2016 Ford F-250 -
I’ve been loyal to Dodge Ram for years. It used to be “The Truck” for me until last year when I had to buy a new truck as an emergency to replace our Dodge that stopped working and no mechanic would save it for less than a couple of thousands of dollars. For lack of time, options and enough money, I ended up buying a used 2016 Ford F-150 Super Crew for the first time. What a great truck! It absolutely exceeded my expectations! The bed is slightly smaller than in the Dodge, but all the other features make it irrelevant. Very powerful engine with impressive towing capabilities (my husband and I have been pulling pretty heavy stuff like our 20’f boat and a camper), great space in the cab, not to mention how much of fuel economy we got with the 2.7 EcoBoost. Except for my first Apple MacBo... (more)
I’ve been loyal to Dodge Ram for years. It used to be “The Truck” for me until last year when I had to buy a new truck as an emergency to replace our Dodge that stopped working and no mechanic would save it for less than a couple of thousands of dollars. For lack of time, options and enough money, I ended up buying a used 2016 Ford F-150 Super Crew for the first time. What a great truck! It absolutely exceeded my expectations! The bed is slightly smaller than in the Dodge, but all the other features make it irrelevant. Very powerful engine with impressive towing capabilities (my husband and I have been pulling pretty heavy stuff like our 20’f boat and a camper), great space in the cab, not to mention how much of fuel economy we got with the 2.7 EcoBoost. Except for my first Apple MacBook, I honestly have never been more pleased with a purchase.
The first weekend with the new truck my husband and I went for a lake fishing. After a few complaints from me on that, he would never let me launch the boat even after taught me the steps and repeated that a thousand time what to do in case of an emergency, etc. That day he finally let me tow the boat to the launch ramp, untrap it and challenged me to get it all set up on my own. Very confiden... (more)
The first weekend with the new truck my husband and I went for a lake fishing. After a few complaints from me on that, he would never let me launch the boat even after taught me the steps and repeated that a thousand time what to do in case of an emergency, etc. That day he finally let me tow the boat to the launch ramp, untrap it and challenged me to get it all set up on my own. Very confident, I rushed unhooking the trailering straps to launch the boat while my husband went to pay the ramp and marina’s fee and I remember he said: “don’t forget to put the drain plug in” like ten times. I had all the steps clear in my mind, but I guess I got little in a panic about driving the new truck back up out of the water and well didn’t notice that the plugin wasn’t firmly enough. After I got the truck parked and run back down my husband is already yelling as the boat is almost halfway sunk while some people help him to rescue it and bring it back to the ramp to drain the water. What an embarrassing day. Luckily, after the disastrous first attempt I’ve launched the boat many other times and everything went great.
Fuel Economy is the main aspect for sure, but also how comfortable the F-150 is.
Fuel Economy is the main aspect for sure, but also how comfortable the F-150 is.
The bed size. It's not small, just smaller than what I was used to have with the Dodge so that took me a while to adapt.
The bed size. It's not small, just smaller than what I was used to have with the Dodge so that took me a while to adapt.
1996 Ford F-250 - Tough, reliable, and simple
This vehicle was purchased to be a third truck in our Ford "lineup." We were putting too many miles on our two newer trucks and decided to go for an older, trusted model. It was in great working condition but was not at all pretty when we bought it. It was three colors, and there wasn't a headliner or carpet. But it ran like a top and got the same mileage as our other trucks. It was just what we needed with just a regular cab just big enough for the two of us.
This vehicle was purchased to be a third truck in our Ford "lineup." We were putting too many miles on our two newer trucks and decided to go for an older, trusted model. It was in great working condition but was not at all pretty when we bought it. It was three colors, and there wasn't a headliner or carpet. But it ran like a top and got the same mileage as our other trucks. It was just what we needed with just a regular cab just big enough for the two of us.
So this isn't so fun but funny in hindsight. We were driving it the first summer. We had it in the Buffalo area and started to hear this awful grinding and thumping noise. We expected the worst and thought we'd be replacing all sorts of parts so we parked it for almost a month until we could take a good look at it. Turns out the lugnuts were loose on the front wheel. We parked it for no reason... (more)
So this isn't so fun but funny in hindsight. We were driving it the first summer. We had it in the Buffalo area and started to hear this awful grinding and thumping noise. We expected the worst and thought we'd be replacing all sorts of parts so we parked it for almost a month until we could take a good look at it. Turns out the lugnuts were loose on the front wheel. We parked it for no reason. Just had to be tightened up.
