F-250 or F-350

[waybeck2018]

Originally Posted by WoodLark-SC

I have been thinking of upgrading from my Ram 1500 to a 3/4 ton even though the Ram pulls my Rockwood 2503s just fine.


I had specifically been looking at Ford F-250s with the 6.2l gas engine. I ran across a fantastic deal on an F-350 SRW equipped exactly as I would like. It is at a far better price than any F-250 I have found.


What are the pros and cons of going to the F-350? (I know it is way overkill for my trailer.)

I have towed 5th wheels and travel trailers with my F250's with great success and little to no mechanical issues on the truck. I think either would be fine, and I am not sure the rougher ride would find me in agreement. It's a friggin truck !! LOL!! My F-250 rides as good as a car in my opinion and I can see ahead better. Your money, your choice but you can not go wrong with the Ford, either size. Enjoy and never worry about a mountain with either one.

[Lzerarc]

Originally Posted by ppine

They are not that different. Better axles and bearings in a one ton. A little more payload capacity. I have been driving a one ton as a primary vehicle for 17 years.

"Why do you drive a big American truck" they ask.
"Because I am a big American."

Do you have any documentation that shows it has "better" axles and bearings? Curious to know the differences besides just the overload spring.

[Retired JSO]

The difference is:

If these trucks are built on the same body and have the same engine, then what makes the difference in towing capacity? For one, the F-350 has a 4” rear block, an additional 1.5” compared to the F-250. Additionally, the F-350’s suspension is specially tuned for towing, with tighter rear spring and a reinforced midsection. Regardless of the model, new F-250s and F-350s will be equipped with Dana 60 front and rear axles, except in the case of Duallys which come with a Dana 80 rear axle by default.

[67L48]

This isn't true and I always recommend that whenever these forums get heavy into the truck details, that the person asking questions go to a truck-specific forum.

The blocks on F-250s and F-350s have been the same for several years now. No differences there.

F-250s come standard with a Sterling 10.5" rear axle. So do the gasoline F-350s. F-350 diesels get the Dana M275 axle. F-250 diesels with the HD Tow package step up to the Dana rear axle. Nobody is getting a Dana 60 rear.

DRW step up the M300 rear axle.

All F-350s will get the 6R140 transmission and the gas F-250s get the 6R100. 10 speed transmissions due to hit 2020, though.

For the diesel platform, you can build out an F-250 all the way to an F-350 other than a single leaf. F-350s have a 5 leaf pack and F-250s can only get up to 4.

The F-350 doesn't have any special "tuning" to its suspension that would make it any different from the same components that are found on the F-250.

Anyway, if you want more of this type of info, I highly recommend a Ford forum. Same if you want to know more about GM or Ram/Fiat products.

[Retired JSO]

Originally Posted by 67L48

This isn't true and I always recommend that whenever these forums get heavy into the truck details, that the person asking questions go to a truck-specific forum.

The blocks on F-250s and F-350s have been the same for several years now. No differences there.

F-250s come standard with a Sterling 10.5" rear axle. So do the gasoline F-350s. F-350 diesels get the Dana M275 axle. F-250 diesels with the HD Tow package step up to the Dana rear axle. Nobody is getting a Dana 60 rear.

DRW step up the M300 rear axle.

All F-350s will get the 6R140 transmission and the gas F-250s get the 6R100.

For the diesel platform, you can build out an F-250 all the way to an F-350 other than a single leaf. F-350s have a 5 leaf pack and F-250s can only get up to 4.

The F-350 doesn't have any special "tuning" to its suspension that would make it any different from the same components that are found on the F-250.

Anyway, if you want more of this type of info, I highly recommend a Ford forum. Same if you want to know more about GM or Ram/Fiat products.

I knew it was not true but had to find a remark to bury the diesel vs gas argument.

Thank you for posting the true difference.

