Ordered a new truck to haul TC today

[BradW]

2018 XLT F350 4x4 Crew Cab 8' Bed

Supposed to be here in 6-8 wks.

Going to add Torklift tiedowns.

Going to use the factory 3" hitch and fabricate an extension.

Got 5th wheel prep package and plan on using the factory installed bed plug.

Not going with adjustable Rancho 9000 shocks this time. I got them last time and they worked great on my first two srw trucks, but they were a huge improvement on our last drw truck.

No air bags this time, may try stable loads or go with Timbrens again this time.

Our 2006 F350 did a great job hauling our Lance. I can't believe we've had that truck 12 years.

BradW

[wsdepa]

BradW wrote:
2018 XLT F350 4x4 Crew Cab 8' Bed

Supposed to be here in 6-8 wks.
-snip

Our 2006 F350 did a great job hauling our Lance. I can't believe we've had that truck 12 years.

BradW

I remember that I bought my 2006 F-350 dually at the same time as you. I have camped in 49 states and all of the Canadian Provinces, putting over 140,000 miles on the rig carrying my Lance 981 at just about my GVWR fully loaded. Despite all of the negative press about the 6.0, I never had any problems except having to replace the alternator. It's a great truck and I have had very few problems with the camper. Ill try to put a few more miles on it but I look forward to hearing about the new truck as I might follow your lead again. Best regards.

[jimh406]

Nice.

[BradW]

Got a build date: week of 9 April at the Kentucky Ford Plant

I think it usually takes about 30 days from build date to dealer.

[BradW]

I've read lots of good reports on stable loads. They seem to get the job done.

[Buzzcut1]

Brad, my 1055 loaded is 4600+- and the best thing I put on my 2011 F350 DRW was lower stable loads. They make driving in high cross winds a one hand on the wheel affair.

[BradW]

NRALIFR wrote:
“Full time” for my job meant 40 hours + emergency call-outs + lots of weekend work at times that normal people like to be in bed. I could work like that a lot easier 20 years ago. I may have the opportunity to come back a couple days a week after I retire, and that sounds like something I’d enjoy.

I've been to the BRPKWY way too many times....if that is possible.

I had that kind of job for about 20 years when I was working on the Army's Chemical Demilitarization Program. Lots of hours, lots of time away from home. That is over now and my working life is a lot easier and more enjoyable. I suffered through all those years and I kind of hate leaving now when I have a great boss, work is much less stressful and more enjoyable. I'm locked up in analysis paralysis and can't decide what to do. I don't want leave and regret it, but I don't want to stay until I drop dead coming up one of these stairwells.

[Clarryhill]

Thanks much, Brad. Looking forward to some pics later this spring.
Best, Jim

[BradW]

The 9000's just didn't make much noticeable difference on the drw. At least not worth the time, money, trouble, etc.

They made a big difference on the 1996 F250 srw and 2001 F350 srw trucks.

I would definitely get them again if I had a +4,000 lb camper on an srw or an extremely large camper on an F350 drw.

Also, we had airbags on the srw truck and Trimblens on the drw, that could have been some of the difference. Once the rear axle set down on the Timbrens, it had very limited travel.

This go around we likely will stay stock, get stable loads or Timbrens; haven't decided yet. Probably will try it stock first.

BradW

[Clarryhill]

Hi Brad, first, congrats on the new truck order. Sounds like a pretty beast, and looking forward to pics. Second, got a quick ? for ya. You made the comment that you "weren't" going with Rancho 9K's this time even though they had treated you so well on a number of different trucks. What are you going with this time.

[NRALIFR]

Wow, that’s impressive! That’s exactly where it is!

I understand how you feel about your job. I like and I’m good at what I do. I’ve reached the point though where I don’t want to do it full time any more. “Full time” for my job meant 40 hours + emergency call-outs + lots of weekend work at times that normal people like to be in bed. I could work like that a lot easier 20 years ago. I may have the opportunity to come back a couple days a week after I retire, and that sounds like something I’d enjoy. I figure any job you still like when you retire, is a job you will love working part-time.

In the meantime, the boss needs a chauffeur on her business trips. Me and the cats have already applied for the job. :W

:):)

[BradW]

That's a purdy truck right there. Where is that? Looks like Mt Pisgah off the Blue Ridge Prkwy.

My last day? I've had so many. I just can't quit because I have a mental problem........I actually like my job. Don't know what happened. After 31 years I have finally managed to work myself into a job I like, with a great boss, interesting work and I don't have to travel anymore. I was leaving in 2016, then last year, then 31 Mar 2018, then 30 April 2018...... now I'm talking end of Aug or end of year. I'm starting to think I need to see a shrink.

[NRALIFR]

Ruby Red! My favorite color! :C



When’s your last day, Brad?

I’m hanging it up at the end of March myself.

After 36 years with the same company, I’ve had enough.

:):)

[BradW]

4x4crazy wrote:
Ruby red as well. .

I think 2017 and 2018's are just about the same truck. Seems like 2019s will have some grill changes and new colors and maybe new radio options.

I really wanted just a "normal" red like my 2006. Both Ram and Chevy have great red colors. Ford has "Race Red". Looks great on a Mustang, not so hot on a big truck. They have a new red coming called magna red. It looks almost brown.

Ruby red is one of those colors which looks different every time you look at it. It almost looks like a candy apple red. I might have gotten the dark blue, but my buddy bought the exact same truck (2017) and its blue. I didn't want to look like Heckle and Jeckle coming down the road.

[4x4crazy]

You'll love it. I just bought a leftover 2017 f250 platinum diesel. I decided to get a 2017 for the extra incentives. Ruby red as well. I get compliments on the color all the time.

[BradW]

Camper_Jeff_&_Kelli wrote:
Congratulations Brad. Looking forward to the baby pictures and the soon to follow tall tales of places gone, things done, and seen.

About to be retired, so should be lots more photos.