Article Comments - 2008 F-450 Super Duty Full Test

146 messages, Last post on Oct 26, 2009 at 7:20 AM

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What is this discussion about? Ford F-450 Super Duty, Truck

Article comments for Full Test: 2008 Ford F-450 Super Duty - For those hauling heavy loads — whether it's an extended horse trailer, a part-time home for recreation in remote areas or even a pair of hobby cars — your steed has arrived. (more)

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#55 of 146 Re: Trouble w/ 2008 Diesel [wpalkowski] by buffettman Nov 23, 2007 (6:09 pm)
Replying to: wpalkowski (Jul 03, 2007 3:46 am) I am not being smart but who pulls that much weight at such high speeds?If I were you I would be more concerned with the safety of the other motorist on the road and less about the top end speed of your truck.I have the 450 as well and pull a 1500# rv with it and it's a great vehicle and safe at 70mph.The dealer should inform you that there is a speed rating on the tires that must be observed.If they turned you loose on these tires and you wrecked because of tire failure who would you sue?
#56 of 146 F-450 for rugged strength, not towing capacity? by simpliciter Nov 23, 2007 (7:22 pm)
I’m wondering whether to buy an F-450 for the strength of its frame, turning radius, etc., even though I am not going to exceed the F-350’s towing capacity. I want a crew-cab dually to tow a boat/trailer combo of ~9,000 lb, plus a service body (RKI?) of another 1,700 lb in place of the regular pickup body (so I will order the commercial version). The total weight of ~11,000 lbs max is well within the capacity of an F-350. But I want to drive it all over northern Canada: on logging roads, dirt roads, hundreds of miles from civilization, etc (to Hudson Bay, Labrador, etc.). These roads are twisty, steep, and often in terrible shape. Having a broken axle 300 miles from help is no fun. People say “Don’t buy the F-450 unless you really need its towing capacity.” But towing is not the only thing for which brute strength might be useful. In particular, it seems to me the F-450 has at least these two advantages: 1. Smaller turning radius: (51.5 versus 56.5 feet) 2. Stronger frame, differential, etc. The first may now be available as the “monobeam extended front axle”, though I can’t find much about it online (e.g., does it require the 19.5” wheels? Or can you still get the 17” ones?). But the stronger frame is presumably only on the F-450. Thing is, I would probably want the 3.73 or limited-slip 4.10; I certainly don’t need the 4.88. Can those be ordered? Also: how much worse is the ride of the F-450? Etc. Any help would be hugely appreciated. Thanks p.s. Sorry I’m new. Should I have posted this on a different forum? Replies to this message: elwoodn (Dec 12, 2007 5:44 pm)
#57 of 146 Re: Trouble w/ 2008 Diesel [pamr] by elwoodn Nov 28, 2007 (12:18 pm)
Replying to: pamr (Jul 09, 2007 6:33 am) Sir; I to have experenced the same type noise and loss of power while pulling up steep grades with a 15,000 lb. 5th wheel . Sounds like the transmission is slipping, Has Ford given you any explanation . I will be taking my F-450 in for service very soon and would appreciate any info. I have only seen this problem while pulling steep grades and then it goes away. thanks for any info. Elwood N. Replies to this message: badluck4 (Dec 07, 2007 4:41 am)
#58 of 146 Re: Trouble w/ 2008 Diesel [elwoodn] by badluck4 Dec 07, 2007 (4:41 am)
Replying to: elwoodn (Nov 28, 2007 12:18 pm) have same problems,also smoking,black and[ white ] fuel pump and relays replaced,out of 6 months truck has been down 16 days and now in shop again and cant find problems,hold on tight. best of luck,shops are saying 1-3 wks before they can look at it,went to one they refused to look at it, to do fuel pump requires cab being taken off,now my front brakes are locking up on snow,warnings on dash for trailer hook up,when trailer is not hooked to it,and still bellowing black smoke,and chugging down the road.But no problems can be duplicated.
#59 of 146 ford service by badluck4 Dec 07, 2007 (4:58 am)
truck broke down and was towed,shop did test on it and told me 7-10 days before it could be started.I had it retowed to another shop and it sat there 5 days and total of 14 days i got it back,cab was removed high pressure fuel pump was put in ,then relays and other problems,now truck is chugging down the road,front brakes locking up on snow and truck still bellowing out clouds of black smoke,smoking since new dealer says nothing can be duplicated right now,when i got trk back from repair it went in next day they told me 7 days before they could look at it,another shop said 3 weeks,now nothing fixed ,went to shop that said 3 wks they refused to look at it because of warranty problems with ford Replies to this message: elwoodn (Dec 07, 2007 6:35 pm)
#60 of 146 Re: ford service [badluck4] by elwoodn Dec 07, 2007 (6:35 pm)
Replying to: badluck4 (Dec 07, 2007 4:58 am) Badluck4; Sorry about your ordeal with your F-450 . I took care of my problem , I went to the Chevy dealer and traded the 450 in on a 2008 Silverado 3500HD LTZ . I took a hit for 11500 but I'll get that back in fuel savings and a lot less headachs . Ford Motor Co. can kiss my A-- . Good luck with your F450 hope all your troubles go away . Elwood N. P.S. my best MPG.was 9.5 w/no tow & the Ford dealer on my visit for service said it checked O.K. and he couldn't duplicate any of my problems.
#61 of 146 Re: F-450 for rugged strength, not towing capacity? [simpliciter] by elwoodn Dec 12, 2007 (5:44 pm)
Replying to: simpliciter (Nov 23, 2007 7:22 pm) sir; read this fourm , then decide weather or not to buy an f-450 . I just got rid of mine due to powerloss when pulling a load up hill, also really bad on fuel (best i got while towing was 7.8) and got no help from ford .Out there in the boonies i think it would be a mistake to go with a f-450.
#62 of 146 ford service continued by badluck4 Dec 27, 2007 (7:46 am)
well trucks back only took 30days,now first time in 3" of snow at 30-40 mph cant keep truck on road even in 4 wheel drive,what a vehicle,[junk] bad service,poor quality,never again will i ever buy or tell anyone else to buy [ford] ps not only person with these problems.
#63 of 146 Re: Help [dyno1] by losman54 Dec 27, 2007 (7:58 am)
Replying to: dyno1 (Nov 21, 2007 6:03 pm) Dyno1, who told you you need a 4:88 gear to pull your 5th wheel? How much does that thing weight?
#64 of 146 back to drawing board or educate by fishinhard Dec 30, 2007 (5:50 pm)
Had f-350 2003 dually loved truck with about 16 mpg kept blowing oil rails etc. always having problems, received new truck because 2003 was in shop 3 out of 8 months I had to pay for offset about $3000 but received f250 with same engine but all problems solved now down to 13.8 mpg with out dually? what happened? still blew oil rail but fixed and ran through warranty but started bucking so traded for new truck. I haul trailers for Boy Scouts and haul bob cats and back hoes on sometimes twisted and hilly roads, dually was great but I was not comfortable with single rear end so went back to dually that I love, I was told (because there is no where to find actual miles or mileage under similar conditions) by the sales man that this new engine on the f450 along with two COUNT EM TWO turbo's should out do and be comparable to my old f350. Please no smart snobby answers as I still drive my 2000 f550, 7.3 dump truck and still get usually over 17 mpg. I get about 9 mpg in my f450 without load just tool box and about 400 lbs inside I believe that it is up to Ford to put this kind of info into writing and for consumers not to have to trust unscrupulous sales personnel, this should be on sticker.