Is a Raptor a good family vehicle?

I'm thinking of getting one for my wife...and sneaking out and using it occasionally.

 

Define good I guess. From what I've read, it's big and comfy, super wide, and guzzles gas.

 

You win strangest question of the month.

 

If you look at it this way "crew cab truck with the 5.5 bed" like a lot of trucks out there then it fits the bill. A crew cab is why I bought my FX4.


If you look at "mid travel SVT with a gas gussler" then no.

That said, if I found one used and at a good price. I would sell my FX4 for it. My wife knows this. We have one child, both trucks seat 5. I don't tow but I do haul stuff to the dump. She knows I would wheel it every summer and make the effort to wheel it. I would sell my raptor 660 if I had one as I wouldn't have a need to ride it.

 

They have great suspension, lots of power and creature comforts. For a family fun truck, I don't see how it can be beat. The only reason I don't have one is because they are soft on towing and payload, and I work my truck on the ranch.

 

For being around one for a few years and driving once in a while, they are a cool truck and get attention. They can definitely take a thrashing and run well. Now that the goods are out there, heres some bad Ive seen, everything is tight.....parking, ramps, over hangs. They do require some special maintenance, rebuilding shocks, and parts can be a POS to get as most parts stores list them with a F150. Overall it has 200k on it and had minimal problems for what the owner has put it through. The biggest thing is parking since most spot barely fit a Ranger any more, its really your decision. Let us know what you decide.

 

Width would be the only issue in parking lots. Length you would be ok.
What is the height of a stock one? My truck fits in garages that are 6'10" or similar height.

 

OTOH, I ordered mine as "More Practical Raptor" tow rated 13k and then installed OEM Raptor exhaust and sideboards (plus more aftermarket stuff suiting my own needs and wants). Although every Raptor I see attracts my eyes while passing, IMO, mine is far better in the "real world" as most trucks are used...

 

The Raptor is damn purdy, and does good work in the baja-type off road environment. The supercrew F150 is a great family truck (2 car seats and 2 adults in mine), regardless of suspension and body width. There is a ton of space for 4 inside, plenty for 5 kids (in seats...a friend of mine puts 3 across the back in carseats). I'd drop my FX4 for a Raptor in .962 seconds if someone offered it, but I wasn't willing to spend the hell-of-a-lot-extra cash on the Raptor to get its extras. I do, however, slobber over every one I see on the road...they look so cool.

 

As compared to what?

I would say the answer is NO, from your wife's perspective.

Hard to park.
Hard to climb into.
Nowhere to secure groceries.
Lousy gas mileage.
Poor turning radius.

An SUV is a much better choice. My wife understands the practicality of our truck, but dislikes driving it locally.