2012 F-350 - First Impressions

[Diamondpilot]

Yep, these heavy trucks from all the manufactures were meant to work, not run around empty. I have had a Dodge, GMC, and 3 Fords in the last 8 years and they all ride bad empty. The GMC probably rode the best empty but the worst loaded so its a trade off. The Dodge and Fords were about the same ride. Dodge had a wider cabin with more room but the Fords seats and interior were much better.

Chris

 

[slowzuki]

21.3 mpg is fantastic. Driving at 50 mph on a secondary highway, no stops, keeping my rpms under 1500, my 5.4L F350 struggles to get 13 mpg.

Took the truck in to the dealer Friday and they looked it over. Found nothing, no error codes stored in the computer and nothing wrong that they could find. So not to worry they say.

Anyway made a 203 miles trip today. Mostly highway (150 miles) and the rest backroads with about 10 miles of stop an go city driving so a nice mix. I fueled up and zeroed out one of the trip registers atthe start. When i got home I was showing 21.3 mpg. I drove 65-70mph on the highway (speed limit 65 mph). There was little traffic so I was able to cruise right along and maintain speed. With the high speed ezpass lanes didn't have to even slow down for tolls.

Truck ran great but I find the ride hard. I hit a short stretch of washboard road at 45 and I thought I was riding a bucking bronco. The rear axle was jumping off the road surface and that's not good for the tires among other things. I guess I need to drag about 500 pounds around in the bed to get a better ride.

 

[JESSE1]

I made a fast 300 mile roundtrip this morning. Left at 6AM and got back at 11:15AM. When I got home the trip computer was showing 16.8 mpg. Not bad considering the truck has a 4.30 axle ratio. The '08 I traded in would have maybe shown a high of 12 for the same trip.

 

[Big Bri]

I have a 2011. I've only avg 13.6 mpg since new. Yes I get 20 mpg going down the hwy but with all the regens I'm at 13.6. I know this because I have never reset my trip meter on the truck from the time I bought it. I now have 18k miles and have had the grill replaced because of bad chrome, had the trans flashed 3 times by ford for a shifting problem and now my front bumper is pealing. Might not seem like a lot but for what I paid for this truck I think I'd have fewer problems and better mpgs. By the way I am a ford nut and this is my second diesel (7.3 before). And have owned 12 other fords (still have 4 in the driveway)

 

[General Lee]

Truck ran great but I find the ride hard. I hit a short stretch of washboard road at 45 and I thought I was riding a bucking bronco. The rear axle was jumping off the road surface and that's not good for the tires among other things. I guess I need to drag about 500 pounds around in the bed to get a better ride.

Yea, These trucks ride stiff. I find over all cruising fairly smooth, but you definitely feel every little bump.

 

[sparc]

Well I'm now at ~4500 miles. Overall my mpg is 18.3, and since my last fillup the avg mpg is 20.2. In the past couple hundred miles my mpg has gone up. Is it because of the wx getting warmer or because the truck is getting broken in.

 

[wmonroe]

Probably the switch from winter fuel to summer fuel. it is about a 2 mpg difference for me.

 

[sparc]

Well it's been way too long since have posted to this thread.
I am now closing in on the first anniversary of this truck (12/23/12).
Overall I am still happy with my purchase. I have had few problems
and nothing major as yet (knock on wood) and I will be taking it in
for 15000 mile service soon.

In another thread recently I wrote about the tailgate salso
I aslo mentioned how I would like to see running boards the rwheel wellheelwheel wellheelwell as a factory option. If they are available
on other makes I don't know but I think it would be nice to have them
on my Ford.

I have yet to see any real progress in makingin-dashf the indash display
for the driver or being able to use the nav screen to display useful information
about vehicle conditions or monitoring performance.

Ford is working on developing apps for the platform, but I think all they need to do is
develop an app that would port video from your smartphone to the nav screen and
combined with audio routed to the sound system in the vehicle you could then run
any app on your smartphone. safety features could be built in to prevent their use
when the vehicle is in motion, etc.

but being able to display the Torque android app on the nav screen would be nice.

Being able to have Google Maps display on my nav screen with satellite imagery
in place of the NavTec maps would be nice.

Of the four 12v power points in the cab none are configured or can be reconfigured
to be switched on/off with the ignition. It would be nice to have one that worked this way.
I use a docking station for my smartphone and as soon as I plug the phonturnsit turns on BT (if off),
tunrs off WiFi (if on), turns on GPS (if off), sets volumes to a level predetermined by me, and limits
the apps that can be accessed while moving so no texting, etc. To be able to leave this docking station
plugged in when I get out of the truck and have it power back up when I start the truck would be nice.
There is a power point in the center console which would be a good choice. On crew cabs and super cabs
there is a power point for the rear passengers, this might be a good choice too because if you had kids with
something plugged in back there it would be turned off with the vehicle so no worries about a drained battery.

The OIC (operators information center) in underutilized in my opinion. There is a whole blank screen that you
can't add anything to. My guess is this is for future but will the future ever come?

