What F150 and options?

[Garfish]

Already decided the 150, crew cab and 5.5 bed for replacing my highlander coming off lease. Just two of us towing 16, first AS last year. Park in driveway and there is room for 23', so maybe....

Dry camp (Sierras, mostly) and some full hook up places. Don't pack much. Not a fan of towing but love the Bambi and having a vehicle while camping.

Use as daily driver (work at home so limited but trips to Bay Area and gifts at Christmas for my grandkids). Want easier towing and smooth ride daily.

So what must haves and nice to have? I have as must 3.5 eco boost, max tow, back up assist, brake controller and think 36 gal tank. Don't think 4X4.

Any advice?

[mikeinca]

I don't know what trim level you're considering so some of these may be included, but in addition to what you've already listed;

Must have:
Extendable tow mirrors
If no 4x4 then do get Electronic Locking differential

Nice to have:
My wife and I love the power extendable running boards. They come down further than the fixed running boards and stay out of the way otherwise. May be less of an issue with a 4x2 and it's lower ride height. Some say they are something else to go wrong. Not worried; have an extended warranty.
Tailgate step with lift assist. It's now fully contained within the tailgate. Didn't have it on the F150, have it on the F250....very handy.
Heated and cooled seats.

[Countryboy59]

Ford has (5) engine options for the half ton this year including a non turbo V6 and a 3.3 diesel V6 (only 250 hp acccording to the sticker) but any of them should pull a 16'.

[Peanut]

I would recommend 4X4. All it takes is a little wet grass to get those wheels spinning. And you never know where your travels may take you. I heard there are some nice places out in the desert, and while you may not a 4x4 to get you to your site, you might for day tripping.

[vlaming]

Opinions, belly buttons, truck choice...We went cheap but effective-I'm old school (and old) so I consider the truck as a tool. Special ordered 2017 F150XL Supercab, 3.5 EC w/10spd trans, 6.5 box, 4x4, max truck package, manual extended mirrors with lights. Added STX to get a few upgrades without the $4k jump to XLT. Max tow pkg gets the 36 gal tank, 3.55 elec locking diff, Trailer Backup Assist, etc per pkg description

[m.hony]

Must haves:
max tow
max payload
4x4
tow mirrors
large fuel tank
Nice extras:
bed liner
bed cap/shell
fender flares
side steps
bed step

[Gleverett]

Originally Posted by Peanut

I would recommend 4X4. All it takes is a little wet grass to get those wheels spinning. And you never know where your travels may take you. I heard there are some nice places out in the desert, and while you may not a 4x4 to get you to your site, you might for day tripping.

Agree with the 4x4 recommendation. 2 wheel drive truck on dirt, sand, wet conditions, and snow, has poor traction in the back due to weight. With 4x4 its there when you need it and you never know.

[m.hony]

4x4 is even better on a gravel road uphill.
At Lake Tiak O’Khata in Louisville, MS I have to climb slinging sand, rocks, and gravel.
If I meet a car at the intersection, I have to roll back down and get a running start again.

[Fred L]

Am looking seriously at the 3.5 l crew cab. I checked the specs against the Tundra and better HP/Torque/MPG. I did like that the Tundra was 900 lbs heavier though.

Recent article I read said that the new Tundra coming out will have some significant changes, so I am sitting tight for that.

Also heard on the 23D that the new F150 is coming out with a 3.0? diesel....
2000lb payload, 30mpg and 11,000 tow capacity. That may be my next truck(depending on what Toyota does).

To the point of your specific question though, I think aside from the 3.5liter, max tow and payload capacity, trim is really a personal/financial choice.

[Asherstanton]

I’m in the desert right now as I type with a 2015 f150, 5.0 liter. I’ve got the locking rear dif but NO 4wd. Plenty of crumbly rock, sand and little berms of sandy loose and rocky soil. Really easy to break traction. Haven’t needed to lock up much but have done so and it works fine. Haven’t felt naked without 4wd. And yes I’m talking about towing as well as just going to town for supplies. Man do I need to wash this truck. Just one guy’s experience.

[hobiedog]

I ordered my 2015 F150 with every option that had the word "tow" in it. Max tow etc. The extended step rails are great also. A must have it the 36 gal gas tank. I got a 4x4 primarily do it being just about impossible to sell a used non 4x4.

[Pat Pierce]

We bought a new 2016 F150 Lariat, 3.5EcoBoost, 4x4, Crew cab, 6.5' box, max tow package, back up assist, 36 gallon tank and all those things in the Lariat make towing the new 2016 27' Serentity just fine. I'd definitely recommend the tail gate pull out step/handrail as it makes it so easy to get into the bed. We have the side steps too, but don't really use those much.

As far as extendable towing mirrors, we bought a set of extendable mirrors that attach to the normal mirrors with a turn knob, and they work just fine and easily removed when using the truck in non-towing situations.

After our first Road Trip through beautiful central Idaho, and going through a few road construction (read gravel sections), we returned home to see many small dents in the SS rock guard panels on the new AS. Dang! We bought the Rock Tamer setup which is maybe the best unit out there to effectively diminish rock dents. A heavy duty unit.

For the bed cover, we decided on the BakFlip 5-panel folding cover and love it. It is strong enough to support 300 pounds, very sturdy, is locked when the tailgate/truck is locked (no keys needed).

Anyway, we are happy with our purchases. The F150 is a great truck all by itself with quick acceleration from the EcoBoost, surprisingly nimble. We get about 12.4 mpg towing, and here in the NW and west there are lots of high mountain passes.

Have fun!

[graywhale]

I've now had a 2012 2WD and currently a 2017 4WD; I learned a lot about what I needed and didn't need between the two, albeit, all of us have somewhat different needs. Both were XLT trims which gave me all I needed, but w/o excess weight (hence limited payload). My must haves on the 2017 were Max tow, 36 gallon fuel tank, extendable mirrors (was really unhappy doing the add-on mirror exercise), 4WD (after some slippery situations with my 2WD, even with electronic locking rear end, which was of minimal value), luxury package (mostly for the full power front seats with enhanced lumbar support, but added some other nice things, HOWEVER, it preempts getting the heavy payload package), tailgate step (critical for loading paddleboards on my shell; I have a business and carry boards regularly).

Both of my trucks had the 3.5 Ecoboost which I'm exceedingly happy with!! And, although I couldn't get the heavy payload package (luxury package more important to survive the drive!!!), I still have a little over 1700# payload (minus my shell, but still quite adequate).