New Big Dog on the block
http://www.motortrend.com/news/2015-ford-f-450-super-duty-platinum-first-test/ article in Motor Trend this month. I might trade my old Dodge for this thing. wow, $75K tow 31,200 that sho...
Forum Discussion
My thoughts on the 450, since I bought one. Now, read the whole thing. Good and Bad:
I was aware of the 9100 axle rating. I don't intent to own a 5er over 20k in the future. So why the 450? Wide track, 19.5s and the massive commercial rear axle. The 19.5s should last longer than 17s and are certainly a better tire for towing or hauling as far as durability. They sure don't bounce or flex like my 17s did. The wide track is awesome, which of course can be had on the 350 with the 4.3. Overall the cost delta for me was approx $2k between 350 and 450. So, it basically paid for my 19.5s and I got the other "upgrades" for free.
Love the way it drives, love the way it hauls and most importantly towing is unreal.
To make the Ram guys happy and to be completely honest I'll add. It would be a much better truck if it would just stay out of the shop! 4th time in 8k miles (18.8k total) with 3 of those trips on a flatbed including the trip into the shop today. Worst reliability i've had in a truck yet. Problem is, I don't like the way the Ram drives. Just didn't care for the seat of the pants feel. I drove one again today in case I need to dump the Ford, still didn't care for it. Now, that's my opinion and it's extremely subjective so don't get all bent out of shape. Had I never drove the Ford I probably wouldn't feel so strongly. Alas, I may be force to go back to a Ram simply because I need my truck to stay on the road. Does that mean all Fords are bad, no! What it does mean is I don't have the stomach to try again if they can't get this thing right. Ram was good to me for 12 years so I'll go back to the one that worked for me in the past. I was open minded and bought the one I liked best. If they can't get it right, I'll jump ship and wont return. I won't become a Ford hater or a Ram Mafia guy but I will toss my Ford hat in the bin.
I was aware of the 9100 axle rating. I don't intent to own a 5er over 20k in the future. So why the 450? Wide track, 19.5s and the massive commercial rear axle. The 19.5s should last longer than 17s and are certainly a better tire for towing or hauling as far as durability. They sure don't bounce or flex like my 17s did. The wide track is awesome, which of course can be had on the 350 with the 4.3. Overall the cost delta for me was approx $2k between 350 and 450. So, it basically paid for my 19.5s and I got the other "upgrades" for free.
Love the way it drives, love the way it hauls and most importantly towing is unreal.
To make the Ram guys happy and to be completely honest I'll add. It would be a much better truck if it would just stay out of the shop! 4th time in 8k miles (18.8k total) with 3 of those trips on a flatbed including the trip into the shop today. Worst reliability i've had in a truck yet. Problem is, I don't like the way the Ram drives. Just didn't care for the seat of the pants feel. I drove one again today in case I need to dump the Ford, still didn't care for it. Now, that's my opinion and it's extremely subjective so don't get all bent out of shape. Had I never drove the Ford I probably wouldn't feel so strongly. Alas, I may be force to go back to a Ram simply because I need my truck to stay on the road. Does that mean all Fords are bad, no! What it does mean is I don't have the stomach to try again if they can't get this thing right. Ram was good to me for 12 years so I'll go back to the one that worked for me in the past. I was open minded and bought the one I liked best. If they can't get it right, I'll jump ship and wont return. I won't become a Ford hater or a Ram Mafia guy but I will toss my Ford hat in the bin.
