The Blue Oval's heavy-duty trucks get the aluminum treatment as Ford unveils the 2017 lineup of Super Duty models at the Texas State Fair
2015 State Fair of Texas intro
Texas is the nation's largest truck market so it seems fitting that Ford chose the 2015 State Fair of Texas to unveil its 2017 lineup of aluminum - and high-strength steel-intensive Heavy Duty pickup trucks.
2017 Ford Super Duty
The foundation of Ford's new range of heavy-duty trucks is a fully boxed frame constructed of over 95 percent high-strength steel, offering up to 24 times the stiffness of the previous frame.
Like the F-150, the body of the new Super Duty models will be comprised of high-strength, military-grade, aluminum alloy. Together, the two have enabled Ford to reduce the weight of various HD models by up to 350 pounds, despite the fact that all three cabs - Regular Cab, SuperCab and Crew Cab – are longer.
Speaking of cabs, all three will feature a new interior that includes a dual compartment glove box, overhead console-mounted auxiliary switches (for aftermarket equipment operation), and flat SuperCab and Crew Cab second-row floors for easier loading and unloading.
2017 Super Duty towing features
Ford has paid special attention to its Super Duty owner's towing needs with 16 available segment-first features including:
• A center high-mounted stop lamp camera for improved cargo box visibility for easier hook-up of gooseneck/fifth-wheel trailers
• A 360-degree 4-camera (digital HD) system for a bird’s-eye view surrounding Super Duty
• Trailer reverse guidance provides visual cues and tips to help ease backing up a trailer
• A factory-available trailer camera can be attached to a trailer to improve visibility backing up.
• An in-cab trailer tire pressure monitoring system
• Blind Spot Information System with trailer tow includes the length of the trailer using radar sensors in the taillamps to monitor areas that may not be visible to the driver
Ford is also taking advantage of LED technology with available LED sideview mirror spotlights, quad-beam LED headlamps and taillamps and LED cargo box lighting.
2017 Ford Super Duty models
For 2017 there will be five models in the Super Duty lineup – XL, XLT, Lariat, King Ranch and Platinum.
The all-new Super Duty will be built at Ford's Kentucky Truck Plant, and goes on sale late next year with pricing announced closer to the on-sale date.
