Bronco or F150? Need advice

Looking at two options:

  1. OBX/Badlands SAS 4D 2.7 Bronco

OR

  1. F150 XLT/Lariat.

I use the bed of a truck (borrowed or rented) about twice a month. A trailer for the Bronco could work. I like the flexibility of an F150 and can easily toss stuff in the bed when needed, but the Bronco looks cool and with the top off, it’s pulling me in that direction. I don’t need a truck bed for daily driving, and I like driving with the windows down, so the Bronco is slightly winning. But when I see trucks or need a truck bed for weekend stuff, it’s handy!

Family of 4, with 2 dogs. We’re outdoors a lot, sports, beach trips, etc. Looking for opinions on which might fit better for us with younger kids (both under 6).

With kids and dogs, I’d go with a crew cab F150 and put a topper on the back. It’ll give you more space, and your kids will need more room as they grow. If your dogs are big, you can throw them in the back, and if they get dirty, it’s easier to deal with. I have an old full-size Bronco, and while it’s fun, it wouldn’t be great for longer trips with dogs and kids.

Kyrie said:
With kids and dogs, I’d go with a crew cab F150 and put a topper on the back. It’ll give you more space, and your kids will need more room as they grow. If your dogs are big, you can throw them in the back, and if they get dirty, it’s easier to deal with. I have an old full-size Bronco, and while it’s fun, it wouldn’t be great for longer trips with dogs and kids.

Thanks for the insight! This helps a lot. Not leasing, so thinking long-term here.

F150 for sure. The Bronco is great (we have one), but it’s too small inside for a family of 4 with 2 dogs. We also have an F150, and that’s the main family vehicle. We did a 2-week road trip with the Bronco (just 2 adults), and it was packed. No way we could’ve added kids and dogs. With the F150, you can flip up the single seat for the dogs and still have space for the kids. A tonneau cover gives you lots of storage too.

JANET said:
F150 for sure. The Bronco is great (we have one), but it’s too small inside for a family of 4 with 2 dogs. We also have an F150, and that’s the main family vehicle. We did a 2-week road trip with the Bronco (just 2 adults), and it was packed. No way we could’ve added kids and dogs. With the F150, you can flip up the single seat for the dogs and still have space for the kids. A tonneau cover gives you lots of storage too.

Haha, thanks! This really helps! I’m more into function than looks, and the F150 seems more practical.

These are two very different vehicles. If it’s your only car, I’d lean towards the Bronco with a trailer. It’s got more interior room for the family and dogs. If you have another vehicle for family trips, maybe go with the F150. When it comes to hauling stuff, a truck is just easier. No need to mess with a trailer for quick errands.

Dashiell said:
These are two very different vehicles. If it’s your only car, I’d lean towards the Bronco with a trailer. It’s got more interior room for the family and dogs. If you have another vehicle for family trips, maybe go with the F150. When it comes to hauling stuff, a truck is just easier. No need to mess with a trailer for quick errands.

Thanks for the advice! We have a VW GLI as a second car.

Dashiell said:
These are two very different vehicles. If it’s your only car, I’d lean towards the Bronco with a trailer. It’s got more interior room for the family and dogs. If you have another vehicle for family trips, maybe go with the F150. When it comes to hauling stuff, a truck is just easier. No need to mess with a trailer for quick errands.

Just to clarify, the Bronco has about half the space inside compared to the F150. I own both.

JANET said:

Dashiell said:
These are two very different vehicles. If it’s your only car, I’d lean towards the Bronco with a trailer. It’s got more interior room for the family and dogs. If you have another vehicle for family trips, maybe go with the F150. When it comes to hauling stuff, a truck is just easier. No need to mess with a trailer for quick errands.

Just to clarify, the Bronco has about half the space inside compared to the F150. I own both.

Thanks! Space is important, but we try to pack light. Biggest loads are usually beach trips.

Do you haul or tow often? If so, go with the F150.

Zabeen said:
Do you haul or tow often? If so, go with the F150.

Not much! That’s why I’m torn, haha.

MarthFina said:

Zabeen said:
Do you haul or tow often? If so, go with the F150.

Not much! That’s why I’m torn, haha.

Maybe 1-5 times a year with a trailer to help others. I haul stuff monthly, and I’d probably do more if I had a truck.

MarthFina said:

MarthFina said:
Zabeen said:
Do you haul or tow often? If so, go with the F150.

