Impressive Ford HP/TQ numbers

Cummins12V98 wrote:

Tachdriver wrote:

IdaD wrote:
That's a silly amount of power to make out of a 3.5L motor. It's almost surely what I'd buy if I were in the market for a half ton.

i was a nay-sayer until I drove one. I believe Ford intended not to pull super heavy loads (although the towing weights are high) but to have the power to climb hills without losing power and speed. I can pull anywhere from 9,000 to 11,000 pounds but my payload is what would limit the weight.

What is sad is MOST people look at towing numbers and never consider what the weight will be sitting on the rear axle!

I already am pulling 11,000+ lbs for my business but it is just me with a very modest amount in the back plus I use a load distributing hitch. The rear end doesn't go down much more than an inch. I try to just get the overload spring engaged for the extra torque control. It pulls very well. I did special order this one with the LT tires which I think helps quite a bit. I just wish that I could have had the max payload package with the other options I wanted. The biggest problem is that I am traction challenged. Fortunately, I have a Lariet with auto 4wd. If I even suspect that traction will be an issue it switch to 4A and let the computer take care of it. I rarely leave my home county or hit the interstate with the trailer. I am much more likely to be on narrow gravel roads, some rather steep. I use 4wd quite a bit. We will see how it holds up but so far so good.

It is strange to me that my half-ton PU has more horsepower and more rated tow capacity than my 12 ton class A on a Freightliner chassis. At least the class A doesn't get pushed around very much by a trailer.