2015 Ford F-350 Overview + What's New
Like that childhood awe inspired by the sight of big construction machines, there’s something inevitably cool about the sheer brawn of heavy-duty pickups. Ford’s F-350 does battle with the stoutest pickup trucks on the market, eclipsed only by it’s rarely seen big brother, the F-450 Super Duty. A quick glance at any brochure and you know what counts in this segment—capability. The F-350 Super Duty’s towing and gross combined weight rating both increase this year, thanks to improvements to the optional 6.7-liter diesel V8 engine and the chassis.
Ford claims that fuel economy should also see a boost as a result of an update to the diesel V8. Competition to the 2015 Ford F-350 Super Duty include the Ram 3500HD, Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD and the GMC Sierra 3500HD.
What’s New
For many, the F-350’s big news for 2015 is the boost in capability. Maximum towing capacity increases now by 6,500 lbs. to 31,200 lbs.. The gross combined weight rating of a properly equipped F-350 Super Duty also rises 7,000 pounds to 40,000 pounds.
The 2015 F-350’s increase in capability is partially credited to new front springs and a wider track axle in the chassis, but more dramatic changes to the optional 6.7-liter diesel V8 play a big part.
The 6.7-liter diesel V8, powering workhorses all the way up to the F-750 medium duty truck, is now made of compacted graphite iron to save weight over a conventional cast iron engine. The engine’s exhaust and intake have also been moved to improve efficiency, new injector tips promise additional power and a larger turbocharger hopes to improve responsiveness.
2015 Ford F-350 Bodystyles, Engines + Powertrains
For 2015 Ford F-350 continues to be served up almost any way you want it. 3 body styles are available: regular cab, extended cab (SuperCab) and crew cab. In SuperCab models the rear passengers have rear-hinged doors, while crew cab trucks have forward-hinged doors for front and rear passengers. Shoppers can choose from a single or dual rear-wheel setup, and pickup beds are available in standard (6.8-foot) and long (8-foot) sizes.
Regular cab models and trucks equipped with dual rear wheels come exclusively with the long bed (8 feet), while every other model comes with either the standard (6.8-foot) or long bed.
Powering Ford’s behemoth is a 6.2-liter V8 that churns out 385 hp and 405 lb.-ft. of torque. This engine, in a single rear wheel setup, can tow 12,500 lbs. and 16,100 lbs. with a “dually”. Adding the fifth-wheel boosts those numbers to 15,900 lbs. and 16,000 lbs., respectively.
Highlighted above, the optional diesel 6.7-liter V8 is revamped to now see 440 hp and 860 lb.-ft. of torque, up from last year’s 400 hp and 800 lb.-ft. of torque. In a single rear wheel setup, the diesel tugs a maximum of 14,000 lbs. and 19,000 lbs. with a “dually”. Adding the fifth-wheel boosts those numbers to 16,800 lbs. and 26,700 lbs., respectively.
EPA fuel economy estimates are not available for either engine, but Ford claims that the redesigned 6.7-liter diesel should deliver noticeably improved fuel economy.
Both engines come with a 6-speed automatic transmission and every F-350 is available in rear- or four-wheel drive configurations.
Ford’s 2015 F-350 Super Duty is available in five different trim levels, ranging from the basic XL to the opulent Platinum trim.
The F-350’s base XL model begins with simple features like a vinyl 40/20/40-split front bench seat, a two speaker AM/FM radio, air conditioning, a tilting/telescoping steering wheel, vinyl flooring and 17-inch steel wheels.
The next level up is the XLT model, bringing along upgrades like cloth upholstery, carpeted flooring, heated outside mirrors, an integrated trailer brake controller, cruise control, power windows and locks, a four-speaker CD sound system with an auxiliary/iPod jack, Ford’s Sync voice command system, lockable storage with a power outlet under the rear seat and 18-inch aluminum wheels.
SuperCab and crew cab-equipped F-350s also add rear privacy glass.
The Lariat trim, available only for SuperCrew and crew cab-equipped trucks, embellishes on the XLT’s goodies with comforts like leather upholstery, rear parking sensors, power-adjustable pedals, the Ford MyTouch Infotainment system with an 8-inch screen and 8 speakers, a rearview camera , dual-zone automatic climate control, a power-sliding rear window and foglights to the XLT’s trappings.
The last two trims, King Ranch and Platinum, are available only for crew cab-equipped F-350s.
The King Ranch model aims to deliver luxury with a rustic touch with special badging inside and out, unique paint and chrome accents packaging upgrades like a navigation system, remote starting, heated and ventilated front seats and a fixed center console.
The Platinum trim eschews the western notes of the King Ranch for a modern look that touts additional luxury touches like premium leather upholstery, a heated steering wheel and a tailgate step, along with 20-inch polished alloy wheels.
Ford’s F-350 SuperDuty comes standard with front seat side and front airbags, full-cabin side curtain airbags, traction and stability control, trailer sway control, Hill Start Assist, the SOS post-crash alert system and antilock brakes.
Some standard features of higher trims like rear parking sensors, a rearview camera and an integrated trailer brake controller are optional for more basic models.
Although the NHTSA has not performed crash testing on the 2015 Ford F-350 Super Duty, data is available for the largely similar 2015 F-250 Super Duty.
In NHTSA testing the 2015 F-250 Super Duty SuperCrew model scored 4 out of 5 stars overall, earning 4 out of 5 stars in frontal crash testing and 5 out of 5 stars in side crash tests. Four-wheel drive versions of the 2015 F-250 scored 3 out of 5 stars in rollover testing, whereas rear-wheel drive versions garnered 4 out of 5 stars.
