Terrain Tackler: Ford’s F-150 Tremor

Ford has a pickup for every taste and budget from a $37,000 Maverick to a $111,000 Raptor. Within each of the three lineups – Ranger, Maverick and F-150 – lie a variety of trim levels and equipment packages.

There is a reason a Ford pickup has been the best-selling vehicle – of any type – in North America for more than one half century! The F-150 is in its 14th generation!

The subject of this review – the F-150 Tremor is a perfect example of how far the marketing team can reach within the halls of Ford to come up with an off-road-focused trim level.

The Tremor model is more than the badges, trim and other visuals.

It brings greatly enhanced off-road abilities thanks to a potent twin-turbo engine and a unique suspension aided and abetted by a locking rear differential and 33-inch all-terrain tires.

Those tires deserve special mention. On more than one occasion, passersby commented on the Tremor, dressed as it was in Antimatter Blue Metallic paint.

A couple asked if it had 22- or 24-inch wheels. They seem deflated when learning they were ‘only’ 18-inchers. That alone is testament to the fact this truck is equipped to venture off the beaten path, well off. Those ‘small’ wheels were wrapped in 70-series all-terrain rubber, 33-inches in diameter.

The resulting deep sidewalls provide the absorption needed in rugged terrain – and the wonderful side benefit of a super-supple ride on road.

Designers refer to wheels as the jewelry of a vehicle. Those monster 22+ inch wheels look sharp. But their 30-40 series tires provide little room for comfort.

Tackle deeper ditches without ditching your F-150 Tremor

The Tremor sits 2.5-cm further from the ground than regular F-150s. The track is also greater by that same amount. This is because of the suspension, which provides greater ground clearance and improved clearance and breakover angles – you can tackle deeper ditches and ruts without tearing off the bumpers.

The Tremor’s specific suspension involves upgrades and reinforcements throughout, from 4.3-cm twin-tube shock absorbers to unique upper and lower control arms, tie rods, and knuckles.

Tremor’s twin turbo turns up the terrain-tackling torque

The twin turbo 3.5-litre V6 belts out 400 horsepower and, more importantly, a whopping 510-lb. ft. of torque.

Remember torque is power, a measured quantity from which horsepower is calculated. Those big rigs on the road hauling a gazillion tons of cargo don’t have more than 400 horsepower. BUT they have more than 1,000 lb ft. of torque.

The massive amount of grunt available at low engine speed allows the Tremor to cope with truly rough terrain.

No need to rev the heck out of the engine when trying to traverse a steep rocky slope. Let the lowest gear multiply all that torque and ease over the problem.

The 360-degree camera system lets you monitor the surroundings. The Trail Control system allows the use of one pedal driving in severe conditions. Lift your foot off the throttle and the big truck comes smoothly to rest.

The Tremor model is an F-150 through and through

I’ve concentrated on the prowess of the Tremor and engineering involved. The rest of it is a Ford F-150 – which has become the standard by which others are judged.

The Tremor gets unique styling touches inside and out from the unique bumpers which contribute to the impressive approach and departure angles to the colour-coordinated floor covering.

Orange is in, from interior touches and exterior vents to the orange moustache that spreads across the grill from light to light.

The aluminum running boards and two hooks front and rear are also Tremor specific.

Work way out in the woods

The transmission shift lever can be folded into the console and the area covered with a big, flat tray-like surface. You can snack or work on the laptop way out there in the woods. The boss does not need to know you have a 5G LTE modem thanks to the SYNC 4 system.

And should you wish to be more adventuresome, there is a 2.0-kilowatt mobile generator system. That’s enough juice to operate a variety of work or cooking tools.

FACTS & FIGURES – 2024 Ford F-150 Tremor SuperCrew 145-in wheelbase

PRICE

Base: $75,980

As tested: $93,840 including freight

INFOTAINMENT

30-cm infotainment screen, Ford Pass Connect, SYNC 4 with enhanced voice-recognition, 5G LTE modem

SAFETY

Automatic LED headlights with automatic high beams, blind spot warning with cross traffic alert, lane keep system, post collision braking, pre-collision assist with automatic emergency braking, reverse brake assist, reverse sensing system, heads-up display

STANDARD EQUIPMENT

Power tailgate lock, trailer sway control, dual zone automatic climate control, power locks and windows, power adjustable pedals, tilt/telescope steering wheel, adaptive cruise control, pro trailer backup assist, pro trailer hitch assist, 18-in alloy wheels wrapped in 33-in all-terrain tires, electronic locking rear differential, heated power-folding mirrors with turn signal and memory, heated and ventilated leather-trimmed bucket seats with driver’s seat memory, heated steering wheel, heated second row seats, Class IV trailer hitch

OPTIONS

Equipment group 402A (Tremor package, bed utility package, mobile office package, wireless charging pad, partitioned fold-flat console cover, tow/haul package, integrated trailer brake controller, 14-speaker B&O Unleashed audio system) $12,265, twin panel moonroof, $1,750; liner-tray style floor mats, onboard scale with smart hitch, $500; spray-in bedliner, $699

MECHANICAL

Twin turbo 3.5 litre V6, 400-horsepower, 510-lb.ft. of torque, regular fuel; 10-speed automatic transmission, four-wheel-drive with two-speed transfer case, NRCan rating (litres/100km city/highway):10.5/10.4

DIMENSIONS

Length, 6,185-mm; wheelbase, 3,994-mm, width, 2,123-mm; weight, 2,241-kg

COMPETITION

Chevrolet Silverado, GMC Sierra, Ram, Toyota Tundra