Mission changed, would you keep it?
Mountain Pass
Joined: Jan 2023
Posts: 124
Likes: 48
We are in an opposite situation as you. We bought a camper that worked with our current 1/2 ton truck, and now have a larger truck on order, to make towing a little more comfortable and mostly to let us get a larger camper.
I personally prefer to drive larger vehicles, so I won't try to help you with the decision to buy or sell directly. What I will suggest, is if you have never camped before, rent a camper while you have the truck, and see if you and your family enjoy the experience. We bought our camper because of COVID, and because our son doesn't adjust well to new places (ie. hotels). So this is our home away from home and he has his own bunk. Now that COVID restrictions are down, we are still choosing to go camping, because we like it. Maybe after renting a camper, you will find that your family enjoys it, and will choose to buy a camper. Then you will want to have that truck.
Good luck with your decision. Ultimately, you have to do what is best for you and your family.
I personally prefer to drive larger vehicles, so I won't try to help you with the decision to buy or sell directly. What I will suggest, is if you have never camped before, rent a camper while you have the truck, and see if you and your family enjoy the experience. We bought our camper because of COVID, and because our son doesn't adjust well to new places (ie. hotels). So this is our home away from home and he has his own bunk. Now that COVID restrictions are down, we are still choosing to go camping, because we like it. Maybe after renting a camper, you will find that your family enjoys it, and will choose to buy a camper. Then you will want to have that truck.
Good luck with your decision. Ultimately, you have to do what is best for you and your family.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Aug 2022
Posts: 1,584
Likes: 1,117
Dave
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 1,483
Likes: 273
From: Tulare U.S.A.
If it were a gas motor I might be a little more inclined to keep it if it were me, but short trips are not good for a modern diesel with a particulate filter. I see problems down the road for you. I would sell it ASAP as prices are getting worse by the day for the used market. Then maybe wait a few months until the 2023s come out and saturate the market causing prices to drop further and pick up a nice used F150. Just my 2cents.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Oct 2021
Posts: 108
Likes: 32
From: British Columbia....Canad
Back story: during covid restrictions, we decided we wanted a travel trailer or 5th wheel. My F-150 at the time didn't have enough payload, so we shopped around for a F350. We spent a couple of months chasing down trucks only to find they had just sold, or were marked up with a market adjustment. Finally, I ordered through Granger Ford in early November 2021. Unfortunately, we didn't get the truck until the end of January 2023! In the meantime, travel and other activities have returned to normal. RV prices suck and the places we want to travel are booked for this summer (everyone else had the same idea about buying an RV). The family members we planned to visit in the RV have moved to places where it isn't practical. So, we've decided to not buy an RV.
Now I have a diesel Platinum F350 loaded up for towing and nothing to tow. The biggest workout it will get is occasionally hauling mulch or moving some furniture. I work from home, so the mileage will be low. Probably 10,000 miles per year average if we take it on a few trips. I really like the truck, but it is way more than we need for so little use.
On the plus side:
Now I have a diesel Platinum F350 loaded up for towing and nothing to tow. The biggest workout it will get is occasionally hauling mulch or moving some furniture. I work from home, so the mileage will be low. Probably 10,000 miles per year average if we take it on a few trips. I really like the truck, but it is way more than we need for so little use.
On the plus side:
The 6.7 is amazing. The power and sound is addicting.
I like the interior - Dark Marsala looks great in person.
The options package is good - especially 360 cameras and multi contour seats.
On the negative side:I like the interior - Dark Marsala looks great in person.
The options package is good - especially 360 cameras and multi contour seats.
Expensive oil changes.
Stiff empty ride.
City and parking lot navigation isn't graceful!
My wife doesn't like driving it. (could be a plus).
Anyone have a similar experience? Would you keep a F350 diesel for light duty service?Stiff empty ride.
City and parking lot navigation isn't graceful!
My wife doesn't like driving it. (could be a plus).
Thread Starter
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Tuned
Joined: Nov 2021
Posts: 255
Likes: 104
From: SW Ohio
Thanks for thoughts and comments. I agree with most.
Desirable campgrounds are really full and they are raising prices to counter demand. There are a staggering number of new RVs that got purchased in the last 3 years. Hopefully things will calm down in two or three years.
That might be what I do, for a smaller truck.
The only hurry is the resale market might drop if supply constraints ease.
Yep. We're empty nesters and have gone through our share of towable toys. The RV would have probably been the last big towable.
It sounds like you got a decent deal!
Yeah, I could probably drive out in a new truck and bring home a check.
Lower tire pressure helped. Did that and Forscan updates as soon as I got it home!
Not quite. We didn't finalize an RV purchase while waiting on the truck. There was a strong chance it wasn't going to get built. Also RV prices are in a down trend.
Yes, we made the RV choice in the last month.
I'll see what my options look like over the next week. If I can get a decent offer, I might move. Otherwise I'll enjoy the truck.
I am in the same boat, but had the TT and was pulling it with my 2019 F150. Upgraded to my 2020 F350 7.3, received it in Nov 2020. Now the kids have all grown older and don't want to camp, the campgrounds are all full, a good chunk of the campers now are ******s and decided to sell our trailer while we could still get good money for it. I contemplated selling my truck, but I like my creature comforts and a comparable F150 is going to coast damn near if not more than I paid for my almost paid off F350. I have decided to stop looking and just keep my truck.
