How many folks out there are getting by with lower trim level pickups? Sledders always seem to want the latest and greatest of everything, myself included. However, I'm starting to question what is really needed on my next pickup purchase. I'm going to be in the market for a diesel truck before the end of the year (hopefully) and the reality of truck prices is really setting in as I'm starting to layout my budget.
What really got me thinking about this is I ran across an ad last week for a truck: 2012 Ford F-450, 4wd, crew cab, emissions deleted, a decent flatbed, new tires, and 120k miles for $25k. The deal was it was an XL trim truck. The same truck in Lariat trim would be in the $40k range. Didn't appear to be beat up in photos, but you never know until you really see them. It had the basics: power windows, locks, cruise, heat/AC, CD player/radio with aux port, vinyl floor and seats, split front seat with fold down console, fold up rear seats, and running boards. In all honesty it wasn't that poorly equipped compared to what I'm used to driving now. It was an extra long wheelbase truck, so it had a 12' flatbed. With the wide track front end, turning radius would be about the same as a 350 crew cab long box. Driving it in town and parking wouldn't be a concern anyway with me keeping my old F-150 daily driver. Probably had a 40+gal fuel tank in the rear.
The more I thought about it the more it seemed this would actually make a pretty sweet sledding rig. Twelve foot bed would hold 2 mountain sleds nicely, and could probably do 3. All that space under the bed between the cab and rear wheels would be prime for large tool boxes to hold gear bags and gas cans aside from the standard truck items. Don't have to worry about tracking snow/mud in on the rubber floor.
Anyway, it's enough for me to think about what my priorities are. Anyone gone this route and really regretted it? Other downside from not having all the creature comforts is the resale isn't going to be great, but you're not paying what you're getting back out of it up front either.
What really got me thinking about this is I ran across an ad last week for a truck: 2012 Ford F-450, 4wd, crew cab, emissions deleted, a decent flatbed, new tires, and 120k miles for $25k. The deal was it was an XL trim truck. The same truck in Lariat trim would be in the $40k range. Didn't appear to be beat up in photos, but you never know until you really see them. It had the basics: power windows, locks, cruise, heat/AC, CD player/radio with aux port, vinyl floor and seats, split front seat with fold down console, fold up rear seats, and running boards. In all honesty it wasn't that poorly equipped compared to what I'm used to driving now. It was an extra long wheelbase truck, so it had a 12' flatbed. With the wide track front end, turning radius would be about the same as a 350 crew cab long box. Driving it in town and parking wouldn't be a concern anyway with me keeping my old F-150 daily driver. Probably had a 40+gal fuel tank in the rear.
The more I thought about it the more it seemed this would actually make a pretty sweet sledding rig. Twelve foot bed would hold 2 mountain sleds nicely, and could probably do 3. All that space under the bed between the cab and rear wheels would be prime for large tool boxes to hold gear bags and gas cans aside from the standard truck items. Don't have to worry about tracking snow/mud in on the rubber floor.
Anyway, it's enough for me to think about what my priorities are. Anyone gone this route and really regretted it? Other downside from not having all the creature comforts is the resale isn't going to be great, but you're not paying what you're getting back out of it up front either.
