ISO/WTB 2018 or newer Ford F-150

[TroyPerk!]

I have recently acquired an Outfitter Caribou 6.5 pop-up slide in truck camper. I am now in the search for a new truck to manage such a camper safely and efficiently.
We’ve landed in an F-150

Specifically a 2018 or newer F-150 with the following options:
-6.5 ft bed
-SuperCrew cab
-5.0L V8 motor
-Payload capacity of greater than 1800lbs on the door sticker, preferably with the heavy duty payload package
-Middle console instead of folding front seat/split bench
-Hoping for 110k miles or less.
-Budget is ~34k or less
Please reach out to me if you have a good option of know of one!!!

 

[OverlandNA]

Payload - camper weight - passengers weight - gear weight - water weight - propane weight - ? weight = f250

 

[TroyPerk!]

I had a feeling that this would be a likely response right off. However, this f150 would also be my daily driver. I’m also been a diehard Tacoma owner for years. I’m struggling as it is to move to a 1/2 ton. The thought of an even bigger rig is unpalatable.
I think the math adds up generally.

XLT super cab 6.5 ft bed generally boasts ~1800 in payload. Plan to remove tailgate and running boards = 200lbs savings. So starting at 2000lbs:
-1300 dry weight for camper
-360 passenger weight of my family and dog
-125 bikes and rack
-80lbs water - planning for only 10 gallons
-40lbs propane including tank
-50lbs food and beverage
-50 clothing and random gear

I know I’m close to the top but I think we are good. I’m not willing to lose the daily driver mileage for the F250 capacity. Also the cost of an F250 is generally prohibitive for us.

thoughts on my calculations?

 

[OverlandNA]

The aluminum tailgate is 75lbs +/-, my running boards are also aluminum and with brackets are no where near 125lbs.
When you are that close to capacity, every 50-75lbs matters.
If you ever decide to tow something, hitch weight also eats payload.
People start with the wrong platform then beef up the suspension which doesn't increase the legal gvw but adds more weight.

 

[Mike McMullen]

I had little trucks for years moved to a f150 in the 90's, now I am driving a Ram 2500, thinking the next one will be a one ton. I switched up and have very efficient daily driver and the truck is a driveway queen. Payload and GVW are real.

 

[OverlandNA]

As shown, I am no doubt right at my 1970lb payload. On long, steep mountain descents stopping an overweight vehicle will test the limits of your brakes.

 

[TroyPerk!]

The aluminum tailgate is 75lbs +/-, my running boards are also aluminum and with brackets are no where near 125lbs.
When you are that close to capacity, every 50-75lbs matters.
If you ever decide to tow something, hitch weight also eats payload.
People start with the wrong platform then beef up the suspension which doesn't increase the legal gvw but adds more weight.

Right. Yeah, my understanding is that the F150 tailgate itself is fairly light but then paired with the fold out step and handle apparatus punches up the weight considerably.
Generally I don’t tow things…once or twice in my life I have but don’t plan to increase that frequency. The only hitch weight that I do use is a bike rack. Which you are likely right would actually add more weight than a scale would dictate.
I think the truth of the matter is that we would most likely get a different camper setup before we switched to a 3/4-1ton rig based mostly on fuel economy alone. I tend to be very conscious of this and I fear that with a bigger rig/motor and poor fuel efficiency I may tend to want to leave the truck and camper at home. The fuel efficiency and price is essentially why we are looking for an F-150 vs other trucks with worse mileage (Tundra mainly).

All this said we are really trying to stay safely below payload limits. If this is truly impossible then I could be back to the drawing board.

 

[SDDiver5]

I’m also been a diehard Tacoma owner for years. I’m struggling as it is to move to a 1/2 ton. The thought of an even bigger rig is unpalatable.

Lol, yet here you are. Everyone I know that switched from on of those under powered mini trucks to an F150 have never looked back and are much happier overall with an F150.

Regarding your last comment about " If this is truly impossible then I could be back to the drawing board.". I wouldn't say it's impossible, especially if you can find a truck with the HDPP (Heavy Duty Payload Package) you will prob be fine. But think of it like a Taco with a big camper on it. Doable, yes. Safest option, no. I think you'd be fine in an F150 but if you want to take into consideration payload, the safest answer is F250.

Also, the 5.0 is a great engine, love mine. But, don't discount the EcoBoost motors. Paired with the 10 speed trans they are pretty incredible.

 

[Todd780]

I wouldn't say it's impossible, especially if you can find a truck with the HDPP (Heavy Duty Payload Package) you will prob be fine.

This. But also, by the time you're in a HDPP it'll fairly close in size to a Super Duty. In fact it could be longer if you are looking at a supercab 6.75 box super duty vs a crew cab 6'5 box F150....

I do understand the daily driver aspect though. That's why I'm in a EcoBoost F150.

 

[TroyPerk!]

I do hear really good things about the ecoboost motors but we are in the used market. I have concerns about cost of overall maintenance and longevity of turbo engines. A dealer yesterday told me that he owns an ecoboost 3.5L but wouldn’t keep it past 130k due to reliability concerns past that age.
If we were able to buy a newer mode with fewer miles we would for sure consider the ecoboost.

 

[OverlandNA]

The way I see it is you are looking at spending $34k for an inferior truck for the task when you can get the right truck from the start.
Fuel economy will suffer with the camper on anyway. Your maintenance costs will probably be higher on the 150 versus heavy duty components on the 250.
Good luck whichever way you go.

 

[Todd780]

I have concerns about cost of overall maintenance and longevity of turbo engines.

Like Cummins, Duramax's and PowerStrokes? Those are all turbo charged....

You may also want to google 5.0L oil consumption issues...



Not that all 5.0's are bad. I had one in a 2015 F150 that had 134,000 miles and had no issues except a blown water pump.

Just saying no engine is perfect all the time.

 

[TroyPerk!]

Agreed on the idea that there’s no such thing as a perfect motor. As far as turbos go I think my reliability concerns would not extend to Diesel engines. My fear is strictly a Gasoline + Turbo + age/high miles = trouble.
Of course this is all based on forum research and absolutely NO real world experience.

 

[pjpvi]

I'll have a 2018 F150 Lariat crew cab 3.5L Ecoboost ~36K miles coming up for sale in the next couple months in N. California if interested. It's in fantastic condition and I love the truck (including the 3.5L Ecoboost) but have a new F250 Lariat Tremor that's being built now to replace it. Message me if interested.

 

[TroyPerk!]

I'll have a 2018 F150 Lariat crew cab 3.5L Ecoboost ~36K miles coming up for sale in the next couple months in N. California if interested. It's in fantastic condition and I love the truck (including the 3.5L Ecoboost) but have a new F250 Lariat Tremor that's being built now to replace it. Message me if interested.

Sorry, bought a truck already! Thanks for reaching out though. Congrats on the new rig and good luck selling!