My MPG is still holding up. Overall since mile 1 I am at 18.2. This includes about 1600 miles towing various loads,
but nothing really heavy. I think my heaviest load was ~10K including the trailer weight which was the dump trailer
with 3 ton of of 3/4" stone. My other trailers when loaded have been under 9k. When not pulling a trailer I average
18 highwaysback and forth to work. There are no hiways for me to/from work, its all county roads and about 5 miles on
a state highway with a 50 mph speed limit, the back roads are mostly 45 or 50 mph. In my ~20 one way trip I hit a
couple traffic lights and half dozen stop signs, so I never get to make a leg that is more than a couple miles without
stopping except for that 5 miles on the state road.

As far as shakes and rattles I have not had any so far. No accessory has failed or malfunctioned and I have almost
all of them on this rig.

I got a TPS low pressure warning this summer but that was because the dork at the dealer never adjusted the tire
pressure when the rotated the tires on the last service visit.



What would I do different if I had it to do over?

Even though I do not want an even longer truck I would probably get a crew cab. That would add about 20 inches overall
to the length of the truck with the same bed length. I have no trouble driving a vehicle that long, I drove many a straight
truck working for a lumber yard and other places years ago. so that's not the issue. The extended cab or super cab whatever
you want to call it has little leg room for rear passengers unless they are under 12 years old. Now iaccommodate year I have only
had to use the read seat once to accomodate a third passenger so its not really an issue for me as I have other vehicles to
choose if its more than two people on the trip. I end up using the rear more for storage of gear. It would be nice if there was
an option or third party solution that woucompartmentalizedve that rear seat and turn the whole area into a compartmentized
storage space that you could lock up and kedisappointedut of sight. I wouldn't need a bed box then.

I also am disapointed that in my truck (remember extended cab not crew cab) there is no light in the ceiling or anywhere in
the rear. The only lights are those in the overhead up from by the mirror and they put zero light in the back so if its dark
and you are looking for something back there you better have a flashlight with you because those high back bucket seats block
almost all the light from up front. There are many aftermarket solution to this but I shouldn't need one. With a $58k list price
I should have a light in the back.

The drivers seat belt retractor could use a little more tension as it does not retract fully and leaves the belt hanging. Actually
the placement and orientation of the upper seat belt bracket or guide could be better. The angle seems a little off so when the
belt retracts it always tries to feed back in at an angle which causes it to fold over on itself and then jam. Easy to clear by pulling
on the belt and releasing but again something I should not have to do.

I don't know its just my truck but the side windows do not make contact with the outside weather seal at the bottom of the wiand.
So when there is some condensation or frost on the outside of the window and I try to remove it by cycling the windoww down and
back up nothing happens because the seal does not squeege the window so to speak. I think on every other vehicle I have owned I
have been able to do this. I don't see anything wrong or mispositioned with the seal but it does not contact the window.

So I also wonder what is happening when it rains? Is water running down inside my door in stead of being shed by the seal? If there
is no contact between the window and the seal I would think that water must be getting in there. This could create maIt'sproblems
with the electric windows, door locks, and corrosion of the door itself. ITs something I intend to bring up when I am at the dealers
next but I doubt I will get a solution or acceptable answer to the problem.

Now after having written all this you probably think I am whining about little things that don't really matter. but I am just trying
to point out things I think could be better. Its little things like this that make the overall owner expierence good or bad.
Some of them are design issues and some are build quality issues, but in the end they all contribute to the owners impression
which relates directly to repeat purchases.

And if some of the text in this post is mangled up, blame the forum auto-save function which is a PITA when writing a long post. I think
the only way to avoide the problem is to author in another program like word then cut and paste over here. I wish I had the option
to turn that 'feature' off in my profile.

I am tired of going back and fixing them so you'll have ot live with the mess created by the software.

 

[Diamondpilot]

Nice write up. I agree about the rear light. I have a 06 F350 Extended cab and I hate that. My Titan has them and its great for the kids.

I also agree about the window seal. Its going to cause issues and there needs to be a seal.

All in all 18 is great for a post 08 truck.

Chris

 

[downslope]

And if some of the text in this post is mangled up, blame the forum auto-save function which is a PITA when writing a long post. I think
the only way to avoide the problem is to author in another program like word then cut and paste over here. I wish I had the option
to turn that 'feature' off in my profile.

I am tired of going back and fixing them so you'll have ot live with the mess created by the software.

I too was wondering about issues with the auto-save. I find that if I refrain from using the arrow keys for editing the problems seem to go away. Or do you still find problems with long posts even when not using the arrows. I guess as a post gets longer and longer it has more to save each time.

 

[joe t]

Didn't read the whole thread but how is the ext cab working out? I like how the extended cab looks better than the crew cab. It is also cheaper.


I rarely entertain customers. Maybe I should do that more but I'm not a real friendly person and I primarily hire people to do that.


Little kids fit in there ok you think? No kids yet for me but I'd imagine in the next couple years.

 

[sparc]

Didn't read the whole thread but how is the ext cab working out? I like how the extended cab looks better than the crew cab. It is also cheaper.


I rarely entertain customers. Maybe I should do that more but I'm not a real friendly person and I primarily hire people to do that.


