I'm loosely shopping for a pickup and figured I'd consult this group of truck experts. Here's what I want:

-4 seats
-Enough power to tow the Bronco
-Bed long enough for me to sleep in with another person. I'm 6'4"+. I've confirmed I fit in the 6.5' version of the F150. Yes, the dealer looked at me weird.
-Decent mileage, as I drive a fair amount for work. That might change after COVID, so not a deal breaker.
-Good bang for the buck. I'm not against a higher mileage vehicle with life still left, but we usually buy cars with 20-50k miles.

It's going to get a levelling kit and will be used as a fly fishing base camp, kayak hauler, and all around adventure-mobile. Suggestions? Features you adore? Trucks you need to sell me?

2010 and up F150 with a 5.0L I'd buy a plain janeish XLT, the more fancy stuff just means more stuff to go wrong. Do not buy one with a sun roof!! I work on Fords for a living so if you have any questions feel free to ask.

I'm firmly in the diesel camp. Towing with N/A gas engines sucks. Just subtract 15% of your factory stated HP around Denver and then take another 15% off when you try to cross over Kenosha pass or similar.

Never towed with an Ecoboost 3.5l, but I've heard from several people it does alright, except the mileage. You either get ECO or BOOST. 8-9mpg towing is not uncommon. A diesel would pull the same load with less effort and still pull 13-15 mpg. I drove my FILs 2017 F-250. Even pulling 6000 lbs, it was fast and outran our Explorer. I would avoid 6.0s and 6.4s. The Ford-produced 6.7l has been a good engine.

Commuting would be a little easier in the F-150, but not enough to matter IMO. Any 4-dr truck is going to be harder to park. You get use to it. I don't take it downtown unless I have to. Just get use to walking further in parking lots, taking 2 shots to fit in a tight space and watching your doors when you get out. Cameras these days make life easier.

Unless you have to have it, skip the leveling kit. Trucks are set high in the rear from the factory so they can run softer, better riding springs and still sit level with a full load. If you raise the front, the rear will sit low towing. Just my opinion.

My experience has been with diesels as well and LOVE them!!!
NEW-2001 Dodge quad cab brand new, after it felt like it really got broken in at 50k miles, it would run 20mpg all day long and had to remind myself if I was pulling our 22.5' boat!! (5 speed manual)

USED-1997 Ford Crew Cab with 160K miles. Same experience with this truck, 20mpg, drove it for 5 years and sold it for more than I bought it for with 204k miles on it!! (Automatic)

***the only thing I didn't like about my diesels, they absolutely suck in the SAND, worthless if you get into deep sand like Lake McConaughy.

Thanks guys! Towing will be a tiny part of what I do, but I love diesels. How significant are the maintenence costs compared to an ecoboost

I've been keeping my eyes open lately for a truck so this topic is timely.

I had a 2004 Dodge 2500 with the diesel. Loved it. Like stated, you just didn't know there was anything behind it when towing.

Depending on what you get, the repairs on the diesel, when you need to do them, will probably be more expensive. I had to do the ball joints and transmission on both my Dodge's. Those are notoriously weak links on them.

Two questions, what's your budget and how much do you want to tow? The F150 will be significantly less than a diesel. Used diesels hold their prices. I sold my 2004 in 2008 for $20k with 130k miles. Today, I'd have to pay that to get it back with 200k on it.

On the towing capacity, the newer F150's have quite a bit more than the older models. I looked at the 2010-2015 models (due to pricing) and the towing capacity isn't that much more than our Sequoia (8800lbs). We are looking for a Toy hauler camper and I've only found one that I can tow and remain under the capacity of the Sequoia or an F150. I'd have to get a 2018 (or around there) or newer to get the towing capacity up enough to make a difference in that category.

ETA: Upon further looking, the models with twin turbo ecoboost and the tow package can handle something like 11k lbs capacity. This would be enough of a step up for me and the towing I need to do.

Hope these thoughts help you.

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Towing the bronco with dads 2011 3.5ecoboost was about the exact same as my 02 7.3l. The 7.3 was tuned and other bolt on stuff. Dads ecoboost is stock. Towing 7-8k behind the f150 is doable and you dont notice it much. Never run outta power. Mileage is 8-10 towing. Open road 18-20 if you keep it mellow(under 75).

Now neither of those can come close to my 2020 f350. The new 6.7 is an animal and the 10 speed is really nice. Towed Chris' race truck to vegas and back. never did notice the trailer was back there.

