Used 2011 Ford F-450 Super Duty for SaleNationwide

Need the biggest, baddest, trailer-haulingest full-size pickup out there? That would be the redesigned, five- or six-passenger 2011 Ford F-450 Super Duty. This stylish heavy hauler is available in four trim levels, the base XL, lower mid-level XLT, upper mid-level Lariat, and top-shelf King Ranch, and all trims are delivered with dual rear wheels (DRW), part-time four-wheel drive (4WD), crew cab configuration, turbodiesel V8 and an 8-foot bed. All this doesn’t come cheap, though, with a standard-equipped XL starting at over $48,000. Nevertheless, this monster has the highest towing capacity in its class at some 24,000 pounds in the available fifth-wheel configuration. Chevy’s Silverado HDs, Jimmy’s Sierra HDs, and Dodge’s Ram 3500s have a ways to go to equal this capability. The sole engine for the 2011 F-450 Super Duty is an up-powered 6.7-liter turbodiesel V8 that, according to Ford, runs cleaner and 18% more efficiently than 2010’s diesel. The brain behind this beast is a six-speed auto-manual transmission that allows 390 hp and a truly super 735 lb-ft of torque. Even with the standard hitch, this behemoth can haul 16,000 pounds of trailer or tote 4,920 pounds of payload. Also standard with all trims is a rear limited-slip differential and auxiliary transmission-fluid cooler. Lower trims feature manual locking hubs and manual hi-lo gear selection for the 4WD system, while the higher trims leave such functions to electronic means. As the basic workhorse of the bunch, the 2011 F-450 Super Duty XL sports basic appearance, comfort and convenience features, such as 17-inch polished alloy wheels, step running boards, bench front seats, vinyl upholstery, telescoping tilt-wheel steering, air conditioning and an AM/FM radio with two speakers. Still in the lunch-bucket bracket, the amped up XLT adds cloth upholstery, power accessories, including remote keyless entry and heated mirrors, cruise control, and a single-CD player with four speakers. The upper-echelon, five-passenger Lariat, meantime, tosses in tubular running boards, leather-trimmed upholstery, multi-level heated, power-adjustable front bucket seats, SYNC infotainment and navigation, dual-zone climate controls, leather and simulated wood steering wheel, dash, and cabin trim, satellite radio, nine speakers, Bluetooth communications technology, and a USB connection. Finally, the flagship King Ranch additionally boasts standard premium leather upholstery, rear-view camera, remote engine start, universal remote garage door opener and memory for driver settings. Options run the gamut from many of the standard features on the higher trims available for the XL and XLT to a power sunroof and hard-drive navigation for the higher trim levels. Depending on trim level, a heavy-duty alternator, a power-takeoff, spray-in bed liner, and fifth-wheel hitch configuration are also available. The highly touted FX4 Off-Road package, with features that include beefed-up shocks, hill descent control, all terrain tires and skid plates, is also available throughout the lineup. Sheer mass is, of course, the 2011 F-450 Super Duty’s major means of occupant protection. Complementing this size, however, is such standard safety equipment as four-wheel ABS, traction control, front side-mounted airbags, front and rear head airbags, and a post-collision safety system. The XLT and higher trims also boast a remote anti-theft alarm and turn-signal-integrated mirrors, while the Lariat and King Ranch additionally carry SYNC-interfaced vehicle collision and airbag deployment notification, rear parking sensors, and front fog/driving lights. Owners of the 2010 F-450 Super Duty find its cabin a bit dated and its price a tad steep, while maneuvering this titanic pickup in city traffic and crowded lots presents a monumental challenge to more than a few owners. On the whole, however, titanic towing capacity, surprisingly supple ride and handling characteristics, and the popular SYNC interface have virtually all owners more than satisfied with their choice of the F-450 Super Duty.