After the long wait for the scheduling and build, the shipping phase was short, taking only 15 days, when the average to the West Coast is 23 days. I had the rail car number, so was checking the automated system daily, which had her stuck in Chicago for over 1 week. I checked the system, which stated she was still in Chicago, then an hour later the Sales Manager called to advise the truck was on the lot.

During transit it experienced some scrapes on the hubs, which isn’t that uncommon with duallys, so waited a week while they made good repairs and sent it to the local Line-X for the spray-in bed liner.

First Impressions

OMG!! what a great truck, why did I have to go through the 350 SRW and 350 DRW to finally get with the program and go big. Mind you, in addition to the beefed-up suspension, brakes and tighter turning circle, it also has vastly improved technology.

The F-450 is a de-rated Class 4 truck, so the GVWR is the same as the F-350 at 14,000 lbs, instead of 16,000 lbs for a Class 4. Although a more capable truck than the old F-350 DRW, the payload is actually about 600 lbs less, as the F-450 is that much heavier. However, with a payload of 4,600 lbs, it is still more than capable.

King Ranch

Both previous trucks were Lariat trim, but Ford have changed the trim levels and deleted some of the standard equipment. We could have added some additional options, but opted to move up to the King Ranch trim level, adding the “Ultimate” package for the massaging seats, double panel moonroof and the adaptive cruise control.

The 2022 Super Dutys received an upgraded 12″ screen, which is simply amazing, when coupled with the 360-degree cameras.

The buttons along the top of the screen (R to L) – cameras, hill descent control, hazard flashers, Stability/Traction Control, Exhaust Brake.

Next week we are heading out to North Dakota for a 2020 World Cruise re-union and birthday, taking the new truck. Unfortunately, since it only has 100 miles on the clock, we are not hauling the 5th wheel over the Rockies.