F150 Learning Curve?

[Plottwistt]

Hello all,

I'm coming from a 2 series and I ordered a 24 lariat and I've never daily driven a truck or have that much experience driving them.

What are some tips to adjust quickly to driving them?

thanks in advance.

Sponsored

 

[JExpedition07]

They are pretty nimble imo, you won’t have any issues. My first ever car was an Expedition when I graduated high school, then went up to an Expedition EL, then the F-150. All have been very easy to drive and park. The F-150 is technically larger but I don’t notice any mobility difficulties.

 

[SpaceWhiteF150]

I would say you are going to have difficulty parking, especially coming from a small car!

People make fun of people that back into spots, but it’s definitely easier!

 

[Walter Townsend]

I would say you are going to have difficulty parking, especially coming from a small car!

People make fun of people that back into spots, but it’s definitely easier!

Last thing I want to see is somebody backing out of a driveway onto a busy road or highway! I always back into the parking spot so I can start my trip driving into the traffic flow. Those that want to make fun of us backing into spots have not taken defensive driving courses.

 

[Walter Townsend]

Hello all,

I'm coming from a 2 series and I ordered a 24 lariat and I've never daily driven a truck or have that much experience driving them.

What are some tips to adjust quickly to driving them?

thanks in advance.

Rent a five ton truck for a weekend, then the F-150 will feel like you are driving a Mini Austin, LOL

Find yourself a large open parking lot and practice. Set up some cones and parallel park etc where you won't hit anything but a cone if you swing wide or short. Yes, they are bigger and heavier than what you are used to, but I find they are very maneuverable. Use your mirrors, and if you have the 360 camera it can be a big help.

Back into parking spots whenever possible, it is much safer to back off a road into a blind spot, than to back into busy traffic.

 

[Etl330]

Yeah it’s really just the tight quarters and maneuverability. I can’t believe how much worse the f150 is than say a suburban

 

[Hans Moleman]

The F150 has pretty poor turning radius so you will have some challenges coming from a tiny car. You will have to do 3 point turns where you normally wouldn’t need to and parallel parking in tight spots will require more skill.

 

[SilverPigeon]

If you're getting the 360 ° cams, it makes low speed manoeuvres a piece of cake

 

[Henfield]

I went from family SUV to the F150 as my first truck. Things I learned quickly on way home from dealer. 1: Blind spots are larger than in any car. I nearly screwed up on the way home after picking it up.
2: Use the 360 camera anytime you are turning into a parking space.
3: The Range to empty cries wolf too early. I found at a quarter full, I still have 12-13 gallons with a 36 gallon tank.
4: These trucks love being loaded and out on the highway munching mile after mile.
5: Don't be the only guy with a pick up in the neighborhood....
6: You'll get 40k Ford pass points with purchase. Get Ford credit card to add points. Use points to pay for servicing and accessories.
That's enough tips...for now....

 

[Antimatter22]

As most people have pointed out, the turning radius is awful so you'll have to get used to that. I typically park at the back of lots anyway to prevent door dings but backing in tighter spaces helps. Beyond that you'll just have to get used to driving a larger vehicle. It's not a huge learning curve but parking sensors are helpful for parking situations, which was probably my biggest learning curve coming from a Focus.

 

[Chappy133]

I watched a lot of the Ford and You Tube videos on the features that came with my 2022 F-150 Lariat. They helped me. Some folks embrace the technology and others despise it. IMHO most of the tech was created to fight the heads down syndrome of folks on their cell phones when driving. I like the technology especially the Adaptive Cruise Control and lane centering. It helps on the long trips when towing. The 360 cameras help a lot with the 6.5 bed because parking this truck is like docking the Queen Mary.

 

[Kanuck]

Best way is to just drive it. It has it's different characteristics which you will learn and adjust your driving habits accordingly. I always use the thought "When in doubt...Don't "

 

[TarnishedCopper]

I would say you are going to have difficulty parking, especially coming from a small car!

People make fun of people that back into spots, but it’s definitely easier!

I agree with the parking comments. I drove mini-vans for almost 20 years, and also own a Mini-Cooper. This F-150 is the most front-end blind vehicle I've ever driven /owned. Mine has a back-up camera, but none on front where I really need it.

 

[Davexxxx]

I came from another F150 (and several before that one) but none of them had cameras.

There is always a learning curve, with every new vehicle, especially re parking and this one seems harder than most.

I have side by side pics with my 01 and it is bigger but not as much as it feels.

I have the seat set as high as it will go and use the cameras nearly every time. There is a button on the dash to activate the cameras while in forward motion. I've found them to be remarkably accurate.

 

[PaulGrun]

I came from nearly 20 years in a GMC Supercab with a standard bed 6.5’).
It took bme a surprisingly long time to adapt to the F-150 (still learning after two years) mainly due to the excessive turning radius which others have mentioned and my inability to judge the distance to the car in front of me because of the body design of the front end.
I’ll pull up somewhere behind another car and think I have inches to spare, only to find out its feet in front.
I hate relying on technology to drive a vehicle, but the 360 cameras are indispensable in this truck.
Don’t misunderstand, I love the truck; it’s just not great as a grocery getter.
P.s. backing into parking spots is the only way to go. I wasn’t aware that other people look upon backing into parking spots with such derision. I haven’t experienced that. I looked at the ability to back into parking as an advanced skill.

Sponsored