The Supreme Commander (a.k.a. Mrs. Quest) informed me that she wasn't completely satisfied with our 2022 Ford F350 Super Duty and gave me permission to order a NEW 2023 F350 with a few modifications. After a few whiffs of smelling salts, I regained consciousness and asked her to confirm her previous statement. Damn! She wasn't joking around...so, I ordered a new truck. I picked it up yesterday from the Ford Dealer:
The new truck is 90% the same as the old truck. So why bother? Well, Mrs. Quest did NOT like driving the 8 foot "long bed". I'll admit that the long bed truck turning radius isn't for the faint of heart. Making a U-turn usually requires at least two zip-codes. So, the new truck has the 6-3/4 foot bed. The turning radius is significantly reduced and the truck feels much more nimble.
The other complaint was that the springs were too stiff. I was informed that the Supreme Commander didn't like riding in a dump truck. I have to take much of the blame on this one. When I ordered the old truck, I opted for a couple of "packages" that Ford offered because they were relatively inexpensive and I was in "order mode" and checking boxes. I selected the "Camper Prep" package and the "Snowplow Prep" package. No logical reason...just checking boxes. Good thing Ford didn't offer a fur-lined spare tire carrier or I may have checked that box too... Anyway, the Camper Prep and Snowplow prep packages added additional springs and sway bars to the truck. Essentially, the old F350 was almost an F450 -- hence the dump truck feel. The new truck is a single rear wheel F350 with no packages that would have added additional springs.
The new truck has some nice features: adaptive cruise control, 360 degree cameras, heads-up display and a monster sound system. Still can't work most of it, but the sales guy tells me it's amazing.
The maiden voyage was last night in a cruise up the canyon to escape the heat. Headed to the lake tomorrow morning. The little Ski Nautique only weighs 3,500 pounds, with fuel and trailer. I doubt the new truck will even know it's back there.
JQ
BTW - The fur-lined spare tire carrier is awesome
------------- Current 2003 Ski Nautique 206 Limited
Previous 2001 Ski Nautique Open Bow 1994 Ski Nautique Open Bow
Aqua skiing, ergo sum
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