Truck rant. And don't know what to do.

[N80]

Window stickers are easily available for newer trucks:
Ford F-150 Window Sticker Generator
Or: Use your VIN number to get Ford Window Sticker

Thanks! That might solve the problem. Four years ago when I tried to use the VIN number the tow packages did not show up. And asking the folks at dealerships, even Ford dealerships, usually just got a shrug of the shoulders from the sales guys.

And yes, almost all cars have various recalls and factory service bulletins. Several of my Nissans had those. All fixed for free. In fact, they replaced a failing clutch throwout bearing on my Z because there had been a FSB on it. I later discovered that it was caused by track abuse and not a quality issue. The F150 had four of five recalls but none of them ever caused an issue. Also fixed for free. I do not necessarily count that as a lemon type quality issue as long as it is fixed before a major failure and fixed for free.

 

[N80]

Older models they used to list the gvw and gcvw of a vehicle on the door placard. To figure out towing capacity, you just had to subtract the gvw from the gcvw.

Looks like they quit doing it on the newer vehicles as someone pointed out to me.

Right. And in the tables that they provide the towing capacity is referenced against the gcvw and the various wheelbases. But when you go to look for the gcvw you can't find it anywhere. The link above to the window decal finder might help....but I am still uneasy about it. So many guys buying new Ford trucks are currently having a hard time determining what the towing capacity is. They order the various packages and then find that there is no supplementary oil cooler or the trailer brake system isn't there when they expected it to be. I'm sure Ford has a reason for this nonsense but it eludes me. Probably fleet spec requirements and sales to many different countries.

 

[Mtsoxfan]

I agree, as long as they fix their mistake. We have a 2014 Hyundai that falls under a "recall" I think, over motor issues. Ours was tested, no issue. At 101k, we had a failure and a complete motor minus a turbo was installed for free. Not a rebuild or short block.
It doesn't matter what brand, they all have some form of catestophic failure recall. Toyota definately went through their years, but I still respect the brand. Wouldn't buy one, but for other reasons.

 

[Dftodd]

Right. And in the tables that they provide the towing capacity is referenced against the gcvw and the various wheelbases. But when you go to look for the gcvw you can't find it anywhere. The link above to the window decal finder might help....but I am still uneasy about it. So many guys buying new Ford trucks are currently having a hard time determining what the towing capacity is. They order the various packages and then find that there is no supplementary oil cooler or the trailer brake system isn't there when they expected it to be. I'm sure Ford has a reason for this nonsense but it alludes me. Probably fleet spec requirements and sales to many different countries.

I drive the salesman nuts when purchasing a truck. I want to know the towing capacity, engine and gear ratio.

I won't even move to the test driving faze till they can provide those answers. I dug threw the owners manual to find it on my current truck at the dealership.

Current truck happened to have the same engine and gear ratio as my old one. Only difference was the transmission, so I was pretty close on my assumptions.

 

[Mtsoxfan]

I drive the salesman nuts when purchasing a truck. I want to know the towing capacity, engine and gear ratio.

I won't even move to the test driving faze till they can provide those answers. I dug threw the owners manual to find it on my current truck at the dealership.

Current truck happened to have the same engine and gear ratio as my old one. Only difference was the transmission, so I was pretty close on my assumptions.

No offense to auto sales people... There still are some informed ones out there.
I find that more are shooting fish in a barrel. People do their own research and come it to drive and maybe buy. All they have to do is reel them in. I ask questions as well, some I already know the answer to, just to see if they know their stuff. And some questions are basic... If they don't know, I walk. I don't buy cars very often, but they need to work for my business. Just give me the answers to my questions, that simple.

 

[N80]

Window stickers are easily available for newer trucks:
Ford F-150 Window Sticker Generator
Or: Use your VIN number to get Ford Window Sticker

I could not get the first of those links to do anything. It pretty much sent me to another site that required a paid membership. The second link worked on one truck but on another one, a 2021, it said there was no data.

For the one that I looked up you could match the gear ratio and the wheelbase in the Ford tow capacity tables and there was only one option for the 3.31 gears and 145.4" wb supercrew. It is 9600 pounds independent of the gcvw. The majority of used ones I'm looking at are 4x4 supercrews with the 3.31 gears and so all probably are rated at 9600 pounds which is what I need.

When you get into the 3.71 gears there is a lot of variation and you have to know what the gcvw is.

Anyway, thanks for the link because at least the window sticker gives you the gear ratio which the door placards do not.

 

[N80]

No offense to auto sales people... There still are some informed ones out there.
I find that more are shooting fish in a barrel. People do their own research and come it to drive and maybe buy. All they have to do is reel them in. I ask questions as well, some I already know the answer to, just to see if they know their stuff. And some questions are basic... If they don't know, I walk. I don't buy cars very often, but they need to work for my business. Just give me the answers to my questions, that simple.

I've run into good ones and I've run into some that don't even try. In my mind it seems like if you have a line of cars to sell you should know them in and out. But I've noticed two things these days 1) Most people are buying cars based on the tech on the screen in the dash. That's all the sales guy needs to know. 2) The sales person is just a go between between you and the sales manager and the main part of their job is to play you off against the sales manager.

 

[kenmac]

I've got a 12V, 1994. For sure, one of the best engines ever made. Dodge trucks, however, suck. Transmissions and suspension are things that Dodge, then RAM, just failed at (though the later automatics ARE good; suspension is still sub-par- a friend bought a 2018(?) 3500 and he had a recall for a "fix" to the suspension, they were going to weld something and my friend said he'd rather got aftermarket and get a better replacement). My beef is that for the price of these things there shouldn't be ANY issues: I was looking at stuff that's pushing into the $90k range.

I'll keep my 94 as my farm truck: upgraded steering linkages/rods; dual disk and tuned IP. Dropped the idea of getting something to hook up a trailer to and go traveling: not worth the hassle and cost.

New trucks are items that are sold to folks with businesses who can "write off" some of the costs (get them for less as well).

I believe it's turbos that are the issue. Seem to recall this very thing with VW gassers. If NOT a turbo engine then that's certainly BAD. Meanwhile... my ALH TDIs might consume 1qt in 10k miles (10k oil change interval).

this is a non turbo car.

 

[MossRoad]

All of our Chevy's had an RPO sticker either in the glovebox or in the trunk. It tells you everything about the vehicle. Gears, transmission, suspension, tow packages, stereo system, color of the seats... everything.

Don't Ford's come with something like that on the vehicle?

 

[Jstpssng]

All of our Chevy's had an RPO sticker either in the glovebox or in the trunk. It tells you everything about the vehicle. Gears, transmission, suspension, tow packages, stereo system, color of the seats... everything.

Don't Ford's come with something like that on the vehicle?

GM must not do that anymore. I was thinking the same when this thread started, but checked both trucks (2018) and neither had it.