FORD TREMOR: The Ultimate Off-Road Chase Vehicle
When you are chasing for off-road racing, whether it's for fun, chasing for a race team, or as media the dilemma has always been do you go light like a Tacoma or Raptor package, or do you go big in an F350 so you can carry more people, tools, and tow vehicles if need be. For me personally I am always towing and need to move at least four people. I love the long range capacity of diesels, especially in Baja where gas stations are far and few between. The last thing you want to be worried about is running out of gas in the wee hours of the morning while chasing. So when I started talking to Team FORD in Las Vegas about a new truck, owner and off-road racer Steve Olliges told me to wait for the new FORD Tremor, and that’s exactly what I did. The Tremor is basically a Raptor mixed with an F350, Increased off-road capability without sacrificing load-carrying or trailer-towing capacity, exactly what I was looking for.
| Vehicle Type: | Front-engine, 4WD, 5-pass, 4-door truck |
| Engine: | 6.7L Turbo Diesel OHV 32-valve V-8 |
| Horsepower: | 475-hp |
| Torque: | 1,050-lb-ft |
| Transmision: | 10-speed automatic |
| Suspension: | Straight axle coil over in the front - straight axle leaf springs in rear |
| Shocks: | 1.7-inch piston FORD shock |
| Stock Weight: | 7,874 lb |
| F/R weight Distribution: | 59/41% |
| Wheelbase: | 159.8 in |
| Tires: | 35” Goodyear |
| Footprint: | 250.0 x 80.0 x 79.3 in |
| 0-60 MPH: | 7.2 sec |
| Towing Capacity: | 15,000+ (Conventional Trailer) |
What makes the ultimate chase vehicle? Our criteria is pretty simple:
1.Comfort
You are going to be in a vehicle for hours if not days on bigger races. A chase vehicle that seats a 2 - 4 man crew comfortably. If you are lucky you will get to nod off between action so comfort is key. Chasing off-road you need to be prepared to be really hot and really cold, so a good A/C and heater is key. The FORD TREMOR comes with heated and cooled seats which I absolutely love.
2. Security
You need to have the ability to safely secure tools and camera equipment. Most of the places we travel off-road in the United States and Baja are rural and severely economically depressed. By parading all of our expensive gear we are targets for theft. That being said I have had more things stolen in the US than Baja. Secure your gear. The TREMOR has a built-in anti-theft factory alarm systems installed.
3. Range
Whether you’re state side or in Baja you will travel hundreds of miles without any sign of a gas station. The more range you have the better. Having long range also keeps you from having to buy “Dirty Fuel” which can wreak havoc on today's vehciles. At an average of 14mpg with a 34 gallon tank the fuel range on the TREMOR is 406 Miles, Not bad but if we add an aftermarket tank we could get 600+ miles. The F-350 is intact available with a 48 gallon tank, but not in the TREMOR package.
4. Towing capacity
Even if you are not towing a trailer you should be prepared to tow due to logistic changes or a down vehicle. By strap or trailer the time will come where you will have to tow, so be prepared. The dilemma has always been tow vehicles are not fun to drive. They Are typically slow, cumbersome, loud, and just not comfortable. The Ford TREMOR changes all that. It drives like a F150 but has the towing capacity of an F350 it can tow 15,000+ Lbs with a conventional trailer and more with a gooseneck. It pulls my 2 car trailer like it’s not even there. I have to watch my speed because you are very quickly towing at 75 Mph with ease.
5. Off-Road Capability
4 wheel drive is mandatory. Sand, silt, loose rock, and mud, are just a few of the things you are going to encounter chasing in off-road. I have been stuck numerous times in 2 wheel drive vehicles only to be saved by 4 wheel drive vehicles. Not to mention trying to tow a five thousand pound plus trophy truck out with two wheel drive is not impossible depending on conditions, but why show up to a gunfight with a knife? The TREMOR also has a rear locking dif for those “special” off-road situations. Ground clearance, tire size, skid plates, all come into play as well. The TREMOR comes stock with 35” tires, 10.8 inches of ground clearance and an improved 31.65-degree approach angle. It’s a good start, but we are going to add more.
4. Storage
Trucks are ideal because of their storage capacity. Although a lot of people have switched to the sprinter style vans they lack the durability and towing capacity. Truck Beds are perfect especially when you add utility boxes.
Mandatory Add ons:
Stay tuned as we add mandatory add ons such as Race Radio, GPS, Fridge/ Cooler, Proper Jack, Spare Tires, and tools.
Interested in a TREMOR or another FORD? Call Chris Goeschel - Ph (702)395-5125 - e-mail cgoeschel@teamford.com and he will get you dialed.