Opinions on Order Options, Function vs Value
5th Wheeling
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 28
Likes: 21
I've had "moonroofs" on several cars/trucks, and I generally like them. I like them for a few days now and then, and sometimes I really dislike them when I leave them open, the motors crap out, or they just leak.
I decided that for $1,500 they were (potentially) more trouble than the sunny days I'd enjoy them. My F-150 has a stain on the liner due to a plugged drain. I found it a bit disconcerning when it rained through the center windshield camera vent too. The F-250 I have on order will have a plain old roof. I skipped the roof marker lights for the same reason, though I doubt I'd have any trouble with those.
I decided that for $1,500 they were (potentially) more trouble than the sunny days I'd enjoy them. My F-150 has a stain on the liner due to a plugged drain. I found it a bit disconcerning when it rained through the center windshield camera vent too. The F-250 I have on order will have a plain old roof. I skipped the roof marker lights for the same reason, though I doubt I'd have any trouble with those.
Tuned
Joined: Aug 2024
Posts: 415
Likes: 140
Interesting topic. There will be many opinions on this. Personally, I wanted a new old truck if that makes any sense. There are some must-haves, but overall I'm just not into too many bells and whistles. I've got enough stress in my life; just want to keep it simple. I'd get rid of the EGR and DPF for the same reason if I could, but will have to live with it I guess.
Edit: But don't get me wrong. I do appreicate all the advancements Ford and others have brought to the table (ie. power, suspension, ride comfort, quiet cab, aluminum body, etc).
Edit: But don't get me wrong. I do appreicate all the advancements Ford and others have brought to the table (ie. power, suspension, ride comfort, quiet cab, aluminum body, etc).
Last edited by wcbcruzer; Oct 23, 2025 at 02:35 AM.
Cross-Country
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 82
Likes: 60
A man after my own heart! 
And, in particular...
...and that's really it. I love to drive, I was born to drive. Not in some stupid Talladega Nights way, but in a professional and purist sense. When I was driving OTR, there were days when I was just out west, rolling the hills, working the truck, hauling that freight... and I thought 'My God, they are paying me to do this!' Of course, there were days where I said 'Good Heavens, they don't pay me enough to do this...' and that was usually up on the east coast.
When I was test driving my 2017 2500HD, the salesman kept telling me to use the backup camera... 'it's a safety feature!' I'm like... 'why? I have 3 good mirrors already'
And, in particular......and that's really it. I love to drive, I was born to drive. Not in some stupid Talladega Nights way, but in a professional and purist sense. When I was driving OTR, there were days when I was just out west, rolling the hills, working the truck, hauling that freight... and I thought 'My God, they are paying me to do this!' Of course, there were days where I said 'Good Heavens, they don't pay me enough to do this...' and that was usually up on the east coast.
When I was test driving my 2017 2500HD, the salesman kept telling me to use the backup camera... 'it's a safety feature!' I'm like... 'why? I have 3 good mirrors already'
Logistics Pro
Joined: May 2021
Posts: 4,082
Likes: 2,365
The back camera is an interesting point of contention. I don't use it for actually backing up since I was taught to arrange the two external and the overhead review mirrors to line up correctly and eliminate gaps in view to the rear, and Ford SDs have the best mirrors in the business, I do take a quick look in the rear view camera view screen to make sure no small person or animal moved behind me before I start backing up. Once I start I don't use the rear view camera at all and just use the two side mirrors to make adjustments. With how tall these trucks are, the back up cameras have one purpose for me to make sure the area is clear at the moment of starting to reverse.
Last edited by twobelugas; Oct 24, 2025 at 05:08 PM.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 5,704
Likes: 1,029
From: Near Yosemite CA
If I can buy a 7.3 gas with a 5 or 6 speed manual, I would pay over waaaay sticker for it. Manuals with their deep crawler first gear makes getting off the line a breeze with the low end torque of gas motors now a days, something unseen since the demise of the 460.
The back camera is an interesting point of contention. I don't use it for actually backing up since I was taught to arrange the two external and the overhead review mirrors to line up correctly and eliminate gaps in view to the rear, and Ford SDs have the best mirrors in the business, I do take a quick look in the rear view camera view screen to make sure no small person or animal moved behind me before I start backing up. Once I start I don't use the rear view camera at all and just use the two side mirrors to make adjustments. With how tall these trucks are, the back up cameras have one purpose for me to make sure the area is clear at the moment of starting to reverse.
