Soon to be NEW Maverick Owner!

[rodelco]

Hello all. My name is Rod, and I have a 2026 Hybrid AWD Lariat on order, so I have been checking out your forums for good tips on owning and getting the most out of this new vehicle. I probably won't see it until after the first of the year, so I have some time to learn more about what I am getting.

I am over 70 years old, retired, and have NEVER owned any type of pickup truck. I am a hobbyist woodworker, so I need to occasionally haul some 8 ft lumber home. I have been using a GMC Terrain for the last 6 years because it has a flat fold front passenger seat, so I have room for these long boards. They don't make them with that seat anymore, so I thought I would try a small pickup this time.

A friend of mine just bought a 2025 XLT FWD Hybrid, and he is loving his, so I started looking at them, and really liked what I found. The first thing I am going to get for it is some type of bed cover; probably a soft roll-up type, so I will be looking through the forums for ideas about that.

Thanks for letting me join!

Jan 11, 2026 Update.

I finally got my new Maverick on Jan 7th, 2026! I have been told that I had a very short wait, but it felt like a long time. So far I am very pleased with it. I have been spending the last several days installing some of the accessories and add-ons that I read about on these forums and purchased during my "long" waiting period. So far I have installed a Tailgate Assist, a Tailgate Hole Cover, a Rear Bumper Cover Plate, a Underbody Cavity Shield, Rear Wheel Splash Shield Covers, Hood Water Barriers, and an Autosaver88 soft rollup tonneau cover! I will continue to follow this forum to help me learn more about my new Maverick!

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[retrojet]

Flags... or, https://www.mavericktruckclub.com/f...headache-rack-install-pt-2-much-better.27923/ …Happy New Truck Year, and welcome to the club!

 

[OleFordGuy]

Welcome Rod I think you’re gonna really like the little truck, I have mine and I’m in similar spot in life as you, matter of fact I think 50% or more are boomers or beyond

 

[Edge Haley]

Hello all. My name is Rod, and I have a 2026 Hybrid AWD Lariat on order, so I have been checking out your forums for good tips on owning and getting the most out of this new vehicle. I probably won't see it until after the first of the year, so I have some time to learn more about what I am getting.

I am over 70 years old, retired, and have NEVER owned any type of pickup truck. I am a hobbyist woodworker, so I need to occasionally haul some 8 ft lumber home. I have been using a GMC Terrain for the last 6 years because it has a flat fold front passenger seat, so I have room for these long boards. They don't make them with that seat anymore, so I thought I would try a small pickup this time.

A friend of mine just bought a 2025 XLT FWD Hybrid, and he is loving his, so I started looking at them, and really liked what I found. The first thing I am going to get for it is some type of bed cover; probably a soft roll-up type, so I will be looking through the forums for ideas about that.

Thanks for letting me join!

I've had pickups before...no need for 20+ years but saw the Maverick and liked what I saw. I do wood project also...Last vehicle was a Honda Element, removable rear seats and front fold down seats and I could haul 10' 2x4's or trim....The Honda Element can carry way more lumber than the Maverick due to seats....Maverick 4.5 bed is very limiting but I have a 6x8 trailer that is a simple solution that works for lumber.

You will love the 42-44 mpg of the Hybrid. Have had both the Hybrid and EcoBoost and the MPG of the Hybrid is a winner.

 

[OleFordGuy]

One other thought/suggestion for ya Rod, for the long length lumber, i purchased one of these extenders linked below and have been very pleased. Great when you don't want to mess with a trailer.
https://www.amazon.com/PENSUN-Desig...eywords=B09BQ59QZH&qid=1761433322&sr=8-1&th=1

 

[dhaskit]

Welcome aboard, Rod.
You are going to love your Maverick when it arrives.

 

[rk06382]

Welcome to the Maverick Truck Club forum from Alaska!

Please post pictures of your new Maverick.

 

[Cancunbadlands]

Bienvenido Welcome greetings from the #cancunbadlands

Hi Rod you got a smart friend! Congratulations for your new 2026MY Maverick!

