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If you're in the market for a reliable truck, you can't go wrong with the Ford Super Duty. But what is the best year for the Ford Super Duty?

Ford Motor Company has been producing vehicles for almost a century. The F-series pick-up vehicles are one of the most well-known in terms of overall performance and reliability. Ford's legendary F-series vehicles set the global standard for pick-up trucks, always creating suspension designs for better towing capability and upgrading drive trains for greater power.

2013 is undoubtedly the best year for the Ford Super Duty. With an extremely reliable engine and additional modern features, the 2013 Super Duty took the market by storm when it launched. Ford's redesigned Super Duty was a hit right out of the gate, earning three trophies in its first year.

Ford changed the exterior design with a more noticeable front fascia, better lighting from front to back, and a structure that was identical to the 1999 trucks. The new Super Duty's steel frame was the thickest of any vehicle on the market.

After driving different versions of this Ford pick-up, we can confidently say that the 2013 version is the best and most reliable of the series.

Table of Contents

Best year Ford Super Duty – 2013

With the F-100, Ford created a pick-up truck for light-duty family use, all the way up to massive tow trucks with the F-600. The F-250 moniker debuted with the second generation of trucks as a combo of the F-2 and F-3 to produce a three-quarter-ton vehicle. This three-quarter-ton truck would be a level up from the bottom F-150, with additional useful features.

While the F-series vehicles have always distinguished out as a workhorse vehicle for the common man, Ford chose to divide apart their truck line in the late 1990s to cater more particularly to the market as it matured.

Ford chose to separate their portfolio into better categories for customers after approximately 40 years of growth with the F-series trucks. Starting with the F-250, Ford F-series trucks started to take on a more work-related style, whereas the F-150 went more towards a second family unit vehicle under the "Super Duty" moniker.

The new Super Duty lineup proved its usefulness by winning Popular Mechanics' "Gear of the Year" and "Best Workhorse" awards, as well as Truck Trend's Top Line Power Puller honor.

Like the contestants in the World's Strongest Man contest, the entrants in the heavy-duty pick-up truck division are continually looking to outdo their muscle-bound competitors. With its excellent towing and payload capacities, the 2013 Ford F-250 Super Duty is there in the midst of it.

Still, in this small but fiercely competitive class, being able to tow a mobile condo from New York to Florida isn't enough, so the F-250 Super Duty receives a few changes this year. The latter includes the addition of the luxurious Platinum trim level to the line and the adoption of MyFord Touch.

The Ford F-250 Super Duty is a well-rounded vehicle. Of course, it's styled like a large rig, with an intimidating chrome grille and a football-sized Blue Oval emblem. However, the quiet cabin of this robust Ford truck has a softer side, with plenty of modern features and comfy seating to make life on the road easier.

There's also a big range of possible options and packages for the owners to customize the truck to their individual demands.

Despite this, the 2013 Ford F-250 Super Duty faces stiff competition from the 2013 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD and Ram 2500. Because these competitors are so closely matched and likely offer far more capability than most people require, a buying decision could come down to the availability of a certain function, styling preferences, and brand loyalty.

Having said that, we think the 2013 Ford F-250 Super Duty is a fantastic vehicle and have no reservations in recommending it.

Models of the 2013 Ford F-250 Super Duty

The 2013 Ford F-250 Super Duty is available in two- or four-wheel drive, with three cab styles to choose from: two-door normal cab, four-door SuperCab, or four-door crew cab. The crew cab features four full-size conventional-opening doors, while the SuperCab includes rear-hinged, access-style rear doors.

The SuperCab and crew cab variants can be equipped with either a normal (6.8-foot) or a long (8-foot) cargo bed; however, the regular cab model can only be equipped with the long bed.

The luxurious Platinum trim levels, luxury King Ranch, expensive Lariat, mid level XLT, and base XL are available to buyers. The Lariat is available in crew cab and super cab configurations, but the King Ranch and Platinum are only available in the crew cab.