The back camera is an interesting point of contention. I don't use it for actually backing up since I was taught to arrange the two external and the overhead review mirrors to line up correctly and eliminate gaps in view to the rear, and Ford SDs have the best mirrors in the business, I do take a quick look in the rear view camera view screen to make sure no small person or animal moved behind me before I start backing up. Once I start I don't use the rear view camera at all and just use the two side mirrors to make adjustments. With how tall these trucks are, the back up cameras have one purpose for me to make sure the area is clear at the moment of starting to reverse.
7th Gear
Joined: Apr 2025
Posts: 7
Likes: 1
You don’t get the roof clearance lights for cosmetic purposes. You get them because they are legally required when towing a trailer over 80 inches wide. Yes they are a point of potential water intrusion. Yes you can get a ticket if you don’t have them when towing depending on trailer width.
Better to have them and not need them, than to need them and not have them.
Better to have them and not need them, than to need them and not have them.
Logistics Pro
Joined: May 2021
Posts: 4,082
Likes: 2,365
You don’t get the roof clearance lights for cosmetic purposes. You get them because they are legally required when towing a trailer over 80 inches wide. Yes they are a point of potential water intrusion. Yes you can get a ticket if you don’t have them when towing depending on trailer width.
Better to have them and not need them, than to need them and not have them.
Better to have them and not need them, than to need them and not have them.
https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-4...section-393.11
Identification lamps (front). See footnote #1
3
Amber
Front
As close as practicable to the top of the vehicle, at the same height, and as close as practicable to the vertical centerline of the vehicle (or the vertical centerline of the cab where different from the centerline of the vehicle) with lamp centers spaced not less than 152 mm (6 inches) or more than 305 mm (12 inches) apart. Alternatively, the front lamps may be located as close as practicable to the top of the cab
All three on the same level as close as practicable to the top of the motor vehicle
B, C
3
Amber
Front
As close as practicable to the top of the vehicle, at the same height, and as close as practicable to the vertical centerline of the vehicle (or the vertical centerline of the cab where different from the centerline of the vehicle) with lamp centers spaced not less than 152 mm (6 inches) or more than 305 mm (12 inches) apart. Alternatively, the front lamps may be located as close as practicable to the top of the cab
All three on the same level as close as practicable to the top of the motor vehicle
B, C
B,C are subsequently clarified as
B. Buses and trucks 2,032 mm (80 inches) or more in overall width.
C. Truck tractors.
C. Truck tractors.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Jul 2024
Posts: 217
Likes: 111
From: Georgia
That is my understanding as well. If the tow vehicle > 80" wide (example: DRW pickup), the tow vehicle needs the roof clearance lights. If the trailer is >80" wide, the trailer needs the clearance lighting. If the trailer is >80" wide but the tow vehicle is not (ex: SRW pickup), then the tow vehicle does not require the clearance lights but only the trailer does.
Last edited by Stiletto364; Oct 25, 2025 at 08:37 AM.
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Logistics Pro
Joined: May 2021
Posts: 4,082
Likes: 2,365
That is my understanding as well. If the tow vehicle > 80" wide (example: DRW pickup), the tow vehicle needs the roof clearance lights. If the trailer is >80" wide, the trailer needs the clearance lighting. If the trailer is >80" wide but the tow vehicle is not (ex: SRW pickup), then the tow vehicle does not require the clearance lights but the trailer does.
Last edited by twobelugas; Oct 24, 2025 at 09:08 PM.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 1,206
Likes: 513
I don't know if I'll ever be in the position to order a brand new truck, but just the same I don't make my buying decisions based on potential resale value. I drive vehicles for a couple hundred thousand miles though. There are certain options I want that I won't compromise on, but if there's extra ones then so be it. I was shopping 2014-2016 Lariats when I bought my 2017, but for the same money I picked it up with the newer generation body and running gear. That was more important than the trim level at the time. It just so happened it was a Platinum. Now there are a few features I like in the truck that I probably wouldn't want to go without again.
I actually prefer the feel of cloth seats so an XLT with heated seats and some other options would do me just fine. Now that I have dogs that shed like it's their job I have to do the smooth covering seats to keep the hair from sticking. I like the console over the fold down bench seat. I even have one in my 2003 daily driver. Only downside of that is if you have a lady friend up there that wants to slide over a little closer. Can take the '79 out with the real bench seat for that though.
