Overhauled by Ford, the ‘Super Duty’ Pickup Pulls Over 10 Tons While Using Less Fuel

...prevented unwelcome uphshifts when the road briefly leveled off and let us lock things down to a slow pace when descending. Gas models, with considerably less torque, worked harder to perform the same task.

With 1,000 lb of sand in the bed, we didn’t feel much of a difference in terms of performance. That extra weight did smooth out the ride a bit, though we weren’t complaining about that aspect of the Super Duty earlier in the day, either, when testing unladen models. Steering is floaty and less communicative compared to the competition, despite Ford retuning the system for 2011.

When it goes on sale this spring, we expect the 2011 Ford Super Duty to start at about $29,000. We’re also anxiously awaiting full specification details about GM’s 2011 heavy-duty pickups.

Until then, Ford is on the attack with improved power, efficiency and a rollout strategy that keeps the price of this year’s all-new diesel the same as last year’s 6.4-liter mill, even with more expensive emissions equipment.

Putting its money where its mouth is, the Blue Oval has been placing preproduction examples of the 2011 Super Duty into the hands of companies such as power utilities, paving firms and quarry operators, where the trucks have endured real-world testing without complaint. It’s all enough to keep Ford’s Super Duty at the helm of the big-pickup ship—at least for the time being.