The XL is the stable's workhorse, with a two-speaker radio, a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, a 40/20/40-split front bench, upholstery and vinyl floor coverings, air conditioning, manual-telescoping trailer tow mirrors, a drop-in bed liner, black grille, and bumpers, 17-inch steel wheels as standard equipment.

The XLT adds an auxiliary audio jack and a four-speaker sound system with a CD player, lockable storage with a power outlet under the rear seat, Ford Sync voice activation, cloth upholstery, a carpeted floor, an integrated trailer brake controller, keyless entry, full power accessories, cruise control, cast-aluminum wheels, heated outside mirrors, and a chrome grille and bumpers.

Leather upholstery, dual-zone automatic temperature control, a power-sliding back window, 18-inch alloy wheels, rear parking sensors, power telescoping mirrors, and fog lights are all included in the Lariat grade level.

An eight-speaker audio system with satellite radio, MyFord Touch, a rearview camera, an eight-way power-adjustable front seat (with power lumbar adjustment), leather seats, power-adjustable pedals, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, wood grain trim, a large trip computer screen are also standard.

Driver seat memory, unique leather upholstery and door trim, a navigation system, remote start, unique exterior and interior badging, a body-colored grille with chrome inlay, two-tone paint, telescopic tow, and power-folding mirrors are among the features offered by the King Ranch.

All of the Lariat's features are included, but the Platinum adds additional bling and luxury with a heated steering wheel, ventilated and heated seats, improved leather upholstery, unique wood-tone interior trim, and 20-inch polished alloy wheels.

Some of the features found on the upper trims are also available on the lower trims. Integrated accessory switches, a sunroof, roof clearance lights, a spray-in bed liner, fifth-wheel/gooseneck mounting points, heavy-duty alternators, a transmission power take-off (for powering accessories like snow plows), and a storable bed extender are among the other options (depending on trim level).

The Ford Work Solutions package, which is available on XL and XLT models, adds a customized in-dash computer for professional customers and fleets. Rancho shock absorbers, skid plates, hill descent control, all-terrain tires, and an electronic locking rear differential are also available as part of the FX4 Off-Road package (4x4 versions only).

Highlights from the Year 2013

The Ford F-250 Super Duty receives improved brakes for 2013, as well as MyFord touch and the addition of the ultra-plush Platinum trim level to the lineup.

MPG and Performance

A 6.2-liter gasoline V8 engine with 405 pound-feet of peak torque and 385 horsepower is standard on the 2013 Ford F-250 Super Duty. The optional 6.7-liter turbodiesel V8 produces 800 pound-feet of torque and 400 horsepower. A six-speed automatic transmission is linked to both engines.

With a typical trailer configuration, the F-250 Super Duty can tow up to 14,000 pounds when properly equipped.

That figure rises to 16,800 pounds when equipped for fifth-wheel towing. When correctly outfitted, the maximum payload capacity is 4,240 pounds.

Safety

Side curtain airbags, hill start assist, trailer sway control, stability control, and four-wheel antilock disc brakes are all standard on the 2013 Ford F-250 Super Duty. The XLT and higher trim levels come standard with an integrated trailer brake controller, while the Lariat adds power-adjustable pedals and rear parking sensors.

The XLT has a rearview camera as an option, while the Lariat and above models have it as standard.

Driving

The 2013 Ford F-250 Super Duty range is noticeably quieter than the competition, with wind and road noise pleasantly muted. Even the usual clatter of the diesel engine has been muffled to hardly audible levels.

The ride is a little jerky when unloaded, as it is with any heavy-duty pick-up, but the F-250 handles rough roads admirably. The handling instills less confidence (especially when towing) and feels number than its competitors, which is the Super Duty's main flaw.

The 6.7-liter diesel engine will most certainly be the engine of choice for towing, which is a key element of the Super Duty's capabilities. The diesel pulls a 10,000-pound trailer up a steep incline with ease, and the six-speed automatic never stutters or gets stuck looking for the proper gear.

