Equipment World Digital Magazine
Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/757428
EquipmentWorld.com | December 2016 75 I ntegrating aluminum into Ford's storied F-Series pickup line was a bold choice, and the introduction of the lighter-weight alloy exposed the F-150 – the best- selling pickup for a generation – to criticism. Though their competitors tried to leverage this decision to their advantage, consumers have barely fl inched. Through the fi rst fi ve months of this year, F-Series truck sales totaled nearly 325,000 units – up more than 7 percent. Later this year, Ford will roll the dice again, now integrating alumi- num into its workhorse Super Duty line, a seemingly riskier move for a truck that is built to be a work- site warrior. According to Brian Rathsburg, marketing manager for Ford's Super Duty, "Heavy duty customers are traditionally more ac- cepting, because they see aluminum applications in their industry more frequently." They also more fre- quently batter their truck like a work tool. However, Rathsburg says those customers really benefi t most from the use of aluminum alloy, due to the fuel savings, increased payload, and greater fl exibility for upfi t options. Ford isn't just giving customers just a lighter truck for 2017. The refreshed 2017 Super Duty is getting a full makeover. Under the lighter weight aluminum body, Ford engi- neers beefed up the truck's frame with 95 percent high-strength steel that features more torsional rigidity than the previous frame. Other Super Duty improvements include a larger gas tank, an integrated tailgate step, and larger brakes. The F-450 and F-550 Super Duty also fea- tures six auxiliary switches – up from four in previous model years – and they've been moved to the headliner for easier access. Amperage gets a boost from 25 to 40 amps on the fi rst two, which are always hot. The remaining four switches are 25 amps each. Other driver controls are closer at hand, with an integrated trailer brake controller switch located closer to the driver on the right-hand side. The new Super Cab models are also growing. The new models are 6 inches longer, while Regular Cab and Crew Cab are an additional 4 inches each versus prior generations. Notable in the length, Rathsburg says, is that while the cabs got big- ger, the cab-to-axle length remained unchanged. "We added more space without changing the upfi t specs," he says. The 2017 Super Duty also gets a technology upgrade, including new advanced coaching and camera tech- nology that makes conventional and gooseneck/fi fth-wheel towing easier and more effi cient. As many as seven cameras offer views from more angles to monitor conditions around the truck, simpli- fying trailering. A 360-degree camera system uses four digital, high-defi - nition cameras to give the driver a bird's-eye view around the truck. Super Cab and Crew Cab models offer a completely fl at second-row fl oor, and the 2017 model year marks the fi rst time vinyl fl ooring will be made available across the Super Duty lineup. They were previ- ously only offered for XL and XLT trim levels. Base vinyl fl ooring is standard on XL models and optional on the XLT and Lariat. Super Duty King Ranch and Platinum editions also get a durable, premium vinyl fl ooring as an option. – Jason Cannon pro pickup | staff report Ford's Super Duty gets lighter …and bigger