Ford F-450 dimensions

Developed first and foremost as a workhorse with superior towing and payload numbers, the 2012 Ford F-450 Super Duty also provides refinement and luxury with the luxury versions and features. Ford F-450 Super Duty offers the following pros: Highest tow rating of any pickup; relaxed highway ride; availability of work- and recreation-related packages and features. Ford F-450 Super Duty drawbacks are: Large footprint is unwieldy in traffic and parking lots; steering doesn't instill confidence; high price; dated and overwrought interior; available only in one customization.

The 2012 Ford F-450 Super Duty is provided in just one configuration: a crew cabin mated to an 8-foot trunk bed, with four-wheel-drive and dual back wheels (DRW or dually). Buyers, however, do get a choice among the four familiar versions also found on the F-250 and F350 models: XL, XLT, Lariat and King Ranch.

Traditional on the base XL are 17-inch forged aluminum wheels, a black grille and bumpers, running boards, roof clearance lights, manual-telescoping trailer-tow mirrors, air-conditioning, vinyl upholstery and floor coverings, a 40/20/40-split front seat, a 60/40 split-folding back seat bench, a tilt-and-telescoping helm and a two-speaker AM/FM radio.

Stepping up to the XLT adds a chrome grille and bumpers, heated outside mirrors, cruise control, full performance accessories, keyless entry, an integrated trailer-brake controller, carpeted floor, cloth upholstery, lockable second-row underseat cargo with a performance point, and a four-speaker audio system with CD/MP3 player and optional stereo slot.

The Lariat trim level features foglights, power-telescoping mirrors, back parking sensors, a performance back sliding window with defrost, chrome tubular step bars, dual-zone automatic conditioning and leather dashboard upholstery. Add-on traditional equipment on the Lariat include a 4. 2-inch LCD multifunction display, wood-grain trim, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, power-adjustable pedals, the Ford Sync voice activation system and an eight-speaker stereo system with radio. The front bench also features a center control panel and 10-way performance seatings for the driver and passenger.

The range-topping King Ranch piles on power-folding and telescoping tow mirrors, two-tone paint, a body-colored grille with chrome insert, lighted running boards, original look and dashboard badging, remote start, updated Chaparral leather upholstery, heated and ventilated seatings, driver bench memory and a rearview camera.

Some features on the Lariat and King Ranch trims are available on the XL and XLT models. Other add-ons (depending on trim level) include a stowable bed extender, a transmission performance take-off (for powering accessories like snow plows), fifth-wheel mounting points (compatible with Reese hitch units), a spray-in bedliner, a sunroof, integrated accessory switches and a hard-drive-based navigator.

The available Ford Work Solutions suite is provided on XL and XLT models and adds an in-dash computer that is customizable to suit commercial users and fleets. Other work-related features include snow plow and camper prep packages and the FX4 Off-road suite that offers skid plates and Rancho-brand shock absorbers. .