2011 F150 5.0, 90,000 miles. I'm happy with the truck and at 70, not too many more years of towing. I'd like to ride it out with this vehicle. I've been OK with dealer service and they are convenient. Recently I had the first non routine maintenance issue and it was astonishingly expensive. There are a couple of independent repair shops in town but I don't know how to judge their abilities. The dealer has the correct parts and only works on Fords. I'm leaning toward just choking down my feeling of being "taken" and continue with the dealer. I'm interested in others thoughts about keeping higher mileage trucks reliable. I have low tolerance for on the road issues. Just to be clear, I have zero interest in working on it myself.:R Dealer, independent, choose one depending on repair, or new truck? Thanks!

I have a 2011 Ford F-250 but only have 34000 miles on it, I would love a new truck but can't justify the cost. And DW will not let me buy one.:( If you have the money I would say go for it you only live once.

This is JMO, but I rarely, if ever, take my vehicle to the dealer for service. My experience over the years has not been good with any dealer, so I avoid them. OTOH finding a good independent shop can be tough. Ask around and talk to people about where they take their vehicles and judge accordingly.

I am NOT a fan of dealer service departments. Likely the most expensive. Yes, they have access to all of the parts and the latest diagnostic equipment but that does NOT mean they have the best mechanics.While I do most of my own maintenance, the older I get, the less I do, especially on my 20 year old truck. I have been fortunate enough to find a few good auto repair shops either by word of mouth or be observing how busy the shop is.One thing to ask an independent shop when they are replacing parts, is what brand parts do they recommend/use. There are many low cost/low quality parts available especially on popular vehicles like F150. Even if an independent shop uses "factory" brand parts, their labor rate will likely be less and could save you a lot of money.

I never go to a dealer except for recalls. I have a great Romanian mechanic. His shop is great with diesels, but they also have plenty of European experience and they work on my Japanese Lexus. These days 90,000 miles on a truck is not high mileage. Think long term. Pay attention to how your truck feels when you drive it. Get it inspected.I took my 2002 Ford in to discuss some work. The mechanic was a new guy. He asked my how many miles on my 7.3? I said " 165k." "Still fresh" he replied.I got new brakes and rotors at 140k miles. Rebuilt front end with all Moog components at 160k. "never sell it" is what the mechanics tell me all the time.

I’m closing in on seventy and will replace the current TV in two or three years at about your current mileage. New one will probably be my last TV and hopefully trouble free for the last years of RVing. That’s what I’m seeking...no trouble from my TV.

Maintaining higher mileage trucks | Good Sam Community

45 Replies

Lwiddis
Explorer II
Nov 18, 2018
I’m closing in on seventy and will replace the current TV in two or three years at about your current mileage. New one will probably be my last TV and hopefully trouble free for the last years of RVing. That’s what I’m seeking...no trouble from my TV.
ppine
Explorer II
Nov 18, 2018
I never go to a dealer except for recalls. I have a great Romanian mechanic. His shop is great with diesels, but they also have plenty of European experience and they work on my Japanese Lexus.

These days 90,000 miles on a truck is not high mileage. Think long term. Pay attention to how your truck feels when you drive it. Get it inspected.

I took my 2002 Ford in to discuss some work. The mechanic was a new guy. He asked my how many miles on my 7.3? I said " 165k." "Still fresh" he replied.

I got new brakes and rotors at 140k miles. Rebuilt front end with all Moog components at 160k. "never sell it" is what the mechanics tell me all the time.
theoldwizard1
Explorer II
Nov 18, 2018
I am NOT a fan of dealer service departments. Likely the most expensive. Yes, they have access to all of the parts and the latest diagnostic equipment but that does NOT mean they have the best mechanics.

While I do most of my own maintenance, the older I get, the less I do, especially on my 20 year old truck. I have been fortunate enough to find a few good auto repair shops either by word of mouth or be observing how busy the shop is.

One thing to ask an independent shop when they are replacing parts, is what brand parts do they recommend/use. There are many low cost/low quality parts available especially on popular vehicles like F150. Even if an independent shop uses "factory" brand parts, their labor rate will likely be less and could save you a lot of money.
fj12ryder
Explorer III
Nov 18, 2018
This is JMO, but I rarely, if ever, take my vehicle to the dealer for service. My experience over the years has not been good with any dealer, so I avoid them. OTOH finding a good independent shop can be tough. Ask around and talk to people about where they take their vehicles and judge accordingly.
Old_Days
Explorer II
Nov 18, 2018
I have a 2011 Ford F-250 but only have 34000 miles on it, I would love a new truck but can't justify the cost. And DW will not let me buy one.:( If you have the money I would say go for it you only live once.

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Maintaining higher mileage trucks

45 Replies

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