2009 Ford Super Duty F-350 SRW

As one of three brand new heavy duty (or Super Duty, in Ford speak) trucks for 2008, the F-350 is the middle child, slotting between the F-250 and F-450 in terms of payload and hauling capacity. The Single Rear Wheel version of the F-350 mainly differentiates itself from the nearly identical F-250 thanks to its ability and rating to tow a fifth-wheel / gooseneck trailer for those who need it.

Three engine options exist, and they're all serious powerplants. The standard engine is a 5.4 liter V8 that pumps out 300 horsepower at 5,000 rpm and 365 lb-ft at 3,750 rpm. It is hitched to a six-speed manual transmission, with a five-speed TorqShift automatic as an option. The next step up is a 6.8 liter V10 engine that cranks out 362 hp at 4,750 rpm and 457 lb-ft at 3,750 rpm. This powerplant is only available with a five-speed TorqShift automatic. Those who need a diesel and its superior hauling and towing power will surely opt for the 6.4 liter Power Stroke diesel. It is billed as the most powerful Ford pickup diesel engine ever, thanks to its twin sequential turbochargers. It makes 350 hp @ 3,000 rpm and a monstrous 650 lb-ft at 2,000 rpm.

The F-350 SRW has a maximum Gross Vehicle Weight Rating of 11,500 lbs in the Crew Cab 4x4 with 8-foot bed. The minimum is 10,700 in the Regular Cab 4x2 model with an 8-foot long bed. Maximum payload capacity equals 4,230 lbs (4x2 / Crew Cab / 8-foot bed combo) while the minimum is 4,040 lbs on the 4x2 SuperCab with a 6.75-foot bed. Towing capacities are the same as the F-250, except here you get the option to tow a fifth-wheel trailer. They range from 5,000 lbs for a conventional weight-carrying trailer, 12,500 lbs when a weight-distributing set-up is utilized, and 16,800 lbs with a fifth-wheel hitch, all when properly optioned up.

Six trim levels of the F-350 Super Duty exist, starting from the XL, to the XLT, FX4, Lariat, King Ranch and Harley Davidson.

The standard cab has a seating capacity of three occupants abreast, and there is the SuperCab and Crew Cab as options, both of which offer five or six seats, depending on if the front bench seat is ordered. The latter obviously does it in more comfort, and features power windows that go all the way down into the door. Buyers also get a choice of 6.75- or 8-foot long boxes on all but the Regular Cab, which only gets the long box. If one options up the Dual Rear Wheel (DRW) model, they only get it with an 8-foot box. Four wheel drive is optional across the range.