Not much! That’s why I’m torn, haha.

Maybe 1-5 times a year with a trailer to help others. I haul stuff monthly, and I’d probably do more if I had a truck.

You’ll want a truck then. The Bronco’s max tow is 3500 lbs.

Zabeen said:

MarthFina said:
MarthFina said:
Zabeen said:
Do you haul or tow often? If so, go with the F150.

Not much! That’s why I’m torn, haha.

Maybe 1-5 times a year with a trailer to help others. I haul stuff monthly, and I’d probably do more if I had a truck.

You’ll want a truck then. The Bronco’s max tow is 3500 lbs.

Yeah, that’s one hesitation I have. Thanks!

MarthFina said:

Zabeen said:
MarthFina said:
MarthFina said:
Zabeen said:
Do you haul or tow often? If so, go with the F150.

Not much! That’s why I’m torn, haha.

Maybe 1-5 times a year with a trailer to help others. I haul stuff monthly, and I’d probably do more if I had a truck.

You’ll want a truck then. The Bronco’s max tow is 3500 lbs.

Yeah, that’s one hesitation I have. Thanks!

Also, adding people and gear lowers your towing capacity. Have you thought about an F150 Tremor?

Zabeen said:

MarthFina said:
Zabeen said:
MarthFina said:
MarthFina said:
Zabeen said:
Do you haul or tow often? If so, go with the F150.

Not much! That’s why I’m torn, haha.

Maybe 1-5 times a year with a trailer to help others. I haul stuff monthly, and I’d probably do more if I had a truck.

You’ll want a truck then. The Bronco’s max tow is 3500 lbs.

Yeah, that’s one hesitation I have. Thanks!

Also, adding people and gear lowers your towing capacity. Have you thought about an F150 Tremor?

Yeah, that’s in my budget. I’ve looked at a few XLTs and Lariats. What do you think of the Tremor?

MarthFina said:

Zabeen said:
MarthFina said:
Zabeen said:
MarthFina said:
MarthFina said:
Zabeen said:
Do you haul or tow often? If so, go with the F150.

Not much! That’s why I’m torn, haha.

Maybe 1-5 times a year with a trailer to help others. I haul stuff monthly, and I’d probably do more if I had a truck.

You’ll want a truck then. The Bronco’s max tow is 3500 lbs.

Yeah, that’s one hesitation I have. Thanks!

Also, adding people and gear lowers your towing capacity. Have you thought about an F150 Tremor?

Yeah, that’s in my budget. I’ve looked at a few XLTs and Lariats. What do you think of the Tremor?

Tremor is a great mix of off-road ability and towing capacity. You can get it with either a 5.0 V8 or 3.5 EcoBoost.

Zabeen said:

MarthFina said:
MarthFina said:
Zabeen said:
Do you haul or tow often? If so, go with the F150.

Not much! That’s why I’m torn, haha.

Maybe 1-5 times a year with a trailer to help others. I haul stuff monthly, and I’d probably do more if I had a truck.

You’ll want a truck then. The Bronco’s max tow is 3500 lbs.

How do you know he needs a truck? He didn’t say what he’s putting in the bed.

Brandy said:

Zabeen said:
MarthFina said:
MarthFina said:
Zabeen said:
Do you haul or tow often? If so, go with the F150.

Not much! That’s why I’m torn, haha.

Maybe 1-5 times a year with a trailer to help others. I haul stuff monthly, and I’d probably do more if I had a truck.

You’ll want a truck then. The Bronco’s max tow is 3500 lbs.

How do you know he needs a truck? He didn’t say what he’s putting in the bed.

Mentioning trailers and hauling pretty much means truck. The Bronco is fun, but it doesn’t have much room.

Zabeen said:

Brandy said:
Zabeen said:
MarthFina said:
MarthFina said:
Zabeen said:
Do you haul or tow often? If so, go with the F150.

Not much! That’s why I’m torn, haha.

Maybe 1-5 times a year with a trailer to help others. I haul stuff monthly, and I’d probably do more if I had a truck.

You’ll want a truck then. The Bronco’s max tow is 3500 lbs.

How do you know he needs a truck? He didn’t say what he’s putting in the bed.

Mentioning trailers and hauling pretty much means truck. The Bronco is fun, but it doesn’t have much room.

I don’t agree. If he’s just hauling dirt bikes or an ATV, you wouldn’t need a truck for that.