F-250 or F-350

[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.)

[GXPWeasel1]

Cons: It's a Ford, and you have a Dodge. LOL. Just kidding here...
Some states classify a F-350 as commercial, and there may be a fuel or
heavy duty tax on that truck.

Pros: You have a truck then that would be more than capable of pulling
anything you have now, or might get in the future.
You are getting a deal on a heavier truck, which may end up holding its
value better, especially if not putting the wear and tear of pulling an RV,
like you would with a half ton truck.

[007matman]

Con: A little rougher ride when unloaded.
Pro: more capacity, future proof of you decide to go larger, for me insurance was cheaper, lower price, etc.

The trucks will be virtually identical for maintenance costs, engine options, etc.

I'd go for the 1-ton any day.

[Ejs4029]

I'd go for the one ton.....When I bought my 2015 RAM 2500 after my Chevy 2500HD was stolen back in 2015 I was living in CA and it was cheaper yearly to register a 3/4 ton so I went that route...Fast forward to 2017 and due to unforeseen circumstances we moved to NC luckly for me my 3/4 is still good for my needs but I would have preferred a one ton if I had to do it all over again.

[sugarray40]

My Ram 2500 has been awesome. But, like others state, going to a 350/3500 will give you plenty of room to grown. Don't know what year of vehicle you are looking at, but the 2500 suspension gives a much better ride than the 3500 due being coil vs leaf spring.

[clarkbre]

Originally Posted by WoodLark-SC

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

The F350 over the F250:

Pros:
Payload. The F250 will likely have a 10,000 GVWR whereas the F350 will have closer to 11,000 to 11,500 GVWR. If the trucks are identical, they will weigh about the same but the F350 will have an additional 1,000 to 1,500 carrying capacity.

Cons:
A little rougher ride in the F350

Equal:
Tow ratings

No matter what, stepping up from a 1/2 to a 3/4 or 1 ton will be the biggest jump.

In searching for my Super Duty, the "2" or "3" on the fender really was the least concern. The upgrade from the F150 was seeking a higher payload and the 6.2 for simplicity and longevity. So far, I've been extremely happy with the truck. My payload increased from 1529 to 2766. Fully loaded with all occupants, firewood, bikes and the trailer hitched, there's still 900 left of payload....the F150 was over by about 300 lbs. A F350 would have netted me even more capacity.

[Chuck_S]

Why a pickup truck at all if all you want is a tow vehicle? The 2503 has a GVWR of roughly 6600 pounds and something like my Expedition with the 3.5 EcoBoost engine will handle 9200 and not breathe hard towing this trailer.

If you need a pickup truck a F150 Supercrew (assuming you need the seats) EcoBoost can be factory equipped to tow at least 11,200. And no embarrassment in driving a diesel or Dodge.

-- Chuck

[67L48]

1 tons riding rougher than 3/4 tons is largely outdated conventional wisdom ... akin to outdated beliefs on 1/2 ton capability. Most likely, the ride will be within suspension tolerance stacks of one another. The 1 ton will likely have an extra leaf in the rear spring pack which most people would be hard-pressed to detect.

In fact, the eerie similarity in the 3/4 ton and 1 ton builds these days form the foundation for many 3/4 ton drivers to consciously ignore their payloads. The argument states that frame, axles, suspension (other than 1 leaf), and other stuff is all the same ... thus my 10,000 GVWR 3/4 ton is really a 11,500 GVWR truck. OK, but that also means that it's going to ride the same! Can't have it both ways. It can't be the same truck but then drive more smoothly than a 1 ton.

3/4 ton is a Class II truck at 10,000 GVWR. 1 ton is a Class III truck at >10,000 GVWR. Depending on where you live, how your truck is registered, and how your insurance responds, there can financial penalties to the 1 ton you may want to avoid.

In my case, there are no penalties. My 1 ton cost $40 more than the identically equipped 3/4 ton. My 1 ton cost $30/year more to insure. Easy choice. 1 ton.

Because of outdated conventional wisdom, 3/4 tons may actually be easier to sell in the aftermarket. 1 ton is too much truck. 1 ton is a bigger truck and more difficult to drive. 1 ton rides rougher. 1 ton is more commercial. And, so on. None of those things are true any more, but people think in those terms a lot.

To me, it's a very short list of pros and cons associated with a 1 ton:

Pro: Highest rated capabilities all around
Con: Potential pitfalls with a Class III truck

[mopwr4me2003]

Just do it! Little rough riding like some have said but if the price is right might as well. If you ever upgrade your TT in the future you will not have to really worry about much as far as pulling and your weights. So might as well get it [emoji16]

[SlowrideHD]

Originally Posted by Chuck_S

If you need a pickup truck a F150 Supercrew (assuming you need the seats) EcoBoost can be factory equipped to tow at least 11,200. And no embarrassment in driving a diesel or Dodge.

