Thoughts on 2023 Ford Super Duty for Family Travel?

[Highlander]

Fellas, has anyone looked into or showed any interest in GMC Sierra 2500 AT4 / Chevy Silverado 2500 Bison?
I don't what you think but that GMC Sierra 2500 looks great.

 

[JustJim]

I am clicking through the options right now for an F350 SuperCab Lariat SRW w/8' box. Based upon my previous two years of travel and sleeping in my Four Wheel Camper, these would be my options:

• 4.30 electronic locking axle ratio
• Snowplow/camper package
  • adds 250 amp alternator
• FX4 Off-Road package
• Splash guards/mud flaps - rear
• Splash guards/mud flaps - front
• Tough Bed (spray-in bedliner)
• Wheel well liner - front/rear
• 12,000 lb. Ford Performance Parts winch by Warn
  • upgrades to 410 amp dual alternator
• Engine block heater
• LED roof marker/clearance lamps
• Roadside assistance kit - with Ford logo
• First Aid kt - with Ford logo
• All weather floor mats without carpet floor mats
• Carpet delete
• Vehicle safe by Console Vault
• Upfitter switches

MSRP $72,025!

ramblinChet, thank you for responding to my post. I was trying to not start an entirely new thread since it was so similar to the one created by Adam35, but all I did was bump his thread; wherein, others are responding to his original post from awhile ago. Oh well...

 

[Todd780]

Finding your own firewood is a crapshoot in most camping areas around me in Virginia. There's so few good places to camp, that they're always picked clean, down to the small kindling branches.

I'm assuming it's similar everywhere on the east coast, where the population density is much greater.

Wow, yeah, you’re right at the mark (cool onboard scale by the way).

That’s a lot of wood. I just take a chainsaw and cut wood on site.

Unfortunately, we can't cut down trees here.

 

[HI-TEST]

I currently drive a 200 series Land Cruiser and it's been an excellent companion for cross country (US) family trips and backcountry exploration with my wife and two young daughters. But as much as I love it, lately I've been searching for something with a bit more space to minimize the constant packing/unpacking when we move locations. We're starting to plan a longer trip to Alaska next summer and I'm researching different platforms to give us the best combination of capability and ease of setting up/tearing down camp. I know towing a camper would give us the most space for the buck but I really just don't want to deal with the extra length and all that entails. So I've been looking mainly at both vans and long bed full size trucks with slide in campers but it's honestly been a bit of decision paralysis.

Then I just saw the announcement for the new 2023 Ford Super Dutys. While I'd prefer to buy pre-owned to save cash, there is one new feature that seems (at least on paper) to be kind of excellent for our situation: the Max Recline seats that basically turn into beds. Now, I admit I haven't actually tried these out yet (they already exist on F150s) but I'm thinking that these lay-flat seats could make a great bed option (for at least the next few years) for the kids. Basically turning the cab into a second "room" while we're camped.

So I'm thinking of putting in an order for a F350 with the 7.3 Godzilla gas engine (to maximize payload and keep more international travel options open) and the Tremor package. I was initially turned off by the fact that Tremor is only available with a short bed configuration, and with 4 of us + gear, we're going to need every ounce of space. But now i'm thinking that if the kids are able to sleep in the cab, at least some of the time, then a short bed may actually be sufficient - and it would be nice to have a shorter overall vehicle length (vs w/ a full 8 ft bed), especially with bikes hanging off the back in a hitch mount carrier.

Anyway, I'm new to the full size truck world, so a lot of this is just speculation based on what looks good on paper. I'd love to hear any thoughts or suggestions from other folks that use full size trucks for longer family adventures. Thank you!

We chose the Tremor/Godzilla combo for many of the same reasons. The diesels excel in their place. I sell gas and fuel quality is not what it used to be. I think a gasser not used to heavy tow frequently, is a better long term bet. I will find out…

 

[phsycle]

We chose the Tremor/Godzilla combo for many of the same reasons. The diesels excel in their place. I sell gas and fuel quality is not what it used to be. I think a gasser not used to heavy tow frequently, is a better long term bet. I will find out…

I’m honestly would not be surprised to see the average 7.3 go 300k+ miles with just regular maintenance.

 

[Ozarker]

I currently drive a 200 series Land Cruiser and it's been an excellent companion for cross country (US) family trips and backcountry exploration with my wife and two young daughters. But as much as I love it, lately I've been searching for something with a bit more space to minimize the constant packing/unpacking when we move locations. We're starting to plan a longer trip to Alaska next summer and I'm researching different platforms to give us the best combination of capability and ease of setting up/tearing down camp. I know towing a camper would give us the most space for the buck but I really just don't want to deal with the extra length and all that entails. So I've been looking mainly at both vans and long bed full size trucks with slide in campers but it's honestly been a bit of decision paralysis.

Then I just saw the announcement for the new 2023 Ford Super Dutys. While I'd prefer to buy pre-owned to save cash, there is one new feature that seems (at least on paper) to be kind of excellent for our situation: the Max Recline seats that basically turn into beds. Now, I admit I haven't actually tried these out yet (they already exist on F150s) but I'm thinking that these lay-flat seats could make a great bed option (for at least the next few years) for the kids. Basically turning the cab into a second "room" while we're camped.

So I'm thinking of putting in an order for a F350 with the 7.3 Godzilla gas engine (to maximize payload and keep more international travel options open) and the Tremor package. I was initially turned off by the fact that Tremor is only available with a short bed configuration, and with 4 of us + gear, we're going to need every ounce of space. But now i'm thinking that if the kids are able to sleep in the cab, at least some of the time, then a short bed may actually be sufficient - and it would be nice to have a shorter overall vehicle length (vs w/ a full 8 ft bed), especially with bikes hanging off the back in a hitch mount carrier.

