I am considering trading in my 2008 F350 Lariat for a new F150 if I can find a dealer willing to do an even trade. My truck is paid off and in excellent condition but I no longer have the need for a Superduty. I have two box truck that I drive daily for my buisness and typically end up using this truck around town for short trips and an sometimes a few hundred miles. I have a one year old and one on the way and hate that my F350 doesn't have child seat latches or rear a/c (because I have a 60/40/60 front seat). I know that I'll likely regret getting rid of my truck but the F150 gas seems like a better option for me now. Any thoughts? I would only consider trading it for a 2011-12 F150 CC,4x4,XLT or better, 5.0 or Ecoboost. If I sell it outright I will have to pay taxes because I have written off the mileage for business use but am not sure how an even trade will affect my taxes.

 

Hi Jesse,

If you don't frequently use the capacity of your F350 I think you would be making a smart choice. I don't think you're going to find a crew cab F150 for what they'll give you for your trade though. Kelly Blue Book shows your truck has around a $28,000 trade in value, and an XLT CC 4x4 F150 will start around $31-32,000 depending on options and incentives.

I've had two F150s, an F250, and an F350, and all served their purpose. The only reason I had my Super Duty trucks was because I wanted the capacity, but with the powerful new engines they put in F150s I see no downside to a trade.

 

I was looking for around 30k but I guess I will see what happens. Thanks for you input!

 

Yeah don't think you will get what you want. Just consider the capabilites of the 150 vs the current truck...along with your needs.

Seems like the 150 would do you just fine.

 

My dad just got a 2012 F150 XLT CC Ecoboost. He loves it. Texts me pretty much every fill up with a report of 24.3MPG (being his highest) and averaging around 23MPG. He does drive a ton of freeway tho. And he has 3.15 rear gear.

However he is adamant that his 5200lb EB is so fast that it'll outrun my 8500lb beast! I jokingly told him I would race him for pink slips, and he said he didn't want to take my truck from me....

Little does he know I have been SPARTANIZED!! and I want a new Ecoboost in my garage!

In short, go for it. They are great trucks and if you don't need the diesel, it is a much cheaper alternative. Only reason I got my 6.4 over the EB (since I don't tow much at all) was because I'm a tinkerer and wanted to push the HP limit!

 

Two of my friends have new ecoboost F150 4x4's but they never see those mpg numbers. They told me the best they have seen is 18-19 100% highway which isn't bad but if you father really gets that hand calculated that's excellent. I think I would go with the 5.0 just to be on the safe side. More parts usually equals more problems. If I do decide to keep my truck I will do a DPF delete, tuner, exhaust for sure. Regeneration Sucks!!!

 

Ask your friends what their rear gear is. There are literally a ton of options (i.e. 3.15, 3.31, 3.55, 3.73). Higher the number the worse gas mileage you are going to get but the more you are going to be able to tow and the faster off the line you will be.

If you really want the mileage and are towing less than 8800 lbs (and has to be 2wd) get the 3.15 (only comes in EB). The 5.0 has the option for all the rear gears except the 3.15.

Here are the tow ratings: F150 Tow Ratings

 

I have been kicking this around for a while now. I dont tow as often as I used to but when I do tow its between 10-11k which is very close to the max rating of a F150. The mpg on a 6.2 probably wont be any better than my 6.4 so I was looking at the ECO. They run like a scalded dog but my concern is about towing. I would love to hear some feedback from someone towing something heavier than ATV's or a fishing boat but so far I am not finding it.

 

The Eco with 3.73 gears will be plenty for your towing. Won't get awesome mileage, but 18-19 is probably not out of the question. I don't have any first hand knowledge towing with the Eco, but it should be fine under 11k. Obviously the 6.4 would be easier, and you will probably get similar mileage if you are tuned and deleted.

 

My concern also would be the stability factor. I can see if getting pushed around since the 150 is lighter as well. Which maybe fine if your speeds are low and your distance is not that great.

But if you you going to tow for distance then you will really have to drive the truck to get the job done.

 

Ran in to a guy at a gas station with an enclosed car trailer and an ECO truck. Claims he weighs 8,000 lbs on the trailer and he couldnt be happier with the ECO. Sounds promising, but our conversation did reveal that he has never towed with a super duty... EVER. So I dont think anyone would argue that the ECO is the best towing F150 in the last 10 years but jury is still out for someone towing closer to 10k or maybe someone that has converted from a SD to a F150. This guy did tell me he was towing from Florida to Ohio and went through the mountains with no issue at all. I explained my thoughts and he said "you might put air bags on the back to be safe but you wont regret getting an ECO".

 

My take on this is that you should look at what you'll lose in the trade.

Sure a 6.4 might have more expensive repairs, but if it's already yours, might be better just to tune it and put a little cash away for a potential issue?

I was looking at a very similar situation, and with the 10,000$ I would pile on my loan, I could fix quite a few 6.4 problems.

Edited to say:
I was thinking of trading it off for a vehicle for my wife... I am now allowed to keep the 6.4 longer so won't be switching to a different truck yet.

 

Well I did it yesterday, cleaned my truck at the $3 drive through, took it to my 5th and final dealer for a trade value and ended up trading my truck and $11,000 out the door for a 2012 FX4, Ecoboost, loaded with everything that stickered at $48,195. That came out to around $28,500 for my 2008 F350 and 10,000-10,500 off msrp of the new one. I really wanted to downsize and I only paid $41,100 for my truck new, used it for 4 yrs 3 months and put 83,500 miles on it. The only thing I added was spray liner and Bilstein shocks. I'm happy, I liked both trucks so it's sad to see her go.

 

I got another letter yesterday from the dealer. they are saying they will give my base msrp for trade in on mine.

I am not biting.

Tell us how it goes from time to time.

I'd consider the ecoboost if I did not need my current ride.

 

I will keep everyone posted as to how it stacks up against my Superduty.