CTC Review: 2009 Ford F-150 SuperCrew

[CD_Editor]

Day 1:

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I am sure you have heard the expression, "It's all about the numbers."  I may have even used that expression in one of my reviews; it's a great way to give out non-subjective information.  Well, the 2009 F-150 is all about the numbers, but not just any "numbers." It's all about BIG numbers, and the more you investigate the new F-150 the bigger the numbers seem to get.More...

[carcrazy]

I have no interest in trucks, but the F-150 looks the best out of all of them. Is your tester one of the top-of-the-line models?
I ended up with one of these as a rental few years ago, but a co-worker was actually driving it. It felt huge to me! I recall I did not like the fit and finish and the interior materials. And boy was sucking up gas compared to what I'm used to!

[Cortina]

I think it is very pretty truck.    But I can't see as many people now buying this as car like they did in old days. 

[initial_D]

Second most popular pee-cup around here, number 1 is Dodge diesel.

I have spend some time in the last 2 gens of the F-150s, very fine automobiles. With a huge tank, the needle doesn't go down that fast, and with a company gas card, mileage was very reasonable. 

[dutch]

Looks like you have a nicely dressed up truck. I took delivery of my 09 XLT Supercrew 4x4 long box about 3 months ago. The ride and handeling compared to my 07 is MUCH better. I love the built in rear view camera and the trailer brake control. I look like a professional backing up to hook up to a trailer now.
Fuel economy seems better than the 07 - kinda hard to tell in the winter months.

[Feds]

Do you have enough time to quantify that payload?  What would 3000 lb look like in the bed of that truck?

A concrete block is ~18kg, so you'd need to put 76 of them in the bed.  Ask the friendly guys at your home depot to help out.

[airbalancer]

you may be disappointed when you give the F-150’s dash a stroking
 
I do do have a kinky side but it sure does not have anything to do with stroking a dash
When I drive a pick up I have seat 100% to the back, there is usually not much room for anyone behind me, It usually better to have to much room instead of not enough.

[wing]

Did you see the picture of the back seat?  There's tons of room even if you have the seat way back.  Feds that is a good idea, although there are no concrete blocks at HD this time of year, not spring yet.  Also sounds like a TON of work!

[airbalancer]

Did you see the picture of the back seat?  There's tons of room even if you have the seat way back.  Feds that is a good idea, although there are no concrete blocks at HD this time of year, not spring yet.  Also sounds like a TON of work!

Take the truck to a brick place and they can put a cube of brick in the box with a fork lift

[Mozeby]

That's the first complaint I've read about the interior.  Even though I don't like the exterior or the engines, and would never buy a F-150,  the interior is one of the best, if not the best of all full size trucks.  Personally I'd take the new Ram or Sierra over the Ford.

[Feds]

Gravel might work too.  Palets of concrete? 

Suburbanites buy these things because they "need" them for their home renos, but how many people have ever picked up 55 sheets of 5/8 plywood in one trip?  Quantifying what 3000 lb of mulch looks like, or how much camper trailer 11000lbs is might make for some neat visuals.

[airbalancer]

Gravel might work too.  Palets of concrete? 

Suburbanites buy these things because they "need" them for their home renos, but how many people have ever picked up 55 sheets of 5/8 plywood in one trip?  Quantifying what 3000 lb of mulch looks like, or how much camper trailer 11000lbs is might make for some neat visuals.

Most of these will probably be bought by farmers , retired person with a 5th wheel or used by the owner of contracting business
I do not see to many weekend warriors getting one

[Schmengie]

The F-150 is everywhere around here, the vast majority piloted by small women. Then come the nancy-boys, contractors, teenage males and the occasional farmer . Just a personal observation.

[Sir Osis of Liver]

  Quantifying what 3000 lb of mulch looks like, or how much camper trailer 11000lbs is might make for some neat visuals.

That is a capital idea!

Welcome to the forum.

[Just Bob]

I love this truck, is the Raptor coming out?

[PJungnitsch]

Don't go too crazy at Home Depot!

The advertised big payload and towing numbers is for a single cab 2WD, one with a particular option thatt adds a special heavy frame/rims/tires etc.