[imjustdave]

I suspect at some point in time pickups with trailers will end up in the scale house being weighed and inspected and the sticker on the cab will have a big impact.
I have heard people worrying about being sued but never have seen any real cases. Ill never go less then a 1 ton myself. 3/4 vs 1 ton when brand new same packages last time I checked within $750 or less. bigger trucks in my area are cheaper to register

[whirledpeaz]

We have a 2017 F250 6.2L. If when we purchased it, there had been an identical F350 on the lot, we would have purchased it instead. If for no other reason than the extra payload.

[mjbenedict]

Originally Posted by WoodLark-SC

I have now had two Ram 1500s, a 2008 and the 2013. As far as the engine and transmission, both have been totally reliable. It's the "little things" that drive me nuts:


The 2008 would spray gas back at me every time I tried to fill it (finally fixed after multiple dealer visits.


On Both trucks, the center brake light leaked into the cab creating puddles under the back seat (again, finally fixed).


On the 2013, the door locks randomly go crazy. The electric locks will lock only the driver door and the tailgate. ($900 to fix and not guaranteed to solve the problem).


I am just hoping Ford will be better.

I have a big list on my F150 Platinum and won’t hijack here.

Just say this - watch the first time using the trailer brake controller for smoke coming from dash and brakes locking up.

There are much bigger mechanical things than that but it was my first experience with America’s Best Built Truck. [emoji849]

[TheWolfPaq82]

Originally Posted by 67L48

This isn't true and I always recommend that whenever these forums get heavy into the truck details, that the person asking questions go to a truck-specific forum.

The blocks on F-250s and F-350s have been the same for several years now. No differences there.

F-250s come standard with a Sterling 10.5" rear axle. So do the gasoline F-350s. F-350 diesels get the Dana M275 axle. F-250 diesels with the HD Tow package step up to the Dana rear axle. Nobody is getting a Dana 60 rear.

DRW step up the M300 rear axle.

All F-350s will get the 6R140 transmission and the gas F-250s get the 6R100. 10 speed transmissions due to hit 2020, though.

For the diesel platform, you can build out an F-250 all the way to an F-350 other than a single leaf. F-350s have a 5 leaf pack and F-250s can only get up to 4.

The F-350 doesn't have any special "tuning" to its suspension that would make it any different from the same components that are found on the F-250.

Anyway, if you want more of this type of info, I highly recommend a Ford forum. Same if you want to know more about GM or Ram/Fiat products.

Yep...totally agree. Coming here with those questions is like going to plumber and asking how to wire up a 50A outlet for your RV.

[thebrakeman]

Originally Posted by WoodLark-SC

I have been thinking of upgrading from my Ram 1500 to a 3/4 ton even though the Ram pulls my Rockwood 2503s just fine.


I had specifically been looking at Ford F-250s with the 6.2l gas engine. I ran across a fantastic deal on an F-350 SRW equipped exactly as I would like. It is at a far better price than any F-250 I have found.


What are the pros and cons of going to the F-350? (I know it is way overkill for my trailer.)

Well, that's all I needed to hear. Keep your truck! Save your money.

[Lzerarc]

If I had a Rockwood 2503 I would definitely tow it with a half ton, no question.

[ppine]

Ford has used a lot of different axles over the years. It is a complicated topic.

I bought a 350 because my plan was to haul a TC and a horse trailer at the same time. i gave up on TC and went to TT. Now I am too beat up to ride horses, but I have never regretted having the 350 even though I usually only pull around 6,000 pounds. Best vehicle I have ever had.

[frank4711]

Nice to have to much truck.... with the 2503 the 1/2 ton is fine ... I had Fords in my business for 25 years ... gas diesel 1/2 3/4 and 1 ton they were good trucks ... I never once looked at towing or payload ... 1/2 tons pulled my small trailers and 3/4 pulled my big trailers and 1 ton was my dump truck .... my one rule was would the truck towing stop the trailer behind it. Small trailers were 20' and big were 28' ..... Now welcome to RV's world of #'s max tow- payload --GVWR- GCWR -max cold psi- ft lbs torque -E rated -D rated -load rating - steer axle- drive axle-so I am now educated .... My 2019 Ram stops my new 2nd 5th wheel I have owned in last 5 months just great .... But my next truck will be to much truck

[dalford]

Originally Posted by Retired JSO

No problem. Wife wanted more camper room so we upgraded to 3350 Cardinal and F350 DRW. Now pulls 6% grade on cruise control in 6 th gear delivering 11.7 mpg. Camper now has 10600 miles while truck has 11423. We have no problem.

