2012 Ford Super Duty F-350 DRW Pickup Overview Change Vehicle

This 2011 Ford F-350 Super Duty overview explains changes for the model year, provides a summary of the 2012 F-350 Super Duty, and includes Ford F-350 Super Duty safety, reliability, and fuel economy ratings.

Built for heavy-duty hauling and towing, the 2012 Ford F-350 is able to handle bigger loads than the F-250 model, and can be equipped with dual rear wheels for maximum big-rig effect.

Ford finds extra horsepower and torque in the 2012 F-350’s optional 6.7-liter Power Stroke turbo-diesel engine thanks to software programming modifications, resulting in 400 horsepower and 800 pound-feet of torque. Combined with a strengthened frame cross-member and a stronger tow hitch, the ’12 F-350 benefits from greater towing and payload ratings this year. In other news, the standard 6.2-liter gasoline V8 engine is available from the factory with a compressed natural gas/propane (CNG/LPG) conversion preparation option, and a new fifth-wheel or gooseneck hitch attached directly to the Super Duty’s frame, with electrical connections integrated into the bed wall, can be installed on the assembly line and comes with a factory warranty.

When picking a new truck, 2012 Ford F-350 Super Duty buyers need to choose between three cab styles (Regular Cab, SuperCab, or Crew Cab), a short or long bed, single or dual rear wheels, two- or four-wheel drive, and the standard 6.2-liter flex-fuel gasoline V8 or optional B20-compatible, 6.7-liter, Power Stroke turbo-diesel V8. Next, a model must be selected. The F-350 comes in XL, XLT, Lariat, and King Ranch flavors.

The F-350 XL might be basic, but it’s also the least expensive model, making it attractive to business owners. Vinyl seats and flooring, manual lumbar support for the driver, air conditioning, a tilt/telescopic steering wheel, a simple trip computer, and an AM/FM stereo describe the extent of the cab’s creature comforts. Functional attributes include manual telescopic trailer towing mirrors, a trailer hitch receiver, and Trailer Sway Control, along with an illuminated cargo bed and an easy-lift tailgate design. It’s easy to tell the XL apart from other F-350s; it’s the one with a black grille, black door handles, black bumpers, and 17-inch painted steel wheels.

If you’d like an F-350 XL that doesn’t look like it came out of a cereal box, you can upgrade with optional power windows, power door locks, power heated side mirrors, and a CD player. Cloth seats can be installed to replace the sticky vinyl, and the XL is available with Sync hands-free communication and entertainment technology. Cruise control, aluminum wheels, chrome bumpers, and an integrated trailer brake controller are also available.

The next model on the trim level ladder is the F-350 XLT. It comes with most of the standard and optional features listed for the XL, plus a chrome grille, dark tinted privacy glass (SuperCab and Crew Cab), carpeting, and floor mats. Remote keyless entry is also standard, as well as an auxiliary audio input jack for the stereo.

Ford offers a variety of options for the popular XLT model. Highlights include PowerScope side mirrors, Sync hands-free connectivity, a reversing camera, rear bumper sensors, a power driver’s seat, nicer cloth seats, and power adjustable pedals. You can also get an LCD productivity screen, a sliding rear window, automatic headlights, fog lights, and extra shiny trim for the outside of the truck. All-weather floor mats, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, satellite radio, and a SecuriCode keyless entry pad are also available. Trucks with a single-rear-wheel axle can be outfitted with 18-inch aluminum wheels, while dual-rear-wheel models are offered with polished and forged aluminum wheels that resemble those on a big rig.

Buy the F-350 Lariat, and you’ll get a luxurious hauler equipped with power front seats wrapped in leather (vinyl covers the back seat on SuperCab and Crew Cab), dual-zone automatic climate control, a premium sound system, Sync hands-free connectivity, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio controls. A 110-volt/115-volt power inverter is also standard on Lariat models.

In addition to sharing a portion of the XLT model’s options menu, the Lariat can be upgraded with numerous features that are unavailable on the XLT. The Lariat Ultimate Package provides a navigation system, a power moonroof, heated and ventilated front seats, memory settings for the driver, and more. Two-tone paint, a HomeLink universal remote, and 20-inch chrome wheels (single-rear-wheel models) are also available.

