l3rian

He's probably trying to sell you one on the lot. Mine is a lariat with the tow mirrors, tow package, payload package, and most importantly 2.7. I Just towed over 5k from NC to Iowa in a 8.5' wide enclosed trailer with my family. The motor had plenty of power even through the mountains. I wouldn't get the tow mirrors for a 5 foot wide trailer. You probably don't need the payload package either, but it's nice to have. If your trailer has electric brakes, the controller is necessary, but you can add it afterwards, or go aftermarket. I would opt for 3.73 gears though.

mtj679

This all sounds great guys, and thank you again, many times over. One of the things I was told was that "Max Tow package was not an option. But now that I have had the time to look, I logged on to ford.com and I had no problem adding it, so I knew he was mistaken on that one. I didn't know that when I wrote the last message, that's why it was starting to feel like I was building a tank! I think it really threw him for a curve also when it said you couldn't get the 302A package with the 2.7L...he didn't understand that either.

I do understand why you'd suggest the tow mirrors smokeywren....and I will take a look at those. But if they are what I'm thinking, I'll leave them go. I think you mean the telescoping mirrors.... But l3rian is right...I don't feel the need for them as my trailer won't go over 5 foot wide so if I can see around the truck, the trailer won't present a problem. I've been pulling trailers all my life, goosenecks, bumper hitches, dump trucks and trailers, semi's with flatbeds, tankers vans, you name it. I can honestly say it's like a 6th sense, I think I know more about what's going on behind me than in front of me. Especially in today's world! But I really will take a look at them, I'll sit in a truck with each just to make sure. Who knows, might add them in thinking of the next guy who owns the truck also. Honestly, I'm tired of pulling trailers and if the little covered trailer I'll be getting gets used more than a dozen times a year, I'll be very surprised. But just knowing the ability to pull what I need and then some will feel good.

The gas tank, thats not life or death. Few less times I need to stop for gas is all.....might lose weight keeping away from gas station food! I know that oil cooler is important and actually, I could stop at my diesel shop and they have an aftermarket cooler they could install, but I don't want to mess with a factory new truck like that right away. I also figured you'd say the 3.55 rear end, but for some reason he kept pushing the 3.31 which I know nothing about.

l3rian, I am curious, why would you opt for 3.73 gears? I don't think I've ever owned a pickup that didn't have the 4:10 rear end, anything other than that I'm kind of lost....

You know, the other day he had me messed up. The other day he kept searching his computer for one they had in stock, or one he could get. I didn't say much the other day, just took it all in and learned what I could.It was more of a fact finding mission anyway. Longer I sat there the more I learned. Today, the very first thing I told him word for word was that I don't like my time wasted, and I won't waste his. I told him the only way I'd do it was to go through the system, "build my truck" the way I wanted it and then mentioned if he wants to spend a week looking for that specific truck no problem. He understood that. That's about the only thing I was prepared for! But yes, I can clearly see and understand to a certain point why they want to take one out of their inventory. I got the distinct impression ordering one was out of the ordinary for them. He said three month wait, I said no problem, I won't have to drive it in salt right away :-)

Sorry this is so long! World of help guys...

smokeywren

Max Tow is not an option with the 2.7L engine. Maybe that's where the misunderstanding began. Max Tow is available only with the 3.5L EcoBoost engine. If you added max tow on Ford.com build&price, then the system automagically changed your EcoBoost engine from 2.7L to 3.5L, along with changing the rear end from 3.31 to 3.55.

I said 3.55 ratio because that's the only ratio available with max tow, unless you also order HDPP with max tow.

He gets paid his commission on the sale to you about a week or so after you take delivery. He wants to sell you something in stock so he doesn't have to wait two months to get paid. 3.31 is standard on a 4x4, so that's what he has in stock, and that's what he wants you to buy.

On an F-150 4x4 with either EcoBoost engine, 3.31 is standard. 3.55 e-locker is part of the max tow pkg. 3.73 e-locker is part of HDPP. 4.10 is only available on the Raptor off-road hot rod. With the 3.5L EcoBoost engine which is required to get max tow, your only gear ratio options are 3.55 with max tow or 3.73 with HDPP and max tow.

Mainly so the salesman can get paid in a week or so instead of in a couple of months or so.

Factory order is unusual for all dealers - but because of customers more than because of the folks in the dealership. Most customers with new truck fever want a new truck RIGHT NOW! Not next month or two or three months from now, but right now. So they compromise their needs and wants to get something that's not exactly what they wanted.

He might be right. Last fall when demand for F-150s exceeded supply, the normal 6-to-8-week order and ship time increased to 3-to-4 months. I was ready to order a new 2018 with HDPP and max tow but my small-town dealer (who is a close personal friend of mine - his Mom the owner and I grew up as back-fence neighbors) explained that order and ship time was at least 90 days and probably 120 days or more. I decided to wait or the 2019s, and get my order in the Ford new vehicle order system about 30 minutes after the system opens for new 2019s.

