I'm looking for a 2013 F150 4X4 Super Cab with a 6 1/2' bed. Are there any options that I should stay away from or definately get?

Such as the pros and cons of leather seats...or buckets vs. bench...only me the wife and my dog will be riding in the truck.

 

Well the backup camera seems like a gimmick that is a waist of money but once you have owned it youll never wanna be without.

I have the captains chairs. Really up to your preference if you wanna be able to flip up a armrest or not? I like the 60/40 just as much as my captains.

The bed side access steps are good in therory but mine are frozen half the year and stuck closed with mud or dirt the rest of the year.

Tailgate step is very useful, I love mine.

 

Thanks...I'll probably just add an aftermarket backup camera, I've seen them for about $200 built into a gps. I think the Ford one was over $400. And since I p[lan on adding a topper I think it will be handy.

I didn't think about the bed side steps icing up...thanks!

 

On my 2006, it had the back up sensors. At time of purchase I did not think i would need them. By the time I bought this truck it was a MUST have.

My new truck has the back up camera in the rearview mirror. Love it along with the beepers. Makes hitching up to the RV so much easier. I can do it myself. Saves a fuss and cuss with the wife....

I now have the captain chairs and like the bigger console and console shift. Only thing is the truck is a person vehicle max. My older 60/40, I could a raise the armrest and put 6 folks in for short distances like going out to eat etc. if needed. I do like the heated and cooled seats!!! Also I guess they all have folding rear seats. Very nice feature if hauling something bulky in the back floor board.

 

Thanks BigD...I grew up in Nashville, long before it became hollywood. Thanks for pointing out that the back up camera comes in rear view mirror, I think that would be better than adding an aftermarket one. And since I expect to put a cap on teh back the back up sensors would probably be a good choice too.

I get what you're saying about the bench seat...but it doesn't seem like anyone other than my wife and dog ever get into my truck.

 

I would definetly get:
1. Factory back up camera. I had an aftermarket before and this works a lot better in my opinion. In the mirror is great and you don't have something else on the dash. I can put the trailer ball directly under the trailer every time. I can back to within an inch anything behind me.
2. Power fold mirrors. Great for going thru the drive thru at the bank or the burger place or even getting in a tight garage.
3. Tailgate step. This truck is high off the ground and a pain to climb in otherwise.
4. Heated and cooled seats. No substitute.
5. Remote crank. Great this time of year - it will crank from inside the house without ever opening the garage door.
6. Side running boards of some kind. Don't really need the power ones but again the truck is tall.
7. Front bumper beepers. You can't tell where the front of the truck is at. I am always leaving too much gap in the front since I can't tell how close.

 

Basically the same as "thomastl". But I wanted to add one.
I have the HID headlights. Man what an improvement!!!

Tim

 

Excellent points.
#1 Yep.
#2 I do like this feature at times.
#3 I have it but seldom use it, Having an ARE flat bed cover.
#4 Yep
#5 Why did I not think of this one? Really nice in hot and cold weather.
#6 Wifey really needs them. Im a tall guy and they seem to be kinda just in between for me. I have the flat top ones that are tucked in pretty tight. Her 2010 Expedition has the power ones and I really like those. My 2006 had the round tube ones with flat rubber steps. It was better spaced for me.
#7 Do they have those on F150's It would be really nice for reasons stated.

 

Looking at the new truck specs I thought that they are now comming with HID headlamps.

As far a s running boards go I can weld those up if needed. I would make them much more heavy duty than what is offered.

I'll be stopping by two different dealers tomorrow to see what they have in stock. I sent each of tme a request for a nicely equipped Lariat or similar in Blue...and they email me nice trucks that are any color but blue.

 

disclaimer: i'm the wet blanket here.

1: the factory unit will likely have better longevity than an aftermarket unit; there are times when this would be nice. that being said, i just get out and check once or twice. i've never failed to hook a trailer due to a lack of a camera (see comment on #5)

2: baaah!! roll down your window and fold it in. get your butt out of the seat and do the otherside if you need. i give this feature 5-7 years before it quits working anyway. (also see comment on #5 here as well)

3: yeah, for the 50+ crowd, i can see this.

4: not if i have to pay extra for them. we have one vehicle with heated seats, and they don't work. they are another 5-7 year item IMO. if they wouldn't put stupid leather seats in cars you wouldn't need to heat and cool them. man i HATE leather seats!!! the only difference between leather and vinyl is the price you pay ... both suck!

5: baaah!! go out and start your vehicle. sedentary lifestyles lead to obesity.

6: wheel to wheel running boards would rock. i'm 6'2" and can't reach over the bedside.

7: learn your truck. if you parked with too much gap, get back in and fix it. (comment on #5 applies here as well)

i'll admit, i'm a crank windows, rubber floor, and cloth seats kinda guy. i buy them when they are older and i keep 'em forever. half the fancy stuff you guys buy don't work by the time i get them anyway.

 

I would like to say THANKS! for all the comments. I do like hearing both the pros and cons...keeps me thinking.

