Ed If you ever need a tow to put in or out at the start and end of the season I'd be happy to help you out no problem at all.

I bought a full set for my GM from here:
http://www.classictube.com/
All stainless.
Bent and cut to length for your vehicle.

In 2008 I sold a new truck to a friend and sold his Excursion for him. Me and the wife picked the guy up at TC airport. The guy flew here from Utah to buy the 7.3 Excursion. I sold it off Autotrader.

7,3 hell of an engine .. loud as hell clatter clatter .. i have one also in one of our work vans . i think my neibors hate that truck at 5 in the morning )

i buy all my trucks in utah .. watts automotive by salt lake .. 8 trucks and counting , no salt there ..

I bought this 2003 F250 Lariat, 7.3 auto 4x4. I got it in alabama with 200k. Completely rust free. Shows very well. I paid 14k. I now have 300k on it. I have replaced maybe $ 400 in parts over the 100k i have owned it. Awesome truck.

I got a 2003 2500HD 8.1. Love my truck. Have it for 2 years and not one repair.

She's my daily hauler as well and I thint my neighbors feel that same pain at 6:30am lol.

Love her though, just no more drive threws

I think that's a good option.

I know nothing about trucks in the U.S. except to say I'm sure they cost you money and always will, especially as they get older.
Sounds like you don't do a lot of boating but if you enjoy boats, don't get out of it, try to make it more enjoyable. I've now started on the downsize cycle of boat ownership and will probably continue to downsize at every change. There's lots of fun to be had in smaller boats, they're easier to maintain, cheaper to run and can be towed with smaller trucks/cars.

I say go a touch smaller for tow purposes and revive the passion that's starting to fade. Eliminate the costly headaches and enjoy boating again.

RR

Diesel Excursions with low miles, under 130k for all years, both 7.3 and 6.0 are getting pretty pricey on the west coast. I'm kicking myself for selling my 04 6.0 with 180k on it for $12k a few years ago. Now they are in the low $20k range.