound payload, sufficient for my needs.

 

I bought my truck living in the country in April, then unexpectedly moved to the city in August. Sure, I have to drive through tight spots. I never find myself totally stuck because my trucks too big or anything like that. If you can actually handle a larger vehicle, you will be fine. Our trucks really arent that big.

Spaces in parking lots everywhere, city or otherwise are too damn small. I just park farther out so no one hits my truck with their door.

I can't stand parking my brand new baby on the street, but sometimes it's the only option. Finding a spot big enough for my truck is never a problem though.

Buy the truck and enjoy it, don't worry about parking it.

 

the biggest thing i can say to help is to back into a parking spot whenever possible because you never know when some a&$hole will park in the spot behind you and not leave enough room and it's easier to nose out in a tight spot then back out.

 

You will get used to the size of it quickly; it didn't take me long to get used to the length of a crew cab longbed as a daily driver. Most parking spaces in shopping centers are tight but you can always park in the back away from other vehicles.
Depending on the length you buy, some of the F150's are not a lot longer than a full size car.

If you intend to purchase a truck camper make sure your truck has the heavy duty springs needed for the extra weight in the bed and the camper is light enough for it; most truck campers I've had experience with are too heavy for the F250 let alone the F150.

Good luck and keep us posted.

Mike

 

Try taking a super crew with a 6.5 foot bed and a 14 foot single axle trailer and parking at a hotel parking lot in downtown Atlanta. Now thats fun. Makes the shopping malls and parking garages a breeze.

 

The sooner you learn to safely back your truck into a spot, the happier you will be. These trucks are big and bulky and can be a pain to manage in the city as it seems that most city spaces are getting smaller and smaller.

 

The size really isn't that bad once you get used to it. Get yourself a pair of those little stick on convex mirrors so you can see the sides of the truck and get used to backing into parking spots. Once you get the hang of it, its faster than trying to pull in forward just about every time.

 

tseekins and not pull any punches with you. I just got an F-150 SCAB with the 6.5' bed and it's like driving a tank! BUT my recent - last four years - were spent driving a Toyota Yaris - a great little, small car (emphasis on "small"). This is also my first 'full size' pickup - I drove a Dakota for several years and it was no problem but it was also about the size of a typical sedan. And as others have pointed out, this ain't no "big rig" but it will take some getting used to.

When I look at the thing sitting there in a parking slot, it really doesn't look out of place (looks pretty normal). But when I climb into it, I'm sitting up high; when I'm backing up, the tail gate/bumper looks like it's about a mile away, etc. For now, I'm just being extra careful; seeking out parking slots further away and ones I can pull into and/or back out of without any difficulties, thinking about where the tires are when in tight spots (drive thru windows for example), keeping in mind the long wheel base. I'm sure all this will become 'second nature' to me after I've driven it enough and gotten used to how gosh darn big the thing is!

It may not be your "style" but I'm planning on some kind of bed tent or canvas covering or something along those lines when I'm out camping / hunting. I'm figuring there's some way to stretch out and get comfortable in that bed without overloading the thing.

 

I have a crew cab with a 6.5 bed. Its tough to find a spot that I deem acceptable - like many others I dont want to park it just anywhere and subject it to the rude people of the world. There is a local bank that I cant really even maneuver in, but thats a rarity.

Make sure your underground garages have enough height clearance. NYC garages charged me for an oversized vehicle with the last truck I had which was about 3 feet shorter (in length) and 4 inches narrower, so definitely plan on paying extra if you pay by the trip.

I have the rear backup sensors and the camera, and I've gotten VERY used to them. They really help take the stress out of getting in/out of tight places. Just hope I dont get too dependent on them!

 

The only other tip I have for you that I haven't seen on this board is read those dangling bars. They will tell you how much clearance they afford. There are some Down Town garages I can't park my truck in because of height (they're only built to 68" or something and my truck is around 70"

 

Thanks for all of the great feedback! Sounds like it is doable, but I need to improve my backing skills (and get a rear camera). Come to think of it, I do see a lot of trucks backed in.

 

What trucks are these...Rangers?

The elephantine behemoth in my sig pic has the 5 1/2' bed, so...it's 231 1/2" long, a few inches shy of 20 feet. It's also about as tall as I am (6-5).

Underground parking garages can be a challenge, not only because of their elevation, but watch out for suspended piping. The height of these pipes are not taken into account on the elevation signs at the entrance.

I recently parked in one a these garages, got out, turned around...didn't watch where I was walking, banged my head on one a these pipes.

These garages also tend to be as dark as a tomb. Which means that even with backup lamps and a camera, y'all still may not be able to see where you're backing up to.

I haven't had to parallel park this tub yet, prolly won't have to, cuz I have DP plates. Most DP parking spaces here in LA LA Land are not the parallel type...you just whiz right in.

 

I went from an '88 F-150 reg cab to a 2010 Focus and then to my 2011 F-150. Even though I've driven trucks all my life I had to re-teach myself about backing, taking wide corners, etc, etc.

These trucks are long and taking a sharp corner may very well result in side and lower body damage. If there are no back up sensors on the truck, then get a tow hitch with ball and slide it into the receiver. Drivers behind are more apt to show more respect and when backing straight in against a wall for instance, if you misjudge, you'll hit the hitch and not the truck.