 

[Hunters Edge]

Hello and welcome to MTC. I think it will work great for your needs and much much more.

Hope you enjoy your new truck. I would put some thought on your tonneau cover. I originally was thinking soft tonneau cover, same or similar to you. After reading flapping noise and the extra weight of wet snow and added security I opted for a cheap hard tonneau cover off Amazon. No regrets so far it has worked flawlessly. I have had to remove it like 2 or 3 times and fold it up about 4 or 5 times. That's not bad for a little over a year and a half. With no flapping noise and able to brush off heavy wet snow. If I can I use a electric snow blower rather than a bush broom but at times it's necessary still beats shoveling snow out of the bed.

I can't remember all the stuff I have hauled but yesterday I picked up a electric hoist, hardware needed and stopped by Hone Depot for 2x4s then remembered I needed 1x4s for shelving in deer blinds. No a lot be frank but angled the tailgate then angled the stock and tied it all down using a ratchet strap. Half-hour later stacking it in the barn

Best of luck with whatever you decide. I think you are going to really enjoy your new truck

 

[Suzukiridr14]

Hello all. My name is Rod, and I have a 2026 Hybrid AWD Lariat on order, so I have been checking out your forums for good tips on owning and getting the most out of this new vehicle. I probably won't see it until after the first of the year, so I have some time to learn more about what I am getting.

I am over 70 years old, retired, and have NEVER owned any type of pickup truck. I am a hobbyist woodworker, so I need to occasionally haul some 8 ft lumber home. I have been using a GMC Terrain for the last 6 years because it has a flat fold front passenger seat, so I have room for these long boards. They don't make them with that seat anymore, so I thought I would try a small pickup this time.

A friend of mine just bought a 2025 XLT FWD Hybrid, and he is loving his, so I started looking at them, and really liked what I found. The first thing I am going to get for it is some type of bed cover; probably a soft roll-up type, so I will be looking through the forums for ideas about that.

Thanks for letting me join!

Look at a trifold bed cover, they are a lot easier to open, and close by yourself. Also you can fold the rear section open, and let the long boards stick out over the tailgate without removing the whole cover.

 

[grandpa_disney]

Hello all. My name is Rod, and I have a 2026 Hybrid AWD Lariat on order, so I have been checking out your forums for good tips on owning and getting the most out of this new vehicle. I probably won't see it until after the first of the year, so I have some time to learn more about what I am getting.

I am over 70 years old, retired, and have NEVER owned any type of pickup truck. I am a hobbyist woodworker, so I need to occasionally haul some 8 ft lumber home. I have been using a GMC Terrain for the last 6 years because it has a flat fold front passenger seat, so I have room for these long boards. They don't make them with that seat anymore, so I thought I would try a small pickup this time.

A friend of mine just bought a 2025 XLT FWD Hybrid, and he is loving his, so I started looking at them, and really liked what I found. The first thing I am going to get for it is some type of bed cover; probably a soft roll-up type, so I will be looking through the forums for ideas about that.

Thanks for letting me join!

Welcome to the club!

One danger is that you will be looking for excuses to drive your truck! I sure do! That surprised me. I put on a ARE Cap so I can haul my 2 senior labs around. Makes for a nice weather tight cargo area. One mistake was not adding in the headliner. The ARE interior surfaces are rough. I will probably coat it myself to smooth it out.

Enjoy and Send Pics when you get your delivery!

 

[rodelco]

Hello and welcome to MTC. I think it will work great for your needs and much much more.

Hope you enjoy your new truck. I would put some thought on your tonneau cover. I originally was thinking soft tonneau cover, same or similar to you. After reading flapping noise and the extra weight of wet snow and added security I opted for a cheap hard tonneau cover off Amazon. No regrets so far it has worked flawlessly. I have had to remove it like 2 or 3 times and fold it up about 4 or 5 times. That's not bad for a little over a year and a half. With no flapping noise and able to brush off heavy wet snow. If I can I use a electric snow blower rather than a bush broom but at times it's necessary still beats shoveling snow out of the bed.

