2008 F450

[hitchup]

Are we ever glad Ford finally came out with the answer to our needs. We could have waited longer, but the opportunity presented itself & we jumped.....

At 24k 5er towing, David said he's glad he won't be hearing me say, "no, that's too heavy, we can't take that!" anymore.

[rotaxman]

Hey Vickie and David

I want to ask you a couple of questions about your 450. Is it Diesel and if it is can you get it in gas? And if I'm not being to nosey how much did it cost? Great looking truck I think Ford did the right thing with a 450 pickup.

As always good camping

Joyce and Jerry

[Mikey]

My wife and I had the opportunity to test both the 2008 F350 and F450. We plan to purchase the F450.
Yes, a bit more money (about $3000 CND), but for the extra safety - no brainer!!!

We're planning to purchase a Diesel dually 4x4 - Lariat package
First offer from dealer - Invoice + $2500 CND
I think we can do a bit better

She wants to know the colour of your truck - she has decided on "Dark Stone". Is that what you got and if so how does it look with the Mobile Suite?

We've ordered a MS 36TK3 - 18.5K max - only pickup truck that makes the grade is the 2008 F450 - 22,000 LB

[hitchup]

To answer as many questions as possible. It is the Dark Stone Metallic. It almost looks black, so it goes with the black & gray stripes of the ES. If we were to order, that probably would have been my choice. It doesn't have the 2-tone, but I like it better that way.

MSRP of $60,135 was almost right on at Edmunds.com when I plugged in the options. We paid $57,127, but are adding DVD player, remote start, 22k hitch, sprayed bedliner & gap insurance for extra cost. It came with navigation/6CD/Sirius radio, sliding rear window & moon roof, just too many options to list.

According to my booklet, F450 only comes in DRW & a 6.4L diesel. We got the 4.88 axle ratio since we wanted the max a 4x4 could carry. Now we can go up to 24,000 lb 5er. Much higher than our 18,500 ES. GCWR is 33,000. The 4.30 would have dropped it to 20,000 lbs with GCWR of 29,000. 4x4 is of course 500 less than 4x2.

The Lariat seats aren't as comfy as the Chevy leather seats in the LT. We couldn't try out the King Ranch except in a 2007 F150. Not the darker color, but they were only slightly softer. Even still the ride is much better than the 1999 F350 XLT, we used to have. Engine is as quiet as Duramax & power wasn't too bad. Also love the wide steps & built in step in the tailgate. Even gives you a handy pole to grab hold of. Tighter turning radius than we expected. David backed into driveways on the first time, even with another vehicle parked in it.

Will give everyone an update on towing ability. We're heading from Tallapoosa, GA to Culpeper, VA in a few weeks. I'm planning our route now. That should give it a really good test.

Vickie

[billr]

Vickie and David,

Beauty Truck!! I'm drooling!!! Congrates!

Cheers,
Bill

[Motor31]

Kudos for getting enough truck. Looks good.

[billr]

Vickie and David,

How does the new truck work out with bed clearance as compared to your Chevy 3500? Is your ES setting on the original height suspension or was it raised?

How much clearance is there and is the trailer level when connected?

I am very interested in this new 450, just wondered about the new truck's bed and rail height. Have yet to see any here in the Great White North!!

Thanks!!

Cheers,
Bill

[bstark]

hitchup: Congrats on the new baby, you'll enjoy it for sure. Ford seems to be the only one of the big three interested in filling RV'er's needs for heavier towing duty trucks.

[hitchup]

Good question Bill: The bed height is 35.1" & the rail is 54" at the axle to the top of PU rail. Which I measured the height of the Chevy 4x2 at about the same.
David had a tonneau cover added yesterday while getting the bed sprayed & hitch rails installed. Because the bed is slightly wider than a standard PU bed, they installed it inside & slightly higher than the PU rails.
We went with a 22k Reese hitch because we had good luck with the current 18k & can have it set it higher to compensate for the tonneau cover. The 18k was flush with the bed, but this one sits on rails so may make a difference. David quicky calculated we should have at least 5 1/2" clearance, but won't be able to test it until the hitch comes in. Maybe by this Fri.
We haven't made any modifications to the Suite, so we have some ability to raise it if needed. Isn't there a place on the Trailair pin to make an adjustment as well?
Ford did consider almost everything except the plug in the bed. The location is on the bumper & of course the 5er cord isn't long enough. But otherwise, price is reasonable in compared to the SportChassis or I-RXT. And having a built-in brake controller is great.

