2010 Ford F-350 Super Duty Review

The 2010 Ford F-350 Super Duty sees a lot of minor changes and feature shuffles between trim levels. Last year's Cabela's package is now a trim level (it replaces the discontinued FX4 model), the axle ratios have been revised for increased fuel economy, Sync is now offered on all but the base XL, a new spray-in bedliner is available and the Harley-Davidson package is now available on diesel models only. A five-speed automatic transmission is standard equipment on Lariat and Cabela's models, as well as on dually XL and XLT models.

Against mounting competition, the 2010 Ford F-350 Super Duty offers plenty of towing and hauling capabilities and user-friendly features. Its many combinations of body styles, trim levels and options broaden the F-350's appeal for a wide market of buyers.

When a job requires more capabilities than the normal pickup truck can offer, there's only one thing to do. Go bigger. The 2010 Ford F-350 Super Duty pickup answers that call with a sturdy frame, powerful engine choices and features that make it the "go-to" truck when the heaviest of loads needs moving.

Towing humongous trailers or boats that are just shy of a clipper ship is what the F-350 was made for. When properly equipped, this mammoth truck can pull up to 15,000 pounds and carry 5,700 pounds in the bed. Thanks to an available dual-rear-wheel layout (commonly called a "dually") for improved stability and the PowerStroke turbodiesel engine that produces a whopping 650 pound-feet of torque, all of this heavy hauling can be accomplished with great confidence.

On top of the F-350's capable drivetrain sits an equally able cabin. Several trim levels and optional packages offer many variations of this broad-shouldered theme, from a no-nonsense work truck to a luxuriously appointed hauler. One of the most notable changes for 2010 involves last year's optional Cabela's package, which has replaced the FX4 off-road model as a trim level. Other changes include wider availability of Ford's Sync voice activation system, a new spray-in bedliner and the Harley-Davidson package now being limited to diesel models.

At the level where Ford's F-350 Super Duty toils, there are really only a handful of alternatives. Chevrolet's Silverado 3500 (and its GMC Sierra twin) is a bit more capable in terms of towing and hauling. The new Dodge Ram 3500 also has plenty of capability as well as a nicer interior. Another thing to consider is that next year's F-350 will have a host of changes, most notably more powerful engines and a new six-speed automatic. For the loyal legions that have made the Ford F-Series the top-selling trucks for over three decades, though, the 2010 F-350 will certainly satisfy.

The 2010 Ford F-350 Super Duty is offered with three engine choices. The standard power plant is a 5.4-liter gasoline V8 that makes 300 horsepower and 365 pound-feet of torque. An optional 6.8-liter V10 produces 362 hp and 457 lb-ft. The most popular choice (recommended for those who do serious hauling and towing) is the 6.4-liter PowerStroke turbodiesel V8, which makes 350 hp and 650 lb-ft. Depending on the model, buyers may also choose between a six-speed manual or a five-speed automatic transmission and either two- or four-wheel drive.

Properly equipped, an F-350 Super Duty can tow up to 15,000 pounds (non-fifth-wheel trailering) and handle a 5,700-pound payload.

Antilock disc brakes are standard, but neither side nor side curtain airbags are available. Power-adjustable pedals are optional on models with automatic transmissions (XL model excluded), as are rear parking sensors.

The 2010 Ford F-350 delivers solid ride and handling dynamics for a full-size, heavy-duty truck, and it's remarkably quiet at speed, a trademark of recent F-Series models. Its base V8 is still down on maximum power, though, to the tune of 60-80 horsepower compared to the big V8s in the Ram and Silverado.

The 2010 Ford F-350 Super Duty trucks feature a blocky, industrial interior design language that works well for the intended market. On XL and XLT models, interior materials are quite good for the segment. Higher trim levels and optional packages, with their leather and wood grain trim, add a much more upscale and luxurious feel.

The well-placed center stack puts controls within easy reach, while the dual door pockets and a massive center console/armrest provide generous in-cabin storage -- in fact, the center console box is big enough to accommodate a laptop and/or hanging files. The lack of a telescoping steering wheel can make it hard for some drivers to find a comfortable driving position, though. In crew cabs, folding the rear seats up reveals a flip-out utility tray that keeps the load floor flat.