For those of you driving full size trucks daily, got a couple questions
1. Is 22-24 mpg too much to expect from a v8 auto 4x4 pickup doing 60 on cruise for a 15 mile commute? (5.0 coyote or 5.3 Chevy, I am undecided). I will level, rims, tires, exhaust & intake likely.
2. Is the extended cab worth the extra $? I don't need it now, but in 5-10 years... Seems like gambling either way. Honestly, the only use I see for me is for a bolt in lock box for rifles under rear seat.
3. Do you regret getting/not getting the higher trim level? I am shopping base or maybe next tier.

Wifey drives a '17 Silverado. Crew cab, 4wd, 5.3. It will get 22mpg at 60, if you aren't on and off the gas and brakes because of traffic or terrain. Hers is bone stock, though. It's been my experience that when you start changing things like you list as mods you will likely worsen fuel mileage. The designers work pretty hard to maximize mpgs.

F150, 4door , 4wd 5.4. I have never seen gas mileage that good. However if you were to try to drive 60 mph on the highway around here some one would run you off the road. The extra cab space is definitely worth it. Except if you end up with a 4 door 8 foot bed monster , then life becomes miserable . As for the upgrades, probably . Backing up to hook to a trailer is so easy with a camera it feels like cheating, like all the other stuff you think you will never need you get used to it

2018 Silverado Double Cab 4X4. Mine is the V6 so not the vehicle you are asking about. However, driven easy at 60, I get 21 to 23 MPG.
I don't feel the need for a V8 as I don't tow.
And the extra cab space is a must for me, since it can be used as a car and a truck. And since the 4 cabs are priced very close to the smaller truck, why wouldn't you go 4 door?

2014 F-150 Supercab STX 4X4 with the 5.0 Coyote (so it's not the aluminum body). Over the four years I've had it the average mileage has been pretty consistent at around 19 mpg. It may go up to 21 on strictly interstate driving, but the average overall is around 19.

I chose the STX over the XLT strictly on the price difference. Of course I liked the nicer interior of the XLT but that took it over my budget. I have about 60,000 miles on it so far and no issues to date.

My experience says it won’t happen with a 16 F-150. To short a drive, too much engine. The 2.8 eco boost was made for this.

If in the city I would skip the supercrew, it’s big. I drive a semi and owned an Expedition for 16 yrs. I drive it exclusively but it is not for a casual driver in tight traffic.

My 2018 Silverado 5.3 crew cab LT Z71 averages 20 mpg city/highway. I don’t have a heavy foot and so far haven’t taken it on a dedicated highway road trip lasting more than one hour. The one I did was back from the dealership and the trip odometer said I got 22 mpg. Highway speed limit was 60 mpg. I previously had a 2010 LTZ crew cab 5.3. I do miss the extra trim level bennies but could not justify the price jump this time around.

Don’t forget Ford’s 3.5L Ecoboost. It has plenty of power and I get 20mpg with cruise set at 80 in my Expedition EL.

Extended cab (full 4 doors) is a must for me. Granted I have 3 kids. My Silverado is. 3 door extended cab and it is too small. Will be easier when the boys can buckle themselves and not in car seats or boosters so I can scoot the front seats back a bit more.

I prefer lower trim levels. Way too much crap to break and go wrong plus these extra trim packages add serious coin to any purchase since so many options, the majority I won’t use, are added.

Many things can be added afterwards with ease.

We have a Highlander Limited that is loaded with all the fancy things you could think of. The Expedition we got in March is an XLT is no frills and it is great.
I have made a few minor tweaks here and there and have a couple more to do but still will spend far less than had I upgraded to a higher trim level.

1/2 ton truck is not a full size truck.

But putting that aside you might get that mph... I'd go with the extended cab.... the only down side is you won't have the excuse of not being able to carry more than 1 or 2 other folks.

If you’ve got the $40k or whatever for such a truck don’t sweat the gas mileage and cost. Get what you want. A crew cab is a must in my book.

1. No. Even with a smaller engine you will not get over 20 mpg with the relatively short commute you describe with a 4x4.

