GEN. 2 FORD RAPTOR OVER KILL OR JUST RIGHT ?

[Lukeclement]

I am posting this thread because I am curious how other forum members and raptor owners actually use their ford raptors and if their ford raptors are their daily drivers, weekend trucks, or a truck you bought for only off road use.

I currently have a 2019 raptor, fully loaded, and I live in maine. We do not have deserts and for the most part our off roading up here really is gravel pits and or paper company gravel roads up north. A lot off the true off road trails up here are not like being in Colorado, Nevada, or Arizona its more of narrow deep woods trails that maybe a ford ranger would fit down.

Most of my driving is on pavement, I'd say 85 percent, due to where I live in maine. So the other day I was thinking, why did I buy a ford raptor living in coastal maine ? Well here are my reasons :

1) I love the look the look of the raptor. I think its the best looking truck period.
2) I love the interior
3) The seats are the most comfortable seats I have ever been in, this includes some high end euro trash sedans.
4) I love the way it handles and drives, except in the snow but that is more about the tires.
5) I really like the sound of the engine with the stock exhaust and the eco boost.
6) I love the technology in the raptor.
7) I love the over all performance = speed and acceleration-engine.

Ok after listing all the reasons why I love the ford raptor I still sit back and say to myself, " Am I REALLY using this truck for what it was built for ?". I have never been air borne in the raptor and we have no deserts in maine. Is the raptor over kill for using it as a daily driver when it is spending 85 percent of it's time on paved roads. I'll probably only 50 percent of the trucks capabilities.

I honestly feel like maybe a SUV or a Ford platinum would have been the better choice for me , due to the environment I live in. I do a lot of hunting, so the back bed is important to me, because if I get a deer that's where it goes, and I have had 800 pounds of payload in the bed 3 times this winter.

So I apologize for the long winded thread, but I am just curious how other raptor owners use their raptors and where they live.

 

[Lukeclement]

I use my 2011 to support a local non profit ski area! Had to run wheel spacers to clear the upper a-arm ball joint... plus it’s perched up front and a procomp add-a-leaf I’m back. Tows 100% better!

 

[loboloco]

1) I love the look the look of the raptor. I think its the best looking truck period.
2) I love the interior
3) The seats are the most comfortable seats I have ever been in, this includes some high end euro trash sedans.
4) I love the way it handles and drives, except in the snow but that is more about the tires.
5) I really like the sound of the engine with the stock exhaust and the eco boost.
6) I love the technology in the raptor.
7) I love the over all performance = speed and acceleration-engine.

I always wanted a Raptor, ever since they first came out, but I didn't want the poor fuel economy of the V-8 and I wanted all the comfort and luxury of today's pick-ups, for the simple reason that this would be my only transportation. Hence, I never bought a Gen I Raptor. When the Gen II came out I finally pulled the proverbial trigger and ordered a 2017 fully loaded Raptor. From day one I knew that I made the right decision. This was, and still is the most fun vehicle I ever owned. The performance, handling, power, speed and off-road capabilities are simply unmatched. I instantly fell in love with my Raptor for all the reasons you listed above. I also reasoned that even though I will likely never push the Raptor to its limits, it is always better to have and not need than to need and not have.

I just traded my 2017 Raptor for an equally equipped 2019 Raptor, and I live in North Dakota. No desert here either, but lots of dirt roads and rough terrain in western ND. As I hinted earlier, nearly all of my driving is simply daily commuting , mostly on pavement. However, on occasion I do venture out into the country to explore. Given that the Raptor is nearly as luxurious as an F-150 Platinum or Limited, but outperforms the aforementioned models in every other aspect, how could you go possibly wrong with your Raptor.The Raptor also holds its value better than any other truck when it comes time to trade or sell it. Do not question your decision, just enjoy every moment. Like you and I, most Raptor owners will never race in the Baja 1000 or any similar race, which is what the Raptor was designed for. Just know, that if you wanted to, that you have a vehicle that is ready for it.

 

[xrocket21]

I think I used up most of my suspension travel hitting the frost heaves up past greenville!

 

[Macca]

Regarding the use of your of Raptors,well unfortunately we dont all live on top of a mountain! Where i live,and of course we have 330days of sunshine, i have access to the 4x4 beaches, Fraser Is and surrounded by 60% State Forests.Consequently it is very difficult to keep my Raptor clean.
Any dirt road just ends up all over the body work.these big wheels dont help.
Unfortunately all our tracks etc are narrowed to Land Cruiser width so imagine ploughing through sand,mud and overhanging brush on narrow tracks. .scratches etc.
Having said all this, i am very much like you guys and 60% on road.
Either way, this Raptor is great to pilot and a real asset to Ford.It is definitely a standout where ever i go.

 

[cddawgs]

you and me are peas in a pod. Im in Middle Ga. and doubt very seriously she'll ever see dirt. But man is it a Great truck!

 

[coder]

It's overkill but isn't that the point!

 

[Hawaiian Time]

It might feel like overkill until you are coming home from work during a snow squall, put it in All Wheel Drive Snow Mode and breeze right up that last hill to your house in 6" of snow or that day there was a thunderstorm Gully Washer that left 12" of mud across the road on the way to the store and your Raptor went right through no problem.

Or when that Fart Can Civic is reving up next to you at the light, you press Sport Mode and Bu Bye Fart Can!

That is the point!

Aloha, HT