Trying to simplify... too many F150s

[motion]

I have a 2005 4x4 F150 for Montana use. It sits unused 95% of the time in a storage place near the airport I fly into.

I have a 2006 4x2 F150 that I use in California, for cross country trips, and towing my 12' enclosed trailer to race tracks. Trailer and bikes weigh probably 2500-3000 lbs.

Both are 5.4L V8s and get atrocious gas mileage. The 4x4 isn't all that great in the winter, unless it has 600 lbs of sand bags in the back. The 4x2 is brought to its knees towing my 3000 lb trailer. I HATE towing long distances... especially in head winds. The gutless 5.4 is always hunting for gears and gas mileage can drop to single digits.

But, I LOVE my F150s! They're cheap, tough, reliable, smooth and quiet.

So.... thinking of selling them both and getting a 2009ish MBZ ML350 BlueTec. They're rated for 7200 lbs towing and supposedly get up to 26 mpg. Being a diesel, it should tow the trailer and light loads pretty easily. Probably far more comfortable than the F150s, too.

However, naturally I'm terrified of what-happens-if-something-big-breaks with these things.

I can get around $18,000 on the sale of both F150s. I can probably dig up a 2009 ML for around $22,000.

Any input or thoughts?

[onewhippedpuppy]

It will probably cost you more to maintain the Mercedes than two F150s. I think you will be disappointed in tow performance, it might have better power but the ML is a lightweight, short wheelbase, unibody SUV. All are bad for towing.

Why not a newer F150? The 5.4 is a dog, the newer 5.0 and Ecoboost are a huge improvement. My 2012 SuperCrew 4x4 5.0 tows my 19' and 4000-ish lb boat and trailer like it's not even there. The Ecoboost is even better. The back seat is HUGE, it will seat three adults across the back in comfort. The newer ones are a huge improvement in every way.

[VaSteve]

The 5.4 is a dog? Really? I'm glad I never popped in that case when I was searching for one for towing. I know the guys on Rennlist can't tow unless they are doing 90... Is that the case here as well?

[HHI944]

09 Bluetec for 22k??? Man, I'm looking at the wrong dealerships...

[Nostril Cheese]

Newer F-150.

The ML is something I'd stay away from.

[FLYGEEZER]

I'm gonna go wth what
others said ; a newer F150, stay away from the MB ML350 Blue Tec. I love some of the Benz's but the ML's...no! I get to drive a lot of MB's for a dealer,part time now that I'm old & retired. I've owned a half dozen MB's over the years & am an active MBCA member but from what I've seen with service & customer/owner problems with most ML's, I'd look elsewhere.

[motion]

Appreciate the input so far. Another thing I forgot to add is that I like the fact that the ML rear seats fold flat. When I'm driving cross country by myself I sleep in the back seat of the F150 in Walmart parking lots. Its too small for me, and very uncomfortable.

[FLYGEEZER]

You could buy a lotta hotel rooms for the price of one little problem with the ML. A roast beef sandwich & a six pack .....the motel 6 become the Waldorf Astoria & they will keep a light on for ya.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Go try laying across the back seat of a new F150. Or the back seat folds flat against the back wall leaving a big flat floor. If you want an SUV instead of an F150 then ok, but you can do way better than an ML. BTW they are only rated at 18/24 by the EPA. There are a lot of gas SUVs that can equal that.

[motion]

Matt, I guess I'm just skeptical that a new 5.0 or EcoBoost tows *that* much better than what I have now. I towed a bike on an open trailer to SLC last summer and that little combo, along with headwinds, brought my truck to its knees. So over that. I like the torque of a diesel. I was planning on buying a 1/2 top PU eventually, once the Ford's have a diesel option, maybe 3-4 years down the line.

Why would the new F150 back seat accommodate me, at 6'1" and mine won't? Aren't the shell sizes the same?

[motion]

Originally Posted by VaSteve

The 5.4 is a dog? Really? I'm glad I never popped in that case when I was searching for one for towing. I know the guys on Rennlist can't tow unless they are doing 90... Is that the case here as well?

I can't even recommend towing a riding lawn mower with a 5.4. They're that bad. ANY kind of load at 70MPH and you're looking at 10MPG.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Richard, the 5.0 is up I believe 80 HP over the 5.4. The Ecoboost has similar HP to the 5.0 but about 420 lb ft of torque. They both also have a new 6-speed automatic. I have a lot of time in my father in law's 2007 SuperCrew 4x4 5.4 driving all over the state, it can be scary simply passing on a two lane due to the power deficit. The newer trucks are a night and day difference.

They are also a totally new and much bigger cab than what you have. At 6'1" I don't know how comfy you'll be sleeping in the back, but I'd say the same thing about the ML.

[911boost]

Richard, are you going to replace the airport F150?

My towing requirements are a lot larger than yours (12,500 pounds) so I don't have any pratical towing experience with an F150 or smaller SUV. I love my 6.7L Powerstroke crew cab F350 though....

Isn't Dodge putting a Cummins in their 1/2 ton Ram now? I can't stand the rest of the truck though, I had one as a long term rental when I had some serious hail damage repaired on my Excursion a few years ago.

If you like the Ford and want a smaller SUV I think in 2012 they put the 3.5L Ecoboost engine in the newer designed Explorer's that should tow around 5000 pounds I would think. Probably cheaper to maintain than the ML as well.

If you get a new F150 you can also put a shell on the back, I have a buddy that sleeps in his hunting all the time.

Bill

[onewhippedpuppy]

If you don't mind sleeping out back, I have a Bedrug in mine that would be perfect for sleeping. It is carpeted and padded, or you can just put an air mattress back there.

[Bob's Project]

I have a 7.3l Turbo Diesel. I get a consistent 21mpg. It always has a camper on its back that is about 2000lbs. With this set up I am consistently passing people as I like to spool up the turbo.

These are getting to be older and really nice ones with many miles to go can be had for $7500 easily.

Id take this over a new truck given this issues relative and friends have with their trucks.

[daepp]

Motion - We tow often with our 5.4 F150. Fairly heavy trailer with a 911 on it. Nowhere it won't go. Agree with the crappy gas mileage tho!

[GWN7]

Originally Posted by motion

Appreciate the input so far. Another thing I forgot to add is that I like the fact that the ML rear seats fold flat. When I'm driving cross country by myself I sleep in the back seat of the F150 in Walmart parking lots. Its too small for me, and very uncomfortable.

Piece of plywood with two folding legs on the front edge. Cut it to fit the rear seat when it's folded down.

If something happens to your used MB in the middle of nowhere you will be sleeping in lots of hotels while waiting for parts to show up. FOMOCO parts are everywhere.

[HardDrive]

What kind of cab on the 4x4?

[matt711]

I agree on the 5.4 as well. I traded mine for an F250 (6.7) and get 20 mpg in town. Can tow pretty much anything and my back seat is very large.

[motion]

Originally Posted by HardDrive

What kind of cab on the 4x4?

Super cab. Not the full 4 door variety.