Introductions & Welcome Thread 👋

[Joe.....Montana]

Newbie here looking to purchase a Lightning. No towing or long distance road trips; seems like a no brainer! Although I get that towing and long distance road trips can be done.

I live in Billings...we use the Lightning for road trips from April - October primarily traveling to Missoula (my immediate family lives there)...traveling that direction the Billings - Bozeman gap is only "concern"...although there is no concern April - October. Range loss in winter is a very real thing and that is why we don't road trip with the Lightning during winter months...last time we were in Missoula we even got a free overnight charge in the city parking garage that was next to our hotel. One family member who "doesn't quite get EV's" had to pick their jaw up off the floor when I told them the city would be buying me a free "tank of energy".

Sponsored

 

[flabrent]

Hi everyone, I purchased my 2025 Lightning Flash a couple of weeks ago. I look forward to reading through the treads and learning more about the Lightning.

 

[Discwizard70]

Hi everyone, I purchased my 2025 Lightning Flash a couple of weeks ago. I look forward to reading through the treads and learning more about the Lightning.

Nice color choice! I have the 24 Flash ER with the same paint. 23k miles after a year, still absolutely love the truck, confident that you will too.... Welcome!

 

[CD4TNF]

Hi everyone, I purchased my 2025 Lightning Flash a couple of weeks ago. I look forward to reading through the treads and learning more about the Lightning.

Hi there welcome. Hope you'll share any adventures you have with the Lighting with us. Let us know what questions you have about the truck. We have lots of knowledgeable folks here.

 

[Texdan]

Been here a week already! (actually 4 days - seems like a week!)

Thanks for approving my membership!

In the hunt for a LARIAT Lightning -

I've had FORD trucks forever it seems:

'95 F150 Eddie Bauer SC
'99 F150 SC
2000 F250 CC V10
'13 F150 Lariat CC,
'16 F150 Lariat CC,
'19 F250 Lariat CC,
'22 PLATINUM Powerboost CC

 

[CD4TNF]

@Texdan Welcome! Quite the history with the F series. Glad to see you're considering the Lightning to be a worthy successor.

What made you feel like the Lightning is your next pick?

 

[Texdan]

@Texdan Welcome! Quite the history with the F series. Glad to see you're considering the Lightning to be a worthy successor.

What made you feel like the Lightning is your next pick?

We just visited my son (early Aug) in Dallas, and went with him to buy a MACH E GT - blown away by the 0-60 of the MACH E (3.3 sec) and he informed me that the ER Lightning has a 0-60 of 3.8 sec! These are high end sports car numbers so I'm doing my due diligence: love my '22 PB, which is very fast in its own right, but I think the Lightning might be a very cool ride - we'll see if I can get a "deal."

 

[Joe Lightning]

Hi Everyone, I've had an Audi E-tron for over 3 years now, no issues and love the EV experience. So now I'm actively searching for a Lighting Lariat or preferably the Platinum, with low miles. I want the truck to have the 131kw battery, Max Tow and the 9.6KW Pro Power Onboard because I'm building a home and going to be towing possible heavy loads 3-4 times a week 140 miles away. I also have a 9000 lbs boat (all in) I will haul with the lightning. Luckily I already have a 60amp home charger at both locations. Does the Platinum come with all three of those options? Also which ones are already on the Lariat? I think I planned and picked the right truck for the job. Any issues I haven't thought about or need to worry about? thank you in advance for your comments.
Joe

 

[NW Ontario Ford Lightning]

Hi Joe, I would say - check if there are charging stations along your route with pull-through style chargers.
That would mean if you do need to charge on route, you will not be stuck with un-hooking and re-hooking up the trailer if you need to charge while towing.
I almost hate to say it, but the GM Sierra RST with the max-pack may be a better option for you, due to the 200kWh battery, but I don't know the towing stats for that set up, so you would want to check.

 

[Joe Lightning]

Hey Robert, thank you for your input, I see your point. The range on the 131kw battery is at least 300mi, and my distance is less than half of that. I see you're from Canada, if I was up there with your temperatures, I probably wouldn't make it, but I'm in Florida and it's a lot milder here. I need the 9.6kw generator plus all the outlets that the Lightning offers. GM lacks in that dept. and there are some good deals out there on used Lightnings. I found 2 - 2023 Platinums with miles under 16K for just under 50K. There is a pull through location in route, but I was calculating that I shouldn't have to stop. I just need to make it 140 miles and my charger is there. Another point is that it's all flat driving here in FL, no mountains or hills to climb. The boat will be the heaviest thing I'll tow, and that will always be under 50 miles distance. You still think I wont make it?
Thanks, Joe

 

[NW Ontario Ford Lightning]

Joe I would look for a 2024, and not because that is my MY, but because of the heat pump they added in 2024, and the features they took away from the truck in 2025.

Your summer A/C requirement in Florida may kill more kWh per mile than my heating load. This is due to the ambient heat outside plus the battery/motors generating heat towing.
Flat terrain is a help for sure.
If you have a pull through charger along your route, I think you are set. You may not need it but even if you just need a 10-15-minute top-up during your trip, at least it will be painless and not take longer than a pee-break.
Good luck - hope you find the perfect truck. And then post your experience for us to see !

 

[Joe Lightning]

Hey Robert, thank you for your comment, I didn't know about the heat pump. This is why these forums are so helpful. The dealers don't offer info like that, they just want to sell whatever they currently have in inventory. When I get my truck, I will definitely post my experience towing to my destination and back with the loaded trailer. Thanks again, your comments are really appreciated.
Joe

 

[Joe Lightning]

Hi Joe, I would say - check if there are charging stations along your route with pull-through style chargers.
That would mean if you do need to charge on route, you will not be stuck with un-hooking and re-hooking up the trailer if you need to charge while towing.
I almost hate to say it, but the GM Sierra RST with the max-pack may be a better option for you, due to the 200kWh battery, but I don't know the towing stats for that set up, so you would want to check.

Hey Robert, I looked into the GM EV's again, and I think I'd rather put the extra 15-20K into my house. I think the Lightning is a better option for less $ and I think it will get the job done. I also like the Pro Power onboard better. I found a lot of guys having issues with the Silverado EV. The Hummer's had a lot of problems, and I'm worried they spilled over to the pickups. Here's just one example:

@addisonlehman2865
2 months ago

I have the Silverado EV lt. Already the Wi-Fi is broken no communication with app.. No maps working. All apps in truck not working .. I've had a high voltage error already too. These trucks are bad. Very bad. Nothing works as advertised. Do not buy one!!!!
That's a copy and paste from YouTube comments.
Joe

 

[NW Ontario Ford Lightning]

nice thing these days is being able to find real owners of stuff and hear their experience and comments. Sure helps to bring attention to possible problems, then you check into it for yourself.

As a 2024 lighting owner, compared with the 2023, I think the heat pump is a good improvement, and worth checking into.

People complain the Lightning 'doesn't hold it's value' = you should be able to find a great deal on a used one.

 

[Joe Lightning]

Totally Agreed! Thanks again for your input and advice, very much appreciated.
Joe

Sponsored