8 Days In A New F150

dbozman · April 20, 2011

I recently rented a 2011 F150 Supercrew XLT 4x4 for 8 days during an emergency family trip on the east coast. The truck had about 9,500 miles on it when I picked it up.

I suppose I consider myself a "Chevy Guy" at some level. I've owned a bunch of Chevy trucks (2000 2500, '01 2500HD, 05 Z71, etc.). My current rig is a '10 half-ton LT that I bought new last September, it has 8k miles on it and some mild mods (level, 33s, Magnaflow). However, I've also had a Ford F150 Supercrew Lariat and a couple Toyotas in there. All have been nice.

The new F150 is overall a nice truck. Fit and finish are good, cockpit layout is good, the 5.4 felt like it had a bit more juice than the last one I owned. Overall, probably rides a touch nicer than my Chevy and seems to have more "car-like" handling. Turning radius feels tighter and the truck is easier to park in a typical parking lot. The stock seats are MUCH more comfortable than Chevy.

While the overall ride was what I would consider better on good pavement, the Ford was completely undone on square-edged bumps and pavement seams. Almost to the point of death wobble. Hate to see it with big tires. Not much else really bad to say. The shape of the inner door panel is a little weird as is the position of the ignition on the steering column (I had to look at it every time I inserted the key).

I drove my mother around in it and she seemed to like it more than my Chevy, though I suspect it's because she had an easier time getting in and out of the Ford. I turned it back in thinking to myself that Ford has done a pretty decent job on the F150.

Then my wife picked me up at the airport in my truck and I suddenly remembered what I'd been missing. There's no question I strongly prefer the aesthetics of the Chevy/GMC platform. The Chevy just feels more substantial and more like a truck (the Ford is almost like driving a car); the Chevy might be a hair less refined, but it gives me the feeling I expect from a half-ton truck.

No real moral to the story, other than sharing my experience. In today's truck market, I think all the major players are putting out fine vehicles, you just have to choose the one that speaks to you. For me, that's Chevy.

Wysilverado · April 20, 2011

I hear ya,We run a Repair Shop,Spray Bedliners and install accesseries ,I get to drive a lot of new Vehicles.All the Trucks are nice,all are appealing ,then I get back in My Silverado or Suburban and its like aaahhhhhh......... Home again!

pm26 · April 20, 2011

Given the fact that a fully loaded F 150 crew cab 4X4 with the 6.2 liter engine stickers for as much as a nicely optioned Chevy 2500HD truck with the LT package and Duramax/Allison powertrain, they can shove that Ford you know where.

This statement is based on actual sticker price of $ 53k and change for a platinum edition F150 crew cab 4X4 and $ 53k and change sticker price for a Silverado 2500HD 4X4 crew cab Duramax/Allision equipped with the LT package, interior plus package, conveninece package, tow package, rear camera, alloy wheels.

There is no way I would spend over $ 50k on a 1/2 ton gas powered pickup.

ibag8rfan · April 20, 2011

There is no way I would spend $50k on anything domestic, whether it be a truck, car, or SUV.

Kblaze94 · April 20, 2011

If it was a 2011, it prob had a 5.0 not a 5.4, that would explain why it felt like it had more power. They are nice trucks and if I bought a new truck now I would get over over a chevy more than likely

05GMCZ71 · April 20, 2011

Ford took a step back with the design of the F-150. That's why I would not get it. It looks very funny. Rammie and GM are the only ones I'd consider.

dbozman · April 20, 2011

Must've been a '10, then, because it definitely had the 5.4.

MikeNH · April 20, 2011

There is no way I would spend over $ 50k on a 1/2 ton gas powered pickup.

Then don't spend $50k on a half ton. People here have claimed over and over again that Fords are more expensive than GMs but when you build the trucks the same (or as close as the brands allow) and you'll end up with very close prices. There is also the fact that Lincoln doesn't have a truck anymore so the Platinum sort of serves as Ford's version of the Caddy-badged Avalanche I figure. Neither truck has any appeal to me as that's not what I want in a pickup, but I see enough of both vehicles on the road to prove that some people will pay those prices.

ShimanoFisherman · April 21, 2011

This statement is based on actual sticker price of $ 53k and change for a platinum edition F150 crew cab 4X4 and $ 53k and change sticker price for a Silverado 2500HD 4X4 crew cab Duramax/Allision equipped with the LT package, interior plus package, conveninece package, tow package, rear camera, alloy wheels.

Meh. I just built an '11 Sierra Denali that was $52k. And that was without any of the bed or other DIO options. Could go well north of $53k with those.

07YukonDenali · April 21, 2011

Given the fact that a fully loaded F 150 crew cab 4X4 with the 6.2 liter engine stickers for as much as a nicely optioned Chevy 2500HD truck with the LT package and Duramax/Allison powertrain, they can shove that Ford you know where.

This statement is based on actual sticker price of $ 53k and change for a platinum edition F150 crew cab 4X4 and $ 53k and change sticker price for a Silverado 2500HD 4X4 crew cab Duramax/Allision equipped with the LT package, interior plus package, conveninece package, tow package, rear camera, alloy wheels.

There is no way I would spend over $ 50k on a 1/2 ton gas powered pickup.

GM has the Denali, and look how well that sells.