Today I got to drive the new Super Duties. It was a Ford event so of course it showcased all the great stuff we're getting this year. It's a very impressive truck. I'm especially excited for the drivability of the new transmission on the 250 gas. Much more responsive and really livens up the motor. Of course the PS demolished the Ram in tow acceleration and the Chevy wasn't bad, but got beat up pretty good too. The adaptive steering is a nice real world advantage, though in a race type course I found it less fun (sorta like a manual transmission is more fun, but I have to admit an automatic is more functional). They didn't give up any real new specs, said in the next 30-60 days Ford would be ready to release them. I suspected this would be the case before, but I'm completely confident of it now. If you're looking for a personal truck, you're an idiot for buying a leftover '16 compared to the new truck. The old truck does nothing better. My only real surprise was the continued use of twin I beam on the 2WD trucks.

 

So you got to drive the gas trucks? Glad it felt a little better. Josh said he really noticed a difference with the upgraded Powerstroke - I'm sure you did as well.

Congrats on the test drive. I think everyone knows the 2017 is the best, but that doesn't make a 2016 a bad truck. It just means its still a very good truck for those who want a proven commodity at a very good price.

I, for one, absolutely cannot wait until my truck is delivered. Unfortunately, that will probably be at some point in September.

 

Should have looked at the door jamb to see the Axle ratings.

 

Front axle goes up to 7500# they said. Yeah, I should have looked, but I'll bet they were smart enough not to put labels on them.

No doubt its a great truck, but for the mild price increase and loss of a few grand in rebate, it's a foolish investment IMO.

 

The best deals on the 16 leftovers will be the very high spec trucks. The gap widens in price compared to the new trucks, and the rebates might be pretty good.

But hey, you're preaching to the choir - I ordered a '17 a month ago.

 

The payload stickers weren't on the trucks I saw at the Houston Rodeo but the axle stickers were, the f450 rear axle is rated a couple hundred pounds more then the 2016

 

Rear axle was almost 12" on the 450/550

Rebates are about $1000 under what I normally see as peak rebates. The F150 didn't need any blow out deals to clear inventory and I suspect that the SD trucks won't either, so if all that held true, I'd personally just wait till near the end of '17 myself. But if you need it now, I still think $0 rebate on the new one would be better long term than $5k rebate on '16.

 

Frantz exactly what does the adaptive steering do? I ordered it on mine also.

 

Check the videos

https://media.ford.com/content/fordm...rld-turns.html

 

I must ask, at the risk of sticking my neck out too far, what makes the auto more functional?

 

So you guys think it will be the same design as on the Edge? If its like the 15' F150's steering then its gonna be money well spent as I love the light feel of that system.

 

The F150 has electric power steering, so it will be different. I wouldn't expect the Super Duty to be quite as light as the F150, but hopefully lighter than the current truck.

 

The Super Duty isn't as light or "sportscar" feeling as the 150 because of the electric steering. It is still a "felt" improvement though over current trucks.

 

Our 2011 F-150 with EPS had heavier-feeling steering than my Super Duty. I always thought the Super Duty had plenty of boost. One thing is for sure - the gas trucks have lighter-feeling steering than the diesels, due to the extra weight over the wheels.

 

The adaptive steering allows the ratio of the steering wheel to automatically adjust based on speed and even load. It makes the lock to lock a lower number or higher number based on conditions and gives better control of the vehicle. The SD is and will continue to be mechanical power steering for the foreseeable future due to the work loads. The adaptive steering module Ford has is entirely inside the steering wheel behind the airbag.

As for the functionality of the automatic, it's just better. I hate that, but it is. That being said, I wouldn't buy automatic on anything I didn't have to. My '15 Fiesta has a manual transmission and crank windows. I'm not rich, but I certainly could have afforded an SE automatic, I just don't like it, so why pay more? In a truck, automatic with a torque converter allows for much smoother transitions and makes plowing a breeze. While distracted driving is bad, lets face it, in a work truck there are plenty of other things one is often doing, so freeing up a hand and foot makes it safer and more functional. I love my manual F550, but I would have an awful time arguing that it's more practical. Todays autos are quite robust and get excellent fuel economy. More drivers can use them, and they have a higher resale value.