Hi everybody. Here's my scenario and would really appreciate some feedback from F-150 owners. Right now I have a Honda Element and I do like it. I have the rear seats removed so it's like a van and I usually have 1 or 2 mountain bikes in the back. I drive and bike part of the way to work, so always have my bike in their pretty much. It's works out fairly well for me and the Element drives super smooth and gets me over 20mpg.

BUUUUT.......I do have a weakness for mean V-8s and wouldn't mind getting an F-150, slapping on an exhaust and getting some big offroad tires. I've had 5.0 mustangs in the past but they couldn't haul anything. I love the look of F-150s and have heard much positive feedback about them.

So here's my question: If I got an '03 F-150 (not sure which V8) with a hard tonneau cover and a big sticky rubber mat, would that work OK for laying my bikes down in there (bungieing them to the clips in the bed) and hauling them around all the time? Or am I better of the way I am for hauling purposes? Just don't want to hear the stuff/bikes in the bed moving around all the time and I don't want to have to keep taking them out and putting them back in (hence the tonneau hard cover). Anyone else lug mountain bikes around? If this sounds easily doable, I'll go test drive an F150 and possibly trade in my Element if I like it enough...and eat my $3K negative equity I'm sure I'll accumulate on the Honda trade. The F150 will have to drive better than the hemi dodge ram I tested last week. It was the most jiggly/bouncy ride I'd ever encountered.

Thanks for any and all feedback!!!

 

If you get a F-150 get the 5.4L! And for the bike thing im not sure if a hard top would work, unless your putting the bikes in on their sides. As for the ride I got a 99' F-150 and i love how it drives. VERY SMOOTH!

 

Yeah, I'd just be laying the bike(s) down on their sides on a thick rubber mat and then bungy cording the bike to the bed clips to secure it....at least that's my plan. Yeah the 5.4L is what I'm leaning towards. That engine with a flowmaster exhaust = sweet music! But I know the 5.4L is expensive. I'll have to do some research. Thanks!

 

why dont you just det a bike rack that attaches to the receiver hitch. you can get one for about 150 dollars.

 

I know about those racks but if that's the easiest way, than for me it defeats the purpose of having the pickup. I don't want to have to load the bikes on the rack and then off of them every day and put them away. I want to keep them stored (at least one of them) in the truck. That's how it is now with my Element. The bike that I use everyday just sits in the back of the Element. It's super convenient for me.

 

Your bike will fit fine under the cover of your truck. I've only carried one so far, but I have a soft cover and like that the bike is hidden from view. I almost had two this weekend, except it rained and we didn't end up going out.

I would wager two would fit, however, they will probably overlap some. I haven't needed to secure the bike any further than laying it in the back. The tires and the side of the truck keep it from moving around.

Chris

 

Thanks for the info. Test drove a 5.4L reg cab Lariat tonight. Dark green, two-tone. Great looking truck. Put my bike in the bed (already had a liner in it) and bungied it down and it didn't move at all.

However, I just don't think I can get used to the way pickups drive. The Lariat was just too bouncy for me. It handled pretty average and the brakes tended to make the steering wheel shake slightly.

Engine had good pickup and I liked the interior but the steering felt dead. I know you have to give up something to have the extra hauling space but I just couldn't see myself giving up my Honda Element, which is the smoothest driving, best handling little SUV I've ever driven for the Lariat and I still got 160 cu ft to use in it. But no it doesn't have no rumblin' stumblin' V8 and doesn't look mean.......very impt criteria for driving a vehicle I always say

So then the salesman practically BEGGED me to drive his used '02 red Lightning w/16K mi that he had sitting there to show me how unbouncy it drove compared to the Lariat. Hey, you don't have to twist my arm to drive a Lightning So I took it out.....and knowing it was broken in already, I had no qualms about tearing up the streets in it. He was right. The L drove more like a car and was tight and it could definitely haul. But it's got very little space to speak of and I wasn't really into buying a used one where who knows how many times this thing had been ragged on and don't want to fork over $30k for a new one.

Thanks for everybody's opinions and input but for now, the Honda seems to be the best option for me........until the 500hp Lightning comes out in '05........or the 500hp Dodge SRT-10.....tough decisions

 

Well, the "bouncy" ride is typcial of trucks. They are alot better than they used to be. The brakes shouldn't shake, but the steering will feel alot worse than what you are used to. Its a real apples and oranges comparison. But its sounds like you went about it in a very good manner and best of luck in your future purchases!

 

try test driveing a tundra i test drove them and a blow ford away on drive and ride i got a frind got one and he has 175000 miles on it it had to recalls 2000 year brakes and somethig to do with 02 never brakes down

 

The toy's do ride nice, but I hate the feeling of sitting on the ground with my feet straight out. IIRC, the floor is pretty high on those.

 

Skater69,
Once you get a truck, you'll never look back. You just have to get used to it! The bounce is really not bad. After a few days you won't notice it, but it is typical of a vehicle that large. I just bought an 03 F-150 SuperCrew FX4 last week, and I can say that it rides ALOT nicer than the 01 Dodge Ram I had, but I can't speak for the new Rams as I havent driven them. The Fords are the way to go! You only live once!!! I almost kept my Ram to avoid they new monthly payment... but it is worth every penny!!! Good luck!

 

Hi Skater69,

Better be carefull with your decission on a F150 If you are bothered by rough idle and I mean to a point that when you pull up to a light you can feel your seat shake YOU DO NOT WANT A FORD Check out threads here and elsewhere on the web just type in google Rough Idling F150 You will be surprised.