The ability to get more comfort and convenience features in all vehicles, including pickups that are actually doing towing and hauling stuff that only pickups can do, clearly shows how demanding modern buyers have become.
Because there are untold numbers of ways to use heavy-duty pickups, Ford has decided to launch its Super-Duty model with a fairly complete lineup of model choices. Roughly speaking, they will carry sticker prices that begin about $28,000 and continue on up to about $52,000, with many optional opportunities to drive the prices even higher.
As a result, the 2005 Super-Duty will have F-250, F-350, F-450 and F-550 pickup and chassis cab models, each capable of delivering increasing levels of towing and payload capability
Each model will be available in two- and four-wheel-drive, with a choice of cab styles and bed lengths, and with various optional axle ratios to better suit the demands to be placed on them.
There will be XL, XLT and Lariat trim levels, and two of what Davis called ''feature vehicles,'' the King Ranch and Ford Harley-Davidson Super Duty. An Amarillo model will follow in 2006.
Single- or dual-rear-wheel configuration will be available on most models, and they will have a choice of three engines and two transmissions.
Super-Duty models of all kinds ''benefit from chassis upgrades,'' said Davis, ''including stronger frames and available stronger axles'' because Ford wanted to accommodate ''the way most customers use their trucks today.''
Features such as diesel engines, four-wheel-drive and crew cabs are becoming more popular with buyers, Davis said, so this new strategy ''takes advantage of the Ford Super Duty's higher axle weight ratings, stronger frames and better brakes to help preserve payload capability on trucks with higher equipment levels.''
F-Series Super Duty's chief engineer, Susan Dehne, said Ford created the TowCommand System because the vast majority of its buyers actually tow something with their trucks.
Dehne said the TowCommand System ''offers smoother operation and safety features,'' thanks in part to the industry's first factory-installed and warranted electronic trailer brake controller.
''This includes a special trailer brake strategy when the truck's anti-lock braking system detects poor traction,'' Dehne explained, and ''no aftermarket trailer brake controller can do this.''
TowCommand also includes the TorqShift transmission with tow-haul mode, ''best-in-class'' brakes and telescoping trailer tow mirrors.
Much of the credit for all this towing and hauling ability has to go to the Super Duty's lineup of engines, the gasoline versions of which use a three-valve-per-cylinder head for extra performance.