Trying to simplify... too many F150s
 

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?

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.

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?

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

Newer F-150.

The ML is something I'd stay away from.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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?

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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!

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.

What kind of cab on the 4x4?

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.

Super cab. Not the full 4 door variety.

I've already done the 3/4 ton diesel thing and simply cannot live with the ridiculously rough ride.

That's average book price. I'm guessing you can find one even cheaper.

Have you looked at a new SuperCrew? They are massively bigger than the prior bodystyle, and make your SuperCab look like a smart car. I'm 6'1" and can comfortably adjust the front seat to my liking then go sit in back, there's probably at least 12" between my knees and the front seat back. We used ours for a family car (3 kids) for the last year and a half, plenty of room for kids and car seats. They are massive in back.

http://image.trucktrend.com/f/roadte...rear-seats.jpg

I'm negotiating on buying an F-150 right now.....slightly different though!
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1390332503.jpg

My 2012 Super crew F150 measures 100" from the dash/windshield base to the rear window. It's 6" longer then the 04 F150 s-crew.

Can you not go F250 then toss F150 shocks/springs on it for ride? Many go the other way, but I can't see why it wouldn't work...though I could be wrong. Dropping the stone tires they come with would/should also make a big difference.

Another possibility is an aftermarket setup to suit your needs. I have to believe there is something out there.

Not gonna pop 30K + for a F150 gasser then have to do it all over again in a few years when the diesels are out! Plus, a F150 gasser is still gonna get 10-12 while towing.

I'm intrigued by the new Dodge diesel, but I generally stay far, far away from Dodge products.

A $22K MB is still making sense to me! Especially if I can find one with an extended MB warranty. Would be a great Montana winter SUV.

Maybe the older one ride rougher than mine but I am very happy with the ride. I was pretty shocked when I test drove it. Mine is the FX4 package with Rancho shocks, maybe these have a better ride than the stock ones.

When I pull my boat (6,000 lbs) I don't even notice it. My old F150 had a very hard time pulling the boat and returned 8 mpg doing it.

Whaaa? My last F-250 diesel, (2005), bone stock with good tires rode and drove like a dream. I drove it cross-country and it was like sitting in a 1st class airline seat. Man, I miss that truck. :(

I'd take it over any F-150 8 ways from Sunday. And I frequently drive a loaded 2012 F-150 Supercrew with ecoboost. Doesn't hold a candle to my '05 f-250 in any category.

F-150:

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1390333939.jpg

My old truck:

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1390334031.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1390334056.jpg

This is the F350 7.3L I still have. I won't brag about getting 20+ mpg, but it has gotten 18.4 to 19.2 on freeway trips w/ Michelin M&S tires. I like the ride compared to other PUs I've ridden in including F150s, although it is more firm. I'd think looking for something comparable to this would be an alternative especially since you
're planning on a small diesel in the fairly near future - that is unless the resale value of a newer F150 would be an advantage.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1390334916.jpg

Sounds like you've made up your mind on the MB. I think an extended warranty would be a big plus.

Interesting. I have not had any trouble towing my ~4000lb trailer+car with my 5.4 but have not towed anything large. Mileage will suck on any truck or SUV esp. while towing so I don't worry about that much. At least the F150 runs on regular gas. I used to tow with our '05 Land Cruiser which did OK as well, but the longer wheelbase of the F150 feels more stable for sure. And the Toyota runs on premium @ 14-16mpg. I would love to consolidate vehicles but I could only see replacing the truck and Land Cruiser with another pickup (F250/F350 diesel) or a really big SUV (Excursion/Suburban) as going smaller would hamper utility to much.

Just a data point relevant to the discussion.

I did my first tow with the 2014 GMC Sierra 1500 crew cab 4x4. 911 race car on an open trailex trailer (figure combined weight somewhere in the 3200lb zone). An incredibly easy tow, averaged about 14mpg with the 5.3 liter engine going into V4 mode at times. This truck rides quieter than my Cadillac CTS V did. Very comfortable.

Wait, you got rid of the Cadillac CTS-V already? The wagon?

might want to find one at Car Max and get their extended warranty:

Why Your Next Unreliable Luxury Car Should Come From CarMax

saw this in another thread

Motion - you may know more about this than I, but I got so spooked reading horror stories about short wheel-base vehicles towing enclosed trailers that I went out and got a long bed F-150.

Then, an associate of mine was towing an enclosed trailer with a 2011 regular Expedition - load leveling and anti-sway bars properly affixed. At 60 mph he passed a semi that was doing about 50. The turbulence pushed the front side of the trailer to such an extent that rear of the truck moved hard left, and the next thing he knew was going backwards down the 10 with the trailer leading the way. He ended up totaling both vehicles. Just something to consider, and obviously YMMV. But this is not rare - also happens in strong cross winds.

(On a side note, he was stone sober and covered in beer - they were headed for the river and the only thing loose in the Expedition were many cases of beer. He had a fun time explaining that to the CHP, but according to him there were so many crushed cans the Chippy just laughed and didn't even test him!)

I put 200K on an ML - it is an amazing vehicle. Amazing turning radius - esp for a 4WD. Stout as hell. Mine had the original boxed ladder frame. It would go anywhere, and I had it all over the fire trails in So Cal, and back and forth on the freeways from the IE to OC for years. I probably would not buy another (not important for this discussion) but it has a very short wheel base. Do as much research as you can!

FWIW, my brther bought a 2012 ML350 Bluetec - amazing torque, and great ride!

If it helps, we have a 2000 Durango with the 318 and it has 186k miles on it now. Back in December '06 I pulled our Cobra replica from CA to WI and averaged 13.5mpg and had no issues climbing any of the mountains. We have had very few issues with it. A new radiator about 6 months ago and a new A/C evaporator (corroded) when we lived in the desert. I am sure the new 1500 with the VM diesel will do much better.

Yeah, and you never came to NYC to take it for a test drive:D I do have automotive ADD. I only owned the V Wagon for 18 months, but in my defense a lot happened in those 18 months:

I bought a 2nd home in the country (about an hour and half from the primary residence)
http://asbury.smugmug.com/Other/Asbu...IMAG0363-L.jpg
You've got to have a pick'em up truck when you have a country house, so I bought this
http://asbury.smugmug.com/Other/F150...IMAG0371-L.jpg

The F150 was "living" out at the country and every week the wife and I drove the V wagon to and from the country house with our two dogs (a 90lb Rottie mix and a 60lb brown mutt). This worked well, but we were a little cramped for space moving things between houses along with the animals.

Then I bought this
http://asbury.smugmug.com/By-Land/Ra...17554749-L.jpg

So...like our OP motion, I decided I needed to simplify (with 5 vehicles in the household). I did a 2 for 1 swap, traded the V Wagon and the F 150 and drove off with a new GMC. One vehicle that serves two purposes better than the two I had before. Better suited for weekly trips to the country than the V Wagon (albeit a bit slower;)) and better for towing the race car than the F150 (which had a pathetic tow rating due to the manual gearbox).

Sorry for the hijack motion...

Motion...any objection to a Tundra?

Jacob, nice going! The house looks great and those new GM trucks are really nice. What is your local race track? Watkins Glen?