I can't remember all the stuff I have hauled but yesterday I picked up a electric hoist, hardware needed and stopped by Hone Depot for 2x4s then remembered I needed 1x4s for shelving in deer blinds. No a lot be frank but angled the tailgate then angled the stock and tied it all down using a ratchet strap. Half-hour later stacking it in the barn

Best of luck with whatever you decide. I think you are going to really enjoy your new truck

Thanks for your reply. May I ask if you got a tri-fold or a "quad-fold" cover? I don't have any idea of what I would be hauling that would need all of the cover opened, but I don't like the idea of completely covering the rear window (when using a "tri-fold") if I ever did need to. Can you just remove the folding cover (and leave the rails attached). What brand is yours?

Thanks again.

 

[Hunters Edge]

Thanks for your reply. May I ask if you got a tri-fold or a "quad-fold" cover? I don't have any idea of what I would be hauling that would need all of the cover opened, but I don't like the idea of completely covering the rear window (when using a "tri-fold") if I ever did need to. Can you just remove the folding cover (and leave the rails attached). What brand is yours?

Thanks again.

I'm not sure of the brand. Bought through Amazon hard panel trifold. Basically a bifold because the two panel stacks on top of the third panel allowing 2/3rds of the bed for taller stuff. If you need more bed space you remove all three panels. Pretty easy once you figure it out.

Still I thought for $360 delivered if it doesn't last or get damaged it's and easy replacement without breaking the bank. Then adding more security, removing the possibility of it flapping in the wind and also not worrying about added weight from wet snow or removing the snow.

I've only had it a year and a little over a year and a half. One of the times I removed the cover, I went looking for a barbeque grill for a good friend. Shopped like 5 or 6 stores picked one completely stainless inside and out, 4 burner with a side burner. It was already put together so t stuck the tonneau cover in the back seat at an angle. An hours drive to his house and 5 minutes to reattach the cover. Worked out pretty slick, I could have also left it in the side of the bed but I would have had to tie it down.

The light that it came with was junk but I keep a flashlight for emergency use. Read on here about harbor freight having a light with magnet which I purchased later and through it on the side of the bed. For the price it makes it easy in the off chance I need a light.

I didn't order the lux package on XLT that gets a light in the bed. Because they only came with drop in bed liner and in 24 they didn't offer the upgrade to spray in bed liner. I miss the heated mirrors but for 1800 I could buy a carport. So I just park it in the barn instead.

I think you will really enjoy your Maverick. Like another post, keep us updated with pictures once you get it.

 

[riparian]

Hello all. My name is Rod, and I have a 2026 Hybrid AWD Lariat on order, so I have been checking out your forums for good tips on owning and getting the most out of this new vehicle. I probably won't see it until after the first of the year, so I have some time to learn more about what I am getting.

I am over 70 years old, retired, and have NEVER owned any type of pickup truck. I am a hobbyist woodworker, so I need to occasionally haul some 8 ft lumber home. I have been using a GMC Terrain for the last 6 years because it has a flat fold front passenger seat, so I have room for these long boards. They don't make them with that seat anymore, so I thought I would try a small pickup this time.

A friend of mine just bought a 2025 XLT FWD Hybrid, and he is loving his, so I started looking at them, and really liked what I found. The first thing I am going to get for it is some type of bed cover; probably a soft roll-up type, so I will be looking through the forums for ideas about that.

Thanks for letting me join!

Congrats and welcome to the forum.

I think you'll enjoy your Maverick and find it very useful. It works very well for hauling 4x8 sheet goods. Be aware if a project calls for MDF (for paint-grade cabinet door panels, for instance), the Maverick's tailgate opening doesn't handle the 49" panel width typical of MDF as gracefully as it does 48" wide panels.

 

[Cancunbadlands]

Thanks for your reply. May I ask if you got a tri-fold or a "quad-fold" cover? I don't have any idea of what I would be hauling that would need all of the cover opened, but I don't like the idea of completely covering the rear window (when using a "tri-fold") if I ever did need to. Can you just remove the folding cover (and leave the rails attached). What brand is yours?

Thanks again.

Ford OEM

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