-- Chuck

I'll see you in the mountains....then we'll see who is embarrassed!!!! Ha!

[TheWolfPaq82]

Think ahead to the future. I went F150 to a Chevy 1500, to a GMC 2500HD Duramax..............and now I'm driving a 2019 Chevy Colorado. We kept thinking..."we'll go bigger and bigger and bigger. NOPE. selling the TT, already sold the GMC and ended up going smaller.

[Gsykora]

I had a 2014 F350 SRW Platinum edition Powerstroke and it was an awesome truck. Surprisingly smooth, actually as smooth or smoother than the Ram 1500 Hemi I traded in. Unfortunately it was totalled and I upgraded to an F350 dually Platinum edition Powerstroke. It too is an awesome truck but it does ride rougher than the single rear wheel truck.

[007matman]

Originally Posted by Chuck_S

Why a pickup truck at all if all you want is a tow vehicle? The 2503 has a GVWR of roughly 6600 pounds and something like my Expedition with the 3.5 EcoBoost engine will handle 9200 and not breathe hard towing this trailer.

If you need a pickup truck a F150 Supercrew (assuming you need the seats) EcoBoost can be factory equipped to tow at least 11,200. And no embarrassment in driving a diesel or Dodge.

-- Chuck

Embarrassment of driving a Diesel? On what planet?

[The Evil Twin]

My $0.01 (the other penny got taken in taxes ):
I looked at both trucks before I bought. I own a 250 PSD with the plow package now. The deal was better on the 250, and after a little research I discovered that the only difference between my 250 and the 350 I was looking at was the contact spring on the rear leaf packs. The front springs are the same as the 350 w/o a plow package. Had I found a 250 with the camper package (slide in, not tow) the rear springs would have been the 350 leaves but my GVWR would still be 10k. So.... with that, the higher price tag on the 350, higher registration fee on the 350 and Hydroboost steering on the 350 I opted for the 250. With that said, I will likely be spending $600 on some air bags soon enough to take out some squat on my 250 when loaded to near GVWR.
My point in all this: the difference between the 2 trucks in nominal and with a few optional accessories, negligible unless towing commercial where you will get weighed.

[jrk341]

In my case, there are no penalties. My 1 ton cost $40 more than the identically equipped 3/4 ton. My 1 ton cost $30/year more to insure. Easy choice. 1 ton

This is exactly why I bought a 1 ton. After the first tow with it I am very happy with my decision.

[WoodLark-SC]

I will have to check into the tax differences, but I think 3/4 ton and 1 ton are treated the same in South Carolina if they are not used as commercial vehicles.


I see no embarrassment in driving either diesel or Dodge, but I want gas, and I simply prefer the Ford over Ram.


Right now, it looks like the only real drawback to the F-350 I found is distance; it is about 1,000 miles from my home. I'll have to look at some others to see if I can find one closer to home that is as good a deal.

[mopwr4me2003]

Originally Posted by WoodLark-SC

Right now, it looks like the only real drawback to the F-350 I found is distance; it is about 1,000 miles from my home. I'll have to look at some others to see if I can find one closer to home that is as good a deal.

If you have a local dealer that you trust or deal with they can do a dealer locate and a dealer trade. Let the dealer do the work. If you know exactly what you want and are firm in your price of what you will pay they will get it for you.

[mjbenedict]

My current 2015 Ford F150 has spent more time at the garage than the last three Dodges I owned. I’m going back but others that have switched to Dodge may tell you same. As far as going to any 1 ton, the heavy duty part will be great for towing but you may be doing overkill and could be hit with more costs in yearly registration fees and much higher replacement part costs. It should wear slower but brakes, etc are much more cost.

[WoodLark-SC]

Originally Posted by mjbenedict

My current 2015 Ford F150 has spent more time at the garage than the last three Dodges I owned. I’m going back but others that have switched to Dodge may tell you same. As far as going to any 1 ton, the heavy duty part will be great for towing but you may be doing overkill and could be hit with more costs in yearly registration fees and much higher replacement part costs. It should wear slower but brakes, etc are much more cost.

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.

[Retired JSO]

Our old 2016 6.2 with 3:73 rear likes to shift down and scream on much of any incline including Florida panhandle hills with 8500 low profile Work and Play while turning out 8 mpg at 65 mph.