75 replies to this topic

[Advmoto18]

Bill, I know you've mentioned the Chevy 2500.  But, if you can hold out until the end of the 2015 model year, I suspect you will find very deep discounts on F-250 gas trucks.  Like last years F-150, Ford ponied up a ton of cash to dealers on the back end of sales deals due to very deep discounts to get the steel trucks off the lots and make room for the new beer can F-150 (aluminum panels).  The 2016 F-250 and F-350 will be receiving similar aluminum treatment.  So I expect Ford to offer back end cash to dealers to fund deep cuts on 2015s.  Once the discounts are announced, dealer inventory will go very fast since the 250/350 are highly sought after commercial-use trucks.

 

I am strongly considering replacing my 2003 F-250 with a late 2015 model year F-350.  I bought one of the very last F-250s with the 7.3 to roll off the line.  I have been very happy with the truck.  Albeit the 7.3 does not care for the low sulfur diesel and fuel economy tanked from 19 to 14 mpg when low sulfur was introduced.

Edited by Advmoto18, 04 February 2015 - 12:45 AM.

[Wandering Sagebrush]

Advmotto, you're going to love the 2015 F350. I went with a late 2014 version to replace my 2000 F250 7.3, which I still have and love. Interesting that your mileage tanked with ultra low sulphur diesel. Mine is still above 19 when the camper is off.

With less than 3000 miles on the new truck, the best I've seen is 18.1. I expect it to go up as it breaks in more.

Edited by Wandering Sagebrush, 04 February 2015 - 01:37 AM.

[Happyjax]

Does anyone here have the new Ford aluminum bed truck? I know the payload will be better with these but how hard would it be to get an aluminum bed repaired? I like the idea of trimming weight off but wonder what the cons would be:)

Have not test driven one yet so have no idea how they drive. Will be doing that this week:)

[billharr]

Does anyone here have the new Ford aluminum bed truck? I know the payload will be better with these but how hard would it be to get an aluminum bed repaired? I like the idea of trimming weight off but wonder what the cons would be:)

Have not test driven one yet so have no idea how they drive. Will be doing that this week:)

Jury is still out on what the new F150 will carry. 

 

Edmonds did a test on the repair cost not good.

 

"What’s clear is none of this is cheap. Remember the broken taillight? That turned into a big ticket item, too: Not only was the broken lens integrated into a single assembly that needed replacement, all of the sensors for the truck’s blind-spot monitoring system are housed in the same unit. Crack a lens and you have to replace the whole taillight for a whopping $887.75. Of course, that would be true on any vehicle equipped with such high-end safety technology. But even replacing the damaged “Sport 4X4″ decal cost $64.

 

Edit: added videos

https://www.youtube....DQZu8K51ZY#t=23

 

 

 

Edited by billharr, 09 February 2015 - 07:12 PM.

[iowahiker]

All the magazines I read say the new 2015 Ford F-150 will still have a steel bed.  Only the cab will be aluminum.  GVWR of the 2015 will be the same as 2014 so payload goes up only from the aluminum weight reduction, 300 lb for regular cab, 500 lb for extended cab, 700 lb for crew cab.  Actual payload will depend on spring package (base or better trailer package (adds 300-500 lb) or payload package (adds 800-1000 lb) less optional equipment.  If you get an extended cab or crew cab short bed, then get the better trailer package.  If you get anything with a long bed, get the payload package.  An extended cab short bed with the better trailer package and a Hawk looks interesting but could still sag because so much of the weight goes on the rear axle.  Please note:  I only recommend regular cabs with the payload package for carrying a camper.  Ford has three or more trailer packages so figuring out which one has the better springs is interesting.  Focus on sticker GVWR when ordering or shopping to get the best spring package.

[kmcintyre]

Aluminum bed or cab or ??? doesn't really matter.  I would think you want capacity and torque and mileage if you are looking at a 1/2 ton truck.  I haven't seen Ford talk about mileage but if I was looking for a new truck and could afford one, I'd go for the 1/2 ton Ram diesel.  Best of all worlds in my opinion. 

[Happyjax]

So much good info here. I would love the cost and fuel savings of a 1/2 ton but keep thinking the 3/4 ton would be the safer option. That way I would not have to scrimp on my camper and cargo..... Still it is fun to learn and shop!

[Happyjax]

I liked the video where they nailed the quarter panel with a sledgehammer and then got some estimates. I would have liked to see what damage the same blow would have inflicted to a steel quarter panel. I am no expert on what a sledge should do to a truck body but it seemed to me that the damage was not that extensive for the whacking the truck got. I wonder what the steel bed would have looked like after that punch. As for the expensive tail light replacement I think it is the future of these gadgets, at least until they become more prevalent and get some 3rd party competition. I remember $2,000+ 15" plasma computer monitors........

[MANXMAN]

I bought a very late production 2014 F150 V8 SC and and have driven the same spec 2015 aluminum model and I can tell you that you can feel the 500 pound loss. It feels livelier than mine and slightly more nimble on curves. I would love to have the extra 500 lbs of payload capacity too. 

[JJ1]

^^ I'll pass on the $867 tail light replacements, though.