Old Smokey 📍

Old Smokey is the nickname I have for my 2026 Ford F-350 SuperDuty which I purchased at the end of March 2026 to replace my former truck, Big Red, a 2011 Chevy Silverado. Why the name Old Smokey? One is it the color is smokey but also it’s the truck that Smokey the Bear drives, at least the latest generation of DEC Forest Ranger trucks tend to be this color gray and built to a similar configuration. Why old? It is a work truck, and while it has some technology, most of the design is tried and true – 6.8L MiniZilla pushrod engine, key ignition, needles for speedometer and all guages, manual climate controls, conventional cruise control.

The Old Smokey truck is a “one-ton” class axle commerical HD pickup truck, extended cab, short bed (6 3/4 foot bed). While the short bed seems small by SuperDuty propotions, it actually is a very good fit for my uses, as it’s long enough to sleep on and camp once I get a camper shell (aka topper or cap) on the truck. It also is reasonably short at 19 1/2 feet, that with the backup camera makes it possible to get into relatively small campsites.

The truck has the FX4 and XL Off Road HD Utility Package, which provides 33-inch Goodyear Wrangler tires, skid plates, specifically tuned off-road shocks, Hill Descent Control, an electronic locking rear differential, a raised air dam for better ground clearance and water-fording vent tubes on the rear axle. It also has dual alternators and batteries, able to supply up to 410 amps of power for camping, and has the upfitter harnasses for additional power and configuraton.

The next step will be ordering the camper shell, moving the solar panel, lead acid batteries, interverter and CB radio to the new truck, and acquiring and installing additional solar panel(s), cellphone booster, and probably a supplemental LiPo battery. By next winter, I also want to add a diesel heater for comfortable winter camping. Stay tuned, as they say. It’s going to be a great rig.

🖼️ Photos
Map: Debar Pond

The SuperDuty – Purpose over Status

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I’ve been spending some time in the cab of my new 2026 SuperDuty lately, just dialing everything in. It’s a work truck, so it’s basic where it counts, but still packed with enough tech to keep things interesting. There’s a certain satisfaction in just sitting there, adjusting the mirrors, and getting a feel for the rig.

Since I drove it home from the dealer—stopping only for a quick hike at Peebles Island—it’s stayed parked. I’m not in a rush to put pointless miles on it. The fuel economy is about what you’d expect for a heavy-duty truck, and I see no reason to burn $4-a-gallon gas just to hit the supermarket when I can ride my bike. I didn’t buy this to warm the planet on grocery runs; I bought it for the long haul and the real adventures.

Getting this deal done was a grind. I had to use every bit of leverage and industry knowledge I had to make sure I got a heavy-duty truck that should last me the next fifteen years. Between the research and the back-and-forth, I swear I’ve earned a few more gray hairs these past few weeks.

In the end, I got exactly what I was after: a no-frills workhorse with the bones for off-roading and camping. Once the truck cap is on and the solar and batteries are wired up, it’ll be a proper rig. I walked away with the title for under $60k cash—no monthly payments, no high-trim nonsense. Now it’s just fuel, insurance, and maintenance.

I’m damn happy with the choice. This truck isn’t a status symbol; it’s a tool I paid for with years of disciplined saving and investing. I’m going to be deliberate with how I use it—saving the engine for the backcountry, trips to see my folks in the country, or reaching those remote preserves where a bike or a bus won’t cut it.

Untitled [Expires April 18 2026]

Map: Taylor Valley State Forest
Map: Shelving Rock Road and Dacy Clearing Road
Map: Severence Hill Trail