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As the pickup wars continue to heat up between the Detroit Three automakers, more and more emphasis is being placed on the different trucks’ off-road capabilities. Ram, Chevrolet and GMC have all added several off-road packages. Now, Ford is adding a special Tremor package, saying that the 2020 Ford F-Series Tremor will be the most capable Super Duty ever.
Truck Drivers Setting the Course for Adventure
Whether you are using your truck for work or play, more and more drivers are going off-roading. Some need the additional capability for construction, ranching or checking the pipeline. Others want the ability to go to the back country for hiking or camping. Regardless of the reason, the next battle in the pickup truck wars appears to be on the “road less traveled”. There may not be a road at all.
“A growing number of Super Duty customers use their trucks for more than work. They’re fishing, camping and towing boats on weekends and they go off-road, so we designed this truck specifically for them – more ground clearance, bigger shocks, bigger tires and more off-road capability,” said Todd Eckert, Ford truck group marketing manager. “Tremor balances what customers demand in terms of work with what they need in the great outdoors.”
New Package Includes Hardware and Software
Ford is starting with a 2-inch front lift kit and massive 35-inch Goodyear Wrangler Duratrac tires, supposedly the largest tires available on a Super Duty. The result is 10.8 inches of ground clearance and the best-in-class water fording at 33 inches. Ford also says the 2020 Ford F-Series Tremor will provide greater towing and payload than the Ram Power Wagon. It is interesting that Ford is even mentioning the Ram. Very recently, Ram has overtaken Chevrolet and GMC and is now second in sales. Ford has been the leader in pickup sales for decades.
For the first time ever, Super Duty gets Trail Control, a feature that debuted for F-150 Raptor and Ranger. It functions in any mode like cruise control for off-road driving. The Tremor package also includes a special rock-crawl mode. Despite all of the off-roading upgrades, Ford claims that the Tremor models will have towing and payload ratings similar to non-Tremor models.
Ford F-Serioes Tremor Available on Most Trim Levels
The Tremor package will be available for XLT, Lariat, King Ranch and Platinum F-250 and F-350 Super Duty trim levels. The 2020 Ford Super Duty Tremor will be available for the all-new 7.3-liter gas V8 models or trucks equipped with the third-generation 6.7-liter Power Stroke diesel.
Special progressive-rate springs and shocks will balance heavy duty towing and off-road needs. Ford is promising a smoother ride over some of the most challenging obstacles. The Tremor models will use a locking rear differential coupled with a limited-slip front differential. In some circumstances, the front axle will be able to sense when one of the tires has lost traction. Power will shift to the wheel with traction.
The Tremor models will also feature special running boards that retract up next to the body to limit damage.
2020 Ford Super Duty Driving Modes to Fit Every Situation
For the first time, the 2020 Ford Super Duty models will have selectable drive modes. The different modes allow drivers to choose handling best suited to driving conditions. Many Ford models have the selectable modes, like normal for around-town use, tow/haul for optimized performance under load, eco for enhanced fuel economy, slippery for icy conditions, and deep snow/sand for low-traction conditions. Tremor will also have a new rock-crawl mode, which is optimized to operate in 4x4 low.
At this point, Ford is not releasing the super-duty Tremor’s fuel economy ratings or the price of the Tremor off-road package. However, the Tremor off-road package will be available when the 2020 Super Duty launches later this year.
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