We were out in SW Colorado last winter on a ski trip. I had to put my F-250 crew cab in the shop for a day. A nearby Avis office had an F-150 crew cab, so we rented it. What a nice truck! My F-250 is a '97 7.3L Powerstroke and I wouldn't take a gold monkey for it, but man, was that F-150 plush! Too bad it won't carry my truck camper....
In 2007, I purchased a brand new 2006 GMC Canyon 4wd crew cab. It had a 5 cyl 3.5L engine, but enough room for my kids’ car seats, plus my wife and I.
About 2 months ago, it was totaled (meat between Explorer & dump trunk, no injuries). I resigned myself to getting a new vehicle, and promptly threw out any idea of getting a GMC, Dodge or Chrysler. That meant Ford or Toyota for a trunk.
I am driving a 2010 F150 FX4 crew cab 4wd. Just got back from a 2,400 mile ‘vacation’ in it (4 tanks of gas). I’m getting 18 MPG or so, and it’s just a remarkably comfortable vehicle. Nice bucket seats in the front, enough legroom in the back for grown men, and just a great all around vehicle. The bed’s only 5’ or so, but I don’t haul too much - the occasional fallen tree chopped up, and such, so it’ll do.
I don’t care for the payments, but it’s certainly worth the investment if I drive it 10+ years.