2012 Ford F-450 Super Duty

Designed first and foremost as a workhorse with superior towing and payload numbers, the 2012 Ford F-450 Super Duty now offers refinement and luxury with the premium trim levels and options. Besides increases along and payload ratings, the 2012 Ford F-450 Super Duty is unchanged.

Ford added those responsibilities for the factory assembly line not too long ago, and also the result continues together with the consumer-friendly 2012 Ford F-450. Exactly like other F-Series models, the 450 comes in an array of trim levels, like the cowboy-chic King Ranch edition. However that only one configuration is offered: crew cab with a long bed, diesel engine and four-wheel drive.

Judging solely by the numbers, the Ford F-450 Super Duty is in a category on it’s own because only 4500 model accessible in full cargo-bed dress for the consumer market. Competitive 3500 models (like the Ford F-350) max out with around 22,000 pounds of towing capacity for crew cab models. In case your trailer weighs another 2,500 pounds, you might have one choice. It’ll be an enormous hit from the pocketbook, because the base XL model starts only under $50,000 while a fully loaded F-450 King Ranch easily clears $70,000.

2012 Ford F-450 Super Duty

The 2012 Ford F-450 Super Duty is offered in just one configuration: a crew cab mated for an 8-foot cargo bed, with four-wheel-drive and dual rear wheels (DRW or dually). Customers, however, realize an alternative among the four familiar trim levels also on the F-250 and F350 models: XL, XLT, Lariat and King Ranch.

Standard about the base XL are 17-inch forged aluminum wheels, a black grille and bumpers, running boards, roof clearance lights, manual-telescoping trailer-tow mirrors, air-conditioning, vinyl upholstery and floor surfaces, a 40/20/40-split front bench, a 60/40 split-folding rear bench seat, a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel and a two-speaker AM/FM radio.

Upgrading to the XLT adds a chrome grille and bumpers, heated outside mirrors, cruise control, full power accessories, keyless entry, a trailer-brake controller, carpeted floor, cloth upholstery, lockable second-row underseat storage which has a power point, plus a four-speaker sound system with CD/MP3 player and auxiliary audio jack.

The Lariat trim level features foglights, power-telescoping mirrors, rear parking sensors, a power rear sliding window with defrost, chrome tubular step bars, dual-zone automatic heating and cooling and leather interior upholstery. Additional standard equipment about the Lariat such as a 4.2-inch LCD multifunction screen, wood-grain trim, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, power-adjustable pedals, the Ford Sync voice activation system and an eight-speaker audio system with satellite radio. Leading seat also comes with a center console and 10-way power seats with the driver and passenger.

The range-topping King Ranch piles on power-folding and telescoping tow mirrors, two-tone paint, a body-colored grille with chrome insert, lighted running boards, unique exterior and interior badging, remote start, upgraded Chaparral leather upholstery, heated and ventilated seats, driver seat memory and also a rearview camera.

A turbocharged 6.7-liter V8 diesel is the only engine for sale in the F-450 pickup. It packs a wholesome 400 horsepower with 800 pound-feet of peak torque. To meet the newest emissions standards, the diesel engine uses an after-treatment system that really needs replenishment of diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) about every 7,500 miles. The F-450 also features engine exhaust braking to help maintain control on downhill grades while towing.

A six-speed automatic and four-wheel drive are standard, as is a limited-slip rear axle. Properly equipped, the F-450 Super Duty can tow around 17,500 pounds having a conventional trailer setup, some 1,500 pounds more than this year’s model. When configured for fifth-wheel towing, this figure increases 100 pounds from the previous year to some class-leading 24,500 pounds. Maximum payload capacity can also be up, jumping 340 pounds to five,260 pounds.

The 2012 Ford F-450 Super Duty comes standard with antilock brakes, trailer sway control, hill start assist, front seat-mounted side airbags, side curtain airbags as well as an SOS post-crash alert system. Ford’s AdvanceTrac with Roll Stability Control isn’t positioned on DRW models and traction control is handled strictly through throttle management; there isn’t any interaction with the brake system.

Storage and utility choices for the Ford F-450 include lockable bins in the back and front seats. The spine bin can accommodate long such things as a hunting rifle and supplies a 12-volt power indicate charge computers or cell phones. Possible front seat console is usually configured to allow for a laptop, hanging files and also other mobile-office supplies. Additionally, it carries a 110-volt household-style outlet. Some.2-inch LCD multifunction display standard on Lariat and King Ranch models allows the driver to customize settings and relays trip computer, gas mileage, towing and off-road information.

There isn’t a direct competition to the 2012 Ford F-450, but the overall distinct Ford Super Duty trucks is famous for a nice quality of ride and relatively restrained noise on the engine, road and wind. The Ford F-450 is nearly 22 feet long and 9 feet wide in the mirrors, so that it might be awkward in tight traffic and crowded parking lots. Top track around the F-450 is 6 inches wider than its F-250 and F-350 brethren, so turning around also requires more room. Another negative thing is the steering, which feels numb and instills less confidence (particularly if towing) than other heavy-duty trucks.

Needless to say, towing are a wide area of the Super Duty’s capabilities, along with the 6.7-liter V8 turbodiesel is about the work. Even when lugging a ten,000-pound trailer up a steep grade, the diesel climbs with ease and also the six-speed transmission has never been caught hunting between gears. Drivers also can selectively lock out higher gears to make certain optimal towing prowess, going uphill or down, and descents will also be more reassured due to the diesel’s exhaust brake.