With all my love for the F-150 Raptor, the Raptor is a $90,000 toy for people who want to pretend they’re jumping sand dunes on their way to Starbucks. The Tremor is actually a half-ton truck designed to work. It sits in that sweet spot where you get 33-inch tires and 18-inch wheels without the “look at me” tax. You get a modular bumper that actually accepts a winch or a brush guard, and rock sliders that double as steps. It’s practical, rugged, and $10,000 cheaper than its flashy sibling, which is a lot of money to keep in your pocket for things like, you know, fuel.

Images: Kevin Nguyen

Drivetrain

Underneath the skin, the Tremor packs a 3.73 gear set with a limited-slip front and a locking rear diff—a setup the Raptor actually dropped recently. The dual exhaust on this V6 sounds surprisingly throatier than you’d expect, especially on a cold start. But the real win is the utility. The payload and towing capacities absolutely embarrass the Raptor. We’re talking up to 13,500 lbs of towing (V6) and 2,225 pounds of payload (V8) versus the Raptor’s 8,000 and 1,200. If you actually own a trailer, the choice is mathematically obvious.

Tailgate and Bed

The “Pro Access” tailgate is Ford’s latest trick, featuring a swing-out door built right into the gate so you don’t have to lean over the ledge like a gymnast every time you need a tool. There is a handy step, too. With the tailgate folded down, on the inside of it, you’ve got magnetic bins to keep your screws from falling into the abyss and a 2.4kW outlet that can power real tools. It’s a mobile workshop, not just a lifestyle accessory.

Interior

Moving into the cabin, it’s essentially a massive American sedan with a bed. The visibility is excellent because unlike other truck makers, Ford realized that being able to see out of the side windows is helpful when turning. You get the flat-folding work surface for your laptop, hidden storage under the rear seat (that converts into a flat floor), and a 4WD Auto mode that is helpful in the winter, or on the boat dock. The tech is dense but intuitive, right down to the configurable digital gauges that tell you the actual temperature of your coolant instead of just a vague needle pointing toward “fine.” It’s a great place to spend time, whether you’re cruising the highway or navigating a job site.

But… if I was buying a loaded F-150, which would I buy?

I’d buy the Raptor. 😊

2025 Ford F-150 Tremor Engine Specs

ENGINE: 5.0L Ti-VCT V8 (Coyote)

• Horsepower: 400 hp
• Torque: 410 lb-ft
• Max Towing: 12,900 lbs
• Max Payload: 2,225 lbs
• Starting MSRP: $64,915
• Best for: Exhaust sound, high payload, and long-term tuning potential.

ENGINE: 3.5L ECOBOOST V6 (Twin-Turbo)

• Horsepower: 400 hp
• Torque: 500 lb-ft
• Max Towing: 13,500 lbs
• Max Payload: 1,885 lbs
• Starting MSRP: ~$65,500
• Best for: Low-end torque, heavy towing, and high-altitude driving.