Ford's lineup of Super Duty trucks has a tough, rugged look that matches its
fantastic work ability and with the right options, it can tow over 7 tons. While it's not
nearly as comfortable and classy as the latest F-150's cabin, the inside of Ford's Super
Duty work truck is still fairly nice.
The F-series Super Duty - called the F-250 or F-350 depending on its
layout - looks an awful lot like the new and popular F-150, but it's completely different
underneath. It's designed for intense work and high-capacity towing, not just an
occasional trip to Lowe's or Home Depot.
Although the cabin has lots of space, the truck's massive size can
be a pain in parking lots and drive-thru lanes. That's because Super Duty trucks are
designed entirely for tough, Paul Bunyan-type work like towing an aircraft carrier or
hauling the contents of Fort Knox, not simply making comfortable trips on the highway.
Seriously, this rugged Ford can safely tow up to 14,200 pounds when properly equipped. Now
that's impressive.
The heart of a Super Duty truck is in the engine bay, where no wimpy
V-6s are offered like in the civilized pickups. Instead Ford makes its base engine the
5.4-liter Triton V-8, which makes 260 horsepower and 350 foot-pounds of torque for
heavy-duty hauling. You can step up to the Triton V-10 if you want an extra 50 horsepower
and 75 foot-pounds.
But the real monster engine - the one that could put Mr. Bunyan's
giant ox to shame - is the 6.0-liter Power Stroke V8. This turbocharged, diesel-powered
giant has a cast iron block and cylinder head for the ultimate in long-lasting power as it
makes 325 horsepower and a whopping 560 foot-pounds of torque, the most in its class. It's
remarkable how strong the Power Stroke diesel feels, giving you the impression that you
could tie the truck to a granite mountain and tug it down the highway.
On the downside, driving a Super Duty truck around town is a
nightmare.
You have to fight the truck's massive size with every maneuver,
whether changing lanes or going around a 90-degree corner. A parking lot is the Super
Duty's worst enemy, as its 80-inch width and wide and barge-like turning radius makes it
almost impossible to park in narrow spots. Some small drive-thru lanes can pose problems
too.
The F-250's ride is rough and bouncy, but so are all heavy-duty
trucks. Again, if you don't need serious towing capacity, do yourself a favor and buy the
slightly smaller new Ford F-150 pickup instead. It has a much better ride, quieter cabin,
and still boasts decent work capability.
Like most pickups, the Super Duty line can be customized to meet a
buyer's needs. Ford offers the company's typical packages ranging from simple to luxurious
called XL, XLT, Lariat, XLT Sport, FX4 Off Road, and King
Ranch. With all the different options available there are more
versions of the Ford Super Duty than most folks care to count.
Base prices start at $21,750 for a simple, two-wheel drive XL
regular cab up to $41,705 for the high-end, four-wheel drive King Ranch Crew Cab with a
"dually" configuration - double the wheels in back.
Overall, it's easy to see why the Ford Super Duty is the sales
leader in its class. It has plenty of capability, potential for serious customization, and
a price that's not much higher than the less rugged F-150.
Why buy it? Few trucks can match the towing potential of the new
Ford Super Duty with a 6.0-liter Power Stroke diesel engine. It has plenty of power and a
reasonable price, and you can customize it to your heart's content.