I actually prefer the feel of cloth seats so an XLT with heated seats and some other options would do me just fine. Now that I have dogs that shed like it's their job I have to do the smooth covering seats to keep the hair from sticking. I like the console over the fold down bench seat. I even have one in my 2003 daily driver. Only downside of that is if you have a lady friend up there that wants to slide over a little closer. Can take the '79 out with the real bench seat for that though.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 5,704
Likes: 1,029
From: Near Yosemite CA
I actually prefer the feel of cloth seats so an XLT with heated seats and some other options would do me just fine. Now that I have dogs that shed like it's their job I have to do the smooth covering seats to keep the hair from sticking. I like the console over the fold down bench seat. I even have one in my 2003 daily driver. Only downside of that is if you have a lady friend up there that wants to slide over a little closer. Can take the '79 out with the real bench seat for that though.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 212
Likes: 49
From: South Jersey
I had a list when I went shopping of must haves and want to have.
Must haves:
- 7.3L
- 4x4
- shortbed
- atleast 3k payload
- trailer brake controller
- as little chrome as possible (Sport or Black Appearance)
- console
- Power / heated seats (wife)
Wants:
- keyless
- door code pad thing
- cooled / leather seats
- largest screen possible
- 360 cam
- Roof lights
- Tailgate step
- Tremor Package
Found acouple XLTs that checked most of the boxes, and was going to close the deal on a loaded XLT, but the wife wanted me to checkout one more dealership where she had bought her F150. They worked out a sweet deal on the Lariat Ultimate I ended up with and it checked almost all the boxes.
Must haves:
- 7.3L
- 4x4
- shortbed
- atleast 3k payload
- trailer brake controller
- as little chrome as possible (Sport or Black Appearance)
- console
- Power / heated seats (wife)
Wants:
- keyless
- door code pad thing
- cooled / leather seats
- largest screen possible
- 360 cam
- Roof lights
- Tailgate step
- Tremor Package
Found acouple XLTs that checked most of the boxes, and was going to close the deal on a loaded XLT, but the wife wanted me to checkout one more dealership where she had bought her F150. They worked out a sweet deal on the Lariat Ultimate I ended up with and it checked almost all the boxes.
Last edited by FX4ALL; Oct 27, 2025 at 10:23 AM.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Aug 2022
Posts: 1,592
Likes: 1,119
That is my understanding as well. If the tow vehicle > 80" wide (example: DRW pickup), the tow vehicle needs the roof clearance lights. If the trailer is >80" wide, the trailer needs the clearance lighting. If the trailer is >80" wide but the tow vehicle is not (ex: SRW pickup), then the tow vehicle does not require the clearance lights but only the trailer does.
2 cents,
Dave
Mountain Pass
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 130
Likes: 21
From: Lebanon, TN
A 'compact sedan' is also on the Do Not Buy list... neither my wife and I like cars, for a good number of reasons, including personal preference.
Funny story... we were in the Ford dealer, and our sales girl was new... so the sales manager had to strut out and make sure she wasn't giving anything away. He's asking us about why were ordering a truck, why not just buy one off the lot (typical sales manager stuff.) Then he starts drilling down, asking us why we wanted, of all things, a Super Duty... I mean, what were we hauling? He actually recommended we buy a Ranger. I was taken so off-guard I didn't even know what to say, and my wife just about got up to leave.
Funny story... we were in the Ford dealer, and our sales girl was new... so the sales manager had to strut out and make sure she wasn't giving anything away. He's asking us about why were ordering a truck, why not just buy one off the lot (typical sales manager stuff.) Then he starts drilling down, asking us why we wanted, of all things, a Super Duty... I mean, what were we hauling? He actually recommended we buy a Ranger. I was taken so off-guard I didn't even know what to say, and my wife just about got up to leave.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Jul 2024
Posts: 217
Likes: 111
From: Georgia
I believe you are correct. The extra width of the F150 Raptor is why it also has three amber lights in the grill. .....of course now people think the lights are cool and are adding them to non-raptors but they were installed because of the truck's increased width, not for aesthetics.
2 cents,
Dave
2 cents,
Dave