Introductions & Welcome Thread 👋

[prophetdeafening]

I’ll keep the Ridgeline theme going. I’ve had a first gen Ridgeline for about 4 years, but I’m ready to move on. One thing I love is the trunk in the bed, so the lightning frunk is a big plus for me. I won’t miss the 15mpg I get in my mostly city driving. I’m currently in the market for a used Lariet ER on a tight budget.

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[qsealy]

Finally got myself a Lightning! Meet Blu, a 2023 Lariat with ER and Pro Power Onboard! I purchased it on June 6, 2025. I’ve already taken it on a trip to Panama City Beach, Florida, from Atlanta, Georgia, with my wife. We had a blast and enjoyed being able to connect to Tesla chargers during the trip.

I’m delighted to discover this forum and eager to join. I’m looking forward to inspiring and encouraging others, and to be inspired myself. 

 

[Doctors Do Little]

You are already way ahead of me! My first road trip this week without a Tesla adapter was fraught with frustrations on crappy EA and EVGo chargers…
Nice truck!

 

[ivegotmyowngas]

Stoked to be a part of the forum! Long time lurker. Hello from New Mexico! I'm a recent trade up from a Model Y. Proud owner of a new to me 2022 Lariat SR. Aside from software, better than the Tesla in just about every way so far.

Happy Sunday everyone.

 

[prophetdeafening]

I’ll keep the Ridgeline theme going. I’ve had a first gen Ridgeline for about 4 years, but I’m ready to move on. One thing I love is the trunk in the bed, so the lightning frunk is a big plus for me. I won’t miss the 15mpg I get in my mostly city driving. I’m currently in the market for a used Lariet ER on a tight budget.

I made it happen! I picked up a ‘22 Star White Lariat ER with 54k miles yesterday. Without tax, I was OTD for $41,139. I wanted to find one sub $40k, but this was a color I wanted and it had some nice aftermarket upgrades. Smooth drive 5 hours back home following ABRP.

 

[Doctors Do Little]

That’s nice! What were some of the upgrades?

 

[prophetdeafening]

That’s nice! What were some of the upgrades?

Newer Michelin tires, mud flaps, front window tint, husky liners, illuminated front badge, tri-fold bed cover, bed rug, and 3D printed rear hvac extensions. Basically anything I would have added, except the rotary shifter, but I’m working on that.

 

[NeighborGeek]

Hey all! I just joined the club on Monday, with a dark blue 2025 Flash. This forum has already saved (or cost, depending on point of view) me some money. With the coupon code and amex rewards that I read about here, I just ordered a hood protector and splash guards from Ford's site. I still want to get a Tonneau cover and box extender as well, but wanted to shop around and do some research on those before buying.
I've never owned a full size truck before. Honestly, I've been known to complain about how big they seem to have gotten these days. But, I find myself having to haul more stuff on a regular basis, and my small SUV's towing capacity was a little below what I needed. We sat in a Maverick and decided the back seat wasn't comfortable for long trips, and my wife drives a Bolt EUV that we love, so I wanted to go electric. Lots of little needs (or mostly wants) and I ended up with a lightning. It's going to take some getting used to though, coming from a Tucson that had plenty of extra room in every parking space to an F150 that can barely be contained within the lines.

Thanks to everyone here for sharing info so others can learn from your experience!

 

[NeighborGeek]

Finally got myself a Lightning! Meet Blu, a 2023 Lariat with ER and Pro Power Onboard! I purchased it on June 6, 2025. I’ve already taken it on a trip to Panama City Beach, Florida, from Atlanta, Georgia, with my wife. We had a blast and enjoyed being able to connect to Tesla chargers during the trip.

I’m delighted to discover this forum and eager to join. I’m looking forward to inspiring and encouraging others, and to be inspired myself. 

Any particular reason you parked sideways and blocked other chargers? I haven't used public chargers with my truck yet, but would think it should work to pull in front first at most locations

 

[Doctors Do Little]

Hey all! I just joined the club on Monday, with a dark blue 2025 Flash. This forum has already saved (or cost, depending on point of view) me some money. With the coupon code and amex rewards that I read about here, I just ordered a hood protector and splash guards from Ford's site. I still want to get a Tonneau cover and box extender as well, but wanted to shop around and do some research on those before buying.
I've never owned a full size truck before. Honestly, I've been known to complain about how big they seem to have gotten these days. But, I find myself having to haul more stuff on a regular basis, and my small SUV's towing capacity was a little below what I needed. We sat in a Maverick and decided the back seat wasn't comfortable for long trips, and my wife drives a Bolt EUV that we love, so I wanted to go electric. Lots of little needs (or mostly wants) and I ended up with a lightning. It's going to take some getting used to though, coming from a Tucson that had plenty of extra room in every parking space to an F150 that can barely be contained within the lines.

Thanks to everyone here for sharing info so others can learn from your experience!

Welcome! As for tonneau cover, is function or form most important? Soft/foldable will get the job done but retractable (manual or electric) covers are certainly cooler, imo. Bed extenders can range from simple to complex, depending on use case.

 

[Discwizard70]

Hey all! I just joined the club on Monday, with a dark blue 2025 Flash. This forum has already saved (or cost, depending on point of view) me some money. With the coupon code and amex rewards that I read about here, I just ordered a hood protector and splash guards from Ford's site. I still want to get a Tonneau cover and box extender as well, but wanted to shop around and do some research on those before buying.
I've never owned a full size truck before. Honestly, I've been known to complain about how big they seem to have gotten these days. But, I find myself having to haul more stuff on a regular basis, and my small SUV's towing capacity was a little below what I needed. We sat in a Maverick and decided the back seat wasn't comfortable for long trips, and my wife drives a Bolt EUV that we love, so I wanted to go electric. Lots of little needs (or mostly wants) and I ended up with a lightning. It's going to take some getting used to though, coming from a Tucson that had plenty of extra room in every parking space to an F150 that can barely be contained within the lines.

Thanks to everyone here for sharing info so others can learn from your experience!

I got this retractable one from Amazon, it had good reviews, was relatively inexpensive, and has been great as I haul work equipment and need lock it waterproof, but also hauling camping /kayaking equipment with it open.

 

[NeighborGeek]

Welcome! As for tonneau cover, is function or form most important? Soft/foldable will get the job done but retractable (manual or electric) covers are certainly cooler, imo. Bed extenders can range from simple to complex, depending on use case.

I love the idea of a retractable, but I think it's more important that the cover doesn't block any of the bed when fully open. I haven't done a test load of all my stuff I haul to the local market every week, but I expect most of it to be taller than the top of the bed and that I'll need every square inch I can get. I'll have to load it all up tonight or tomorrow and see how it fits. Bed extender is for the same use case, I'm not sure I'll get 6 folding tables, 6 of the 27 gallon yellow/black totes, and my canopy in the bed as is, but am hopeful that the extra space with the extender might make the difference.
Ideally, I want the box extender to fold up out of the way when not in use, but a non-folding version would work as long as it's easy to remove during the week and reinstall on weekends.

 

[Doctors Do Little]

I got this retractable one from Amazon, it had good reviews, was relatively inexpensive, and has been great as I haul work equipment and need lock it waterproof, but also hauling camping /kayaking equipment with it open.

Do you have a link? Looks good.

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