By Jade Brasher
Getting the best of both worlds—that’s tough these days. But what if your recreational toys could also be your workhorse. That was the idea behind the Ford Super Duty F-250 Tremor. Designed to work hard and play hard, this truck is capable of anything your job throws at it and ready to get you out in the woods for some thrills and relaxation.
I was able to review the 2020 F-250 Tremor with the new 7.3-L V8 gas engine. I’ll admit, it lived up to my expectations and offered a few pleasant surprises along the way.
SUPER DUTY
With the 7.3-L V8 engine, new in 2020, the truck pumps out 430 hp and 475 lb-ft of torque. This engine joins the suite of engines available with Super Duty, including the standard 6.2-L V8 gas that offers 385 hp and 475 lb-ft of torque and third generation 6.7-L Power Stroke Diesel V8 offering 475 hp and 1,050 lb-ft of torque.
Enhancements in the newer models make the truck even more enticing to prospective heavy-duty pickup owners. Starting in 2020 models, the Super Duty features trailering technology with available Pro Trailer Backup Assist. This allows owners to back trailers into even the tightest spaces. With the Tremor specifically, drivers can select different drive modes based on their circumstances. The modes include normal, tow/haul, eco, slippery (for snow- and ice-covered roads), and deep snow/sand. The TorqShift 10-speed automatic transmission is standard with 7.3-L and 6.7-L Power Stroke engines. The transmission also features a rock-crawl mode that is specific to the Tremor. Also specific to the Tremor, the Super Duty gets Trail Control. It functions as cruise control for off-road driving in any mode.
MAKINGS OF A TREMOR
This truck is capable of hauling loads back and forth from the worksite, but also hauling toys back and forth from off-road campsites. The Tremor package is available in multiple trims, from the XLT to Platinum.
Ford gave the Tremor 35-inch Goodyear Wrangler Duratrac tires (the largest available on a heavy-duty pickup). The tires are mounted on 18-inch matte black wheels. The tires along with a 2-inch front-end lift give the Tremor a ground clearance of 10.8 inches. It’s also able to tread up to 33 inches of water.
Adding to the 4×4 upgrades is a new Dana limited-slip front differential and a locking rear differential with electronic shift-on-the-fly engagement. When used in specific modes, the front axle senses when a tire loses traction and uses brakes to send power to the wheel that has traction.
Finally, the Tremor features off-road running boards that retract under the body when the truck is in motion, extended-axle vent tubes, and skid plates.
But Ford didn’t stop simply with Super Duty power and off-road features for the F-250 Tremor. Ford packed the truck with technology, made it luxuriously comfortable, and found a way to meet the needs of fleet owners and recreational enthusiasts alike.
TECH SAVVY
In the days when mobile office has taken on a new meaning, it’s especially important the vehicle used for that mobile office has WiFi availability and plenty of USB outlets as well as power outlets for laptops and other devices. All of which can be found in the Ford F-250 Tremor.
But technology doesn’t only include mobile office capability. Ford introduces its Ford Co-Pilot360 technology to 2021 F-250 models. This suite of safety technology includes Pro Trailer Backup Assist, pre-collision assist with automatic emergency braking (AEB), adaptive cruise control and forward collision warning with brake support, BLIS (blind spot information system) with trailer coverage, lane-keeping alert, auto high-beams, rear camera, Hill Descent Control, and the previously mentioned Trail Control.
These features help simplify tasks in the driver’s seat while acting as an extra layer of protection. If a driver finds themselves distracted from the road, the safety systems send alerts to get them back on track before it’s too late.
TOUCH OF LUXURY
I put many miles on the Ford F-250 Tremor. I took it out in the woods and drove it around town and on the highway. The retractable step bar and ergonomically placed handles made it easy to get in and out of the cab. The heated and vented leather seats along with the heated, leather steering wheel also helped make the truck my preferred vehicle.
The truck features an 8-inch infotainment screen that is compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It’s where you’ll use the truck’s navigation system, connect Bluetooth devices, and connect with the truck’s WiFi. It also displays camera views including rearview and 360-degree view on a split screen. The steering wheel houses audio and phone controls so drivers can keep their hands on the wheel when answering calls and cranking up the volume.
WORK & PLAY
For those who want to crank up their workload as well as their recreational activities, this Ford F-250 Lariat Tremor could be an answered prayer. This particular truck came with stowable loading ramps that cling to each side of the truck bed. These ramps are made specifically for Ford trucks and slide securely onto the tailgate. The ramps can accommodate up to 800 lbs, so they are perfect for loading landscape equipment or recreational vehicles. Even though I didn’t have a use for the ramps at the time, I took them out and put them away several times to see how easy they were to use. It takes so few steps to get these ramps work ready, and they are perfect for one-person jobs.
When you’re not on the job or on your way to a remote worksite, this truck can get you there pretty easily—as long as the trail you’re running is wide enough for this massive truck to get through. This truck’s 4×4 capabilities and its high ground clearance make it an easy choice for off-road adventures. I took it on a few trails, and I kept up with the Wranglers ahead of me with ease.
When you make it to your destination, you’ll enjoy the security of tools, equipment, or valuables with the truck’s under-seat storage in the back of the crew cab. This storage unit is collapsible, allowing you to fold up the seats and use the entire flat floorboard for stowing items, or you can fold the seats down and use the lockable storage unit to hold your items safely and securely.
UP TO YOU
No matter how you use your Ford F-250 Tremor, this Super Duty is ready for action. Enjoy your ride to the jobsite with the truck’s comfortable interior and its towing capabilities, or take it out in the woods for a joyride. However you use the truck is up to you, but rest assured, it’s capable of whatever you can throw at it.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Jade Brasher is the editor of Modern WorkTruck Solutions magazine. A graduate of The University of Alabama, Jade resides in Kennesaw, Georgia, and enjoys writing about her town, travel, and of course, work trucks. Reach her at jade@mwsmag.com. Find out more about the Ford F-250 Tremor, visit www.ford.com.
