Advice about F-250 AWD?

[FlyingAroundRV]

G'Day:


We're looking at an f-250 AWD Super Duty. I've never heard of such a beast and can't find any info on it. It's a 2015 model.


What I'm wondering is:


Has anyone heard of or got experience with the AWD version of the 250?
Are they as sturdy as the normal 2WD or 4WD models?


We want to use it to tow our Outback 272UFL (max weight 7600#) and I'm wondering if it will be up to the job.
Help!?

[Fishsizzle]

Not up here on the US. Sorry never heard of such a thing.

But, now I’m intrigued. Any pics? I’d guess it’s a F150 with payload package?

Our F150 is 2wd, AWD, 4hi and 4low.

The AWD makes no difference in towing as far as I know?

[notanlines]

Flying, even Google wasn't my friend when I searched for the AWD model. I have never known one to be AWD all the time. Any of the big three 3/4 ton trucks is up to towing your RV. As you probably know, engine HP and torque vary considerably as do available rear gears. A GMC gasser at 285 hp and 308 gears won't be as snappy (there's a word nobody used anymore) as a Ram with 420 hp and 456 gears. Mainly you won't be asking a lot out of a 3/4 ton. A good hitch, sway bars, a couple credit cards and you're set to go.

[flybouy]

Never heard of AWD f 250. Maybe a misprint in the listing? To answer you're towing question should not be a problem. Years ago I towed a 21' dual axle Cabana hybryd with a 2000 Dodge Durango R/T with full time 4 wheel drive and 5.9 V8. No problem other than feeding the beast premium fuel to the tune of 12 mpg unloaded and 9 towing.

[JRTJH]

If you have access to the VIN (it should be posted with the information about the F250) you can obtain a copy of the original window sticker at this website: https://researchmaniacs.com/VIN-Numb...cker/Ford.html

I'd bet my next paycheck (I'm retired so you know what it's going to be) that the header of the window sticker will start with this statement:
" 2015 F250 SRW 4X4 CREWCAB"

Ford didn't market any F250 (or any SuperDuty) models as AWD in the US. They did/do market some crossover, SUV and automobiles as AWD. Some dealerships "incorrectly" use the two terms, "4X4" and "AWD" interchangeably. They are not interchangeable. Look up the original window sticker and you'll see what terminology Ford used when they built the vehicle.

[Pull Toy]

To the best of my knowledge there are no AWD F250s. There are however two different locking hub styles. Manual hubs require you to get out of the vehicle and engage the center knob to either freewheel or lock. The Automatic hubs on the higher trim level models are engaged automatically when you shift into 4WD, and unlock to freewheel when 4WD is disengaged.

Good Luck,

[travelin texans]

[QUOTE=flybouy;28717 No problem other than feeding the beast premium fuel to the tune of 12 mpg unloaded and 9 towing.[/QUOTE]

That's about the same mileage he'll get with the F250, if he's lucky.

[FlyingAroundRV]

According to the official Ford website AWD is available on the Super Duty trucks. There is a section titled something like "what vehicles are AWD available on" and listed in addition to all the passenger cars and SUVs are the 250-450 Super Duty trucks. However, if you follow the link from there, it just takes you to an ad page for the trucks and makes no mention of AWD versions.
I have been in contact with the seller (private owner) to try and get clarification, but I'm getting to the stage with my enquiries that I'm in danger of really annoying the guy. Last night I asked about badging or controls for the AWD and apparently there are neither controls nor badging as such.

I'm starting to wonder if it's just a two wheel drive truck that some clever salesman has marketed to the guy as AWD somehow. The brochures and manuals that I downloaded make only one small mention of AWD and that is in relation to the fault light on the dash, which it calls the "4WD/AWD" indicator.

I really like the truck, but if it is truly an AWD Super Duty, it seems like a rare beast and I'm not sure I want to buy something that's going to be hard to get repaired if it breaks.

JRTJH:
Thanks for the link for the window sticker, unfortunately that came up as "that sticker hasn't been released yet".

