Back story...(most of you know, but just in case, ha!) We are a family of 5, kids ages 8, 5, and 1. Plus a Golden Retriever. We currently own a 2000 Caravan, a 1998 Dodge Intrepid and a 2006 Prius which my husband drives 35 miles one way to work in. Our goals are to sell the Caravan and Intrepid after we get this TV situation figured out. We have been due for a new daily driver for me for quite some time. We've tent camped for the past 3 years and would love to move up to a TT. Good timing being we need a new vehicle anyways. My daily driving consists of at least a couple short, few mile, stop and go, 30 MPH roads getting the kids back and forth to where they need to be.
So, after spending lots of time trying to come up with something that makes sense for us, these are our latest thoughts. The vast majority of you all highly recommend a 2500 for towing the type of TT we want. Makes total sense. We've kicked around the idea of getting a new 1500 Suburban and just understand our TT options will be very limited. Getting a new 2500 Suburban...too expensive initially, hard to find, gas hog for a daily driver. Buying an older, early 2000's, higher mileage 2500 Suburban (or van)as a 3rd vehicle, used only for towing....but those are hard to come by and the decent ones are still very expensive. (If we were going with the 3rd vehicle/only for towing route, we were trying to budget $5K for buying that). And, trying to find an older, early 2000's 2500 CREW CAB (remember, we have 3 kids) truck,is also rare and expensive. But at least with a truck, it's usable for not just towing the camper. All of those options just don't make a whole lot of sense.
A lot of you suggested looking into a V10 Excursion. So I did that. And there are A LOT of them out there! For super cheap too. Like in my $5K budget. Also, with all the talk lately about the F150 EcoBoosts, we researched those lots. Here's the pros and cons of what we came up with...
Buying the Excursion-
- We could basically either trade in our Caravan and Intrepid (which have been LONG since paid for) or sell for the cost of the Excursion. So kind of a wash.
- I could just get a new Caravan or Sienna minivan like we originally planned for my daily driver, which will be a few miles per gallon better than the EcoBoost. And lets face it, a van will be more comfortable than an F150 for 3 kids and a larger dog.
- Now we would have a 3rd vehicle to store, insure and maintain. And it would literally SIT unless we were camping. (Although it wouldn't be ideal, we could technically store it at a good friends property, along with our future camper)
- Be honest, would the gas spent to run an Excursion on camping trips KILL us? We would like to head to South Dakota next summer (10 hours away) and our other camping trips could range from 30 min. to say 4-6 hours away). Or wouldn't it be horrible? I kind of have the mindset like "Well, we basically traded 2 vehicles for 1 and have no $$ put into it, we can overlook the gas money spent to own it." Then there is the possible, unforeseen maintenance on it. DH did go to a pretty elite school for auto mechanics, has access to knowledgeable people and shops/tools (we used to own a NAPA store) and could do work himself. So we wouldn't be screwed if some minor repairs needed to be done.
Now for the F150 EcoBoost pros and cons-
- It will be more expensive to buy. Now, a new (2010-12) minivan won't be cheap either, but it would be cheaper than this truck. But, if we are talking $25-30K compared to $30-35K, it would be manageable. I think we are just nervous that when we go look at this truck this week, we won't be able to leave without it being $40K plus :/
- I drove through our local Ford dealerships lot today and looked at one. Beautiful truck. Just by peeking in and looking at the outside, I can say I love it. We would need a crew cab for the kids and by gosh, there is plenty of room in there for them. And the dog at their feet. (She probably wouldn't go camping anymore than a couple times anyways, just close by trips. We do too much sightseeing while camping to have her with. Plus, she gets pampered at the kennel and would rather be there anyways!)
- We would just own 2 vehicles, which would be fantastic. Daily driver and tow vehicle in one.
- I worry that this truck will be overkill for my daily driver, kids in and out? What do you think? It really is only a couple MPG difference compared to a minivan, so that we are pretty comfortable with!
- I called a Ford dealer today and chatted with one of the salesman about them. What our plans are and whatnot. I had originally called and asked if he could do a vehicle search of all of their lots for a new or used (although he informed me that it's pretty much going to be a new one for what we want) "F150 EcoBoost, Crew Cab, with a max towing package." He didn't have one with a max towing package there, but could get one. He then went on to say that we maybe wouldn't really need one, just the "standard" towing might be fine. I wasn't going to argue, I was just getting some information. But you guys will know, if we get a truck like this, we might as well get the heavier duty towing, right? Or is it some super expensive option?
- I worry about longevity and comfort with 3 growing kids in a truck. Now, there was a lot of room, but still, it is a truck. At least in a van they have their own space.
Lastly, since a lot of you seem to have the EcoBoost, can you give me specifics for what would be the best features to have for towing? The short or long bed? I'd like to go in with a list of some sorts. This dealership is very well known to treat customers good. You just never know if you will end up with a salesman who is very knowledgeable in the towing aspect.
Whew! I finally feel like we're headed in the right direction and can maybe even camp THIS summer! I swear this researching TV's and TT's has taken me on more of an emotional roller coaster than my 3 pregnancies. Sheesh! Even my DH is excited about the possibility of the truck and has said if we get it, he wants to trade in his Prius for a hybrid Fusion, lol. Thanks so much everyone.
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SOunds like you did or are doing your homework. My take on it is a truck is a must with kids. Its so easy to throw bikes, dirty toys, and whatever else they want to drag along in the bed and not worry about it. Firewood, dirty grills, or even a small canoe or johnboat will not fit in an SUV easily. When I had my Supercrew 150 the back seat was huge and very comfortable. Its got the same leg room as an SUV if you ask me, you are just missing out on the third row seating. I wouldnt camp without my truck.
