The Road to Ford Raptor Rally 003: Join the Ultimate Convoy to Lake Havasu

By Tim Bartz, Ford Video Guy Tim Bartz and Sarah Davis sat down with a very special guest: Tony Cavalli, the co-founder and CEO of Raptor Nation. For anyone driving a Ford Raptor—or dreaming of getting behind the wheel of one—this interview was packed with insights on community, off-roading, and the exciting world of aftermarket custom builds. Here is what you need to know about joining the ultimate Raptor pack. What is Raptor Nation? Simply put, Raptor Nation is a community built by Raptor owners for Raptor owners. Whether you drive an F-150 Raptor, a Bronco Raptor, a Ranger Raptor, or the powerhouse Raptor R, this organization exists to bring enthusiasts together. Tony and his co-founder Tyson started Raptor Nation after realizing that while Raptor owners were incredibly passionate, the community was scattered across the country. They wanted to create a centralized hub where owners could easily find reliable information, trusted aftermarket parts, and local clubs. The Four Pillars of the Pack Raptor Nation operates on four foundational pillars to ensure every member gets the most out of their vehicle and their community: Educating: Helping owners learn more about their vehicles' capabilities and the latest aftermarket products so they can walk away stronger and more informed. Connecting: Bringing people together, whether through linking individuals to local off-road clubs or organizing national convoys. Celebrating: Providing a platform for owners to share their milestones. Buying a Raptor is a dream come true for many, and the community loves to celebrate those moments. Strengthening: A newly added pillar focused on fortifying the off-road community as a whole, bringing unity to the "power of the pack." The Perks of Premium Membership During the interview, Tony shared a staggering statistic: 80% of Raptor owners modify their vehicles. Knowing this, Raptor Nation offers a Premium Membership for just $50 a year. This membership pays for itself quickly, offering incredible perks like: Discounts on aftermarket parts, gear, and apparel from partnered vendors. Early access to high-demand, cutting-edge products (like 3D-printed suspension parts and bump stops). Exclusive access and ticketing opportunities for events, such as NASCAR VIP experiences and the highly anticipated Raptor Rally in Lake Havasu. Consultative services for planning your ultimate vehicle build. Join the Pack As the off-roading calendar heats up with events like the Raptor Rally and the Rebelle Rally, there has never been a better time to get involved. You can find out more about Tony and the community by visiting RaptorNation.com and following them on social media. And if you are looking to start your own off-road journey, check out Long McArthur Ford's inventory of custom-built, trail-ready trucks and SUVs! Tim Bartz has worked for Long McArthur Ford since 2001. He is considered an expert when it comes to Ford product information and news.

By Tim Bartz, Ford Video Guy If you’ve been waiting to order a new Ford Bronco, we recently got some incredible insights from our latest dealership wholesale call. Ford gave us a peek behind the curtain regarding scheduling, and there are some massive changes coming down the pipeline for the upcoming 2027 model year. Let's dive into exactly what you need to know before you build your next rig. Mark Your Calendars: 2027 Order Banks Open Soon The question on everyone's mind is always, "When can I actually place my order?" According to the latest notes, Ford is tentatively planning to open the order banks for the 2027 Ford Bronco on October 13th. Ford also mentioned opening the Ranger and Mustang order banks on that exact same day. Historically, managing that many order banks on a single day is difficult for the system, so they may space them out—but for now, keep your eyes on mid-October. Say Goodbye to These Two Colors One of the biggest clues we get about what's changing for a new model year is when certain paint options "balance out" early. For December production, Ford is balancing out two notable colors: Velocity Blue and the Raptor-exclusive Shelter Green. When a color isn't available for the final month of the current model year's production, it is almost always a guarantee that it's being discontinued for the following year. If you've been dreaming of a Velocity Blue build, your window is closing fast. A Powertrain Shakeup: Is the 2.7L Engine Done? This is where things get really interesting. Ford has advised dealers to shift Outer Banks orders away from the 2.7L engine and toward the 2.3L engine to get them scheduled faster due to constraints. Even more telling, Ford told us to focus on the 2.3L engine for the Badlands with the Wildtrak package. If you remember the original Bronco launch, you had to have the 2.7L engine to get the Wildtrak package. The fact that the 2.3L is now an option there signals a huge shift. My prediction? The 2.7L EcoBoost is likely going away entirely for 2027, and we are going to see the 3.0L engine step in as the replacement. We saw Ford make this exact same engine swap with the F-150 lineup, and the writing seems to be on the wall for the Bronco. An Insider Ordering Strategy So, what should you do if you're on the fence? Do you lock in a late 2026 build to guarantee you get what you want, or do you wait to see the official 2027 specs? Here is a little trick: do both. Go ahead and place your 2026 order right now. Ford won't actually start scheduling those late December production dates until the week the new order banks open. Once the 2027 order guide officially drops on October 13th, you can review the new changes. If you don't like the new lineup, your 2026 order is safely in the system (assuming your dealer has the allocation). If you decide the 2027 upgrades are worth it, you can simply cancel the '26 order and place a new one. For a brief window, both order banks will be open, giving you the ultimate flexibility. We’ll keep bringing you the updates as soon as they drop, so keep checking back. Stay positive, be kind to one another, and we'll catch you in the next update! Tim Bartz has worked for Long McArthur Ford since 2001. He is considered an expert when it comes to Ford product information and news.