[Retired Copper]

Some Ford 4wd with auto locking hubs with the nob you could pull the nob out and was suppose to lock the differentials in giving you true 4 wheel drive. Was that way on the last F150 I had but never used it. Would not operated it on a hard surface.

[Frank G]

I owned a 2012 Flex and now own a 2016 Ford explorer with AWD, in those vehicles it works out great. In theory it is rear wheel drive, if there is slippage or excessive throttle the front wheels are engaged, apparently not in a on/off mode but some sort of a progressive engagement. They all had the option for fulltime 4 wheel drive, with a twist of the selector switch. I owned a 2013 F-250 4x4 and it had the electronic engagement in place of the lever on the floor, it also had the locking differential.

In my opinion the owner of the unit you are looking at is misinformed as to what he has.

[sourdough]

Like many folks on this forum, I've dealt with trucks, researched them etc. for many years. No AWD 3/4 ton truck that I've ever seen. As was mentioned, the owner may be confusing automatic locking hubs as AWD. I've had many SUVs that might be considered AWD, although I won't buy a vehicle which is only AWD, but with full time 4wd (Toyota 4runner limited for xample) you have the full time capability as well as hi/lo/lock etc. I think the seller may be confused....which would worry me. If he doesn't know what he has and how to use it, you can mess up a transfer case big time.

[MattHelm21]

Chevy used to equate AWD with automatic four wheel drive not “all wheel drive”. This would lock the front hubs up electronically when selected and then monitor the wheels for slippage via the ABS several times per second. When detected, the transfer case engaged automatically but otherwise functioned no differently than a manual one. Could this be what you are seeing? I may be wrong but I’ve never heard of all wheel drive in super duties. Those systems are viscous in nature and heat is generated under high loads. Something which would be terrible for towing.

[Ken / Claudia]

This would not be the 1st time I knew of someone who talked about their vehicle and really did not know much that was true. A simple photo of the dash would show what controls it has and type of 4x4 if it is or not. Even a look at the front wheels will show hubs or not. If your shopping, I would imagine there are photos posted like any other vehicle for sale. Put them on here many can tell what they look like. That is 4x4 vs 4x2.

[shermris]

Ford does not make an "all wheel drive" pickup truck, F150, F250, F350 are available in 4 wheel drive which is not the same as AWD.

[sourdough]

The OP has not responded back so I'll fill in the blank. I was trying to assist with the acquisition of a vehicle but was unsuccessful. The truck was NOT AWD but 2 wheel drive instead and the OP purchased it (the owner didn't know what he had apparently).

[FlyingAroundRV]

Ok, so we bought the truck and as Danny said, it was 2WD and the owner didn't know enough about cars to have a look under the front bumper to see if there were any drive axles going to the front wheels.

No matter, in fact our preference was for 2WD anyway, so we considered it a win. When we started truck shopping in Dallas, the trucks were disappearing off the lots at an alarming rate (the good ones in any case) and we were becoming concerned whether we'd have to settle for a third rate truck with high mileage. The owner's confusion about what he had, ruined one sale for hime and probably put off some other buyers. Our good luck as it is a real gem. It's a 2015, one owner with 14,000 miles on it. It's still under warranty and has less mileage than our 2016 Mazda back home!

[JRTJH]

GOOD DEAL !!!!! All that worry and internet time searching for a truck finally paid off. It sounds like you got a great truck with "almost new" mileage. Congratulations and when you finally get your rig "all in one location" be sure to post photos of your new "northern hemisphere home".....

[FlyingAroundRV]

Originally Posted by JRTJH

GOOD DEAL !!!!! All that worry and internet time searching for a truck finally paid off. It sounds like you got a great truck with "almost new" mileage. Congratulations and when you finally get your rig "all in one location" be sure to post photos of your new "northern hemisphere home".....

Thanks John.

I posted a pic in the travel trailers thread of DW in the doorway of the new trailer.
Tomorrow we do the walkthrough and checkout, and get a WDH hitch fitted to the truck. Then we'll have all the moving parts in one place and I'll upload a pic.

[JRTJH]

Looking forward to seeing your new "pride and joy".....

[FlyingAroundRV]

OK! Here she is.