Diesel I’m sure, no a gasser...

[CaptnJohn]

The biggest hit on a vehicle ever was unloading a Dodge Ram 1/2 to and was worth every penny. My next was an F250 diesel as a 5er was in our near future. Ran it until an older lady T boned it at 115k. Next was an F350 and bigger 5er. Ran it 212k. Wanted more comfort and traded the last F350 at 92.7k in less than 3 years. Now pulling nearly 17k# with a heavy pin so an F350 dually sits in the drive. Only non maintenance money was in bed covers. Only 1 warranty item in the lot of them and it was minor but had the truck down 3 days waiting on a part. Unless pulling 10k or less diesel is the way to go. Maybe squeeze 11k on flat land. The dually is my daily driver and no problems. There is no noticeable difference in ride between a 250 and 350. My oil changes are more as I use over 13 quarts but go at least 7500 between changes. Fuel filters are the additional expense every 22.5k. With the 200# hitch and auxiliary fuel tank in the bed the dually rides as any other lighter SD. Now I need the dually. If not needed I’d have a 350 srw diesel.
Buy 1st what fits your needs and then what fits your wallet. I’ll usually find a reason to buy a new truck every 3-4 years no matter what. Only because I want to and it fits my wallet easily.

[thom125]

I was in the exact boat you're in... had a Ram 1500... needed 3/4 ton to pull my 7000 dry TT...... ran out and got a Ford F250... rough rough ride...
then I find out... F250 has leaf spring rear suspension.. Ram 2500 has coil spring.. the 2500 has plenty enough Tow capability and plenty of GCWR.. most important is that smoother ride with coil suspension.. just my 2 cents...


2019 Flagstaff Super Lite 26FKBS
2014 Ram 2500 Laramie Longhorn 6.4 gasser

[palomini-er]

Save yourself a lot of hassle, and dealer warranty visits, and get yourself a GMC HD or Chevy HD.

[Jaarjohns]

Just a quick FYI ... The ONLY difference in the 2 trucks is the extra leaf in the rear spring bundle and larger brakes on the 350. I went with the 350, then put F250 rear spring spacers on to take that huge "rake" out of the truck. More stopping power when you need it is never a bad thing!

[B and B]

Hello,

I had a F 250 with cab and half with Lariet, snowplow package and upgraded springs. 2300 lbs Cargo Capacity

I traded for a F 350 SRW crew cab with Snow Plow prep. I have 3800 lbs Cargo Capacity now.

Both are 6.75 ft boxes.

As far as ride I use as a daily driver. No issues at all with the ride. In fact my F 350 is smoother ride than my F 150 King Ranch with LT tires.

Go for the F 350..

My next truck will be a F 450 DRW 8 ft bed , the province of Ontario changed the rules on Class 3 and Class 4 trucks used for personal transportation. No annual inspection required now. No need for log book either.

F 450 has tighter turning radius.

My Landmark is 18,000 lbs gross and I have it loaded to 16,000 lbs now to be within truck capacity.

[moose074]

Originally Posted by Jaarjohns

Just a quick FYI ... The ONLY difference in the 2 trucks is the extra leaf in the rear spring bundle and larger brakes on the 350. I went with the 350, then put F250 rear spring spacers on to take that huge "rake" out of the truck. More stopping power when you need it is never a bad thing!

Not even sure brakes are bigger perhaps the front but here are two screen shots of rear brakes. I will also say manufacturer are cutting down on different parts between vehicles. My daughters 1500 recently had I flat. When I rolled under to get spare. I noticed frame had hangers for dual exhaust. When I removed front tire spindle was splined for an axle but not 4x4.