By Tim Bartz, Ford Video Guy As a Ford owner or enthusiast, staying on top of the latest software drops, accessory packages, and pricing shifts is crucial to getting the most out of your vehicle. From highly anticipated F-150 towing capabilities to new custom F-150 stripe packages, there is plenty of news coming out of Dearborn this month. Here is a comprehensive breakdown of the latest dealer news and insider information to keep you up to speed. 🛻 F-150 Gets Hands-Free BlueCruise Towing For truck owners who regularly haul, the highway experience is getting a massive upgrade: Hands-free towing is now available for BlueCruise on the F-150. If you plan to utilize this feature, here are the essential guidelines: Towing Capacity: Standard BlueCruise with towing supports trailer weights up to 5,000 lbs. If your F-150 is equipped with the Tow/Haul package and the Max Tow axle, that capacity doubles to 10,000 lbs (or your maximum vehicle towing capacity, whichever is less). Trailer Profiles: To engage BlueCruise while towing, you must first create a unique trailer profile in your vehicle's system. It is designed for conventional trailers and features smart sensors that will automatically disengage if it detects the trailer is too large, improperly loaded, or begins to sway. Manual Lane Changes: For safety, hands-free lane changes and automatic in-lane repositioning are disabled when a trailer is connected. All lane changes will need to be executed manually. Note: BlueCruise hardware is available on the F-150 XLT 302A equipment group and above. 🎨 Ford Custom Garage: Premium Two-Tone Packages The aftermarket and custom build scene has always been a massive part of truck culture, and Ford is officially leaning into it with their new Ford Custom Garage packages. Right now, the spotlight is on a striking painted two-tone stripe package for the F-150. Owners can choose between a white, gray, or black stripe depending on their truck's base color. To qualify for this package, the F-150 must be a SuperCrew with the 5.5-foot box in either the XLT or Lariat trim, and it requires the Chrome package. Instead of a standard vinyl wrap, this is a premium painted finish executed by Penske, bringing the package cost to roughly $12,000. It is a bold aesthetic choice for buyers who want a custom-shop look straight from the dealership. 💵 Navigating F-150 Price Increases & Price Protection Finally, navigating vehicle pricing requires attention to detail, especially when mid-year adjustments occur. Ford recently implemented a minor base price increase across all F-150 trim levels, bumping costs up by $320 to $330. While it is a relatively small jump, buyers who already have an F-150 on order need to be aware of a crucial dealer tip: price protection. Anything ordered prior to this price hike should be price-protected to the MSRP listed when you initially ordered the vehicle. When your truck arrives at the lot and the dealership pulls your available incentives, verify that they are using your protect date. The Strategy: Always compare the numbers. If the current factory rebates are actually better now than they were when you placed your order, you might be better off accepting the new $320 base price increase if it unlocks significantly larger current rebates. Always calculate the sale date incentives versus the protect date incentives to maximize your savings. Staying informed on these factory updates and pricing strategies ensures you are maximizing both your vehicle's capabilities and your budget. As always, navigate the road ahead with confidence, stay positive, be kind to one another, and enjoy the drive. Tim Bartz has worked for Long McArthur Ford since 2001. He is considered an expert when it comes to Ford product information and news.