On another thread somone told me to go to YouTube and search "two bucket wash" because I commented on how I can't keep swirl marks out of nice paint. It was good to watch if you have a new vehicle and makes me think about just doing a major mechanical overhaul to my +400,000 mile paint peeling old truck. It looks better when I wash it...because I only do it about twice a year LOL

 

Vinyl floor, back up camera, tail gate step, tubular running boards and remote start are all the options I ordered and have never regreted spending extra for them. Probably the best 2 are the vinyl floor as I never have to worry with the kids staining the carpet and the back up camera is not only handy for the trailer but parking lots as well. I back in to my spots all the time so I find it very helpful.

 

For me the must have list is

1) Back up camera...an aftermarket one doesn't have the guide lines or the zoom features of the factory one....factory one is also mounted high in the tailgate which is very beneficial. (I've had aftermarket cameras but from now on it's going to be factory)

2) Back up beepers....with the beepers they work even if you aren't paying attention or if your camera lens is covered in mud/salt

3) Side steps are great but only if you put mud splash guards on too....without them they get terrible icing and are a safety hazard in the snow belt

4) Box access steps....mine work all year no issue with icing or mud caking and my truck gets driven under all conditions....they are well worth the money and even more so if you have a tool box...the bed is very deep and it's tough to reach stuff laying in the bottom without the steps

5) Tailgate step...let everyone call it a man step but it's handy as heck for a step and doubles as a seat if you're just hanging out.

6) 4WD is a must for me, I go offroad a lot all year long so a 2WD isn't going to get it done

7) Ecoboost engine....after owning one the power is addictive. If the test drive doesn't show you that hook up to a bass boat and go for a spin.


Those are the big ones for me otherwise a regular old XLT Supercab works for me. My truck has a lot of extra fluff like the chrome package, convenience package,....but if it didn't have them I don't think I'd lose any sleep over it.

 

I am the opposite of Meborder (Would that make me the dry blanket??)

I say get all the options you want right from the start. All these options are a convenience and always help make your experience better. Here are some of the thing the I really want in my truck.

1. I have to have the navigation...most of my vehicles have never had them and I really want a built I one. It also is great for the backup camera.

2. I need the back up camera for hooking up when towing...I have been doing the back up get out and look technique for too long now and want to see how close I am to the hitch now.

3. Tailgate step- yeah it might be the old man handle or I guess Howie Long said your "Man Step" but the trucks are much higher than they used to be and really it is much easier to get in and out with it...try climbing in and out of the bed without one and with one and you will see what I mean.

4. I really waited for the 2013 for the HID lights..there is no substitute for great headlights and IMO Halogens just don't hold a candle to the HID's.

5. I also want the max tow...I might get a trailer in the future and want to be able to tow higher in the 8-10,000 lb. range. The max tow also has the POWER telescoping/heated/folding mirrors!! Not to mention the bigger radiator etc.

6. I also want the heated/cooled seats! I am hot by nature and think those cooled seats will be awesome in the summer! They also have to be leather for me...I am over the cloth seat days...they wear out too fast and I hate to have seat covers...most look ugly.

7. I want the ecoboost motor...it has more torque than the 5.0 and also down low where I would need it. I have a boat and it would be very useful in getting out of those wet and steep boat ramps. It would also get slightly better fuel mileage than the 5.0.

8. BLACK PAINT...yeah I know it is the hardest to keep clean...but to me nothing looks sexier than a clean black paint job on a vehicle.

9. Moonroof...I have never owned a vehicle with one (my wife has one on her car but that is her car)

10. Remote start! Never had this option either but every morning lately I kept saying to myself how great it would be to have the vehicle already warmed up and ready to go while I am getting my things ready to leave! This convenience to me is a great thing! I have not decided whether I want the two way version or not however. The two way can be done from three football fields away but would be an extra key fob two carry around.

At first I was thinking about getting a Lariat but ever since I sat in and drove the Platinum...I just have to have it. If you have not sat in one or driven it...you owe it to yourself to at least look at it. The Platinum also has those awesome Amp power running boards that fold up out of the way when not in use and fold out when you open the door!!! They also allow you to use ALL of the running board not just half like most of the ones I see on trucks these days. what is the point of having a running board you cannot put your whole foot down On?? That's another reasons I want the Platinum. I figured why not get all the things I want the first time. Sure it is a lot more money but I also keep my vehicle a long time so I want to have all the comforts.

I am a gadget guy so I want all the bells and whistles...hope this helps! Sorry for the long post!!

 

LOL that was me! You should watch a few of his swirl removal videos..he is pretty funny and also has a lot of knowledge on paint restoration. He is the one that got me started on detailing and I have never been the same since! I will most definitely use those methods on my new truck when I get it! Here is a pic of my wife's car when it was swirled up:

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Here is the sam spot after the detail...not flawless but 98% better!

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Here is her car after the detail...notice how deep the shine looks!

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This is a picture of the tree in our front yard

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Yes that is the reflection of the tree on the truck of her car!!

Anyway.. back to your regularly scheduled program...