Is the Ford F-250 Tremor Really the ‘Working Man’s Raptor?’
If you are in the market for a new truck, does the F-250 Tremor really stack up against the Baja-brawling Raptor?
Our friends over at AmericanTrucks (AT) weighed in on the Ford F-250 Tremor recently during their latest episode of The Haul. You can check out the full video below, but here’s a quick look at the truck itself, the video, and our thoughts about the question AT’s hypothesis. Basically, is the F-250 Tremor really a “working man’s Raptor” or something else entirely?
In this episode, Justin Dugan thoroughly reviews the Tremor, which includes a dyno run, and shares his thoughts on what Ford got right and what they missed. “There’s no denying that Ford’s diesel F-250 with the Tremor package is still going to be a work truck first, off-road toy second,” says Justin Dugan
1,050 lb.-ft. of Torque
We already know the Ford F-250 is an extremely capable workhorse. Paired with either the 7.3 liter Godzilla engine, or the 6.7 liter Power Stroke diesel, it offers the payload and towing ability of a semi-truck. Its impressive size offers generous room and comfort for five NFL linemen. And did we mention power? That Power Stroke diesel makes 1,050 lb. feet of torque, enough to change the earth’s rotation.
Tremor Package
For $4,000, the Tremor package provides the F-250 with even more impressive off-road chops. Slightly lifted over the stock F-250, the Tremor wears twin-tube shocks and rides on 18-inch satin black wheels shod with Goodyear Wrangler Duratrac tires. The F-250’s suspension and locking rear diff anchor the rear.
Up front, a limited-slip front diff, skid plates, and rock slider side steps show that the Tremor package means the business. The 34.5-degree approach angle gives it more clearance than the Raptor, and it can wade through 33 inches of water. The only thing missing from the package is a winch, which is a separate option and can be mounted inside the front bumper.
The F-250 Tremor retains all of the serious features that make up a dependable work truck. The 10-speed auto transmission makes the most of either the 7.3 Godzilla gas V-8 or the 6.7 Power Stroke diesel engine’s power. Telescoping mirrors provide good all-around visibility. With the right hitch at the bumper, capacity rates at 15,000 pounds. Add a fifth-wheel or gooseneck hitch and that figure jumps to 18,000+ pounds.
Styling
If there’s one shortcoming of the F-250, it’s the styling. Not much has changed since 2017. The exterior gets some nice upgrades courtesy of the Tremor package, including the aforementioned 18-inch wheels, but otherwise is unchanged. Inside it’s the standard Lariat, which for 2022 gets a slight refresh and features a 12 screen in the center stack. Functionally though, there are a number of settings and configurations for off-road and trail control. These settings include a rock crawl mode as well as settings to manage ascent and descent speeds.
Working Man’s Raptor?
The Raptor is a legendary vehicle, good at covering ground rapidly. It rides well with a soft suspension and provides an ideal platform for off-road racing. You could drive a Raptor off the Ford showroom floor and into the Baja 1000 without too many modifications.
The F-250 Tremor is every bit as capable off-road as the Raptor, but lacks the Raptors soft suspension and outright speed. Instead, it’s set up to haul and tow very big, heavy things. As Justin Dugan says, it’s a work vehicle that can be used as an off-road toy. Bearing all of that in mind, I have to say the answer is no. The Tremor is no Raptor.
Instead, it’s a much better truck.
Photos: American Trucks
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