I'm having vehicle angst and I'm sure I'm driving Pix nuts right about now. For my business I own a truck that is used for moving gear and towing a trailer. The current truck is an F150 that is great and we leased back in 2012. The lease is up in August so it's time to start the process. The current truck has been great, and I'd probably keep it but there are a few things that I've learned I should have purchased differently, it needs the increased tow capacity, the larger towing mirrors, and the 6.5' bed instead of the 5.5' bed. So this leads me to the new trucks.

For 2015 Ford put some really great safety gear on the trucks that actually makes a lot of sense for what I do with my business and towing. 360° cameras for maneuvering the truck, blind spot and lane departure warnings which is really great when you are towing a 14' long trailer that weighs over 5000 lbs, and a few items like that. The bad thing is they only offer these on the higher trim levels and I just can't believe how expensive trucks have gotten. Pix and I are trying to figure out the money, and I think we are both torn on the issue of cost vs. safety gear. The thing that would bring the cost down is removing the new safety tech, but I really would like every edge I can get in driving a truck and trailer through Los Angeles traffic and around crowded movie studio backlots.

Ummm, sorry about that, I'm sure way more than anyone here really cares to read. I'm just driving myself nuts with this.

oh, I was going to suggest a black one, because they take longer to get adopted. She's pretty.

ND, is there an aftermarket package with that safety gear that doesn't utterly negate the savings of buying a less fancy truck?

I had my eye on one at the Black Cat Rescue, but neither of their current ones are reaching out to me. [link] (I also tried to be a foster with them, but they seem fairly unorganized and it didn't work out...)

Drew, it really sounds like the stuff is worth it given your biz, if thete is a way to swing it. And could potentially save you from some headaches and expenses.

That kitty is very pretty, but that third pic shows she has some skill with bitchface as well. As is right and proper.

ND, is there an aftermarket package with that safety gear that doesn't utterly negate the savings of buying a less fancy truck?

Not really. Ford is the first to market with some of this gear in a full size truck. Things like the towing payload gear really needs to be done from the factory for it to be done right.

The other manufacturers are playing catch up right now. It was one thing when I had parking assist in my little Ford Focus, but it would really be worth it with a crew cab, long bed pickup truck. I'm fine driving it most of the time, but some of my employees really don't like to drive something that big and are unsure of themselves.

Proximity cats are lovely. Though I'm really happy to have a couple now who prefer to be on or against me. It's warmer! Oh, here comes Pumpkin! (Loki's already sprawled half on my lap.)

Aw, kitties.

Safety does seem like a worthy thing to spend more money on, ND, but I know spending more money is hardly ever easy.

Woo, tommyrot!

I might be done with being productive today. Tired and hungry and all of the food I have needs to be prepared and i really don't feel doing that. Maybe some miso soup will perk me up, that's easy.

sj - there's a case to be made for your whitefont, but, for one thing, Lucious dismisses all his sons one way or another. I don't think it's a very strong parallel.

Would the extra safety features maybe save you some in insurance?