Like that childhood awe inspired by the sight of big construction machines, there’s something inevitably cool about the sheer brawn of heavy-duty pickups. Ford’s F-350 does battle with the stoutest pickup trucks on the market, eclipsed only by it’s rarely seen big brother, the F-450 Super Duty. A quick glance at any brochure and you know what counts in this segment—capability. The F-350 Super Duty’s towing and gross combined weight rating both increase this year, thanks to improvements to the optional 6.7-liter diesel V8 engine and the chassis.
Ford claims that fuel economy should also see a boost as a result of an update to the diesel V8. Competition to the 2015 Ford F-350 Super Duty include the Ram 3500HD, Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD and the GMC Sierra 3500HD.
What’s New
For many, the F-350’s big news for 2015 is the boost in capability. Maximum towing capacity increases now by 6,500 lbs. to 31,200 lbs.. The gross combined weight rating of a properly equipped F-350 Super Duty also rises 7,000 pounds to 40,000 pounds.
The 2015 F-350’s increase in capability is partially credited to new front springs and a wider track axle in the chassis, but more dramatic changes to the optional 6.7-liter diesel V8 play a big part.
The 6.7-liter diesel V8, powering workhorses all the way up to the F-750 medium duty truck, is now made of compacted graphite iron to save weight over a conventional cast iron engine. The engine’s exhaust and intake have also been moved to improve efficiency, new injector tips promise additional power and a larger turbocharger hopes to improve responsiveness.
2015 Ford F-350 Bodystyles, Engines + Powertrains
For 2015 Ford F-350 continues to be served up almost any way you want it. 3 body styles are available: regular cab, extended cab (SuperCab) and crew cab. In SuperCab models the rear passengers have rear-hinged doors, while crew cab trucks have forward-hinged doors for front and rear passengers. Shoppers can choose from a single or dual rear-wheel setup, and pickup beds are available in standard (6.8-foot) and long (8-foot) sizes.
Regular cab models and trucks equipped with dual rear wheels come exclusively with the long bed (8 feet), while every other model comes with either the standard (6.8-foot) or long bed.
Powering Ford’s behemoth is a 6.2-liter V8 that churns out 385 hp and 405 lb.-ft. of torque. This engine, in a single rear wheel setup, can tow 12,500 lbs. and 16,100 lbs. with a “dually”. Adding the fifth-wheel boosts those numbers to 15,900 lbs. and 16,000 lbs., respectively.
Highlighted above, the optional diesel 6.7-liter V8 is revamped to now see 440 hp and 860 lb.-ft. of torque, up from last year’s 400 hp and 800 lb.-ft. of torque. In a single rear wheel setup, the diesel tugs a maximum of 14,000 lbs. and 19,000 lbs. with a “dually”. Adding the fifth-wheel boosts those numbers to 16,800 lbs. and 26,700 lbs., respectively.
EPA fuel economy estimates are not available for either engine, but Ford claims that the redesigned 6.7-liter diesel should deliver noticeably improved fuel economy.
Both engines come with a 6-speed automatic transmission and every F-350 is available in rear- or four-wheel drive configurations.
Ford’s 2015 F-350 Super Duty is available in five different trim levels, ranging from the basic XL to the opulent Platinum trim.
The F-350’s base XL model begins with simple features like a vinyl 40/20/40-split front bench seat, a two speaker AM/FM radio, air conditioning, a tilting/telescoping steering wheel, vinyl flooring and 17-inch steel wheels.
The next level up is the XLT model, bringing along upgrades like cloth upholstery, carpeted flooring, heated outside mirrors, an integrated trailer brake controller, cruise control, power windows and locks, a four-speaker CD sound system with an auxiliary/iPod jack, Ford’s Sync voice command system, lockable storage with a power outlet under the rear seat and 18-inch aluminum wheels.
SuperCab and crew cab-equipped F-350s also add rear privacy glass.
The Lariat trim, available only for SuperCrew and crew cab-equipped trucks, embellishes on the XLT’s goodies with comforts like leather upholstery, rear parking sensors, power-adjustable pedals, the Ford MyTouch Infotainment system with an 8-inch screen and 8 speakers, a rearview camera , dual-zone automatic climate control, a power-sliding rear window and foglights to the XLT’s trappings.
The last two trims, King Ranch and Platinum, are available only for crew cab-equipped F-350s.
The King Ranch model aims to deliver luxury with a rustic touch with special badging inside and out, unique paint and chrome accents packaging upgrades like a navigation system, remote starting, heated and ventilated front seats and a fixed center console.
The Platinum trim eschews the western notes of the King Ranch for a modern look that touts additional luxury touches like premium leather upholstery, a heated steering wheel and a tailgate step, along with 20-inch polished alloy wheels.
Ford’s F-350 SuperDuty comes standard with front seat side and front airbags, full-cabin side curtain airbags, traction and stability control, trailer sway control, Hill Start Assist, the SOS post-crash alert system and antilock brakes.
Some standard features of higher trims like rear parking sensors, a rearview camera and an integrated trailer brake controller are optional for more basic models.
Although the NHTSA has not performed crash testing on the 2015 Ford F-350 Super Duty, data is available for the largely similar 2015 F-250 Super Duty.
In NHTSA testing the 2015 F-250 Super Duty SuperCrew model scored 4 out of 5 stars overall, earning 4 out of 5 stars in frontal crash testing and 5 out of 5 stars in side crash tests. Four-wheel drive versions of the 2015 F-250 scored 3 out of 5 stars in rollover testing, whereas rear-wheel drive versions garnered 4 out of 5 stars.
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