2021 Ford F-150 Tremor Announced to Fill the Gap With Raptor
Following the lead of the Super Duty and Ranger pickups, the next-generation 2021 Ford F-150 is getting a new Tremor package designed for off-road enthusiasts.
As we wait for the automaker to introduce the future F-150 Raptor, this is most certainly the best way to go if you want to have fun out on cornfields, on dusty two-tracks, in muddy bogs and on rock-strewn trails.
- Also: 2021 Ford F-150: The Sales Leader Can’t be Dethroned
- Also: Hennessey’s 805-hp Ford F-150 Strikes Back at Ram 1500 TRX
The people at Ford have really listened to their customers when developing the Tremor package, which goes one step further than the popular FX4 package. It starts with retuned springs for added ground clearance, revised front hub knuckles and upper control arms, as well as Tremor-specific monotube shocks at the front and twin-tube shocks at the rear that are tuned for softer damping at low speeds. There’s 1.5 inches more total travel in the rear and an additional inch of total travel in front.
The suspension is anchored by unique matte-finish 18-inch wheels on 33-inch General Grabber all-terrain tires. A Raptor-style bash plate serves to protect front end components in challenging off-road situations. All of these modifications together result in an approach angle of 27.6 degrees, breakover angle of 21.2 degrees and departure angle of 24.3 degrees.
In all cases, a locking rear differential is part of the mix, but you will be able to replace the front differential with a Torsen limited-slip unit (late availability). In addition, higher-end models get a torque-on-demand transfer case similar to the high-performance system in the F-150 Raptor.
What about capability? The F-150 Tremor has a maximum conventional tow rating of 10,900 pounds and a maximum payload rating of 1,885 pounds. Furthermore, Ford’s new Pro Power Onboard generator is available with 2.0 kilowatts of exportable power in the bed for tools, an air compressor or electric chainsaw.
In addition to Normal, Sport, Tow/Haul, Eco, Slippery, Deep Snow/Sand and Mud/Rut modes, the Tremor package includes a Rock Crawl mode which automatically engages the rear locking differential, turns off stability and traction control, reduces throttle response, adjusts shift points and displays the available 360-degree camera view on the centre screen.
As Ford knows, a driver typically must use both pedals in harsh trail situations, modulating throttle and brake simultaneously to advance the truck and avoid damage. Available Trail One-Pedal Drive technology simplifies all that, combining those operations into activating just the throttle—press to move forward, release to brake. The truck applies the brakes proportionally as the driver lifts from the accelerator.
Meanwhile, available Trail Turn Assist reduces steering radius in tight off-road terrain situations by applying the brakes to the inside rear wheel, allowing for tighter turns in low-speed manoeuvres. Finally, the Tremor also has available Trail Control which operates like cruise control for off-road use.
Aesthetically, you can recognize the new truck with a unique grille featuring a blacked-out Ford oval and the signature Tremor colour of Active Orange, which also accentuates two front recovery hooks. A cutout rear bumper features a high-flow dual exhaust flanking its two rear recovery hooks. Active Orange-highlighted badging appears on the fenders, bed sides and tailgate.
The same colour punctuates an interior loaded with Tremor detailing, such as unique seat trim with special stitching, materials and finishes for the instrument panel, centre console and doors.
If all of the above sounds interesting to you, you should know that the Tremor package comes in SuperCrew configuration with a 5.5-foot cargo bed, 3.5-litre EcoBoost V6 engine (400 horsepower, 500 pound-feet of torque) and 10-speed automatic transmission plus standard four-wheel drive.
You just have to be patient: the 2021 Ford F-150 Tremor will go on sale next summer.