Anyway, I'm new to the full size truck world, so a lot of this is just speculation based on what looks good on paper. I'd love to hear any thoughts or suggestions from other folks that use full size trucks for longer family adventures. Thank you!

Well, this all may have been stated before, but no Ford Truck seat folds flat as a mattress, not saying you couldn't pad it to take out the lumps from the seat bottom to the back and to the rear seat.

I'd get an 8 foot bed and close the tail gate with my bike in the back, lots of reasons that's not a good idea having the gate down especially on a long trip, 2x that going to AK! (By "bikes" I'm saying motorcycles.)

Unless you have a good reason to go to a 350, for hauling/pulling, I wouldn't go with that on a long trip, an F-150/250 will save you $$$$$$$.

 

[Todd780]

Well, this all may have been stated before, but no Ford Truck seat folds flat as a mattress, not saying you couldn't pad it to take out the lumps from the seat bottom to the back and to the rear seat.

They get pretty close, haha

 

[Spencer for Hire]

1,777 lbs. Loaded up with firewood for a week and the trailer filled with water and loaded it's heavy...

View attachment 794461

View attachment 794460
Plus I want to start bring kayaks with us, haha

What camping set up/trailer are you using?

 

[Todd780]

What camping set up/trailer are you using?

A very overland friendly Northern Spirit 2758RB. Just got it this year. Came from a 3900 lb dry Microlite 23LB.
Truck is usually loaded with firewood and misc stuff when we head out too. Admittedly we travel heavy.

 

[MFurey]

If you're wanting to carry a FWC I wouldn't go with a PW. They pretty much have the same payload as a 1/2 ton.
I think the Ram equivalent of a Super Duty Tremor would be the Ram Rebel HD.

A concern with the Rebel HD is that it doesn't have a limit slip differential on the front axle. I also have not come across an aftermarket front locker for the current generation of Ram Trucks.

 

[phsycle]

A concern with the Rebel HD is that it doesn't have a limit slip differential on the front axle. I also have not come across an aftermarket front locker for the current generation of Ram Trucks.

Have you really needed a front locker on a full-size truck? I’m not bagging on anyone who has one. I love the PW and all the offroad goodies it has.

But truthfully, aside from the crazies that go on Full-size Invasions, who’s taking these land yachts to places that need a front locker? I get the “have it/not need it” “I gotz ta crawl over zombies” and all that. I’d honestly like to know who actually needed one in their 3/4 ton truck.

I’d have zero issues with a Tremor or Rebel HD with no front locker. Maybe get a winch if it’s really a big concern.

 

[deserteagle56]

who’s taking these land yachts to places that need a front locker? I’d honestly like to know who actually needed one in their 3/4 ton truck.

In the below photo is a typical Nevada desert road...nice and wide and smooth except where a lot of water cut a deep gully in it. Too deep to cross by going straight across it - vehicle (even my lifted Wrangler in the pic) will just land on its undercarriage. You can cross these washouts (2' deep and more) by going diagonally across them. You MIGHT do it with just a rear locker (one rear wheel and one front wheel will be hanging in the air) but a front locker might be necessary to get the front end to dig up out of the wash.

Why both my Jeep and van have lockers in both axles...lots of washed out roads around here, especially this year.


Why you also pay attention when driving these roads...years ago I displaced the front axle from my rig when I wasn't able to stop in time!

 

[Todd780]

In the below photo is a typical Nevada desert road...nice and wide and smooth except where a lot of water cut a deep gully in it. Too deep to cross by going straight across it - vehicle (even my lifted Wrangler in the pic) will just land on its undercarriage. You can cross these washouts (2' deep and more) by going diagonally across them. You MIGHT do it with just a rear locker (one rear wheel and one front wheel will be hanging in the air) but a front locker might be necessary to get the front end to dig up out of the wash.

Why both my Jeep and van have lockers in both axles...lots of washed out roads around here, especially this year.
View attachment 795313

Why you also pay attention when driving these roads...years ago I displaced the front axle from my rig when I wasn't able to stop in time!

Think this guy has front lockers? (Honest question)

 

[phsycle]

In the below photo is a typical Nevada desert road...nice and wide and smooth except where a lot of water cut a deep gully in it. Too deep to cross by going straight across it - vehicle (even my lifted Wrangler in the pic) will just land on its undercarriage. You can cross these washouts (2' deep and more) by going diagonally across them. You MIGHT do it with just a rear locker (one rear wheel and one front wheel will be hanging in the air) but a front locker might be necessary to get the front end to dig up out of the wash.

Why both my Jeep and van have lockers in both axles...lots of washed out roads around here, especially this year.
View attachment 795313

Why you also pay attention when driving these roads...years ago I displaced the front axle from my rig when I wasn't able to stop in time!

I came across something like that when I took my daughter camping earlier this year. Lots of runoff this year so the roads were in terrible shape.
We turned around and found another way. 😂
That’s too risky when you’re by yourself, lockers or not. (For me, anyway).

 

[phsycle]

Think this guy has front lockers? (Honest question)

View attachment 795314

Yup, lockright front and rear.

Grampa's Jeep - 1948 CJ2A

www.pirate4x4.com

Again, for Jeeps and such, I can see front lockers being helpful. I’ve used them and it does help. I guess my point was, how often do you need them on a full-size. Overall, people don’t even use them that much on a midsize.