As far as I can tell max payload for the Supercrew tested is more like a thousand pounds with a full tank of gas and a driver aboard. Half that with 4 people in the cab.

[sirAQUAMAN64]

Went shopping last Saturday for full-sized trucks as my partner's '06 Ram Quad Cab lease is expiring soon.

Configured all the trucks online - loaded 4X4 Crew cabs. The GM twins were approximately $8,000 more than the Ford and Dodge at MSRP, with similar incentives, and didn't see much benefit to them with that premium.

Looked at the Fords and really wanted to like it, especially with the cloud of uncertainty surrounding Chrysler and the positive momentem Ford has going. Took out a 2009 F-150 SuperCrew FX4 short box for a spin. The interior IS huge, gigantic amount of rear leg room - the Ram Mega Cab and Tundra CrewMax come closest. Like the flat load floor too (Ram Quad Cabs have under seat storage where the lid folds out to make the floor flat which is also a good idea, but not Crews). I found the seat itself mounted a bit low, but acceptable. Up front there were a few items that weren't perfect. First, I was a tad disappointed by the materials selection - not bad, but there's still room for improvement. Further, the dash is littered with buttons unnecessarily IMO, and I prefer knobs to buttons for some functions (like HVAC fan speed). The FX's black dash applique is more appealing to my eyes to the plwood. Also, didn't like the colouring of the dash top display, just a bit old school. On the drive, the truck was fairly quiet - a little throatier than expected which the sales consultant said was due to the FX4 package... nice - but could tell it didn't want to launch or pass with authority relative to the HEMI we have. Plus it felt like I was on air seats. The padding or something gives the impression of bouncing on and off them over bumps which I didn't like. My partner said it also cornered very "heavy" and leaned a bit more in the corners - prefers to go straight. Big Ford advantage is being able to get the SuperCrew with a regular box, which is unavailable with Dodge and GM crews, but can only imagine that would make the handling dynamics worse. Overall Ford has much greater option combination proliferation. LOVE the bed's innovative steps as the side and rear. Overall, while being a nice truck I wasn't blown away. They are offering greater incentives the the competition tho.

Onto the Ram. Everything I didn't like about the current Ram in the driveway has been corrected. Partner prefer's the Ford's squared grille, but I like the Ram's... and the semi-integrated dual rear exhausts are a cool touch. The formerly flat seats are now wonderfully supportive. The lack of a true Crew is no longer an issue - not as large as the Ford but didn't need that large anyway, although it's matched only to the short bed and unfortunately the floor is not completely flat (plus cupholders in the middle), but honestly there's enough floor to be had that what is flat is large enough and it's not a necessity. The interior in all other respects one upped the F-Series significantly IMO... exception being the passenger seat has less power adjustability where I wish I could raise the forward part of the seat cushion higher (F-150 has this adjustability). Quality of materials (dash, seats, armrests), their matching, feel of buttons and controls, layout, and the Navigation system are all very well done with a wonderfully logical and simplistic button arrangement. Does not have the trailer brake tow feature slider control thingie, but does have a toasty heated steering wheel and most other features are similar - heated/ventilated seats, sunroof, Navigation, console space, etc. Fire it up and the exhaust means business... hearing it in the cabin on the drive was music to the ears. Even I as a passenger could feel the performance difference (only 5spd compared to 6 and it is less fuel efficient), and the truck feels much more sure-footed around corners - the new rear suspension ought to help with wheel hop to boot. Yes, the Ram 1500 does seem to be geared more toward the urban cowboy, but that's what we're buying it for - personal use with capability when we need it. We both by far preferred it. So, one has been ordered since none are in Ontario inventory - a black Crew Cab Sport 4X4. 

One thing is for sure, all of the full-sized trucks are pretty darned good right now. Think it comes down more than ever to styling, the drive you prefer, the cab/box configuration you're after, and price.

[wing]

Didn't check out the Titan?  Is suspect there must be deals to be had on the outgoing model now.

[sirAQUAMAN64]

Didn't check out the Titan?  Is suspect there must be deals to be had on the outgoing model now.

Only wants to buy domestic brands. We have looked at them in the past though.

[wing]

Oh one of those.... BAN!  J/K