[billr]

Thanks Vickie for the info. I'll be interested in hearing how it all works out once you get it all hitched up. Not only starting height, but amount of sag after the trailer is on will be of interest, as well as the final clearance and attitude.

I do believe the Trail Air CP suspension has the ability to adjust up or down too. Not sure if you need a different link. I think Bruce (bstark) had his "re-done" at Trailair last fall after the dealer made a bit of a mess of it. Check with him.

Cheers,
Bill

[rotaxman]

Vickie and David

There is adjustment on the trailair pin box anyway there is on mine.

Great looking truck congrats.

As always good camping

Joyce and Jerry

[Cosmo]

Will give everyone an update on towing ability. We're heading from Tallapoosa, GA to Culpeper, VA in a few weeks. I'm planning our route now. That should give it a really good test.

VickieI'm unable to find your update. Did I miss it on another forum perhaps?

[wingnut60]

Cosmo,
This thread was 4 years ago--apparently, no update was posted. I have an '09 450 if I can help you with operating info.

Welcome to the forum.

Joe

[Cosmo]

Still collecting information as I see it. Like on other forums, some leave you hanging without a follow up on their posts.

[wingnut60]

If you are thinking new, all 3 make good trucks. It is your money and personal preference.
If used, different ball game.
Good luck.
joe

[hitchup]

Update: we traded the 2008 for a 2010 after 36 mos.

Simple reason, unreliable. Had 3 radiators replaced and it was about to need #4. Blew hose while making the return trip down I-81, dead battery, DPF hole and replacement. You name it, it seemed to have every problem listed on the Ford SD forums.

Didn't buy a 2011 because: 1) being another guinea pig on new engine wsn't appealing 2) wait was too long since they had just begun to manufacture and we were winding up another project 3) 2010's were slightly discounted

Now after 18 mos and well over 37k miles, I think we've had one minor recall and still on original radiator. :-)

[Cosmo]

Thanks Joe. I am considering new & used at this point. Buying new is most certainly a consideration, but picking up a clean, low mileage example for less $$$ always is as well (as long as it is up to snuff for the job).

[Cosmo]

Thanks hitchup, that is exactly the kind of information I was looking for. Sorry to hear you had to go through what you did. Good luck with the newer rig.

[wingnut60]

Cosmo,
The '08 F450 was Ford's first 450 pickup--previous were cab/chassis models. It was also the first with the 6.4L engine, which is an upgraded 6.0. The engine itself wasn't too bad, but was plagued with radiator problems, water pump and some EGR issues. There were 3 iterations of the '08--the Job 1/2/3, referring to running changes in the same year. Of the 3, I would ONLY consider a Job 3 '08, meaning it was made after Jan 1 of '08. The '09s--mine-- have really only had the same type problems any mass-produced item can have; the '10s are better again, as is normal with more production. Another hit against the '08 is it doesn't have the bluetooth navigation system the '09/'10s have.
So, if you are really needing one of these type trucks, you should be looking at '09s and '10s. There are a TON more '08s out there as it was an early-introduction model and everyone who had been waiting for the 450 pickup model wanted one.
The '11 450 was derated somewhat for gross vehicle weight, and went from the 19'5" tires to the 17" tires. But is has a lot more power, and more technology in the monitoring/navigation systems. It also has had a lot of reported transmission shift problems with the new 6-speed, supposed to be fixed in the '12s.
Buying used--get a 2010; Buying new--get a 2012. The 12's are only about $1500 more than the '11s---but the REALLY bad news is a loaded King Ranch is topping $67000. The '11s/'12s also have available the factory supplied fifthwheel setup/hitch.

If you want to comparison shop the internet: cars.com and autotrader.com are good places to look at used pricing. And if you end up buying a new one--use Edmunds.com to build and price one and DON'T pay more than invoice less the current rebate. It is easy to get an X-Plan code if you want one for new purchase.

Joe

[Cosmo]

Thanks for the information wingnut60. I did notice the drop in wheel size and rating from the 10' to 11' model year. That may be a deal breaker going to an 11' or 12'. The size (weight) 5er we are wanting to by has a 20K lb. GVRW. I am not opposed to buying more truck than necessary (to a point). I'll keep my eyes on the various forums I follow and learn as much as possible before I pull the trigger.

Thanks again!