If you’ve got a big budget for a new truck, maybe the F-350 King Ranch model is right for you. In addition to coming with most of the Lariat’s standard and optional features, the King Ranch is outfitted with Chaparral leather interior trim, Pale Adobe exterior trim, two-tone paint, and unique wheels (single-rear-wheel models). Illuminated side steps make it easier to clamber aboard, and four-wheel-drive variants have skid plates. King Ranch models can upgraded with extra chrome trim, a power moonroof, a navigation system, and 20-inch wheels (single-rear-wheel models).

In addition to the features and options listed above, every F-350 Super Duty is available with the following options:

• 6.7-liter Power Stroke turbo-diesel V8

• Remote engine starting

• Live Drive Power Takeoff

• Heavy-duty suspension

• Heavy-duty electrical system

• Frame-mounted gooseneck or fifth-wheel trailer hitch

• Snow Plow Prep Package

• Camper Package

• FX4 Off-Road Packages

• Ford Work Solutions (Crew Chief and Cable Lock)

• Rapid-heat cab heater

• Roof clearance lighting (standard on F-350 dually)

• Electrical system upfitter switches

• Reversing alarm

• Spray-in bedliner

• Tailgate step

• Bed extender

• Bed mat

• Tonneau cover

• Mud flaps

A 6.2-liter gasoline- or E85-fired V8 engine is standard on the F-350, generating 385 horsepower at 5,500 rpm and 405 pound-feet of torque at 4,500 rpm. A six-speed TorqShift automatic with a tow/haul mode and SelectShift manual gear selection gets the power to the rear or all four wheels. Depending on configuration, towing is rated up to 15,000 pounds with a conventional trailer hitch, or 15,800 lbs. when equipped with a fifth-wheel hitch. The EPA does not rate heavy-duty pickups for fuel economy.

Many F-350 buyers upgrade to the optional 6.7-liter Power Stroke turbo-diesel V8 engine, which is equipped with the TorqShift automatic transmission, requires the use of diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) to meet air quality standards, and can burn B20 biodiesel rather than low-sulfur diesel fuel. With 400 horsepower at 2,800 rpm and 800 lb-ft of torque at 1,600 rpm, the Power Stroke does not shy away from towing and hauling assignments. Maximum tow capacity is 17,500 lbs. with a conventional trailer hitch, 22,700 lbs. with a fifth-wheel hitch, and the F-350 can carry up to 7,110 lbs. of payload.

If you need four-wheel drive, it can be added to any F-350 Super Duty. A manual transfer case with manual locking hubs is standard on the XL and XLT models, while the Lariat and King Ranch get an electronic shift-on-the-fly system. Skid plates are optional on the XLT and Lariat, and standard on the King Ranch.

The 2012 Ford F-350 Super Duty is equipped with six standard airbags, four-wheel-disc antilock brakes, and an SOS Post Crash Alert System that unlocks the doors, sounds the horn, and activates the flashers after an airbag deployment. Additionally, models with single rear wheels get stability control, trailer sway control, and hill start assist. Hill descent control is optional on models with single rear wheels, included in the FX4 Off-Road Package, and all F-350s except the XL model can be equipped with rear bumper sensors and a reversing camera.

The National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) have not crash-tested the F-350, but since vehicle weight is a major determining factor for survivability in collisions with other vehicles, it’s easy enough to do the math. (This does not account for situations when the F-350 collides with a stationary object, like a building.)

Reliability predictions are also incomplete, as this review is written. Consumer Reports and J.D. Power and Associates are not rating the F-350 in this regard, but last year, J.D. Power estimated that long-term dependability would be slightly better than average.

Based on R.L. Polk registration data, Ford says the Super Duty truck lineup accounts for nearly half of all heavy-duty pickup sales in North America. Certainly, for a customer base that values “Buy American” sentiment, it helps that the Super Duty is built in Louisville, Kentucky.

With Power Stroke horsepower and torque increases for 2012, the F-350 Super Duty remains competitive against the Silverado 3500HD, Sierra 3500HD, and Ram 3500. That means choice is more dependent on brand loyalty, design and comfort preferences, equipment levels, and local service options. From this perspective, then, you’ve probably already made up your mind about the capable Ford F-350 Super Duty.

By Christian Wardlaw