If you want a truck that can do it all look at 15 and newer 6.7. The current used market is tough. I looked all over for a 17 to 19 used truck. and when I did find one the prices were not all that much different than a new truck.

Maintenance isnt that much different. A little more. I run full synthetic in my truck. Average oil change is $100-$125.

My 2018 F150 3.5 Ecoboost has been a good truck so far. Mine has a leveling kit on it and I prefer the stance much better when not loaded. After my recent hunting trip, I’m gonna add airbags in the back for when it is fully loaded but that is less than $300 to do.

I had a large ATV and some other gas cans, propane etc. in the bed and pulled a small loaded up popup camper up past Steamboat Springs and got 12.6 mpg towing all that. I did not go slow either. I truly did not notice much of any difference in the ride or power.

I’ve towed the Bronco to Moab using a couple of different F150’s from I believe 2015 and the ecoboost did not lack power to go 80mph over the mountain passes.

I’ve never owned a diesel so couldn’t tell you how mine compares but for driving it as my main driver with occasional towing, I love the F150. It’s roomy, pretty quick, comfortable and practical for just about anything I plan to do with it.


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I'm very happy with my 2020 3.5 EB, but haven't towed with it. I bought it based on Zoso/Booger's experience towing. Since then I've only heard great things from several other owners too. I'm getting 21+ MPG if I keep my foot out of it, and that includes driving up/down to Tahoe regularly. I've only done 5300 miles, but it's good in the snow, in-town & highway, and some trail runs. Love the locking rear diff. You'll need the 6.5' bed, or maybe look into a tent that installs onto the open bed, or one you back up to (if you are adding a topper).

For the amount I'll tow, I don't need the diesel. If it was a dedicated tow pig, I'd go diesel. Plus, compared to my 02 F250 driving on washboard/dirt roads the F150 is a dream.

I'm also planning to add airbags & a level kit. I don't like the way it looks (too much rake). When I've run off the original tires and need new, I'll add the level kit and look into larger tires. I like a little more sidewall than my current 20" rim/tire combo, and the rear wheel wells look a bit empty.

I looked for a used one for months. I wanted less than 60k miles since I drive for work. All the trucks under 60k miles were loaded and I ended up getting a new, relatively low optioned (4x4, 3.5EB, Max Tow Package) for less than most the used ones.

How soon do you need it? Could hold out for an Atliss - https://www.atlismotorvehicles.com/xt-truck

It seems the one-fiddy with either the eco-boost or the 5.0 will work for you. But there is something to be said knowing your truck has capacity to spare, which is where it's nice to have a diesel. It takes the stress off you and the truck when you are pulling the loads stated. It just may be hard to find what you are looking for in the used market. And maintenance costs are probably 25% more with a diesel. But they hold their value better so it's a trade-off. And the emissions systems are a problem area, especially as they age. But if you aren't in an area that requires diesel emissions testing, there are ways to eliminate the problem items.

There is a guy on CO4x4 that specializes and finding specific vehicles, but I think he works for people who have more money than time. He was a few thousand higher for a new truck than my local dealer.

Rivian is another E-truck, but I can't get on that bandwagon, especially if you plan to tow. Whatever range they state will likely be cut in half when towing, so now you're looking in the 200 mile range. That's barely a day-trip from Denver to any good trails. Go any further and you are adding several hours of charging to that day. https://rivian.com/

Rivian - I’m watching a series on Apple TV where two dudes are riding electric harleys from the southern tip of South America all the way up through Central America and Mexico to Los Angeles. The chase trucks are two Rivian prototypes. All four of the EV are constantly running out of battery, especially when cold around freezing. Have trouble charging if left outside

Ok, back to your regularly scheduled pick up truck advice column

I'm pretty excited about electric cars as a tech. While it's not there for my needs yet, I'd be giving it a serious look if I was shopping for a compact to run around town in. As battery and charging tech evolves, its going to make for incredibly fun cars. 100% of torque at zero rpm, low COG due to ease of packaging batteries down low, etc.

Something else I thought of but might be hard to find used would be a F250/350 with the 7.3 gas engine it's a beast and has the pretty much the same HP and torque as the old 7.3 oil burner had. The F250's and 350's have room for some 34-35" tires in stock trim they are some tall trucks so much so that Ford puts a disposable step on the drivers side for transport :)

I've thought about those. I might just sell the wagon and DD the Bronco till COVID is over and I see how much I'm driving.