Little kids fit in there ok you think? No kids yet for me but I'd imagine in the next couple years.

Yes, you should have no problem with young kids, say up to 12 or so. There is room for three comfortably. The leg room is what is lacking. I had my daughter back there and she is 5'-8" and ~120# but the seats is short front to back and as I said the leg room.

I like the look and the overall length of the truck too better than a crew cab.

 

[dodge man]

I have a buddy that worked for a weather stripping company at one time. The "window felts" are not designed to wipe water and frost off the outside of the window, although on most vehicles they work that way. Also, there will be water getting down inside your door not matter how tight the seal, that is why there is drain holes in the bottom of the door.

 

[some zilch]

sounds like a typical "truck buyer" (especially a diesel truck buyers) these days....towing something 10% of the time, and complaining about digital screens, apps, and weather stripping. for $58k, you could have bought more truck than an f350..........but hey its your $$

 

[joe t]

But that 10% of the time....

I own a construction company and how much do I need my diesel or my daily 3/4 work truck, maybe 10% of the time. I'd certainly be screwed in that 10% of time without it though...

 

[Hay Dude]

I just read all 3 pages here, I must really be turning into a dinosaur! Nothing against you fellas that like all those "gizmos" on your pick ups, but I'd gladly trade all that (computer) **** for a few more thousands in sheet metal thickness, real bumpers, and a metal dashboard to hold my magnet clip for my paper notes and reciepts!:laughing: oh yeah, give me some wing windows also! I'm still pushing a couple of 7.3 and for the life of me just don't understand how they get away with selling a PU truck @ 50K+? My "old" trucks, (01 350 and 00 450) were at least 15K less when new, not all that long ago. Now they don't have all that electronic stuff, but all those gadgets wont drive a nail or get a lick of work done on the job. And I don't get anywhere near that much more for my work (as they charge for these trks) on the jobs as a contractor, and even back then I wondered if I was working for the truck or was the truck working for me?
Sorry about the rant, it prolly is Mr Jim Beam talking, he helps out my knee pain after a long day on the job site!

No..... you're just about 100% right. The diesel truck of 10-15 years ago was replaced with a computer on (20") wheels that nobody that works for a living can afford anymore.
I buy the ones people give up on and make them work in farming and construction. I feel spoiled in my POS '08 F550. It has AC and power windows!! Grew up with "WD-40" air conditioning and and "bicep exercisers" for windows, so even an "XL" seems loaded.
I couldn't see myself buying a new truck for the rest of my life, not the way they're built now. Gotta be too careful with it. The auto companies told the working man to pound sand and now build trucks for Doctors, lawyers and CEO's, not masons, farmers or welders.
What I would like to see is one of these geek engineers see if they're smart enough to design a tough, heavy built truck with a basic 300Hp in line six diesel, a 6 speed trans with a 2 speed rear that locks out in 4WD and a snowplow/tow package and a set of real proportional truck gauges and a basic power windows/doorlocks and mirrors package for about 35-40K.
I paid $25K for my '05 550 4WD crewcab and it's a basic truck, but it's not been very reliable and it's going to get worse.
At least I don't have 60K in one of the new ones. I'd rather buy a money maker than money taker.
I don't need "sync" and "onstar" and all these stupid wires, outlets and dummy lights.

 

[sw03]

But that 10% of the time....

I own a construction company and how much do I need my diesel or my daily 3/4 work truck, maybe 10% of the time. I'd certainly be screwed in that 10% of time without it though...

LOL---That is why I sold my Powerchoke (1997 F-350) years ago (2002 to nail the date). Not worth the fuel price, diesel filters etc.PLus I hated the glow plug issues ford had; ball joints etc. Lost a customer for life bigtime. Plus the paint sucks. Plus the F350 rode like crap....I will NEVER buy a FORD again...This coming from a former; Crap product..

 

[joe t]

Yeah I need at least one 3/4 ton for work. Gonna trade one of my 3/4 for a half ton next year. 12mpg is too low for me.

 

[Hay Dude]

LOL---That is why I sold my Powerchoke (1997 F-350) years ago (2002 to nail the date). Not worth the fuel price, diesel filters etc.PLus I hated the glow plug issues ford had; ball joints etc. Lost a customer for life bigtime. Plus the paint sucks. Plus the F350 rode like crap....I will NEVER buy a FORD again...This coming from a former; Crap product..

I just sold my last 6L Ford. It was an '04 when I bought it with 15K miles on it. Paid 21K. Put $10,000 in repairs (2 sets injectors, turbo, head gaskets and much more). Just sold it.
Took a huge hit on that one. Took some of the proceeds and extended the warranty on my '08 550. I'm not expecting much better from the '08 based on what I've repaired so far.
Problem is, Ford carved out a nice niche' on these trucks and there's really not much competition from other manufacturers other than Fiat/Damlier/Chrysler. I like that it fits in a residential garage and the chassis itself is pretty tough. I see a huge opportunity for GM with their reliable Duramax and medium duty Allison trans. One of our family farm rigs has the dmax/ally in it and has never been repaired well over 100K miles. Runs/shifts like a new truck.