The only other comments I have are if you are worried about the cost of gas making or breaking a trip things are a little too tight anyway. Camping is a luxury and and should be treated as such. If that gas will break the budget, stay close to home, but dont cut corners and risk your families safety by buying subpar vehicle.
The F150 if bought new or even used will have a warranty, something else that can put you are ease on trips away from home. Good luck
So just what size / weight trailer is in your plans?
I've looked long and hard at a F150 w/ EcoBoost, it'll most likely be my next vehicle. Actually, if I didn't have to have 500-1000 miles break-in for towing I'd probably have one by now. Ones with the Max tow packages are far less common than one with the standard tow package. Again, it depends on what you plan to tow if you want the Max package or not.
My guess is gas mileage while towing will be about the same with a V-8, V-10, or EcoBoost.
2013 North Trail 21FBS
2012 F-150 XLT Ecoboost ("EcoBeast") scab
One thought about the Excursion. You would really need to drive it at least a couple of times a month if not weekly. Otherwise it could well be DRT (dead right there) when you went to drive it after sitting a long time.
You could also look for a good used 5.4L crew cab F-150, it would use a little more gas than the ecoboost but compare that to the difference in payments/total cost. Especially if you are only driving it a couple hundred miles a week on average. You might burn an extra gallon or two of fuel.
Glendale Titanium 29E34TS fifth wheel
2012 Ford F-350 4WD Lariat 6.7L
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mbopp wrote: So just what size / weight trailer is in your plans?
I've looked long and hard at a F150 w/ EcoBoost, it'll most likely be my next vehicle. Actually, if I didn't have to have 500-1000 miles break-in for towing I'd probably have one by now. Ones with the Max tow packages are far less common than one with the standard tow package. Again, it depends on what you plan to tow if you want the Max package or not.
My guess is gas mileage while towing will be about the same with a V-8, V-10, or EcoBoost.
As far as what TT to get, we aren't really sure! Something fairly conservative ( we don't plan on hauling a monster 35+' heavy trailer). Maybe something in the 28-32', 6000lb range? I just want a decent bunkroom for the kids and a large U-dinette and we want to still feel comfortable at State Park sites. Forgot about the break in period. DH could commute to work for a month or so. Maybe we wouldn't need a max tow? Is that more for heavy 5'ers?
* This post was
edited 05/21/12 06:45pm by winonamom *
NewsW wrote: Econoline E350 5.4 gas is the perfect combination of low cost, space, and towing capacity for you.
Remove 1 row of seats for lots of room to spread 3 kids.
If you get the standard length, remove the back row for luggage.
Then remove center row --- put 3 kids in bench.
The right front passenger will enjoy being able to climb to the back without stopping the car or climbing over the seats.
Cost of a 1 year, 20,000 mile or less ex rental 12 passenger is under $20,000 out the door.
Way cheaper than a ecoboost.
Way roomier than F series any cab
Roomier than Excursion
Better on gas than Excursion V10
Towing capacity IIRC is 8-9,000 honest lbs.
While in theory, a full size van would be nice, neither my husband or I would be using it as our daily driver and we won't spend that much for a 3rd vehicle. That's where the $5K Excursion looks nice! So not only would we be buying a $20K full size van for towing AND a new $25-30K minivan for me as a daily driver but that pesky $15-25K camper also I mentioned the van thing to DH and both of us agreed it isn't really for us I think.
agesilaus wrote: One thought about the Excursion. You would really need to drive it at least a couple of times a month if not weekly. Otherwise it could well be DRT (dead right there) when you went to drive it after sitting a long time.
You could also look for a good used 5.4L crew cab F-150, it would use a little more gas than the ecoboost but compare that to the difference in payments/total cost. Especially if you are only driving it a couple hundred miles a week on average. You might burn an extra gallon or two of fuel.
That would be doable. If we did get a 3rd vehicle to tow, we plan to keep it at a good family friends property. I'm sure he wouldn't mind using it weekly.
Now the impression I got with the EcoBoost is that there was something special about it for towing? If you are saying look into a good used 5.4L F150 (so that would be say, 2007ish?), what is the difference between a regular F150 vs. a Chevy 1500 pick up vs. a 1500 Suburban. It just seems weird when everyone says "No, you need a 2500!" (not being snarky, just curious and want to know!)
Plus, I'm dying to get a new vehicle, I've never owned one in my 34 years
While in theory, a full size van would be nice, neither my husband or I would be using it as our daily driver and we won't spend that much for a 3rd vehicle. That's where the $5K Excursion looks nice! So not only would we be buying a $20K full size van for towing AND a new $25-30K minivan for me as a daily driver but that pesky $15-25K camper also I mentioned the van thing to DH and both of us agreed it isn't really for us I think.
See what you can get for $5-7k for a 3 or 4 year old, excellent condition full sized van.
Try it, drive one, before you decide it is not for you.
While in theory, a full size van would be nice, neither my husband or I would be using it as our daily driver and we won't spend that much for a 3rd vehicle. That's where the $5K Excursion looks nice! So not only would we be buying a $20K full size van for towing AND a new $25-30K minivan for me as a daily driver but that pesky $15-25K camper also I mentioned the van thing to DH and both of us agreed it isn't really for us I think.
See what you can get for $5-7k for a 3 or 4 year old, excellent condition full sized van.
Try it, drive one, before you decide it is not for you.
I will News....I'm always up for a good Craigslist/CarSoup/AutoTrader search. What should I specifically be looking for, an E350 van? Engine? Any other specifics?
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I mentioned the van thing to DH and both of us agreed it isn't really for us I think.
