Journalists with CDLs were able to tow nearly 30,000 lbs. with this 2017 Ford F-450 Super Duty during an event in Denver this week. (Cristina Commendatore photos)
DENVER, CO. The traffic light turned green as Ford’s 2017 F-450 Super Duty approached an 8% downhill grade on one of Colorado’s canyon roads. The truck, which was towing a 29,900 trailer filled with paving stone and cinder blocks, began to pick up speed until the driver lifted his foot off the gas and gently tapped the brakes. The truck came to a smooth, quiet stop, and Ford powertrain engineer Scott Paddy credited the truck’s new brake enhancements.
Besides reworking its braking system – front/rear four-wheel vented-disc ABS, assist type Hydroboost, and roll stability control – Ford made quite a bit more changes to its Super Duty to enhance the towing and hauling experience for commercial fleets.
Ford's new 6.7L diesel engine
According to the F-450 Super Duty specs, the truck could tow up to 30,000 lbs. with the Gooseneck trailer. It’s got a 6.7L diesel engine with a 48-gal. tank and increased torque of 925 from 860. The F-450 is a Class 3, 14,000 lb. vehicle.
The new trucks also feature a 360-degree camera that gives a bird’s eye view of what it looks like around the truck. In addition, the truck contains side-view mirror cameras, a center high-mounted stop light camera that provides a view of the cargo bed and aids fifth wheel/gooseneck trailer connections, a tailgate camera, and trailer camera.
“You can not only haul the load, but you can safely get it to where it’s going,” Paddy explained.
Other options include:
4.30 electronic locking axle
Rapid heat supplemental system
Engine block heater
50 state emissions
Fifth wheel hitch prep package
Rear inflatable seat belts
Upfitter switches
Dual extra heavy-duty alternator
Adaptive cruise control with collision warning
Lane-keeping alert
Trailer tow camera
About the Author
Cristina Commendatore
Cristina Commendatore is a past FleetOwner editor-in-chief. She wrote for the publication from 2015 to 2023.
