Things to Look for When Shopping for a Pre-Owned Ford F-250

Shopping for a tough pickup that can handle some serious towing and hauling but can also still be your daily driver for your travels around Troy? You should check out a pre-owned Ford F-250. The F-Series has been a popular full-size pickup lineup in the US for decades. Drivers love how customizable the F-Series trucks are, and how reliable they are. If you’re looking for a used Ford F-250 for sale near Troy, we have a huge selection of models at our dealership and are just a short drive away in Albany. When you shop used, you get to explore tons of generations, which is part of the fun.

So, which model years should you be looking at? Today we’re going to go over some notable features that were added in the third and fourth generations. Each one appeals to a slightly different driver, so whether you’re after a powerful truck for towing, a comfortable daily driver, or an adventure-ready model, you should find something among these model years.

The Platinum Edition (2013 and Newer)

No matter what your days look like along this stretch of the Hudson River, you more than likely love to ride in style and comfort. If so, consider a 2013 or newer model, which is when Ford introduced the highly popular Platinum trim. The Platinum trim delivers high-end details, inside and out, offering a VIP experience to those who need a powerful pickup.

First, you should know that the Platinum contains everything that the LARIAT does. That means comfortable front-row bucket seats with a flow-through console that makes it easy to pass items to rear-seat passengers, leather-trimmed seats, 10-way power driver and front-seat passenger seats, a premium sound system, and SYNC with MyTouch, which lets you use your voice for commands like making calls and looking up directions.

So, what does the Platinum add? It gets a beautiful and comfortable leather-wrapped, heated steering wheel to keep your hands warm on cold New York winter mornings. It gets two front chrome tow hooks, which will come in handy when you have to attach recovery gear like chains or tow straps. A tailgate step makes it easier to hop in and out of your bed to grab equipment, tools and more. You’ll also get some striking style add-ons like a satin-chrome tailgate applique and a raised chrome “Platinum” sidebox lettering. Plus, the heated power side mirrors add a memory function to recall your preferred settings. If you like to treat yourself to the finer things, find yourself a used F-250 Platinum model.

Dynamic Hitch Assist (2016 and Newer)

Plan on using your F-250 for a lot of towing jobs, either for work or recreation? There are tons of spots to enjoy outdoor recreation around Rensselaer County, and if you want to hitch a boat or camper to the back of your 2016 or newer F-250, you’ll benefit from the Dynamic Hitch Assist. In 2016, Ford added this helpful feature to its F-Series trucks, which uses the backup camera to depict your truck’s projected path when in reverse. The benefit is that you can see whether or not your truck is headed in the right direction to hitch up to your trailer.

You can make real-time adjustments to the steering, based on guidelines that will appear on the touchscreen, until you’re perfectly in line with your trailer. This is much easier than the old way of having a buddy hop out and be your spotter, trying to explain with hand gestures and verbal cues how much you should turn the wheel.

The LARIAT Sport Package (2019 and Newer)

Looking to have some fun in your F-250? If you shop for a 2019 or newer model, you might just be so lucky as to find one equipped with the LARIAT Sport Package that Ford released in 2019. It’s designed to supercharge your rugged excursions, like dirt bike trips and ATV adventures. You’ll find it on LARIAT Crew Cab 4×4 models, and if you should snag one, you’ll get rear wheel-well liners, which help keep rocks, mud, slush and other debris (you know, the type of stuff found at ATV sites), from getting up in the wheels.

You’ll also get a Tough Bed bedliner, which offers superior protection against dents and scratches—something you might need if you’re transporting hefty vessels and equipment in the bed of your truck. You’ll also get running boards, providing you and your buddies a place to wipe mud off your boots before hopping in the cab. Plus, you’ll enjoy some athletic style details like high-gloss, black painted grille bars and mirror caps, as well as 20-inch premium black-painted aluminum wheels.

Torqshift 10-Speed Automatic Transmission (2020 and Newer)

If you have some serious jobs to tackle up and down the US 4, then you’ll want to check out a 2020 or newer F-250. That’s where you’ll find the Torqshift 10-speed automatic transmission that Ford added to all Super Duty engines starting in 2020. This transmission was designed with hefty jobs in mind, so if you work in construction, agriculture, or a similar industry, it’s a great transmission to have. It’s prepared to deliver exceptional torque when operating in low-gear ratios, offers fast shifts, and boasts overall smooth performance, even when you’re pushing your truck’s towing powers to the limits.

SYNC 4 (2022 and Newer)

If you want intuitive, fast and convenient technology, consider a 2022 Ford F-250. In 2022, Ford released SYNC 4, its infotainment system with a slew of great features for busy individuals. This year’s model got the upgrade of a 12-inch LCD touchscreen. Wireless phone connection for Apple and Android devices became available. The voice recognition system got a boost, capable of understanding more conversational language (so less repeating yourself). Plus, there are connected navigation options, so you can find directions even if you have no cell service or are out of data for the month. SYNC 4 is standard on LARIAT, King Ranch, Platinum, and Limited trims. If you’ve grown accustomed to modern technology in a vehicle, the 2022 or newer F-250 is a good choice.

Explore Our Selection of Used F-250 Models at DePaula Ford

Get ready to find an amazing deal on one of America’s most trusted heavy-duty trucks at DePaula Ford. Just a short drive from Troy, we drive the same roads as our Troy neighbors and travel to the same nearby destinations. So, we know what features are right for life in this area, and we know you’ll like what the F-250 has to offer. The F-Series trucks are some of the longest-lasting, too, so we’re confident that a pre-owned one will deliver great performance for many years to come.

Our friendly team knows the features of every model year and is ready to pair you with your perfect used F-250. Plus, we have an exceptional finance team that can put together the right loan for your financial goals. When the time comes for service, our technicians are F-Series experts. They’ll know the ideal maintenance schedule and parts for your F-250 to keep it running smoothly. Pay us a visit today and drive home in your ideal truck!