Well, we finally (after much research....deals gone bad.....mileage too much for banks) picked up our 2002 F250 Crew Cab Lariat.  It's in mint condition and never pulled a thing!!  It was a one owner, garage kept, documented service, find!  I did it all by myself, since my DH was 2,000 miles away on a trip!!  Found it one Sat. and picked it up the next....had to move fast since 7.3's are hot commodities around here!   I'm loving driving it.   The dealership serviced it very well.....replacing several parts, etc.  New tires and all....I feel fortunate.  It's a beauty!  

Next:  get a hitch....think I found one today....A  1 year old Reese 20K .....don't need one that  "big" but the price is good and the place will install it....all for about $500.

I guess that's a good price.....it looks good to me!

Mel

Melanie,
Congratulations on the truck. Sounds like a good buy.Also very good buy on the hitch.Do remember you will also need to buy and have installed a good brake controller.The installer for your hitch can perform this task also.

Congratulations, Melanie.

Sounds like you got a good deal there, both on the pickup and on the hitch.  I'd say you have done well.  You didn't say whether it was a dually or not, but even if it isn't, as long as you don't get too heavy with your RV to start with, you should be in good shape.

Now, if it were only better weather where you guys could take everything out for a "shakedown" trip.

Terry

Congrats on your truck! I also like the part about you driving it and taking care of the purchase. Well Done.

Thanks George and Terry! Yes, we are going to let the installer do the brake controller and Terry...I don't think we'll have over 2,000 lbs. in the trailer to "weekend and vacation"....so that would be it at 12,000 lbs..(9,970 lbs. with factory stuff) ...the truck is rated for 13,200 on a fifth wheel hitch.

No, the truck is not a dually, could not see myself running around town in a dually...and this will be my means of transportation for a while...so we opted not to get a 4 wheel drive or a dually. The mpg showed 21.8 on the drive home from Houston! Took it to my mechanic yesterday....he thought it was in great shape and with the dealership changing out  batteries, tires, brakes.....

I paid $14,400 for the truck.....a few thousand more than we wanted to spend, however, the kbb is over $15K. Seems like there is a "premium" put on 7.3's

The hitch is more than what we need, but thought for the price we'd get it because if we love this lifestyle, we may want to move up to a bigger heavier trailer one day, and then, we'll have the hitch! We're also going to see if we need the "slider" added.

By the way...have you all ever heard of the "super chip"? The one for increased mileage and ease on the transmission? That was recommended to me for this truck if we want to increase the mpg.

Then, of course, there is always the "air bags" for the rear end...I know some of you think that they are not any good....but we will see if we need......the first trips will be to close locations to try her out!!

Mel

-- Edited by Melstar on Wednesday 17th of November 2010 11:21:47 AM

Melstar, IMO  skip the air bags have the mechanic install "stable loads". You can buy the stabilizers (4) for about $180 and the mechanic can install them in 1/2 hour. Your truck all ready has these but they are on the thin side, these replacements are 3 inches thick and bring the overload springs in to play much sooner than the original equipment.  They work very well on my truck and my BIL's truck, his rig is bigger and heavier than yours and he has the same truck as you now do (with the exception of his has 4WD), so they should do you fine.  I think they are called "Torklift" stable loads, you can get them from Camping World, or just about any RV dealer, I ordered mine off the Internet and installed them myself. However unless one is mechanically inclined get a pro to do it. 
 
Flyone

Thank you Robert! I will share this with my DH!! Mel

Congrats on the truck purchase! I understand what you're saying about drivin the "big truck." Just dropped off my Avalanche to have some things fixed and ended up with a Buick Regal loaner. Hatin it! Feel like I'm sitting on the ground! Have fun with the new to you truck!