Tow Vehicle

[Halifax Jack]

Looking to purchase a used F350 SRW diesel for a tow vehicle. Which model year in your opinion was better? and why? Model year 2016 thru 2018?

[upflying]

I don't know which is better but wasn't the Super Duty completely redesigned in 2017? I'd choose a last year model over a first year model because all the bugs and recalls are worked out.

[007matman]

Probably' 17 or '18.. as others have said stay away from the first few years of anything.

[clarkbre]

The 6.7 in recent years has been a very good engine as the emmisions bugs have been worked out.

Model years '11-Current have any transmission you want....as long as it's Ford's 6 speed 6R140. This transmission has proved to be very good behind the diesel and gas motor. The '17 and newer F250's with 6.2 gasser has the 6R100 that is basically the newer 6r140 with gearing of the 1st generation F150 Ecoboosts.

Looking at late model Fords with the 6.7, I would say just avoid (not drastically like certain engines or tranny's) the '17 model year as that was the first year of the redesigned "new generation" aluminum body. the 1st year of any new generation is kind of a case study for any and all manufacturers. There is nothing inherently bad about the engine or tranny but there may be some odd things that was changed in the '18 model year.

What are you looking to tow with it?

[EdJunior]

2017 changed the design of the body. Mostly the front and back end, and the interior. The engine and transmission are essentially the same, with the improvements made since their introduction in 2011, including a slight power boost. So if you want the design changes, go with a '17 or '18. The 2011 - 2016's were all the same body style.

I have the 2019, and it is a fantastic truck. My 2011 engine died prematurely, and I have to believe they have all the initial design issues fixed. It's a great truck.

[clarkbre]

Originally Posted by EdJunior

.... My 2011 engine died prematurely, and I have to believe they have all the initial design issues fixed....

Funny....my '11 Ecoboost (1st year) had a catastrophic failure (failed waste-gates in the turbos blew the exhaust manifolds off the block) at 71k miles. Ford said it was a "Doozy" of a problem. Although it was fixed, they couldn't tell me WHY it happened and didn't guarantee that it wouldn't happen again. Sold it.

Thankfully, my VERY understanding wife, allowed me to get the '16 F250 6.2L crewcab in my signature. I love the truck and will never have anything less than a 3/4 ton for towing an average sized trailer. I also will never buy a 1st (or even 2nd or 3rd) year engine again. I like that the 6.2L (along with the 6.4L) has been tested in the real world since 2011. The '14-'18 seem to be a good era for the Super Duty trucks.

[BigH]

Originally Posted by Halifax Jack

Looking to purchase a used F350 SRW diesel for a tow vehicle. Which model year in your opinion was better? and why? Model year 2016 thru 2018?

2016 unless you live someplace there is no winter.

After 2016 you get the aluminum body and Ford has a problem in cold climates with doors that will not unlock / doors that will not latch closed if you do get them unlocked with the aluminum bodied trucks.

This problem started the winter of 2014 with the 2015 aluminum bodied F150 and carried over to the aluminum bodied f250/350 in 2017. The first winter the problem showed itself Ford had parts on back order until spring. The next year proved the new parts didn't work and parts went on back order until spring...repeat. Repeat. Repeat until now and they still don't have the problem fixed.

This problem is large enough that there were more than 20 vehicles waiting for parts at my dealership according to the service manager. He told me it was the same at every dealership that has temps getting below freezing.

Here is a link to the F150 sticky thread on this subject. This thread has been restarted several times because it became too large.
https://www.f150forum.com/f118/2015-...thread-435339/

It is absolutely horrible to have a truck in the driveway that you can't use in the winter...

[5er_tom]

I have a 2012 F250 for sale. It is listed here on the forum. It is an extended cab, 4x4, short bed with the 6.7 diesel. The diesel is a new 2018 engine that was installed by Ford after the original engine self destructed. Take a look. It will make someone very happy. I towed a 10,000# and then a 13,000# fifth wheel with it. A great tow vehicle.

