Our Favorite Heavy Duty Pickup Receives a Towing Capacity Upgrade for 2013

[xcel]

Ford’s Super Duty with the 6.7L Power Stroke turbo diesel moves the target yet again.

Wayne Gerdes - CleanMPG - Oct. 18, 2012

2013 Ford F-Series Super Duty with the 6.7L Power Stroke - $37,500 to start and fuel economy of… Ford is not required to release that.

Ford tonight released details on its latest 2013 Super Duty with more towing and hauling capability mainly due to larger and better brakes being incorporated.

F-Series Super Duty trucks conventional towing capacity is now up to a class-leading 18,500 pounds, besting the Silverado 2500 HD by over 500 pounds.

Payload has also risen to an astounding 7,260 pounds!

Raj Nair, Ford Group VP, Global Product Development:

“For our Heavy Duty truck customers to become even more productive, we’ve increased our towing and payload capability yet again.”

It’s all about the brakes

Ford’s payload numbers were allowed thanks to an improved brake system as the Super Duty engineers increased brake rotor swept area by 16.4 percent in front and 14.5 percent in the rear for maximum braking even on the longest downhill grades.

Ford states that these changes allowed a 700-pound increase in the GVWR to a best-in-class 14,000 pounds.

A larger parking brake for F-250 and F-350 models also allowed an increase in maximum payload rating.

New Trim for 2013

An all-new Platinum series model and the availability of SYNC with MyFord Touch are added to the Super Duty’s repertoire.

The Platinum series includes a grille with a satin chrome surround with perforated mesh inside. The interior includes premium wood grain appliqués (sometimes this can be a cheap add-on detriment), a heated and a leather-wrapped steering wheel.

The 2013 F-Series Super Duty can now be equipped with SYNC and MyFord Touch displayed through a new 8-inch, high-resolution touch.

With the Super Duty lineup including the much desired 6.7L Power Stroke being upgraded even further from its already “Best-in-Class” specs as it was launched back in 2011, look for more Power Stroke badges mated to the side of new Ford Super Duty’s on the road. If there is tough work that needs to be done, this is one very fuel efficient workhorse that will get the job done with the fewest visits to the pump.

[TheStepChild]

A larger parking brake allows for a higher payload?!?!?!

[xcel]

Hi James:

Apparently???

Wayne

[TheStepChild]

I'm going to order a ship anchor. Park and drop it. Ought to be good for double payload! .


Sitting in that 350 dually at the show, it was a nice looking and comfortable truck.

[PaleMelanesian]

Now where's the half-pint version with a V4 Powerstroke and 2000 lb payload?

[seftonm]

It's hiding in Australia

[robh210]

The reason for the parking brake/payload is the brake has to hold the truck at its full rating on a hill. Dont know the hill grade. Just like brakes need to be upgraded to stop the truck, the parking brakes needed to be upgraded to keep it stopped.

Robert

[xcel]

Hi Mike:

I just knew that was coming

Andrew, someday

Wayne

[chucky2]

Originally Posted by TheStepChild

A larger parking brake allows for a higher payload?!?!?!

Originally Posted by xcel

Hi James:

Apparently???

Wayne

On the Ranger forums someone asked why the manual Ranger was rated so much less than the automatic version. Apperently, someone in the know posted something to the affect that the manual was not able to meet Ford's specs on hauling a load from a standstill up something like a 20% grade.

This likely has to do with some such like requirement.

Chuck

[RedylC94]

Originally Posted by chucky2

... Apperently, someone in the know posted something to the affect that the manual was not able to meet Ford's specs on hauling a load from a standstill up something like a 20% grade. ...

Apparently it needed a wider-range manual tranmission to launch heavy loads, and they didn't want to spend for that for such a small market.