10 Hidden Costs of Ford Truck Ownership Most People Forget

Wait... HOW Much???

If you are in the market for a new Ford truck, you probably already know how expensive they can be. However, the cost goes well beyond just the MSRP. And it is these other costs that can catch people by surprise. Especially those who are new to the truck world. If you just traded in your Toyota Camry for a new F-250 Super Duty with a 6.7L diesel engine, there are some things that you may not have considered. That is what our list today is all about. We came up with 10 hidden costs of Ford truck ownership that most people forget.

Your costs will, of course, vary. Ford trucks cover a wide spectrum of vehicles from the Maverick to the Super Duty. So, your costs will vary just as much. But when you are looking at buying a Ford truck, keep in mind these other expenses and leave room in your budget for them. If you don’t, you may be in for an unpleasant experience.

1. Registration Fees

Registration fees vary from state to state. They also vary from truck to truck. Registration for an F-450 may be vastly more expensive than a Ranger. For example, in the state of Pennsylvania, the cost to register a passenger car is $48 per year. A class 2 truck with a gross vehicle weight between 5,001 and 7,000 pounds is $111 a year. Most F-150s will fall into this range. An F-450 with a gross vehicle weight of 14,000 pounds will cost $423 per year to register. There are further considerations around commercial trucks and so on. The point is, these costs are wide-ranging and if you don’t do your research ahead of time, you might get smacked with an unpleasant surprise when you have to pay for registration.

2. Repair Costs

As a general rule, the bigger the truck, the higher the repair costs. According to RepairPal, the average annual repair cost for a Ford F-150 outside of warranty is $788. That is not too far above what you would pay for a Ford Mustang, which is $709 per year. However, the F-350 Super Duty will cost $1,295 annually for repairs. That is significantly higher and something you want to keep in mind as you plan your budget.

3. Fuel Costs

Trucks are thirsty, especially when towing/hauling. A 2025 Ford F-150 with 4-wheel drive and the 5.0L V8 engine is rated for a combined 19 miles per gallon. But while you are towing, your actual mileage may be just half of that. If you are going to be towing or hauling frequently, you will want to factor in the increased fuel consumption in your budget.  

4. Modifications

This can be a slippery slope. Modifying your Ford truck can be a lot of fun. Whether you are modifying simply for the sake of style or if you are trying to increase performance or capability, there is a modification out there for you. The problem is that this can become addicting. Maybe it just starts with a set of wheels and tires. Then you want an exhaust. Then you want a supercharger and a tune. The list is nearly endless. Just be mindful that you may be tempted to spend thousands of dollars on modifications.  

5. Depreciation

Ford trucks generally hold their value pretty well. Especially Super Duty models. However, it is still likely you will lose tens of thousands of dollars to depreciation. It is something to keep in mind when buying a new truck. According to CarEdge, if you buy a new F-150 today for about $62,000, in 5 years, when the truck has 67,000 miles on it, the value will be just over $31K. That is a $30K loss or roughly $500 every month just in depreciation. Buying used can help you avoid some of the biggest depreciation hits, so you might want to consider that option.

6. Tires

Those sweet 37-inch Raptor R tires are about $1,700 a set. Do you have a DRW Super Duty? Now you have six tires to worry about. Tires can wear out fast and be expensive to replace. They are also one of the most critical components on your truck, so you don’t want to skimp here. But you might want to research how much replacement tires cost before you bring your new truck home.

7. Preventive Maintenance

To avoid unexpected repairs down the road, you will want to stay on top of all the regular maintenance. You may be prepared for things like oil changes and so forth. But what about other items you may want to do, such as a CP4 pump failure prevention kit? Make sure you plan for all preventative maintenance items. You don’t want to skip them in an effort to save money and then end up with a massive repair bill when something fails.

8. Parking Fees

This is another one that can vary based on the size of your truck. For a Maverick owner, this is not something that you really need to worry about. But for the dual rear wheel Super Duty crew, you might find yourself paying extra to park your truck in a parking garage. Assuming you can even find a garage big enough to accommodate your ride. Parking fees might not seem like a big deal, but they can really add up if you need to pay for parking frequently.

9. Detailing Costs

Trucks aren’t just for job sites anymore. Many people buy them as family vehicles and, as such, they want to keep them looking their best. Especially if you are spending $70K+ on a new truck. So, you may want to get it ceramic coated and covered in paint protection film (PPF) and so on. Well, getting this done on a pickup truck is more expensive than on a small, two-seat sports car. It simply takes more time and material to cover a truck. And that extends to those who just want to wash it at home. You will be going through wash supplies at a faster rate with a bigger truck. Budget accordingly. 

10. Your Time

Even though most of this list focused on things that will cost you money, not all costs are monetary. When you get a truck, suddenly you have more friends than you thought. And all of them seem to need help moving or getting something at Home Depot. They want to borrow you and your truck for help. That takes time. You may also spend more time looking for parking spaces for a large truck. You will spend more time washing a large truck, filling it up with fuel, and so on.

Of course, this is not necessarily a bad thing. Owning a truck is a lifestyle. You will probably spend more time reading Ford Truck Enthusiasts, and that is, of course, a great way to spend your time. Just keep in mind that owning a Ford truck can consume more of your time than you may have first thought.

Images: Ford