Overview:
This week I was carried about by the 2003 Ford Super Duty F350 4X4 SuperCab pickup truck. And it totes more than folks around. It tows nearly 6 ¾ tons with a payload of about 2 tons with the single rear wheel and 2-wheel drive. With a dual wheel rear axle the payload is 5160 lbs in California and 5500 lbs in 49 other US states. 4-wheel drive increases the Gross Vehicle Weight and thus decreases the payload down to 4600 lbs.

The competition has similar muscle. GMC’s Sierra Dualee will tow 7 ½ tons and tote about 2 ½ tons. All the competition are close enough in capability that the decision will be more about your choice of which American manufacturer you’ll support. I prefer a Cummins diesel engine because I trust some friends that own trucking companies who wouldn’t drive anything but Cummins powered trucks. Ok, that means I have to buy the Dodge who places an emphasis on the Cummins brand name recognition. So I bought a dual wheel rear axle Dodge Ram 3500 with a Cummins diesel. Ford uses the Power Stroke Diesel that is a Ford product, and GM hangs its hat on the Duramax Diesel produced in association with Isuzu. It may be too early to know how well the Power Stroke 6.0 liter engine holds up for Ford.

Another personal problem I have with Ford is that I don’t like to be reminded about putting my seatbelt on, which is what all Ford cars and trucks do for you. They have this annoying tone that goes off every 30 seconds until hell freezes over or you buckle up, whichever comes first. Mark says “I just hook it up the seat belt and sit on it because seat belts are uncomfortable for me to wear”. But my accident reconstruction friend (and relative), Steve says his professional experience proves that since most vehicles today are equipped with air bags you MUST wear your seatbelt or you can be seriously injured in an accident without seatbelt restraint if the airbag is deployed. So “Buckle up and drive safely” is not just a slogan. Your life could depend on using it in conjunction with air bag technology.

Editorially however I resent being told what I should and what I shouldn’t do. Just like the Helmet law enacted in too many states by bureaucratic control freaks bent on protecting motorcycle riders from themselves. Where did free will go? Where are the Free Choice activists or the ACLU when you need them? And although I use the seatbelt the idea that someone else forces me to be reminded is what I hate. Anyway it should be my business … argh, argh, argh!

By the way, before there was a seat belt law or helmet law people bought them and used them. Some car companies even made seatbelts optional equipment. What do you know, CHOICE... my choice, and not because some bureaucrat morons thought it necessary to pass a law confirming my choice thereby making it a “Mandatory Compliance” issue. I believe if you give people the facts they will generally do the right thing. One person is just as capable as the next, but some are just less informed. So, inform them and let them make the choice.

Handling & Performance:   
This thing drives like a truck. Oh, right it IS a truck. And the turning diameter is lousy to prove it. Ford is second best out of four competitors by a whole half a foot at 49.6 feet. One reason I like this workhorse is that it is a single rear wheel model and close enough in performance to dual rear wheel models. Dualee’s are that much harder to maneuver.

Styling:
”Built Ford Tough” or “Like a Rock” says Chevrolet means they are rugged. Well they’ve managed to make ‘em rough while maintaining nice lines and they are assembled better than a truck needs to be.

Fit and Finish:

Trucks ain’t what they used to be, just like the “Old gray mare”… and in this case it’s all for the better. Nice attention to detail.

Conveniences: 

Great rear view mirrors that come with an insert below the regular mirror and the insert points beautifully at the next lane. Ok, but why is it no manufacturer can make a vehicle with a sun visor that actually blocks the sun on the side as well as the front window. Doesn’t anyone at the plant actually drive these things? Or is it always cloudy in Detroit?

Some will call the seat belt beep warning a convenience. I call it an annoyance.  I wonder how many Ford buyers disable that beep, beep, beep… ?

It has a lot of nooks and crannies and a clipboard top on the center console. I love when designers “Think”.

Cost:
Very expensive as a transportation Vehicle. And when they don’t publish EPA numbers on fuel consumption look out… and incidentally trucks like this are not required to publish such stats.

Consumer Recommendation:
When you have a need for a truck with “Attitude” a Diesel is the hot ticket. On the ranch we have several Diesels and when you need to haul a ton or two of hay you learn how valuable 390 foot pounds of Torque can be. If you don’t have the need, don’t do the deed… because it is simply too expensive as “Just a truck” transportation.

The Competition:
Ford F350 Super Duty $22-37,000, Chevrolet Silverado 3500 $28-40,000, Dodge Ram 3500 $25-41,000, GMC Sierra 3500 $29-37,000.  

Good News:
Strong-working truck single rear wheel, competitive and attractive, great rear view mirrors, relatively comfortable and uncharacteristically responsive for a diesel.

 Bad News:
Bumpity – bump – bump – bump on cement highways, small bench seat in rear, pricey for a pickup with extended cab space in rear and poor turning radius.    

 Standard Equipment:
 6.0 liter 260 hp Diesel V-8, 5-speed diesel automatic transmission, cargo box light, power mirrors, trailer towing package, tailgate key lock, stereo with cassette and CD player, power windows and locks, power steering, dual air bags, power ABS brakes. Note: Dual wheel rear axle is optional.

  Gas Stats:
15 City and 18 Highway Estimated MPG.

Pricing:

MSRP $38,465.

Your comments are welcomed. My e-mail is joe@autolove.com
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