If the original intended use is gone, to never return then sell it while the market is good. You can always move to a F 150 and a smaller RV if you decide to revisit that plan in the future. Especially if it's just for 2 people.
If there's a chance of purchasing a larger RV or of any other towing needs popping up in the future then keep it.
You've already mentioned the higher upkeep costs and limited uses for a diesel, so there's that. In the end only you know your current and potential future uses. Make yourself a list of pros and cons and decide from there.
There probably is no hurry to make a decision since you already lived through the wait for a truck and you now have it in your possession.
If there's a chance of purchasing a larger RV or of any other towing needs popping up in the future then keep it.
You've already mentioned the higher upkeep costs and limited uses for a diesel, so there's that. In the end only you know your current and potential future uses. Make yourself a list of pros and cons and decide from there.
There probably is no hurry to make a decision since you already lived through the wait for a truck and you now have it in your possession.
I've had a diesel Super Duty co-daily driver for more than 20 years but I also have a couple of toys to tow. To me it comes down to finances. The truck drives great but costs more than an F150 for now. The crazy RV situation I believe to be temporary and will eventually get back to supply/demand equilibrium. When diesel was about as much as regular, it didn't really cost more to drive than an F150 as it will get about as good or better fuel mileage depending on the circumstances. I believe the crazy diesel prices to be somewhat temporary and here in northern NJ, I just got it for under 4 smokes a gallon so that was good to see. The diesel engine will outlast the gas engine plus the Super Duty has the option of being able to haul a large toy (boat, RV, etc). Options are worth something (learned that in my finance classes). Families change. Our kids get older and multiply and what everyone wants to do changes. Be ready for it.
Not sure where you are shopping for an RV but the prices have tumbled in the past few months. Also - buy USED !!! I bought mine from a couple that couldn't afford it any more. They had owned it 6 months and had made three trips. I paid off their balance and saved $13,500 over the cost of the same exact model available on a dealer lot in Knoxville. The wife and I looked on the lot and then I went and searched for the exact model we liked on RVTrader.com. I had to drive 600 miles to Michigan to pick it up but it was well worth it. Plus the owner threw in a Fastway e2 WDH ($600), an Andersen Ultimate Trailer Super EZ Leveling Block Bag ($300), various electrical adapters, cords, etc. All of that stuff is needed and not included with RVs so it was a +$1,000 bonus for us. As far as the RV parks being full they have been that way for years. I typically make my reservations 9 - 12 months out at any of the nicer parks.
As far as the truck goes if you aren't going to use it take it down and trade it on a F-150. No way an F-150 with the same options is more than what your truck is worth now.
As far as the truck goes if you aren't going to use it take it down and trade it on a F-150. No way an F-150 with the same options is more than what your truck is worth now.
Yeah, I could probably drive out in a new truck and bring home a check.
I would keep the truck. You special ordered exactly what you wanted and you like everything with only three minor negatives. You got the truck from Granger so we know you got a great price. Working from home means the city driving should not be an issue. Your CCSB is not much larger than an F150 anyway, except for height. Air the tires down to 60 front 50 rear for a more comfortable empty ride. The expensive oil and filter service will be infrequent with your low mileage use. Reevaluate your camping dreams in a couple of years. You have an awesome truck, even though your original intent for towing changed. BTW, I did almost the exact same thing, going from F150 to F250 for a new larger camper purchase that never happened. I kept my F250 and still love it and am very happy with having this truck. Only if something became a big negative would I get rid of your truck.
Yes, we made the RV choice in the last month.
I'll see what my options look like over the next week. If I can get a decent offer, I might move. Otherwise I'll enjoy the truck.
Logistics Pro
Joined: May 2021
Posts: 4,004
Likes: 2,329
In SD terms my 52k truck I received mid last year was <48k in 2020, and now it is a 60+k truck if you can find one for 22 MY, so that too is a 25% increase in just 2 model years, it will get even higher once 23s arrive with the MSRP and package price increases.
Just think, we all had chances to buy some 55k Raptors on sale for 49k....sigh....
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Lead Driver
Joined: Dec 2020
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Dang, when and where were those available? I bought my SD in 2019, got over $13k off, I might have considered a Raptor but at that time there were no discounts or incentives being given on the Raptors. Would have been around $70k for a Raptor.
Logistics Pro
Joined: May 2021
Posts: 4,004
Likes: 2,329
https://www.caranddriver.com/ford/f-150-raptor-2019
today you will be lucky to get a raptor for under 100k even though they start at “only” 77k plus 2k shipping. Ford dealers are still marking them up 20-30k because why not.
Tuned
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 261
Likes: 68
From: SW Cook County, Illinois
I’m sorry, but what I was referring to was the Raptor payload numbers.
Logistics Pro
Joined: May 2021
Posts: 4,004
Likes: 2,329
That 48K SD I mentioned? 61k now
https://shop.ford.com/configure/supe...details-bb-fbc