The life of a modern day outdoor enthusiast is nothing if not complicated. Between juggling work, home and family, free time to enjoy the outdoors always comes at a premium, and when you finally do get afield you want to make the most of it. That is why when I go on a trip I bring enough tools to get the job done - any job that may come up. At least that is how I justified the pile of outdoor gear amassed in my yard. I was planning for a week in Yellowstone Park and the surrounding region in late September. The weather could be anything from blazing hot during the days to snowing - so a large duffel bag full of all kinds of clothing dominated the pile. Since I was going to Yellowstone to fish, shoot photos and spend some time in the backcountry, there was various separate piles of coolers, a camp cook box, two tents, a couple of pads, cots, and sleeping bags, as well as several fishing rods, reels and tackle. Off to one side the crowing jewel of the pile was a 14-foot inflatable two-person pontoon boat complete with rowing frame and oars. How I was ever going to get all this gear into one vehicle - plus another person and my dog? Images of an old prospector's mule, loaded to the brim with gear floated through my mind. What I needed was a beast of burden.

Enter the 2005 Ford F-250 Super Duty Lariat with Power Stroke® diesel - a modern day beast of burden. This truck is designed with today's sportsman in mind. Tons of ground clearance, a powerful engine and plenty (and I mean plenty) of room to pack away every conceivable item you may bring afield. I was able to pack all the coolers, camp boxes, sleeping bags, pads, cots and tents into the 6-1/2 foot bed and still had enough room to strap down the deflated pontoon boat on top of the load. With the rear seat folded down and out of the way the remainder of the soft duffle bags, camera equipment and anything else I needed to keep dry nestled nicely on the flat rear deck portion behind the front seats.

Upfront the two, 6-way power, leather trimmed captain's chairs, divided by a large center console proved to be more than comfortable for the 10-plus hour drive to the heart of the Rocky Mountains. While it is nice to think you are getting away from it all while on vacation, this is seldom the case. I had several articles to write as well as some digital photos that needed to be sorted. The F-250 Super Duty proved as adept a mobile office as it did a sportsman's carry all.

Conveniently located on the dash were two power ports, capable of charging a cell phone, powering a laptop, or recharging the batteries of my digital camera. The large side door pockets held files and the volumous center console with its removable CD tray stored many needed office-type items as well as provided a flat workstation while on the road. While I was impressed by the size and convenient layout of the interior, the F-250 Super Duty's road performance really showed there was something new for 2005.

Driving in Yellowstone as well as the mountainous regions of Wyoming, Montana and Idaho involved more than several super-steep, high elevation mountain passes. The 6.0L Power Stroke® diesel was never lacking - in fact it handled the steepest grade of the highest peak as easily as if it was motoring around town. This engine was designed for power as well as long life (in fact it is known as the longest-lasting diesel engine you can buy in a pick-up truck*) due to its cast-iron block and heads, four valves per cylinder and Electronic Variable Response Turbocharger, which put out a staggering 325 of horsepower at 3300 RPMs.

With the Tow Command System (requires Flash) in place on my test Super Duty, I felt the need to tow something...anything just to get an idea of what this truck was capable of. Lacking a horse trailer full of Clydesdales or a 30-foot fifth wheel, I tested the towing capabilities with a 16-foot fiberglass drift boat. Capable of towing up to 19,200 pounds, when properly equipped, the drift boat proved to be not much of a chore - in fact the F-250 Super Duty is built so tough it was hard to tell you were towing anything at all.

Setting an industry first, Ford incorporated what they call the Trailer Brake Controller (requires Flash). The optional TBC is integrated with the anti-lock brake system and synchronizes the vehicle and trailer brakes for seamless braking while towing even the heaviest loads. Since it is factory installed there are no extra holes in the dash, no clumsy boxes at your knees or aftermarket worries. In addition the Tow-Command System includes telescoping trailer tow mirrors, which provide an extra three inches of extension for crucial visibility and are available with optional heated glass and integrated clearance lamps/turn signals.

Delivering the power to the actual towing job at hand, the F-250 Super Duty relies on the durable and proven Torqshift (requires Flash) ( 5-speed automatic transmission, specifically designed to handle the high-torque performance of the 6.0L Power Stroke® turbo diesel and comes equipped with a selectable Tow/Haul Mode that compensates for altitude, grade and load conditions.

Keeping with the bulletproof overall design, the frame also is as equally beefy as the rest of the truck. The F-250 Super Duty boasts 6.7 mil steel frame rails, which are the thickest gauge in its class. The C-channel steel rail gauge thickness is increased between 10% and 17%, which equates to an increase in frame strength by 10-20% over last year.

Often one of the trade off's of a heavy-duty truck is that it rides like, well....a heavy-duty truck. Hard to control, poor handling and a rough ride are some of the most thought of characteristics, making them less than desirable for everyday driving. The F-250 Super Duty addressed these complaints by adding such niceties as staggered rear shocks which improve axle control to better the ride, confident handling and enhanced traction. To further the goal of handling, a new steering gear provides low speed assist and a more controlled feel at cruising speed. After spending a week driving all over the West, over a variety of terrain from blacktopped highways to the roughest dirt roads the Rockies can offer, I was pleasantly surprised at how well the F-250 Super Duty performed.

While being able to tow more, with more low-end torque and control the rig better is accomplished in the F-250 Super Duty. The designers were also equally concerned with improving stopping, both under normal driving conditions and with a heavy load. The F-250 Super Duty uses larger disc brake rotors (half-inch larger than in '04) as well as larger front and rear calipers. Another benefit is longer lasting brake linings. This all adds up to best-in-class braking performance.

All told, the new F-250 Super Duty offers higher towing capabilities, a better ride and best-in-class stopping power. After driving the F-250 Super Duty for over 3,000 miles, one thing comes to mind...it is perfect for the modern outdoorsman (or woman) who needs a vehicle that is Built Ford Tough.

* Based on vehicles in operation, 1994-2003.

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