2. Yes absolutely! The secure storage is a big plus both when you use it and when you go to sell it.

3. Personal choice. If you are considering a low trim level talk to a dealer that sells fleet vehicles as they should have dozens of these in inventory ...as long as you like white!

quote:

1/2 ton truck is not a full size truck

Does he have to get an F650 to be a real man, or are we talking Peterbilt for full size?

You may not be old enough to recall, but in the not too distant past, a 1/2 ton, a 3/4, and a 1 ton were all the exact same "size" truck. The only difference between them was running gear - axles, brakes, suspension.

To those of us who grew up in that era, they're all "full-sized" trucks. For those that grew up in the 'mortgage payment on your truck' era, I guess you can call it whatever size you want.

quote:

Originally posted by Blume9mm:
1/2 ton truck is not a full size truck.

<snip>

Huh? In what dimension is an F-150 smaller than an F-250?

quote:

Originally posted by trapper189:

quote:

Originally posted by Blume9mm:
1/2 ton truck is not a full size truck.

<snip>

Huh? In what dimension is an F-150 smaller than an F-250?

Yeah, that made absolutely no sense to me either.

I have a 2005 F150 4x4 with the 5.4 engine. The best mileage I have been able to get out of her was on a trip to Montana and I got 17 mpg. Overall average for me is right at 15 mpg. I love this truck and it has not cost me a penny but in a few years I will be looking very seriously at the new Ranger and the Canyon/Colorado. It has just become too expensive to drive the old girl.

quote:

Originally posted by trapper189:

quote:

Originally posted by Blume9mm:
1/2 ton truck is not a full size truck.

<snip>

Huh? In what dimension is an F-150 smaller than an F-250?

Not by much, but Super Duty's are somewhat larger than F-150.

2018 Ford F-150 Regular Cab
Model: 2018 Ford F-150
MSRP: From $27,705
Curb weight: 4,069 to 4,418 lbs
Dimensions: 209-228″ L x 80″ W x 75-77″ H
Bed length: 78 to 96″
Wheelbase: 122 to 141″
Towing capacity: 5,000 lbs

2019 Ford F-250 Regular Cab
Model: 2019 Ford F-250
MSRP: From $33,150
Curb weight: 5,685 to 6,106 lbs
Dimensions: 232″ L x 80″ W x 78-81″ H
Wheelbase: 142″
Bed length: 98.4″
Fuel tank capacity: 34 gal

Leveling the truck out will affect aerodynamics. The nose down is part of the design.

I've hesitated putting a leveling kit on my Wrangler because of that. I have averaged as high as 22.2 mpg average from here to the Straits at 80 with the A/C on.

Is my Ridgeline "full size"?

At least it can carry over 1/2 ton in the bed and it'll exceed the OP's MPG requirement.

2016 F150 2.7EcoBoost 2WD SuperCrew 3.31 E-locker rear end
All stock.

In the almost 2 years I've had it, I'm averaging 21mpg, I track all my mileage on fuelly.

At a steady cruise, running 65mph in Houston, I can average about 24mpg.

I do wish the Lariat had been in my budget at the time, but have been plenty satisfied with the XLT. I have a 302A Sport, so about as loaded as an XLT can get (except for 4WD, FX4 & BLIS).

This message has been edited. Last edited by: P250UA5,

2004 Dodge Ram 1500, 4.7 V8, crew cab.

I don't think you can compare my gas mileage (which sucks) to a newer truck, they are much better now.

I debated the 8 ft bed vs the 4 door crew cab before deciding on the crew cab and I have not regretted it. From having a lockable space when carrying things to being able to lay down and sleep on road trips the extra space has been more useful then an extra foot and a half of bed.

I generally like the lower trim levels but I would like some of the features they are offering now. The hitch cameras are one and a buddy has a Ford super duty that has a ladder build into the tailgate that is way more useful then I originally thought it would be.

I had a 2005 Nissan Frontier V6 4wd crewcab and never saw anything over 18 on average. Downhill, yes, but every downhill has an uphill. I wouldn't trust 22mpg even if the manufacturer says it'll do it.

If I were to get another one, I would never get a standard cab. Depending on how long you want to keep that truck, you will find its purpose will change over the years as you change (if you're a young man). Extended cab as a minimum!