[moose074]

I owned a 2016 my biggest disappointment was turning radius the day I bought my dually I test drove a a used swd 2018 350 for my short test drive cab felt bigger and the turning radius felt tighter might have been me looking for reasons . In my honest opinion you probably need to find a dealer with both style and compare side to side

[Retired JSO]

Originally Posted by moose074

I owned a 2016 my biggest disappointment was turning radius the day I bought my dually I test drove a a used swd 2018 350 for my short test drive cab felt bigger and the turning radius felt tighter might have been me looking for reasons . In my honest opinion you probably need to find a dealer with both style and compare side to side

If the 2018 was a crew cab, 2017-18 is bigger by 3”.

[Nosedive]

Cab size on the 17-current Super Duty’s is much larger than the previous years. Much more room the back seat.

[clarkbre]

Originally Posted by Nosedive

Cab size on the 17-current Super Duty’s is much larger than the previous years. Much more room the back seat.

The '17+ Super Duties and F150's now share the same aluminum cabs like they did back in the 90's and prior.

The '16 and earlier Super Duty crewcabs are nice but they are a little smaller in the rear seat leg room than the '14 and earlier F150's. My '11 F150 was very nice for the rear seat.

[cub22908]

Originally Posted by Nosedive

Cab size on the 17-current Super Duty’s is much larger than the previous years. Much more room the back seat.

That is true, the back seat is great. I have a 2017 F350 6.7 and can't think of any reason to avoid it, the truck is awesome and most all owners feel the same. As stated earlier it is a redesign but the engine and drivetrain are basically the same as previous years. Frame beefed up and alum body are the big changes.
I've had it for two years and wouldn't consider any other truck at this time.

[007matman]

My 2007 F350 CC is huge.. a lot larger than an F-150 or trucks from Chevy or Ram.

[AlinMichigan]

Be very careful when selecting equipment. "I was just a little over (capacity)" will get you dropped by your insurance, and a lawsuit; if you are involved in an accident. NOT a situation you want to be in. Do not trust a dealer.

I've seen a lot of 5th wheels that exceed capacity of SRW tires and allowable loads.

[Halifax Jack]

Thanks for all the great information. Ended up purchasing a 2016 Lariat with Platinum option F350. Bottom line it came down to price as 1 tons are very rare in Canada. Most being shipped to states Now a new question The truck came with a B&W gooseneck kit already installed. So a B&W companion is a drop in installation. However, with a 6'7" box do I need a slider or can I go fixed mount? Weight and is the biggest concern as I want to remove it when not towing.

Thanks
John

[EdJunior]

Originally Posted by Halifax Jack

Thanks for all the great information. Ended up purchasing a 2016 Lariat with Platinum option F350. Bottom line it came down to price as 1 tons are very rare in Canada. Most being shipped to states Now a new question The truck came with a B&W gooseneck kit already installed. So a B&W companion is a drop in installation. However, with a 6'7" box do I need a slider or can I go fixed mount? Weight and is the biggest concern as I want to remove it when not towing.

Thanks
John

This will really be dictated by what you end up towing. Most 5th wheels today in general are designed to be "short bed friendly". Meaning they will have a decent turning radius and not hit the cab of your truck. But note the "in general". You have to keep that in mind when looking for your trailer.

If you want a slider hitch, it's going to be heavy. It's the nature of the slider. If you want something that is easy (meaning light" to remove, something like the Andersen hitch will probably be your answer.

So get your trailer narrowed down, then see what you will need for the hitch.

I know you will get many better answers, but this should get you started thinking anyway.

Oh, and congratulations on the truck! Pictures please, or it doesn't exist!!!

[moose074]

The companion is heavy regardless. That said I wanted my hitch as close to cab as I could get but the bumper was my biggest worry on the 8 ft bed not the cab