In May 2004 Ford Motor Company revealed the 2005 Super Duty truck. This highly anticipated successor to the current Super Duty features big, bold looks borrowed from the Mighty Tonka concept, more power, better handling and more capabilities. Ford Motor Company invited Ford Truck Enthusiasts to try out their new truck at the Arizona Proving Grounds in mid-June.

The competitive market of full size trucks is in many ways similar to the horsepower wars of the 1960s and early 1970s. Rather than focusing purely on styling each new introduction brings more capabilities and features.

• Tow capacity has increased across the entire product line, with a maximum of 17,000 lbs.
• Payload has increased an average of 500 to 1000 lbs per model, and a maximum of 5,800 lbs of cargo in the F-350 dually.
• The all-new TowCommand System optional factory installed trailer brake controller.
• Added Power. The 5.4L V8 now uses the same 3-valve technology as the 2004 F-150. The towing capability of this engine has increased by 3000 lbs. The Triton V10 now sports a 3 valve design with 355 hp and 455 ft/lbs torque, up from 310 hp and 425 ft/lbs in 2004. The 6.0L Power Stroke diesel increases torque from 560 ft/lbs to 570 ft/lbs.
• Improved steering and suspension. A new monobeam coil spring front suspension replaces the leaf springs on four-wheel drive models. The average turning circle of the F-250/F-350 has been improved by more than five and a half feet. On the heavier F-450/F-550 there is more than a 12 foot turning diameter improvement. The steering has been made more precise, for better steering feel. The frame rail thickness has increased, providing more strength and stiffness, resulting in better handling and ride quality. The rear suspension features staggered shocks and revised new spring rates to improve the ride.
• Braking has been improved with larger rotors and stiffer calipers.
• 18 and 20 inch wheels have been added to the lineup - the 20 inch wheel makes Super Duty the only brand in this segment with this factory option.

Ford didn't stop with just the capabilities, the Super Duty's styling has changes in several areas as well:

• Chiseled front profile with a grill which draws cues from the 2002 Mighty Tonka concept Super Duty.
• New, stronger looking wheel designs.
• New gauge cluster and instrument panel.
• Lowered waterline.
• Industry first "flames" paint option on the Harley-Davidson Super Duty.
  
• Crew Cab rear doors open a full 76 degrees.

Our first stop was an Arizona aircraft hanger (its true what they say about dry heat). We received a brief presentation and introduction to the 2005 Super Duty and then had a chance to talk to high level engineers, managers and designers. Ford made sure we had access to these individuals throughout the day and I couldn't help but notice their enthusiasm for this truck.

After the presentation, we had our first chance to drive the new Super Duty. We drove Power Stroke diesel Super Duty trucks through hilly Arizona countryside towing 7,000 lb loads. The trucks were remarkably quiet. If it weren't for the faint whine of the turbo and the low RPMs on the tachometer you wouldn't know you were driving a diesel. The reputation of loud, rattling diesels doesn't apply to this truck.

There was power to spare, handling was great and braking was predictable. The person sharing the truck with me during this portion of the drive noted that you could easily forget that you were towing if it weren't for the large trailer in the rear view mirrors. After traveling through the hills we took to the highways and drove to Ford's Arizona Proving Grounds (APG). Highway towing inspired confidence in the capabilities of the truck, even for someone like myself who doesn't tow often. The truck easily accelerated at all speeds, never ran out power and braked well.

Near the entrance of the APG Ford had a humorous display of a Chevy pickup being carried in the bed of a 2005 Super Duty. I couldn't help but think about Ford's 1980s television commercial of a Ford climbing a hillside with a Chevy in its bed.

Our first set of exercises on the APG was towing braking exercises comparing Ford's TowCommand braking system against a popular after-market controller. Ford's towing brake controller talks to the rest of the Ford systems and it therefore can provide trailer tow braking intelligence the after-market currently cannot duplicate.

The brake controller allows you to dial in the braking of the trailer based on load and the trailer's brake capabilities. We were told that the manual describes the procedure for setting the controller appropriately.

The loads in these tests were in excess of 10,000 lbs. We first tried low speed (~10 mph) tests. The Ford controller provided a smooth stop with no jerking or rocking of the truck. The after-market controller gave a slight jerk, followed by a rocking motion when the truck came to a complete stop -- typical behavior for a trailer not stopping at the same moment as the vehicle towing.