Give me strength...

[tragusa3]

I really lean to the Eco-boost based on my research and a few chances to drive one. (As well, I qualify for Z-plan with Ford). I realize that I'm on the borderline of half ton vs. three quarter ton. Therefore, the HD payload option is very helpful to us.

Anyway, we stopped at a dealership yesterday and did some real hunting. I know that we need the Max Tow package as well as the HD payload option. However, you basically don't get the payload option unless you order. I don't mind ordering but...this is where it gets complicated.

The window for ordering the 2013's has closed, so if I order, I have to go 2014. What this would mean is that I get exactly what I want/need, but I would miss out the $7500 or so of rebates currently on the 13's.

This dealer had the Max Tow package on the exact truck we want, EXCEPT for the payload option. The yellow sticker had payload at 1766. We are 800 pounds of people and currently have 4-500 pounds of tongue. So that leaves roughly 4-500 pounds of spare payload for stuff in the bed.

I realize that's cutting it close, particularly if we get a larger trailer (although, we'd never get more than a 24' trailer due to storage restrictions). But I'm so darn tempted. Can I live without the extra payload for the many thousands it will save me on rebates? That is the question!

I know I need it, but that's an awfull lot of money for us...give me strength to stick to my guns.

[tragusa3]

Glad you posted that. I had just looked it up last night myself. 🙂 You are correct. Every pound counts!

[mosseater]

Don't know what kind of topper you're looking at, but I bought the ARE for mine and it runs about 180 lbs. A 300 lb topper sounds heavy to me.

[tragusa3]

Yeah, I'm aware of that. The bed cap is a must. I could be talked out of the front hitch. It would mean the bikes stay on the back of the trailer...which I don't like.

I've got 1766 in payload.
-750 pounds in people
-450 pounds tongue weight
______
=556 available
-300 topper
-125 bikes
-25 bed liner
= 106 pounds available for stuff in the bed (generator, gas, little firewood).

No doubt, I'd be right at max on payload. And over very easily.

What do I do? Try to live without the topper? Get an aluminum topper to save a hundred pounds? Leave the bikes on the trailer to save 125?

As I've said before, I trailer with more payload is in our future. At that point, next to nothing will need to go on the truck.

[2112]

tragusa3 wrote:

I've been out shopping for accessories. We need a truck cap, bed liner, front hitch, roof rack. Man, all that stuff adds up.

All that stuff adds up on payload as well. Keep in mind every pound you add needs to be deducted from the yellow sticker payload number.

Nothing is free.

Congrats on your new truck. They have come a long way for sure. I still have a hard time convincing concerned neighbors at the CG that 'yes, it's a half ton carrying a FW and yes, I'm within the numbers'.

Enjoy

[tragusa3]

Thanks for the input guys. Jerry, it's two weeks now and I'm still not sleeping. 🙂 Dan, if I were later in life and had already sent the kids to college, etc. I wouldn't have worried about price and just gotten the 250. But with all those expenses ahead of me, I had to be realistic.

So far, I'm up to 300 miles on the OD. I feel like I'm a king! This truck is superior to my old truck in most every way. People on here have long commented that today's half tons are far advanced from those of just a few years ago. I can testify that in a decade, they sure have! I commented to my wife (who hasn't driven it yet) that this makes our 2003 Chevy feel like it was a compact truck.

I'm trying to respect the break in period, so I haven't hooked up the trailer yet. That's killing me! I want to feel this thing tow. I have backed up to the hitch to play with the camera and the tow settings for brakes, etc. The camera alone is going to save a marriage!

I've been out shopping for accessories. We need a truck cap, bed liner, front hitch, roof rack. Man, all that stuff adds up. The caps alone have gone up 40% since we bought our last.

Still trying to post a photo. Just haven't had time to sit at the right computer.

[Ole_Man_Dan]

I was in your predicament two yrs. ago.
I needed a borderline 1/2 to 3/4 ton truck.
I went to a F-250 PSD even thou it's my daily driver.
Fuel cost is a little higher.
I do have to park in malls, out where the big fish swim too.
MPG is about 3 mpg less as a daily driver,(city traffic)
but it's about 3-5 MPG better towing.
LASTLY... It's a bear towing in the mountains.:B

Thing is that I love camping in the mountains.
For me it made sense.
My best friend camps at the beach. He didn't need the extra torque.
He went with a F-150.
On short city trips, he gets about 3 mpg better than I do.

[Passin_Thru]

Can't buy too big a truck.

[MFL]

tragusa3 wrote:
Made the purchase today. I'll post a photo and make more comments later. No time tonigh, have to go fool with all the do dads. F150, SCREW, 4x4, max tow.

Msrp 46,xxx. -z plan -8750 rebates - trade. - a little cash....couldn't pass it up.

Glad to hear that you got your new truck!! I am sure that truck will meet your needs.

Try to get a little sleep tonight,

Jerry

[a64armt]

Congratulations. That's one heck of a Christmas Present for you and the family. I look forward to seeing the photos and hearing your review.

OJ

[tragusa3]

Made the purchase today. I'll post a photo and make more comments later. No time tonigh, have to go fool with all the do dads. F150, SCREW, 4x4, max tow.

Msrp 46,xxx. -z plan -8750 rebates - trade. - a little cash....couldn't pass it up.

[patperry2766]

They might be brushing you off because you are looking for a truck that doesnt exist in any great volume which means that they are gonna have to spend time searching on the computer to find the truck, call that dealership to see if they are willing to trade, try to see if you have a vehicle in your inventory that they are willing to take back in trade.

More than likely, they would be more interested if you were willing to buy something that they have in stock and can make a sale right away. Some salesman can't see the long term benefits of establishing a customer base which takes years to cultivate and this sometimes means that a sale will be a couple of months away vs. a sale being made today. It also might be the dealer's mentality that is a sales can't be made today, then you're not as high up on the important customer list.

The Ford dealership that I pass every day is the 5th largest in the country, and I have only seen one max trailer tow package F-150 on their lot, and it was traded in from another store. Basically what I'm saying is that you're probably gonna have to settle on a non max tow, or order a 2014 model

[patperry2766]

Ford will reimburse the dealership a certain amount depending of the vehicle which usually gets the sales price a couple hundred above invoice.
I personally never had a problem because there was no price haggling, but I worked in the internet department so we handled things ourselves.

The answer to your question is...I don't think there is a valid reason they are brushing you off, and if they are, then find another dealership.

[tragusa3]

Patperry, that was my original understanding, but it turned out to be incorrect. The Z price was about 5k below msrp and then the rebates bring it down to about 11k below total.

Since you've sold them, do you have any comment as to why the dealerships loose interest in me once I mention z plan? I thought the money still comes to them from Ford.

[patperry2766]

Have you actually seen the invoice from the dealership that specified the Z-Plan price because I sold Ford's for over 6 years and I never saw a 12K price difference between MSRP and Z-Plan price.

If you can truly get 12K off plus the rebates, better make that deal quickly.