chimmike

Frankly, as I get older, the less I'm inclined to get something like a pop-up. That's why we ended up with a TT. Not so much because we can't handle a pop-up (we can, we're still young), but the ease of backing into a spot, cranking down scissor jack supports with a battery impact gun, hooking up power, water, sewer, and stepping in.........is sooo much more appealing with a family than cranking up, pulling out the beds, bed supports, pulling door down, then unloading al the junk etc. of a pop-up that we used to do.

Now...imagine an F250 with the Ford wireless trailer backup camera option on whatever trailer you have, stability of a 3/4 ton chassis with substantial brakes, diesel range.

Sam Linville

AH......but I have a very rare Fold-N-Roll hard sided pop-up. It takes less than one minute to set up. The top comes up hydraulically and the sides manually snap up. Easy peasy. it has a potty, inside and out side shower, stove, heater, refrigerator, two beds.
I primarily boondock or stop at a rest stop for the night as oposed to a camp gound with hook-ups.
Here are two photos with my old decrepit RAM 1500. Please ignore the fact that one image has a front wheel dolly set up and the other does not have them. The trailer came stock with the dolly set up and I removed them and replaced the stock 13 wheels and tires with 14 wheels and higher rated tires. Except for the lack of power and odd trans ratios on the RAM it tows great. I can tow at 55 mph in standard or 70 mph on a flat freeway in OD. In between this is problematic rpm and trans ratio wise.

acdii

That is sort of like the A Frame trailers I see occasionally. Takes a few minutes to put up and take down. Pretty neat.

If you really want a diesel, find a nice used one, like a 15 or 16 and save 10K or more. If I really wanted to go the diesel route, that is what I would have done instead of buying the current truck, I just could not justify the maintenance, though after my last tow of the year today, wishing I did have the F250 I was looking at instead.

Sam Linville

Thanks for the reply. My research shows that Ford really made some very worthwhile changes and updates with the 2017 models that I think are worth the premium cost over a 2015 or 2016. I may consider a low millage 2017 when dollars have found there way into me pockets.
Also this is way better than those A frames.

chimmike

That is really rare! Never seen anything like it. too cool!

5.0GN tow

I bought a 16 f350 when the 17s were out. I drove both pretty extensively first, taking each home overnight to drive in varying conditions. I chose the 16 because after driving both, I could not justify the 17 price for what it got me. The 16 also sat a good bit lower which was important to me as I tow a GN. I wanted the lower hitch/bed height and lower bed rail height. The 17s were significantly higher in both measurements.

Sam Linville

I am positive the 2016 F350's are great trucks. I won't be ready to buy for a few months yet, need to sell the house first. I am still chewing on the fact that the F150's have all the towing capacity I will need, are better drivers when empty, better in snow, can make U-turns, parking spots are easier to find, might be able to get in without a ladder, easier maintenance.
But the big boys are a calling................. In 2007 I borrowed a friends 2006 F350 Diesel for a road trip from my house in San Jose CA to AZ, Death Vally, Mono Lake and the Grand Canyon. The road to the Race Track in Death Valley was at that time brutal. While huge ground clearance wasn't needed the road had horrible washboard and sharp rocks. It wasn't unusual for people to loose two tires on the 26 mile trip. The 26 mile trip took about 2.5 hours. I understand the road has been graded and leveled and doesn't pose the same challenges. At the time it had over 100K on it and it looked and drove like a brand new vehicle. This was the most enjoyable trip ever. The F350 was super stable on the road, very quiet, and the diesel engine absolutely amazed me with it's torque and effortless ability to hold speed anywhere. Of course on the trip we didn't have to worry about parking in strip malls or at the grocery store. I also don't recall any objectionable rouge ride or bouncing.
I think if the F150's had a Diesel that could easily be my choice. Unfortunately all the rumors seem to indicate the proposed new Diesel engines for the F150's are less powerful than I would like. I think they are trying to compete with the RAM 1500 diesel which gets great MPG (the best) but lacks that power one wants out of a diesel.
I have plans to rent an 2017 F250 diesel, hook up my trailer and take it for 120 mile loop with freeways, two lane roads and hills. I am also going to see if I can find an 2017 F150 with the 3.5L Ecoboost engine and do the same loop. I think the $250.00 or so will be well spent and provide a definite real-world decision.

acdii

I had a 99 F350 Dually, 8' bed, crew cab. It was HUGE and had no issues parking it, even in Chicago, provided I could find a lot with clearance as it sat pretty tall. It rode pretty good too for such a large truck, but it also weighed 8000 pounds empty! I would love to still have it, but maintenance is just too costly to be of any use as a daily driver.