I'm thinking.... ONLY in the thinking stage right now, of a new 2016 F-450 or F-550. They're awfully proud of those things. There's nothing what so ever wrong with mine, it hauls what I have fine, but it is almost 15 years old, and the new ones have a lot to offer.So I have some questions for those who have been in my situation - You already had a truck set up for your TC, and you bought a brand new one.* How did you like it?* Did you find after you bought it you still had to upgrade it to haul your TC(besides tie-downs/hitch)?* Did you notice improvements or not in handling?* Power is a given - the new ones are locomotives on 6 wheels--was that a deciding factor?* Any significant mileage changes?* Overall - are you glad you did it?I'm really looking for input from the few that have F450's/F550's if possible.

I looked at the new trucks and the prices scared me. My first new car cost 4500 and my first new house was 28000. I could buy two of each for what they're asking for a decked out pickup. I've decided to drive my 10 year old truck until it won't go anymore. I'm interested in seeing the responses to this thread. At some point I'm going to have to bite the bullet.

My 2004 Ram 3500 dually is doing fine, yes did upgrades...wished I could have done a 4500 in 2004 but alas not so. But my upgrades are a WHOLE lot less than getting all the stuff for the cost a new truck...even if I need to do a costly repair, still cheaper. I agree with mabynack...this is going to be fun to watch!

I have not upgraded yet but have been looking. The only thing wrong with mine other than the age (2002) is that I do not have power windows and as I do tend to photograph a lot from my vehicle this is a issue. BUT I have had several people tell me to wait, they keep saying that repairs are a lot less than a new truck, and the older ones have less technical issues than the new ones. My truck is not a daily driver so really the only time I use it is for camping.I think if I do upgrade it may be to a newer, but not new truck to save some cash.

I went from a modified F250 to a stock 5500. Getting a steel deck allowed me to tie down to the deck instead on getting frame tie downs for my chassis cab. I still purchased a new SuperHitch and short range FastGuns, but was able to use the SuperTruss and y-cable I had used on the previous truck. The 5500 comes with 19.5's that I upgraded on the F250. Shocks and suspension are stock on the 5500 where the F250 had Rancho 9000XL's, upper and lower StableLoads plus Firestone RideRite bags to handle the load.Regular highway driving is the same between trucks. The 5500's heavier stock suspension is a better in turns and off camber slopes than the modified F250. The additional 3000 lbs of my chassis cab GVW make towing the enclosed trailer even easier since now it is about half the weight the of the truck/camper combination.Power delivery is significantly different between my pickup tune V8 diesel and chassis cab tune I6 diesel. Both have the same horsepower rating but the Cummins has 750 ft-lbs verses my Powerstroke's 570 ft-lbs. The V8 had better off the line acceleration with the same GCW, but the I6 holds speed better than the V8 with less downshifts. Since the I6 develops power at lower RPM than the V8, it gives the "appearance" that it is working less to move the same load.I only have about 5K miles on my CTD, but it is getting similar mileage to my broken in PSD. I have few miles to compare unloaded mileage, so my comparisons are with both loaded at 19K lbs GCW. I went from a SRW 5R110 with 3.73 gears to a DRW Aisin with 4.44 gears, so they very different yet still burn about the fuel.The F550 uses a detuned PSD compared to the pickup trucks so make sure you look at chassis cab specifications when you start shopping. There was enough price difference in the Ram that swayed me from Ford. I had no problems with my previous Ford which left me biased to get the same when I started my shopping. When you're ready to discuss options, we can start a new thread.My new truck is overkill for my current 22K lb GCW load, but it will get heavier once I go to a bigger TC and possibly a bigger trailer behind it. If I was not planning on these upgrades, I would have kept my 10 year old truck for five more years before even considering a replacement. You're about due for some improvements...

My 2000 f350 is absolutely fine but like you said it is just getting a little old. I really like the power on the new ones. so yeah the power and the exhaust brake were an important factor. Also at my age I decided for my last truck we would get the nicest truck I have ever had. It is a great truck and we have no buyers remorse and it really puts a grin on my face.

To TC'ers who have bought new trucks | Good Sam Community

70 Replies

Kayteg1
Explorer II
Jul 06, 2015
Its the system.
Canada is social country.
I grew up in communism.
To fill up 5 gallon tank in Fiat 126 cost me daily wages, while the Fiat (close cousin to Fiat 500) cost 2 years earnings.
So you still complain?
markowwes
Explorer
Jul 06, 2015
Kayteg1 wrote:
markowwes wrote:

No worries about weights, power or milage now!

How about worry about new truck payment? ;)

In 2008 the Canadian dollar was par with the US dollar, Ford had no trouble with Dealers in the States Selling to Canadians, they even honoured the Warranty. For exactly the same truck and deck in Canada we paid $30,000.00 less in Montana. Show me anyone who won’t drive 10 hr one way for 30K. I checked it out this year, Ford stopped allowing new US vehicles to be sold North. With the $1.20 we have to pay for $1.00US. if isn’t worth it anymore anyway, but there is still a 20K difference from Canada to US price on the same truck. Can anyone explain that?
markowwes
Explorer
Jul 06, 2015
“Kayakin” Alum-Line built the deck, check out their website Alum-Line.com. I placed the order with Helena Trailer Sales. They did an excellent Job and will build to your drawings.
Kayteg1
Explorer II
Jul 06, 2015
markowwes wrote:

No worries about weights, power or milage now!

How about worry about new truck payment? ;)
Kayteg1
Explorer II
Jul 06, 2015
jimh425 wrote:
My F-450 was titled commercial by the previous owners, but was an easy remedy at the DMV to change that.

The "commercial" in the registration applies only to paying "weigh fee" what depends on your declaration can cost you $360 alone. EVERY SINGE YEAR.
That also allows you to park in commercial loading zones.
You can avoid that by loading a camper and going to DMV for inspection and register it as "RV" (they have different name for it, but everybody knows what it is).
It doesn't have to be cabover camper and camper shell will do.
But don't get pullover without one.
kayakin
Explorer
Jul 06, 2015
markowwes wrote:
Went from a 99 F350 Super Duty to a 2008 F550 Super Duty, had the service body built to fit the camper…..it may cost a little more, you will be more than happy with the outcome. We purchased ours out of Helena Montana, will never look back.

No worries about weights, power or milage now!

Who built the bed for you? In Helena?
markowwes
Explorer
Jul 02, 2015
Went from a 99 F350 Super Duty to a 2008 F550 Super Duty, had the service body built to fit the camper…..it may cost a little more, you will be more than happy with the outcome. We purchased ours out of Helena Montana, will never look back.

No worries about weights, power or milage now!
Photomike
Explorer III
Jul 02, 2015
towpro wrote:
in the US it depends on what your hauling. Carrying freight for profit? even your 1500 is DOT regulated. I have seen 450-and up with "not for hire, private RV towing" and I bet this was prompted by the owners being tired of getting pulled over.

I have seen that as well and was wondering why, that makes sense.
towpro
Explorer
Jul 02, 2015
in the US it depends on what your hauling. Carrying freight for profit? even your 1500 is DOT regulated. I have seen 450-and up with "not for hire, private RV towing" and I bet this was prompted by the owners being tired of getting pulled over.
jimh406
Explorer III
Jul 02, 2015
My F-450 was titled commercial by the previous owners, but was an easy remedy at the DMV to change that.