If you order now, well after the beginning of the model year and well before the end of the model year, you should expect order and ship time of about 6 weeks, and 8 weeks at the most. That assumes you don't order something weird, and your dealer places his highest available priority on your order. My dealer would even call the Ford Zone manager and try to get the order priority increased higher than the dealer can request.

mtj679

Sorry Smokeywren...I knew the Max Tow wasn't an option for the smaller 2.7L...after the Ford rep I was talking to told me the 302A package was not available with the 2.7, we moved on to talking about the 3.5, and that was when he said it wasn't available. but you had no way of knowing that, sorry! I was throwing a lot at him also, stuff he'd never been asked before, so it was a simple error. I called him and he checked it out and agreed it was a simple oversight on his part, he was looking in his three ring binder at that time, not the computer program.

It really did throw him for a loop though, and honestly, the way he kind of fumbled through the "build your own" area on Ford.com, I really don't think this gentleman has ever been asked by anyone to order a specific truck before. He even mentioned most of the time folks find one on the lot they're happy with and just buy it. But he's been super easy to work with, and honestly, even though he said he's been doing it for years, I do believe he has learned a few things as well. Knowing what you said about his commission I appreciate him even more. he didn't argue one bit when I said I'd like to order one, and he has been one of the nicest folks in a dealership I have ever talked with. That says a lot. And you're right, we definitely live in a "want it now" society...

3.55 it is for the rear end, and thank you for that. I'll avoid the HDPP and go with Max Tow...

These guys probably have 75-100 Ford F-150's in stock, only a couple have the sport package, I found that unusual but keep in mind that's coming from me who hasn't followed Ford in years. I love the look of those horizontal grille bars...

But regarding ordering, you'd have to know me to understand. I'm in no hurry at all, and if it takes awhile, no problem at all. Great things are worth waiting for. In fact, I'd consider this a great dealer for another reason. The day it's ordered, all rebates and incentives apply. Any rebates and incentives that come along in the meantime will also apply. I don't know if any will, but I love it they do it this way.

l3rian

I suggested 3.73s because when I bought mine, it's the lowest gearing they offered. Gives toy the most torque to the wheels, and if you ever plan on going to a larger tire, it will handle it better than a higher gearing. 3.55 is as high as I would go. Would not get the 3.31. Go test drive 2 trucks with different gears and you can really feel it. I think the hit to mpgs is negligible with the 3.31s, but the driveability and towing take a huge hit.

UncleFester

Earlier today, we pulled in to Texas after our 1,700 mile jaunt from New England to Dallas. As expected, the worst part of the trip was the Bristol, VA to Memphis, TN leg which involved steep hills, 18 wheelers everywhere, and rain/fog. Thankfully, the 2.7 EB answered the challenge like a champ.
At no point in the trip did I think that I needed more HP.

Plus, we got 14+ mpg on every single tank. I suspect that 350+ Miles is plenty of range for most people who don’t tow constantly. We simply gassed up when we stopped for meals or to visit facilities.

l3rian

I only achieved 10 mpgs, but I was doing 70 most of the way. Plus, the trailer is literally a box. Wider and taller than my truck. I doubt the weight really had much affect on my mpgs, the aerodynamics were the killer I'm sure.

mtj679

I'll be honest, I really think the 2.7 would suit my needs just fine, and I was more convinced of that when UncleFester posted, but I also realize the wisdom of what smokeywren said in his first post, "why not have more than I need". That made a world of sense, although last time I thought that way I ended up in a HD 3/4 ton Dodge with the Cummins engine! But in this case when putting the exact package I wanted together became harder with the 2.7 it was an easy decision to go with the 3.5.

I got it ordered today and I'm very happy with the deal I got so I'm sure going to have fun this summer. Last time I drove a Ford, other than a 31' Ford Roadster was 1999, and I'm looking forward to getting back into one! I was somewhat surprised, I won't post any exact numbers, but getting that bigger engine and even adding a few other options I didn't have on earlier the price was negligible, that really surprised me.

Smokeywren--I was even going to add those towing mirrors you suggested, I sat in a truck with them and they are not nearly as obtrusive as others as I have dealt with on other work trucks I have owned. BUT....again I ran into a hitch, if I added the larger towing mirrors, then it wouldn't allow us to add the Blind Spot Information System, and I'm sure my kids will drive this once in awhile, I preferred that BLIS option over the mirrors for their sake.

Very happy with the whole process, but from a guy who knows absolutely nothing about the reasons they do what they do, it feels like Ford makes it a bit harder to order when a guy runs into roadblocks like the packages and certain options go with this and that. But not second guessing them, I'm quite sure they have good solid reasons.

The only thing I was not able to get that I just love and this is actually funny, was the red stitching in the black seats and interior. Crazy small thing but I thought that added a nice touch! Not worth going to that special edition or limited edition package to get it though. I may have to learn how to sew

Can't say this enough though, thank you gentlemen, all of you, for your help, your advice, and for taking the time to respond, It's truly appreciated...

l3rian

Weird how they change options around. I have the tow mirrors on mine with BLIS. I wanted the 360 camera, but in 15 I couldn't get it with the 2.7. I think it was because it was the only engine with auto start/ stop at the time and the button was where the 360 cam button went. But now all of them have the auto start/ stop I believe.

Glad you're happy and hopefully got a truck you won't outgrow too soon.

smokeywren

Any experienced dealerperson should do that. They "lock in" the incentives that were available on the day of the order - in case some expire or are reduced during order and ship time. But when it's time for delivery, they check the availability of incentives on date of delivery. You get whichever set of incentives is best for you.