Comparing F150s XL vs XLT and have a question

[mammothcar1]

I'm looking at buying a new F150, standard cab with an 8' bed in the Northern VA area.

These new trucks seem to be priced in the low 20s for the XL, and mid 20s for the XLT.
But, the one thing I've noticed, is that the XL price then jumps to high 20s and low 30s.
So my question is this, why would someone, or a dealer, spec an XL to the upper 20s or low 30s when the XLT seems to offer a bit more as standard?

Is there something to be gained by specing an XL up a certain way vs the XLT?

I grew up using my old F150 with an 8' bed, so it's hard for me to consider some of the other cab configurations with the 6.5' bed, but any thoughts on that matter would also be greatly appreciated.

I don't need a hard core work truck, but I do like the idea of being able to throw plywood or lumber in the back when I need to. The truck would be a DD all other times.

 

[7998]

There is no gain in loading up an XL. Buy the XLT you will more than get back on resale/trade-in down the line.

 

[SID297]

The only advantage used to be getting the XL Sport package, which looked better to me than an XLT. Ford changes their packages all the time, so I'm not sure that's the case on the 2018 models.

 

[DHG1078]

I think xlt resale will be better than a loaded xl.

 

[jeffh81]

The only advantage used to be getting the XL Sport package, which looked better to me than an XLT. Ford changes their packages all the time, so I'm not sure that's the case on the 2018 models.

Right now the reg cabs have the sport appearance package, but you have to get a super crew/cab to get the stx package

 

[SID297]

Right now the reg cabs have the sport appearance package, but you have to get a super crew/cab to get the stx package

I wish you could get an STX reg cab. They look sweet.

 

[jeffh81]

5.0 with 3.55 gears
Go to the lumber yard and whoop mustangs on the way home

 

[Stateguy]

How much of a jump would it be to a bare bones 250?


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[mammothcar1]

Thanks for all the replies and insight. I was pretty much under the same impression that the XLT would be the one to get vs the XL, I just wanted to make sure I wasn't missing anything.

 

[jeffh81]

How much of a jump would it be to a bare bones 250?


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A few thousand, but from what said in the op. A F250 would be a waste of money

 

[7998]

How much of a jump would it be to a bare bones 250?


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Around $5k-$7k. Not worth it IMO unless you need the extra capability at the cost of MPG's and ride. Or to make your pecker bigger.

 

[13COBRA]

Or to make your pecker bigger.

I wish that was the case. I was hoping driving a mall crawler would make mine bigger...it didn't.

 

[jconnor3]

An 8ft bed would be great, but I would think twice about getting the extended cab with the 6.5ft bed. The interior space is really nice to have and gives you some room to put things that shouldn't get wet when it rains.

I use my truck as an actual truck all the time (I flip homes on the side so i'm at Lowes/HD/Menards on the regular) and while an 8ft bed would be nice, the 6.5 works just fine. Just leave the tailgate down and you get to 8ft and then throw a red flag on anything that hangs over. Or leave the tailgate up and prop your lumber up on top and throw a flag on it. Either works well but I wouldn't give up my interior space for anything. Especially for a DD, don't sacrifice the interior space (that you will always be using) for a larger bed that you only use occasionally.

Anyway, that's just my opinion.

 

[DSG2003Mach1]

As mentioned the 6.5’ bed isn’t too bad for lumber and such. I’ve put full sheets of plywood in my 5.5’ without issue with the tailgate up. My next truck will be a 6.5’ bed for sure though

 

[mammothcar1]

An 8ft bed would be great, but I would think twice about getting the extended cab with the 6.5ft bed. The interior space is really nice to have and gives you some room to put things that shouldn't get wet when it rains.

I use my truck as an actual truck all the time (I flip homes on the side so i'm at Lowes/HD/Menards on the regular) and while an 8ft bed would be nice, the 6.5 works just fine. Just leave the tailgate down and you get to 8ft and then throw a red flag on anything that hangs over. Or leave the tailgate up and prop your lumber up on top and throw a flag on it. Either works well but I wouldn't give up my interior space for anything. Especially for a DD, don't sacrifice the interior space (that you will always be using) for a larger bed that you only use occasionally.

Anyway, that's just my opinion.

Thanks for this^
I started expanding my search and found quite a few XLTs and Lariats with this configuration at year end pricing that I'm going to check out.
The few times that I would use the 8' bed vs the convenience of having space behind the front row for stuff is much better.

As mentioned the 6.5’ bed isn’t too bad for lumber and such. I’ve put full sheets of plywood in my 5.5’ without issue with the tailgate up. My next truck will be a 6.5’ bed for sure though

6.5' bed is beginning to look like the sweet spot for sure.
Thank you.

 

[DSG2003Mach1]

6.5' bed is beginning to look like the sweet spot for sure.
Thank you.

I will clarify that I have a supercrew and an 8ft bed with that would be ridiculous in the city, some places are tight with the 5.5' but that bed size frequently comes up about 6" short. It just depends on how often you're loading up with big stuff. It seems like whenever I need to get something real big its too long for the 8' bed truck I have access to as well.

 

[CompOrange04]

I want a super cab 4x4 w/ the 5.0. 3.55 gears, 10 speed auto and a 5.5' bed but nope...only in a raptor! F'n Ford! Do they realize what you could do on that platform with a turbo kit?!?!? FML

It's insane though that a reg cab 4x4 XL w/ the sport package is a $38k truck!!!

 

[nxhappy]

I love my XLT ecoboost

 

[jeffh81]

Ive been looking at f150s to replace the sierra and the STX package seems like a good bargain for what you get

 

[1 Alibi 2]

6.5' bed.
Had a passenger in the back for the 1st time two weeks ago.
Comments were - plenty of room, heat was fine, able to charge the phone was a nice touch.
.