DallasSteve
Texas
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I've read people say "No one ever complained about having too much truck when towing a travel trailer." That may be true, but I'm not towing my trailer yet, and I feel like I bought too much truck. I bought a Ford F-250 with crew cab and a long bed. I didn't really want the long bed, but stock is limited across the country right now.
The truck rides nice and it's probably going to pull my trailer comfortably. I have a 37 foot trailer that will run about 9,000 pounds loaded up. So I felt that it would be pushing an F-150, even if if was max towing. And I asked the salesman about that and he said an F-150 with max towing will cost more than the F-250 model I wanted. I believe that may be true based on the initial shopping I did. There wasn't much price difference between the two.
The problem for me is parking it and driving it down the road. My research says it's about 10 inches wider than an F-150, and about a foot longer, plus it rides a lot higher so I have to avoid any parking garages. I'm retired so I don't have to park it at work every day, but I can barely get it in my covered parking spot at home and when I went to the gym last night it took all of the parking space. I don't think I could get the doors open if someone parks next to me. They are huge doors, too.
Has anyone else with a "work truck" lived this nightmare? Is it just a matter of parking at the back of the parking lots and taking up 2 spaces? I'm in good health so I can walk. I don't think I can park it in a regular spot like a normal vehicle. I don't think my dealer will let me swap it for an F-150 now, so I have to make the best of this.
* This post was
edited 03/11/23 12:44pm by DallasSteve *
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midnightsadie
ohio
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you have the perfect truck ,its one tuff brute that will serve you well won,t labor up the hills use the truck as it was made for not going to the gym but to work. get a mini car for you town stuff.
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MFL
Midwest
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I like driving my F250, even when not towing! I have the choice to drive a Honda sport coupe, Escape SUV, truck. I like sitting higher, and for whatever reason, the tailgaters/idiots give you more room/respect.
Mine is just a standard 6' 9" bed, and extended cab, so shorter. Are you sure your 250 is 10"s wider than late model 150?
Anyway, you'll get used to the size, and when towing, you'll be a Happy Camper!
Jerry
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Lantley
Ellicott City, Maryland
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You bought the truck to tow your rather larger trailer.
before you question your decision take a tow first. You will then understand why you have the F250.
I bought my dually to tow my 5th wheel. It does a great job however parking lots, ,underground garages and drive thru's are not its strong suit.
Yes parking in urban or congested places is more of a challenge vs. a typical commuter car but I can't tow my fiver with a commuter car.
In the end you need to set your priority. If having a very capable TV is your priority. Than the F250 makes lots of sense. If having a small grocery getter is your priority than there are better options than the F250.
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rjstractor
Maple Valley, WA
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I think your concerns about the size of the F250 vs the F150 are somewhat overblown. The extra width of the F250 is all in the mirrors- the bodies are exactly the same width. (well, the F250 is a tenth of an inch wider) The F150 is listed with the standard mirrors, and towing that big trailer you'll want towing mirrors. That will put you at the same width as the F250. The F250 is only two inches higher than the F150, so not a huge difference there. Doors are the same as well. I daily drive a newer F150 at work, and I don't find that it's really any easier to park than my older F250. The big difference is that the newer truck has a much tighter turning radius, but older Fords are notoriously piggy when it come to turning. Towing a 9K 37' trailer, I think you'll be much happier with the F250.
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DallasSteve
Texas
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MFL wrote:I like driving my F250, even when not towing! I have the choice to drive a Honda sport coupe, Escape SUV, truck. I like sitting higher, and for whatever reason, the tailgaters/idiots give you more room/respect.
Mine is just a standard 6' 9" bed, and extended cab, so shorter. Are you sure your 250 is 10"s wider than late model 150?
Anyway, you'll get used to the size, and when towing, you'll be a Happy Camper!
Jerry
I'm not sure if it's wider, but that 10" came off a Google search comparison. I'm not sure what year they were comparing. It is a long truck. I just parked it in my covered space and I backed into the corner of my brick house. I heard a crunch and I was sure that was $1,000. But I got out and I can't find any damage. I guess I just tapped it with the bumper. With a little practice I'll probably get good at getting in my covered space. Fortunately I have extra space, it's not between 2 cars.
The dealer had the shorter bed and I may ask if they would like to swap out, but they probably won't want to do it. The longer bed may help keep the trailer a little more stable so if I keep it I may appreciate that.
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Grit dog
Black Diamond, WA
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Not gonna lie, this is starting to sound like your last new RV purchase and you don’t even have the RV yet.
But I gotta get a hearty laugh about the too much truck thing. Because I recall advice I gave about thinking about the pros and cons of how you were gonna use the truck.
First, you literally bought the longest pickup truck they make today….I’m sure it’s tight in city driving. You had 4 other wheelbases that were shorter to choose from.
Second, lol, not 10” wider than a F150, move the decimal 2 spots to the left. It’s 0.1” wider.
Third, too tall? Guess you got a 4x4. But it’s still under 7’ tall. I wouldn’t try a 6’-8” parking garage but it should squeak into a 6’-10”.
4th. Parking spots? Back in to them. 100% easier than pulling in.
5th. Of all the issues you have you think it rides good, so that’s good. Did you lower tire pressures or you like it with factory air in the tires? Because it will ride a lot better with proper/lower pressure than the factory TPMS settings.
Last, it’s Texas, so cheers, that thing fit right in being a proper cowboy Cadillac!
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Grit dog
Black Diamond, WA
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It will be a stable tow rig for only 9klbs. But so would any/every other wheelbase.
Congratulations on the new rig though! I’m sure it’s a beaut!
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bgum
South Louisiana
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I never got comfortable with the larger truck. Best ride to park and maneuver parking lots is a 2 door jeep wrangler. But they don't pull much. A half ton is much more friendly than what you bought but may not meet your needs. Your truck and trailer will take up a lot of real estate.
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YC 1
Yuba City Calif./ Auburndale Florida
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Did you get the 360 camera system?
My 150 looks to be the exact same width as my brothers 250. He does have wider mirrors.
Heck, my 150 will parallel park itself after finding a hole big enough. That is a hoot to watch the steering wheel spin wildly about.
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