We just got a 2023 Ford F-150 Tremor on the lot here in Ephrata, and I know a lot of you have been hitting the comments asking for one with the 5.0L V8. They are incredibly hard to find in the used market right now, especially the high package models. This one is finished in Avalanche, which is that sharp smoky white color that looks killer against the trail-ready accents.
Since these trucks are so popular with the off-road crowd here in Lancaster County and beyond, I wanted to break down exactly what makes this truck great and where it might leave you wanting a bit more.
What Makes the F-150 Tremor Great
Top Tier Engine Options
One of the best things Ford did with the Tremor was giving us the good stuff under the hood. You aren't stuck with a base engine here. You can choose between the 5.0L V8, which pumps out 400 horsepower and 410 lb-ft of torque, or the 3.5L EcoBoost. The EcoBoost matches the horsepower but bumps the torque up to a massive 500 lb-ft. Whether you want that classic V8 rumble or the low-end grunt of the twin-turbos, you're getting a top-tier powerplant.
Serious Towing Capacity
Usually, when you buy an off-road dedicated rig, your towing capacity takes a massive hit. That isn't the case here. The F-150 Tremor is rated to tow up to 10,000 lbs. To put that in perspective, if you look at the Chevy ZR2 or the GMC AT4X, those trucks max out around 8,700 lbs. Having an extra 1,300 lbs of capability means you can actually take your off-road toy to the trails and still tow the camper on the weekends without breaking a sweat.
The Raptor Transfer Case
If you opt for the 402A high package like the one we have here, you get a huge hidden gem: the Raptor transfer case. This is a torque-on-demand system that allows the truck to handle extreme grades and technical trails much like a Raptor would, but at a significantly lower price point. It’s not just a fancy sticker on the side; the 402A actually gives you the mechanical hardware to back up the look.
Functional Off-Road Suspension
Unlike some "off-road" packages from other brands that are mostly just appearance upgrades, the Tremor features a unique suspension setup. It uses mono-tube shocks in the front and twin-tube shocks in the rear. These are specifically tuned for softer dampening at low speeds. Plus, the drive mode selector actually sends signals to the system to adjust for snow, sand, or highway driving, giving you a much more refined ride than a standard F-150.
Surprising Fuel Economy
You’d expect a truck with 33-inch tires and a lift to be a gas hog, but the numbers aren't bad at all. The 5.0L V8 averages around 17 mpg, while the 3.5L EcoBoost sits around 18 mpg. Considering this is a dual-exhaust, trail-ready machine, those numbers are very close to a standard F-150, making it a viable daily driver for folks commuting around the 4126 Oregon Pike area.
The Downsides of the Tremor Package
Limited Bed Configurations
One of the biggest gripes is that you can only get the Tremor in a 5.5-foot bed. Ford does this because a shorter wheelbase is better for tight trails and off-roading, but let's be real—most people are using these as everyday drivers. If you need a 6.5-foot bed for work or hauling gear to the cabin, you're out of luck with the Tremor.
The 401A Package Trade-offs
While the 402A package is a beast, the lower 401A package feels a bit like a "glorified XLT." You lose the Raptor transfer case and a lot of the interior creature comforts. In my opinion, if you're going to pay the premium for a Tremor, you really want the high package to get the actual off-road performance upgrades rather than just the appearance.
That "Wacky" Factory Stance
If you look at a stock Tremor from the side, the back end sits about an inch and a half higher than the front. It looks a little hokey. Ford did this so the rear tires stay hooked up while you're climbing steep grades, but for driving around town, it looks a bit weird. Most owners end up throwing a leveling kit on the front end immediately just to make it look "normal."
The Bright Orange Accents
Ford went heavy on the "Active Orange" accents. From the grille to the stitching on the seats and the pads on the console, it’s everywhere. It can feel a bit gaudy if you're a fan of a more understated look. I really wish Ford offered a blackout option for the Tremor interior for those of us who aren't huge fans of the bright yellow-orange vibe.
The Hefty Price Tag
New truck prices are getting a bit wild. A brand new 2026 Tremor equipped like this one has an MSRP of over $81,000. When you realize you could get a loaded Denali Ultimate for similar money, it's a tough pill to swallow. The good news is that by looking at a late-model used one—like this 2023 we have for $56,000—you can save a massive amount of money and still get all the performance.