To ensure optimal towing prowess, drivers can selectively lock out unnecessary higher ratios, but the tow/haul mode takes care of the majority of the work.

The well-managed automatic transmission works in tandem with the diesel's exhaust brake to make descending a breeze.

While towing, though, we found the throttle to be a little slow to respond to small inputs.

Interior

In comparison to the Dodge Ram, the Ford Super Duty's interior is starting to show its age. Hard plastics predominate on lesser trim levels, but the interior is on par with or better than comparable vehicles in its market.

The Lariat, with its rich leather and enhanced amenities, provides a decidedly upmarket experience, while the King Ranch and Platinum versions take it a step further.

The Ford F-250 has a plethora of storage and utility choices. Under the available front center 40/20/40-split bench seat, which also folds to act as an armrest, is a lockable container.

Another lockable container is positioned under the back seats, which may easily handle longer objects (such as a hunting rifle) and includes a 12-volt power outlet for charging computers or cell phones.

Hanging files, a laptop, and other office-style items can be accommodated on the available 40/console/40 seat. It also includes a 12-volt power outlet and a 110-volt inverter for use with portable printers or other electronic devices.

On Lariat, King Ranch, and Platinum versions, a huge multifunction display in the instrument cluster allows the driver to configure settings and provides trip computer, fuel efficiency, towing, and off-road information.

A storage compartment beneath the dash on Platinum versions has a 12-volt charging port, an SD card slot, audio-video hookups, and two USB ports. MyFord Touch, which incorporates enhanced voice control language as well as navigation capabilities, entertainment, temperature control, and an 8-inch touch screen that controls the phone, is another bonus of the Platinum trim.

The audio and climate controls on this version of MyFord Touch have large physical buttons that may be handled while wearing work gloves.

The 2013 Ford F-350 Super Duty comes in two bed lengths (8 feet and 6 feet, 9 inches, the latter of which is unavailable with the regular cab or dual rear wheel), two rear axle configurations (single and dual), and three cab configurations (standard, extended SuperCab, and Crew Cab).

There are five trim levels: base XL, mid level XLT, expensive Lariat, luxury King Ranch, and opulent Platinum, but not all of them are available with every axle, bed, and cab arrangement.

Ford completely revamped its Super Duty pick-up truck lineup in 2011. The 2013 F-250 Super Duty pick-up line is largely unchanged from the 2012 model, with the exception of the addition of a new trim level: Platinum.

Depending on the buyer's preferences, the 2013 Ford F-250 Super Duty pick-up can be modified in a variety of ways. Five trim levels serve as the foundation for various combinations: XL, XLT, Lariat, King Ranch, and Platinum.

Buyers can select a rear-wheel drive (RWD) or four-wheel drive (4WD), a 6.8-foot or 8-foot bed length, and a Regular, Crew, or SuperCab cab type for their F-250 Super Duty.

Those considering purchasing a 2013 Ford F-250 Super Duty pick-up or who have already purchased one have one goal in mind: a hardworking truck that can tow whatever they require. And, if what current owners say is true, the F-250 Super Duty has been able to provide. Many owners are pleased with the F-250's class-leading hauling and payload towing capabilities.

The power is available when you need it, the ride is relatively smooth for a work truck, and the cabin comfort is adequate, particularly in the new Platinum, and King Ranch trims.

Buyers searching for a wide range of options when it comes to selecting their pick-up will be happy when they visit a Ford dealership, as the 2013 Ford F-250 Super Duty pick-up offers, whether you want a basic work truck or one with a little luxury.

Chevrolet (Silverado HD), GMC (Sierra HD), and Ram (Ram 1500) continue to compete in the heavy-duty pick-up truck market (Heavy Duty). Ford continues to outperform the competition in terms of capability and variety, and it should continue to be the best option on the market in the future year.

Best Year Ford Super Duty

About The Author

Charles Redding

Charles Redding

I've spent many years selling cars, working with auto detailers, mechanics, dealership service teams, quoting and researching car insurance, modding my own cars, and much more.

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