Hi Everyone. Well, after 15 years the RV-Dreams Community Forum is coming to an end. Since it began in August 2005, we've had 58 Million page views, 124,000 posts, and we've spent about $15,000 to keep this valuable resource for RVers free and open. But since we are now off the road and have settled down for the next chapter of our lives, we are taking the Forum down effective June 30, 2021. It has been a tough decision, but it is now time.
We want to thank all of our members for their participation and input over the years, and we want to especially thank those that have acted as Moderators for us during our amazing journey living and traveling in our RV and growing the RV-Dreams Family. We will be forever proud to have been founders of this Forum and to have been supported by such a wonderful community. Thank you all!!
We've been looking at trucks and it seems that both in the area we live and the area where we have purchased our 5'ver, the Lariat or higher trim level is by far the most common. We were thinking we wanted the XLT trim level, primarily because we travel with a cat. Cloth seats are much better than leather for the feline claws and I assumed would leave us with nicer looking seats for a longer time period. I've seen what my kitty has done to our 2 leather chairs, and while it's not nearly as bad as my Dad's cat, I just didn't want to spend that much on a truck and have the seats looking horrible in 6 months. Our cat does enjoy a bit of "roaming" while driving down the road.
So, we're considering the XLT but wondering if that's going to be an issue down the road if we ever decide to sell it or trade it. With the XLT being less common, are we going to take a bigger hit on the value at that time?
Can't answer your question on trim level and resale but I do have a question as to why you want a F-450 over a F-350. In 2007 I bought an 08 F-450 because it on paper had more capacity than the F-350. It was great etc but in 2012 I needed a new one. In 2012 the F-350 tow capacity is almost the same as the 08 F-450 and only slightly less than the new F-450. We looked at both (350 & 450) but went with the 350 as it was cheaper, could haul 20,000# etc. The one thing I did notice is that the 450 will turn a lot better than the 350 (tighter turning radius), but I really didn't see the need for the new 450.
I can't speak to how things are now, but back when we first started looking at trucks, the Lariat package could be had with cloth seats. We only have leather in our F450 because we bought it used and that is how the King Ranch package is equipped.
Check with a dealer for sure, and if you do go with a new one, you might be able to just order what you want.
While most of the weigh capacities on the F350 are fairly close to the new F450's, there are still some differences, especially in the area of the GCVW. And IGOTJAM is right in that the F450 does have a better turning radius. That could be VERY important when you go to shows, provided you don't have a second vehicle like we do.
Terry
__________________
Terry and Jo
2010 Mobile Suites 38TKSB3 2008 Ford F450 2019 Ford Expedition Max as Tag-along or Scout
GCVR is much greater on the F450. Our art show "stuff" (canopy, weights, glass cases, displays, product) weighs about 1K. Most of that will be in the truck. We live in the West, will continue to travel and work in the Western US for the next few years and felt like the F450 was a better option for towing, payload and dealing with all the mountain passes we'll be crossing.
I have cloth seats in my Dodge that I covered with the neophrene (wet suit material) seat covers. It seems to wear well and cleans easily. It could be an option to order/but the truck with the leather and put good covers on them.
Well, we bit the bullet and ordered a Ford F450 today with the options we wanted, not all the fully loaded options the dealer had on the lot. In the long run, while we have to wait for our truck, this will give us what we want at a more affordable price. Plus, they are arranging delivery straight to a Ford dealer near OKC (thanks Terry for providing a recommendation!), where DH can fly in, pick up the truck, pick up our 5v'er from Rolling Retreats and start the long journey to the Pacific NW. OK, now, to arrange the estate sale, finish the home rennovations, get the house on the market and finally, the road to freedom. It's starting to come together rapidly.
where DH can fly in, pick up the truck, pick up our 5v'er from Rolling Retreats and start the long journey to the Pacific NW.
Dale and Ruth,
Congrats on the new F-450. Even though I have been a Chevy man all my life, a Ford is on the table for FTing. One point though. At one time in the past, there was a thread that included comments on a break-in period. I think it mentioned driving maybe 500 miles before towing anything. Check this out. I would hate for anybody to do damage to a new vehicle and have the warranty voided. Just my one and a half cents worth.
VanMar - you are correct, 500 miles is the break in period. It's about 100 miles to the RV dealership from where he'll pick up the truck, plus our kids/grandkids are in the OKC area so I'm sure he'll be visiting them before heading to the RV dealership. We're working on the logistics, thanks for the reminder.
Congrats on the F450. Mine is great except for it being very thirsty all the time.
We had cats for years and found that clipping the claws regularly reduced the scratching to very little and when they did it wasn't as destructive on the furniture. I would not put up with allowing a cat the liberties of damaging my furniture.
R12 - our kitty is actually very good about not using her claws other than on her designated scratching posts. However, we have 2 leather chairs in our current S&B home, twice she's been startled (once when a bird flew straight into our living room window) and launched off of those chairs in a hurry which left behind unintentional scratch marks. So while I don't think she would damage the furniture maliciously, driving around with a cat in the truck and making an unexpected stop or turning when she wasn't expecting it could lead to claw marks on the leather. Just not worth the headache.