First post here. Looking for some wisdom/advice.

Edit: just realized I wrote a novel... hopefully SOMEBODY will read through it and comment LOL.

Currently have a 21 Explorer ST, great SUV. Wouldnt have bought it early this year if I knew we were going to buy a boat. We bought a boat about 2 months ago and the ST, while it tows ok, sits a bit low with low overhangs. As a result every time we put the boat in the water the mufflers end up under water(and filled with water that drips out for 12+ hours), the trailer wiring connector gets submerged and filled with water, half the back wheel in the water, etc... I think long term getting that stuff wet all the time is not going to be good for it. So the search began for a truck... Great time to be looking to buy something.

I have gone back and forth between 250/350 and a 150 and built about 200 different configurations of both on Ford.com.

I have a 21' deep garage. I realistically cant fit a 4dr Super Duty in the garage. The measurements say they are like 20'11". I dont think I want to chance it and to be honest, I dont REALLY need the back seat 98% of the time. I CAN fit an F150 super crew at 19'6" which is basically same length as a super cab F250/350.

I THINK I have settled on an F350, super cab, Lariat, 7.3, 4.30 gears. Definitely overkill for my needs...im aware. Building one out on ford.com I get to 61,160 MSRP as I would order it.

Building out a basically equivalent F150, except super crew, puts me 65,990. Building a Lariat F150 how I would order it was like 69.9k. Building a Platinum how I would order it was 71890...

I simply cant fathom how an F150, even similarly equipped(again outside of super cab vs. super crew) is almost 5k more expensive than an F350.

My buddy says "oh an F150 will be a better daily driver than an SD" which I guess I get, to an extent, but realistically they are damn near the same size, again talking F150 super crew vs. SD super cab. F150 SCREW 5.5 box turning radius is 24ft, F250 SCAB 6.5 box seems to be 24.75 feet. So almost the same "maneuverability". So unless I am missing something I dont see an F250 SCAB being much different to daily than an F150 SCREW... again I have not directly driven each model back to back as its basically impossible to find an F250/350 SCAB around anywhere.

Ive read through about 100 MPG threads. I think I have a decent handle on that aspect of things. F150 3.5EB seems to be ~18-19 unloaded, 9-10 towing 5k. SD with 7.3 seems im seeing 14-15 unloaded(with a few outliers at maybe 16) with about 10 towing 5k. So not a DRASTIC difference. If the F150 3.5 EB was getting mid 20's unloaded, I might be posting on a different forum...

So looking for anybody who wants to break down my thought process above if they would like.

On to my proposed build. Here is where I would like people to pick things apart and recommend adding or subtracting things.
F350: same "basic" truck as F250, but overload springs in the rear and a high GCWR leading to higher payload with almost zero downside... Any argument to go F250 and lose the payload rating? I'm not aware here in Texas of any issues with me, a non-CDL holder, titling or driving a truck over 10k GVWR.
4x4
7.3 Godzilla
4.30 gears: seems with 10 speed there is no real downside to 4.30 gears and the upside is stronger rear axle.
Lariat value package
Ultimate Trailer Tow camera system with pro trailer backup assist: not getting adaptive steering so i think this function wont work, not worried about that.
5th wheel/gooseneck prep: dont have a need for it now, but its inexpensive and wife and I have looked at 5th wheel toy haulers in the past
LED roof marker/clearance lights...because they look cool
Skid Plates
F&R splash guards
F&R wheel well liners
Tailgate step
Rain Sensing wipers and heated steering wheel
universal garage door opener
upfitter switches: not sure what I would use them for, but they are cheap enough to add

Things I thought about, but after researching decided against, but could add them back in with some persuasion:
-FX4 package: skid plates added for $100, shocks it seems people think are crap and should be replaced anyway, and hill descent control can be added for $15 switch and enable in Forscan... so $300 for a sticker...
-Dual alternator and battery package: I like it for the price(i think its cheap for what you get) and I like it for the PERCEIVED redundancy factor, but in the past 8-10 years I cant remember having to replace an alternator on any vehicle and batteries seem to go 5 years at least. I dont have PLANS to need a ton of amperage off the alternators to charge batteries on a travel trailer or dual batteries for either boondocking or what have you. I "think" only having 1 alternator MIGHT turn in a little better fuel mileage, but likely not. Again something I would be ok adding back to the build as I think its cheap and it gives some level of perceived piece of mind.
-Adaptive steering: I understand what it is and how it works. I also understand if i want it I may never get a truck as they seem to be on constraint constantly.
-Tough Bed spray in liner. Definitely want this, but I understand also on constraint due to lack of ability to do it in volume leading to delays on getting a truck. Will just get Line-X done locally.

Other things I will do after the fact:
-AMP power steps. Power steps not available on super cab so I selected no steps at all, but will have AMP power steps installed immediately upon delivery.
-Folding Tonneau. Will do one of these as well. I think the Ford one at $995 is likely ok, but I know there are a few other models out there for around the same price.


