Ford's F-Series Super Duty collected its second Medium-Duty Truck of the Year award at the recent National Truck Equipment Association (NTEA) 2009 Work Truck Show in Chicago. Sponsored by Work Truck magazine, the award recognizes Class 3-6 medium-duty vehicles and vehicle series. Fleet professionals voted their selection in an online ballot. 

In a special presentation at Ford's NTEA Work Truck Show booth, Len Deluca, director of Ford Commercial Trucks, sales and marketing, accepted the award from Work Truck magazine Associate Publisher Bob Brown and Editor Mike Antich. 

"Ford is honored to have won the 2009 Work Truck magazine Medium-Duty Truck of the Year," said Deluca. "Ford takes tremendous pride in meeting our customers' demanding needs. Knowing the readers of Work Truck magazine voted us as their favorite medium-duty truck validates our commitment to them." 

"Work trucks are the backbone of many fleet operations," said Antich. "These vehicles are earning assets that contribute directly to a company's bottom line. The Medium-Duty Truck of the Year Award recognizes vehicles of superior quality that have the versatility to accomplish most any fleet application." 

The 2009 F-Series Super Duty line of trucks is available in Regular Cab, Super Cab, and Crew Cab models. Powertrain choices include 5.4L 3V Triton V-8, 6.8L 3V Triton V-10, and 6.4L Power Stroke V-8 turbodiesel, with horsepower ranging from 300 to 362. 

Major fleets across the country, such as Enterprise Truck Rental, Miller Industries, Jerr-Dan, and Altec use F-Series medium-duty models. 

Performing at its Best

Offering several best-in-class features, the Super Duty is available with two bed lengths - ¾ feet and 8 feet. 

Two available options enhance the Super Duty's towing capability. Ford's Tow Command with fully integrated trailer brake controller (TBC) is integrated with the ABS and synchronizes vehicle and trailer brakes for seamless braking, even with the heaviest loads. 

Best-in-class maximum payload of 6,190 lbs. capacity can mean fewer trips, saving time and money, according to the automaker. 

In addition, class-leading towing capacity offers demanding fifth wheel applications the capability to haul 24,600 lbs. with the F-450. 

The available PowerScope mirrors adjust, telescope, or fold at the touch of a switch to improve visibility, particularly when hauling or towing big loads. Designed specifically for Super Duty, these large mirrors extend up to 70mm and include heated glass. The manually adjustable spotter mirror is more than twice the size of its predecessor, providing expanded visibility.

Functionality Increased

The Super Duty's stowable bed-extender and tailgate step provide cargo-handling flexibility. 

Constructed of fiberglass-filled polypropylene, the stowable bed extender splits in the middle, folds, and stows into the sides of the bed, maximizing space and eliminating the need to remove the extender when carrying large, flat loads. 

The available integrated step is hidden in the tailgate for easier access to the bed and its contents, including a unique flip-up grab bar. A tailgate liner and pin-lock provide added stiffness. 

Improved engineering and new technologies improve the Super Duty's interior, minimizing the cabin noise, harshness, and vibration factor. Drivers can easily reach function switches, conveniently housed in the center stack. Dual door pockets and a massive center console/armrest provide generous in-cabin storage, big enough to accommodate a laptop and/or hanging files, facilitating in-the-field business. 

In Crew Cabs, folding the rear seats up reveals a flip-out utility tray that keeps the load floor flat. 

Driver and front passenger airbags are standard on the Super Duty. An airbag deactivation switch disengages the passenger side airbag when the seat is unoccupied (not included on the Crew Cab). 

Moving Forward in 2009

Several noteworthy features are available on select 2009 Super Duty models. 

Longer rear leaf springs. Eight-inches longer than the previous model, the rear suspension of the current-generation Super Duty features rear leaf springs, which provide more wind-up stiffness to manage the torque of the 6.4L Power Stroke V-8 turbodiesel without compromising ride comfort. 

Spray-in bedliner. Ford Tough factory-applied spray-in bedliner is a new option on 2009 Super Duty pickups, offering weather resistance and protection against gouging, scratching, cracking, and chipping. 

Ford Work Solutions. An optional suite of four innovative, industry-first technologies ranging from communications and computing to navigation, fleet tracking, and security turns the Super Duty into a mobile office. 

Rapid-heat supplemental cab heater. Helping to bring the interior temperature to a comfortable level more quickly, the available self-regulating heater integrates into the HVAC case, improving the temperature of the heater up to 18 degrees Fahrenheit at discharge. 

Rear-view camera system. Mounted in the tailgate handle and monitored in the self-dimming interior rearview mirror, the camera provides an easy line of sight when backing up, as well as a clear picture of the hitch when hooking up the trailer. 

Other available features include the voice-activated Ford SYNC Communications and Entertainment System and navigation system.

Staying 'Mean' While 'Clean'

With its 6.4L displacement and dual-sequential turbochargers, the 6.4L Power Stroke V-8 turbodiesel cranks out a maximum 350 horsepower and 650 ft.-lbs. of torque. Smaller, lighter impellers on the 2009 models enable turbos to spool faster, producing more power more quickly and contributing to better performance. 

The clean diesel technology includes a diesel particulate filter to trap soot particles and is optimized to use the latest ultra-low sulfur fuel, which burns cleaner with less odor and helps the emissions system last longer. With particulate emissions equivalent to those of a gasoline engine of similar size and power, the 6.4L Power Stroke V-8 turbodiesel is Ford's cleanest, quietest diesel truck ever. 

The Super Duty's advanced fuel injection provides a smoother, cleaner burn, reduced engine clatter, more powerful acceleration, and reduced emissions.

The TorqShift transmission includes a selectable Tow/Haul Mode and also reduces noise when the converter is locked.