The 2020 Ford F-350 Is A Chariot Of Can-Do
Story By: Keith Hook
Photos by: Brandon Bunch
There’s no doubt I have a love for the open road, as there is something to be said about respecting the in between of the hustle and bustle. Commitments and devices have taken control of what we see around us—however as you escape from the lights and sounds of daily life, there’s an instant sense of freedom. A feeling that I appreciate more and more as the gray hairs settle in. Road trips used to be about loud music, epic snacks, and the fastest route to get to your destination. That philosophy faded as life revolved around deadlines, to-do lists, and expectations. Now the open road is therapy, without the prying questions but just as many answers.
To achieve this Zen state of mind, you must have a vessel. Some may say the vessel is an open mind, which is true, but for me it’s also about the environment. There’s incredible value in knowing that you are comfortable, secure, and have everything you need to get you to your happy place. I’ve driven countless vehicles of all flavors over the years covering a million plus miles across multiple continents, each having their own special moments that are unattainable for a daily driver. One thing that I’ve learned throughout all that, is my preferred vessel of everyday life is a capable, durable, and comfortable truck.
Having a truck I can trust instantly gives me peace of mind, knowing that I can go wherever I need to. Ford has been delivering trucks worth trusting for generations, so much so that they’ve earned the title of America’s Best Selling Truck for decades. The 2020 F-350 lineup is currently that cherry on top. When the ‘Alumiduty’ generation released in 2017, there was instant appeal. Very little criticism or all-so-common judgement of a faltered design change. Ford hit the nail on the head and as only improved since.
I recently jumped in the driver seat in preparation to ironman a 2000+ mile road trip, and had the pleasure of enjoying the Platinum edition of the 2020 F-350 Crew Cab 4X4 Dually. A platform that eliminates the what-ifs or could-happens of any trek. I had a behemoth of a 5th wheel trailer behind me from RV World of Yuma which can add stress, but after a long talk with the 6.7L Power Stroke Diesel, we both knew what we had to do.
I have to admit that the abundance of bells and whistles that this truck was equipped with addressed all physical comfort concerns quite easily. The sea of buttons and switches throughout the cab ensured control of the truck, from Auto High-Beam Headlights to Trailer Backup Assist and everything in between. Safety is covered far beyond what you’d require, with add ons like Adaptive Steering, Lane-Keeping Alert, Cross Traffic Alerts, and even a SOS system that handles post-crash scenarios for you as well. I could simply drive knowing that the truck knew the road as well as I did, freeing my eyes to read the road but my mind to focus far beyond. As phenomenal as the 10-speaker B&O sound system sounded or the Voice Activated Navigation worked, I simply let it all go to see where I’d end up.
I frequently seek the ‘Road Less Traveled’ and that can put you into less than ideal road conditions, from steep and winding passes to debateable dirt roads, but a truck like this is always armed and ready. Even down to cargo and storage, from pocket change to sheets of plywood, there’s a place for everything. In-console, in-dash, overhead, in-door, underseat, and most definitely the cargo bed. You have immediate access to all without feeling like anything could be lost forever, every pocket has a purpose. The cargo bed is even an excuse-eraser, with the payload capacity at 6500 lbs, creature comforts (old man amenities) of a hide-away step and handrail in the tailgate, and even ample LED lighting at the push of a button.
My life experiences have taught me that I can essentially guarantee that I don’t know where I’m heading next. Those same encounters have also shed some light to never take a moment for granted, you know the whole ‘stop and smell the roses’ thing. I’m not one to prance through the wildflowers by any means, but the concept of opening your mind as wide as your eyes is not as easy as it sounds. When you’re a hard working individual, you expect the same of essentially everything around you. Without it, you cannot be at ease. That concern alone would hinder anyone to be in their happy place. For 42 years, Ford trucks have proven they can carry their weight and more, and this latest model proved it again. Our journey traversed hills, valleys, mountains, desert, more twists and turns than you can imagine and all with 34 feet and over 13,000 lbs behind me. All incredible accomplishments of the vessel to Zen. The open road may not be your cure to life’s challenges, but I can tell you that the right truck provides more than just transportation. I invite you to make an appointment with a back country highway and ask yourself “So what seems to be the problem?”