So looking for I guess maybe some overall advice on F150 vs. F250/350(although I think my mind is made up there) AND advice on my proposed build of an F350 Lariat SCAB.

Thanks...

 

Keep in mind a crew cab long bed comes with the larger 48 gallon gas tank. FYI

 

If you're worried about the depth of your garage, also don't forget about the height of the door opening. There's a big height difference between an F150 and an F350. Guys with 7' tall garage doors do lots of measuring to be very sure it'll fit (apron approach angle, tire size, etc all factor in). I wasn't willing to risk issues in the winter with snow on the approach, so updated our door to an 8' door for peace of mind.

 

I think you missed a big part of my post... i.e. 21 foot garage. If a crew cab short bed wont fit(on paper it is like 20' 11"), a crew cab long bed MOST CERTAINLY wont fit... hence why I am contemplating a super cab and not crew cabs.

Ive got 8 foot garage doors with 10 foot ceilings so no issues there.

 

I didn't miss it. That's why I said "keep in mind", because once you have the truck there's no going back. A lot of folks want the larger tank and/or regret not getting it.

 

Theres just no way I am buying a 65-70k+ dollar truck that has to be parked outside...for the 3x a year I would like to have long legs on the truck. A long bed crew cab is basically the opposite of what I am looking for.

If I need more tank capacity ill get an in bed transfer tank or ill carry 2 5 gallon cans in the bed.

 

Well it looks like you have everything figured out then. Good luck.

Oh and since you did ask for advice on your SCAB build, and you don't want to park it outside (I assume you either live in a bad neighborhood or don't want rain or snow on your truck) if you live in a northern climate those power running boards will break, guaranteed.

 

How big is the boat?

 

21ft. 24 foot total trailer length. 5k on the trailer dry probably close to 5500 with fuel and gear.

A super duty is overkill for our boat, but I dont know what we might buy in the future and I would rather not have to buy again later.

If we go up to a 23 foot boat we add at least 1k if not 1500lbs because the boat design changed from ours to the newer ones and they all put on a lot of weight.

 

Dont live in a bad neighborhood, just dont want to park an expensive item out in the elements.

Live in Dallas, Texas so no real concern with the power running boards.

 

The new F-150 is super quiet, rides better, really comfortable, get good MPG and is definitely a better DD when compared to a Super Duty.

I was originally looking to order an F-150, however, like you I realized that the F-150 prices were too close not to consider a Super Duty. I don’t need the towing capacity of a Super Duty right now but, it’ll allow me to tow larger equipment if I decide to go that route sometime down the road.

At the end of the day, I ordered a new F-250 and I’m extremely happy with my new truck. It’s everything I expected (well, perhaps short some Sync4 options the F-150 has) and I don’t see myself buying anything smaller now or in the future.

My expensive truck will live under covered parking but open to the elements of the PNW for at least a couple years until my new garage is built. Doesn’t bother me at all…

Mike

 

I got a similar F350 just over a month ago. 7.3L, 4.30 gears and SCSB for the same reason - I live in CO with quite a bit of snow and it had to fit in the garage. So far loving this truck. I came from a 17 Ram 3500 with the Cummins and the throttle response off the line is night and day. With no turbo, the big 7.3 really puts you back in the seat right off the bat. I went F350 for payload to haul a truck camper. What I didn't expect was that the ride is so much better than the Ram. I suspect its due to the Ford having overloads where the Ram had a single set of leaves and airbags. I went XLT since I didn't want leather seats and it's a little cheaper as a bonus. I got a little over 10mpg hauling our camper over the divide via I-70 and it's gotten almost 15 for mostly highway and around 13 mixed. Good luck with your decision.

Jim

 

I also bought a SCSB because A) all of my vehicles have a garage space B) I do not need to haul a family around anymore C) the SCSB is a great sized truck! The newer super cab is way more comfortable and useful than the previous generation which I had. Still fits under my 7 foot door and in my garage with the plow on the front. I have the 7.3 3.73 combo and I have been very pleased with it. I had a truck with 4.30's on order but who knows when that truck will show up so I found on on the ground with the 3.73's and went for it, no regrets 8000 miles and two towing trips in.

Half ton trucks have pretty limited appeal to me. I have had an Expedition and a Raptor both rode great and were good vehicles for me but there is nothing like a SD truck. I like having a truck that can pretty much do anything I ask of it. Living in the mountains makes having a truck a necessity and the SD trucks do not disappoint. The only F150 I would ever own again would be a Raptor, otherwise give me a SD.

 

FX4 gives you A/T tires, which I believe will affect your payload rating.

 

They are all E rated tires.

I have not read anything that this affects the payload/tow rating one way or the other.

But you are right, FX4 forces you into A/T tires which are $295. So really FX4 is 400+295. It also obviously forces you into an e-locker rear end and that cost, but im already planning the 4.30 e locker gears so im not including that added cost.