The Ram 1500 Ecodiesel has amazing mileage, I would have went for one, but I couldn't find one in a lower trim level at a reasonable price. They were all decked out and $40k+ even used.

We went with a '16 F150 Supercrew 3.5L Ecoboost, but I get about what the sticker says, 16 city, 19-20 highway.

I have a F150 with the extended cab and long box..2wheel drive..2005 5.5l engine v8 ..I get 20mpg and I’m happy about that. (70mph on the hwy)

It’s a truck, it could be worse

quote:

Originally posted by 2000Z-71:
1. Probably setting your expectations a little high unless you are getting a left over 2018 Ram with their Eco Diesel or the new F-150 with their Powerstroke V-6. I've got a 2015 F-150 3.5 Ecoboost Supercrew 4x4 that is leveled with 33" BFG All Terrains and 3.55 gears. Around town I get about 17mgg. Last week's trip out to California on the highway with the cruise set at 80mph was a craptacular 14mpg. At 60mph it will get 20mpg, faster than that mileage takes a dump quickly. The one exception was Utah last summer with a tank of, "Pure gas" no ethanol added was 24mpg. Previous truck was a similar 2013 with the 5.0 V-8. That truck got 16mpg around town and 18mpg on road trips. That said the power and torque of the 3.5 Ecoboost is impressive, especially in the mountains at high altitude.

Granted I have an Expedition EL and not an F150 I have 3.73s and get 20mpg with cruise set on 80.
Those 33s and the leveling kit seem to take a huge bite.
3.55s should give better mileage than the 3.73s. Guess leveling out the truck has a pretty big impact on aerodynamics.

Part of that craptacular 14mpg is also due to running across the desert in the middle of the day with temps well over 100. Turbocharged motors do not like heat. That trip was the worst mileage I've ever seen out of the truck.

quote:

Originally posted by Strambo:
The Ram 1500 Ecodiesel has amazing mileage,

Really? I thought diesels quit running when you filled them with gasoline.

I know I'm being a smartass, but I'm illustrating the point of comparing different fuel types. Someone will say "I get XX MPG" and another will always mention getting a diesel. Getting 25mpg in a diesel is really getting 19 mpg when accounting for the difference in fuel price and DEF, at the current 22% increased cost of diesel fuel in my town. Add in the thousands of increased upfront cost for the diesel option, the increased cost of after treatment, the extra cost of maintenance, and diesels quickly become the most expensive option.

Unless you're towing and specifically need a diesel, I wouldn't recommend a diesel pickup truck. Especially as a daily driver.

I have a 3/4 ton Silverado and a half ton suburban. The Silverado has the 6.0 and gets about 10mpg...but thankfully that's not what you're looking at. My suburban has never done better than 18mpg, and that's on cruise at 55mph with a 5.3, 3.73s, and rwd. I think your expectations are a little optimistic for a gasser v8.

As to your second question... absolutely get the extended cab. I've had both, and would never go back to a regular cab. The greater comfort of being able to recline the seats, the ability to throw items in the back seat, or carry extra passengers if necessary...I love my extended cab. I wish I had a crew cab.

As to the trim level...I'd say if you're not the sort of person who needs all the bells and whistles, go for it. Somebody recommended finding a fleet dealer, and that's good advice. It's cheaper up front, and there's less stuff to break down the road...and if I'm reading your post right, it sounds like you're planning on keeping it for a while. I don't know what passes for a "base model" these days...there's likely a lot more crap in there than you used to get back in the day...but my 01 has window cranks, manual locks, rubber floors, and an am/FM radio. I did add cruise control, but other than that I've been quite happy without any of the fancy stuff, and I haven't had to fix any of it. My suburban is an LT model, and I've had to sink a good ammount of money and time into the interior (blend doors, dash cluster, etc).

As pertains to a base model.

My truck is an XL trim level, it has the power window pkg, Sport appearance pkg, rear sliding window and V-8.

I previously owned an '00 Eddie Bauer Expedition. It's stunning how many things are the same now. I'll hi lite the differences:
Leather
Heated mirrors and seats and memory
Climate control
Touchpad locks (I really miss these)

That's pretty much it. That Expy was absolutely top of the line.

I wish I had power fold mirrors, and the keypad entry is nice. Leather is great but it would have meant about $5000 for the proper pkg

quote:

Originally posted by sigcrazy7:

quote:

Originally posted by Strambo:
The Ram 1500 Ecodiesel has amazing mileage,

Really? I thought diesels quit running when you filled them with gasoline.

I know I'm being a smartass, but I'm illustrating the point of comparing different fuel types. Someone will say "I get XX MPG" and another will always mention getting a diesel. Getting 25mpg in a diesel is really getting 19 mpg when accounting for the difference in fuel price and DEF, at the current 22% increased cost of diesel fuel in my town. Add in the thousands of increased upfront cost for the diesel option, the increased cost of after treatment, the extra cost of maintenance, and diesels quickly become the most expensive option.

Unless you're towing and specifically need a diesel, I wouldn't recommend a diesel pickup truck. Especially as a daily driver.

Very true. I would go as far as saying if you are towing frequently at the upper limits of a 1/2 ton, you'd be better served by a gas motor 3/4 ton. In an F-150, the most towing capacity is with the 3.5 EcoBoost. The 3.0 Powerstroke has less hp, torque and weighs more.

quote:

Originally posted by wolfe 21:
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.

1. Probably. 16-18 is probably more realistic for stock. Leveled with larger tires and it will go down more. I'm lifted and have 34" tires and, while I do drive faster than that and sit in Atlanta traffic every day, I only get 13-14. (2009 Z71 LTZ with 5.3 Flexfuel engine, running 87 gas.)
2. There's something wonderful about a bench seat, regular cab truck. That said, unless you will put a bed cover or camper shell on it, I'd want at least a little room to keep cargo dry.
3. Leather is a must for me, as is bluetooth. Nav and sunroof are not. Heated seats are not a deal-breaker but highly valued. I also really like remote start, way more than I thought I would. Very nice to get the truck cranked and AC on when it's blistering hot outside. Or vice versa in the winter and getting those heated seats on.

quote:

Originally posted by reflex/deflex 64:
As pertains to a base model.

My truck is an XL trim level, it has the power window pkg, Sport appearance pkg, rear sliding window and V-8.

I previously owned an '00 Eddie Bauer Expedition. It's stunning how many things are the same now. I'll hi lite the differences:
Leather
Heated mirrors and seats and memory
Climate control
Touchpad locks (I really miss these)

That's pretty much it. That Expy was absolutely top of the line.

I wish I had power fold mirrors, and the keypad entry is nice. Leather is great but it would have meant about $5000 for the proper pkg

Slight drift, but if your F150 is 2015+ those features can easily be added.
The power fold mirrors will be spendy, but IIRC the keypad entry is a pretty easy DIY.

quote:

Originally posted by wolfe 21:
... And my parents would likely be unable to get into even a stock height truck at their ages.

My F150 is stock height. Added after market step bars and I keep a small collapsible stool in the seat back pocket for my elderly mother in law and father. Works like a charm and actually seems easier for them to get up into and down out of than other cars where they get down into and up out of.