Ford’s full-size “one-tonne” F-350 is part of their Superduty range of big pickups. These are the ones that you want if you need to really tow or haul some big stuff. After some big brake changes for 2014, the big change for 2015 is a heavily revised 6.7L diesel that adds 40 hp and 60 lb-ft. It now makes a massive 440 hp and 860 lb-ft. The interior is starting to lag behind the competition, but it has the most powerful diesel and the highest towing capacity in the class. Make no mistake about it; the F-350 is a real truck. It’s meant for work and it rides accordingly. Sure the King Ranch trim makes it a pretty nice place to sit, but drive it around unloaded and you will get bounced.
The base engine is a 6.2L gas V8 that produces 385 hp and 405 lb-ft of torque and behind both gas and diesel engines is a six-speed automatic transmission. The diesel gets a power take-off to help run accessories like a pump or compressor. You can get regular cab, extended SuperCab, or full four-door crew cab. There's also a choice of 6'-8" or 8' box. Maximum payload is 3,293 kg and maximum tow rating is 12,111 kg if properly equipped.
Standard features on F-350 include a 7-pin trailer connector, and a hitch receiver sized for the choice of engine and tow rating of the truck. There is also a hill start assist built into the braking system. Single rear wheels (one per side) are standard, and a dual rear axle is optional. That’s the one you want for serious towing, as it raises payload and tow ratings, as well as significantly improving stability with a trailer. The downside is that those rear fenders get pretty wide. All dual-rear-wheel trucks get 17-inch wheels.
The base XL trim is intended for fleet and work trucks, and as such gets 17-inch steel wheels, vinyl seats, and vinyl floors. It also gets AC, and an AM/FM stereo. Options include aluminium wheels, electronic four-wheel drive, a fifth-wheel hitch, cloth seats, an upgraded stereo with CD and Sync, and cruise. There are a number of option packs for various increased tow ratings and payload ratings, a camper package that includes uprated springs, an FX4 off-road pack that includes skid plates and Rancho shocks, and a snow plow prep that has uprated springs and alternator. There is an XL appearance pack that has the upgraded stereo, cruise, silver painted wheels, and chrome grille. The XL decor pack has chrome bumpers and hub caps, while the XL value pack combines both of those packages.
XLT is the next level and adds shift-on-the-fly to 4x4 trucks, an integrated trailer brake controller, cloth seats and flooring, a CD stereo with four speakers and satellite radio, cruise, power locks, and windows, chrome bumpers and grille, and power mirrors. Options include a power driver's seat, rear-view camera, remote start, various weight rating upgrades, camper pack, FX4 off-road pack, and snow plow prep like the XL. There is also an XTR package with chrome exhaust tips, tow hooks, cargo tie-downs, step bars, and wheels. It gets power trailer mirrors and fog lights as well. The XTR plus pack includes the XTR package and adds auto lights and keyless entry, power adjustable pedals and backup sensors. An XLT value package has the auto lights, keyless entry, power adjustable pedals, six-way power driver's seat and backup sensors.
Lariat is the first luxury trim and adds heated and cooled 10-way power adjustable front seats, heated rear seats, and leather. It also gets Sony audio with eight speakers and Sync, power locks, dual-zone climate, an improved message centre, power adjustable pedals, rear-view camera, sliding rear window, and wood trim. Wheels are 18-inch alloys with up to 20-inch available as an option. Other notable options include navigation.
As on the lower trims, packages are available to raise payload and towing, along with camper pack, plow prep, and FX4 off-road. A Lariat chrome package adds chrome exhaust tip, tow hooks, cargo tie downs, step bars and wheels. Lariat Ultimate gets power-sliding moonroof, tailgate step and remote start, but is on crew cab only.
King Ranch gets navigation and special Chaparral leather seats with King Ranch embossing. The payload and tow rating packages are available, as are camper pack, FX4, snow plow prep and Chrome package.
Top of the range is the F-350 Platinum which gets 20-inch alloys, premium leather seats with platinum embroidery. There is also a heated wheel, remote start, body colour bumpers and satin grille. The payload and tow rating packages are available, as are camper pack, FX4, and snow plow prep. King Ranch and Platinum are crew-cab, short-box only.
As with the rest of the HD pickups, there are no fuel economy ratings as it's not required due to their weights.
This vehicle has not yet been reviewed