The motor is the best part. The 7.3 L Diesel engine runs as good as it did 21 years ago. It is a very reliable motor and easy to find parts for if needed. Also, the simple body style was what we wanted. We were so used to our other trucks with fancy body lines and full crew cabs and leather and all the bells and whistles. Also the eight-foot bed was a perk because our beds are smaller on the other trucks. We can haul a lot more in the bed than the other two and still tow a good amount of weight as well.
The motor is the best part. The 7.3 L Diesel engine runs as good as it did 21 years ago. It is a very reliable motor and easy to find parts for if needed. Also, the simple body style was what we wanted. We were so used to our other trucks with fancy body lines and full crew cabs and leather and all the bells and whistles. Also the eight-foot bed was a perk because our beds are smaller on the other trucks. We can haul a lot more in the bed than the other two and still tow a good amount of weight as well.
We had to put a lot of money into this vehicle to get it looking how we wanted it. It ran and worked great but needed a lot of TLC in the form of money. We had to paint it and find several parts that needed replacing from twenty years of wear and tear. The biggest frustration when we got the truck was that we had a problem with the shifter not staying in gear. It started to roll away from me once in the driveway. Turns out there was just a screw loose, but it took a mechanic to figure it out.
We had to put a lot of money into this vehicle to get it looking how we wanted it. It ran and worked great but needed a lot of TLC in the form of money. We had to paint it and find several parts that needed replacing from twenty years of wear and tear. The biggest frustration when we got the truck was that we had a problem with the shifter not staying in gear. It started to roll away from me once in the driveway. Turns out there was just a screw loose, but it took a mechanic to figure it out.
1989 Ford F-250 - Reliable and roomy
The 1989 Ford F-250 eight-cylinder pickup truck was manufactured at a time in this country when Ford still cared about quality and comfort. It is not only just a work truck but also one that can be used for recreation/camping with the family. Three adults can sit in the cab; there's plenty of space in the eight-foot bed for a canoe, tents, camping supplies and chairs. The model truck I have has a 302 5-liter engine that was primarily made for towing. So it can easily pull a camper, pontoon boat or trailer with no problem. It is a two-wheel drive, which has not proved to be a hindrance in the winter snow -- just put additional weight in the back over the axle and off you go! The engine has not had any major problems other than typical faults any other truck made in 1989 might experience... (more)
The 1989 Ford F-250 eight-cylinder pickup truck was manufactured at a time in this country when Ford still cared about quality and comfort. It is not only just a work truck but also one that can be used for recreation/camping with the family. Three adults can sit in the cab; there's plenty of space in the eight-foot bed for a canoe, tents, camping supplies and chairs. The model truck I have has a 302 5-liter engine that was primarily made for towing. So it can easily pull a camper, pontoon boat or trailer with no problem. It is a two-wheel drive, which has not proved to be a hindrance in the winter snow -- just put additional weight in the back over the axle and off you go! The engine has not had any major problems other than typical faults any other truck made in 1989 might experience, e.g. battery, alternator, starter --- that's about it. And those are easy solutions that any semi-skilled mechanic can make. The body paint has still held its color with little rust, while the original tires are still there and being driven on. Overall, just a dependable, comfortable ride that will surprise its owner!
The most fun I've had with the family is pulling a pontoon boat out to the lake with all the camping gear -- tents, chairs, coolers, etc. -- in the big eight-foot bed. Plus, you can go to the drive-in, back up to the screen and sit in lawn chairs in the back of the bed.
The most fun I've had with the family is pulling a pontoon boat out to the lake with all the camping gear -- tents, chairs, coolers, etc. -- in the big eight-foot bed. Plus, you can go to the drive-in, back up to the screen and sit in lawn chairs in the back of the bed.
Dependable, reliable, well-built engine. Large eight-foot bed. Can haul trailers, campers and boats. Well painted; hardly any rust after many years. Large windshield and side mirrors.
Dependable, reliable, well-built engine. Large eight-foot bed. Can haul trailers, campers and boats. Well painted; hardly any rust after many years. Large windshield and side mirrors.
Not great on gas. About 12 miles in city; 15 on highway. Problem in the 1980s models with the steering column and lock cylinder.
Not great on gas. About 12 miles in city; 15 on highway. Problem in the 1980s models with the steering column and lock cylinder.
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