There are now used '15's in my area and I am sure elsewhere. Like other have stated, make sure you get the 36 Gallon tank.
I stuck with a new, on the lot 2014 when I bought last year. The equivalent 2015 was almost 20k more at the time. I couldn't justify the difference in price to buy the first year of a new platform.

If you're coming through the Vancouver area on your trip, shoot me a PM and I'll give you a few nice places to see on your way.

 

With a family and a dog, I would think you would absolutely want the full sized truck Screw cab. Personally, I'd get a nice used one. I have a 2014 and my dad has a 2015 and he is a bit fed up with the problems with his. For that reason, I'd save money and get the truck with lots of room and the "bugs" worked out.

 

13's and 14's were very well sorted out trucks. I would be leary of a 2015 just because it's the first year of a new platform and from what I am reading some of them have had issues.

 

In my humble opinion, I would go with the full size truck in the used 11-14 generation. The newest Fords have yet to be fully tested in the real world, and while dropping 800 lbs. and increasing power sure sounds nice, I don't like to spend a lot of money on new tech that has not yet proven its self.

Also while a 1/2 ton pickup would get slightly better MPG, the 3/4 ton have a better used market, and offer more room/power with similar enough MPG to me. (My 2011 Eco actually got better mileage while towing my s10 home than my s10 got while driving out to get the new truck!)

If you have a full size dog, the back seat of the Screw is perfect, and if you tow a trailer, the larger truck will work less to haul it up and down mountains.

The choice is yours, but in my mind the larger truck has more benefits than downsides.

 

A base level 16' Frontier is $31k. Not the same bells as whistles as a base level F-150 but a significant price difference.

Overall I totally agree with everyone. I can pick up a 14' FX4 really well equipped for for around 30k. That's the route I'm going. It'll have what I wanted out of the 16', rear locker, 36 gallon tank, center console, 6.5' bed, Screw, 5.0, plus it'll have moonroof and skids, all be it meh skids, for a lot less and still be under warranty.

Anything that I should be aware of mechanically with the 13'/14'?

 

I had 2 12th gen trucks and now have a '15. Neither of my 12th gens were problem free either, so I can't gauge reliability. My 2011 had electrical issues, my 2013 5.0 had engine issues, but both 12th gen trucks had incredible resale which is why I sold them when I did.


In some aspects I prefer the 12th gen trucks. The higher window beltline looked much better than the massive windows the new trucks have, my knee is almost visible with the drop down on the front window. They also felt a little more planted while towing.


Otherwise I have no regrets going to the '15. Much more nimble and fun to drive, wayyyyyyyy better interior, phenomenally better steering, more tech, more fresh look, better engines etc. It's just a superior truck in almost every measurable aspect. I've put 13,000 miles on my '15 and it has been pretty good to me and I use it like a truck. If you can afford the new bodystyle, I highly recommend it. You won't regret it.

 

Makes the most financial sense. The 15+ is very similar to the older model. Dames engines transmission (except the 2.7). The new ones are far more expensive out the door for essentially the same thing.

The model you are looking at has few issues. A minority's of 5.0 engines have a tick sound and some use a bit of oil. These are a minority... But essentially these trucks are very reliable and your family will love the roominess and ride over a mid sized truck

 

XL Sports are going for around 30k brand new. XLTs are selling in the mid 30s with the discounts. So don't necessarily eliminate buying new.

 

Ignore the Frontier. I had a 2013 Pro-4X loaded and I hated that truck. Had WAY more issues than the 1993 F250. It also rode like an F350 with duallies and I consistently got around 12 mpg. Nissan never could figure it out. I got the 15k mile service done and when they gave me a price of $260 after a simple oil change, I went directly over to the Ford dealership and bought my 2011. Best decision I've made on a vehicle.

 

So I've got a 2010. You specified 11 to 14. What did 2010 miss out on that went into the 11-14?