350 vs 450

The cool factor. I notice F450s.

Price

More stability with DRW, but you knew that. Gas or diesel? DRW and diesel make a nice combination on winding hilly roads which I think you have in your area. What is the weight of that 42 footer? I'm sure you understand pin weight, axle weight, etc. and how to figure out if the truck is suitable.

1. The F450 has a wider front end (wider track) and smaller turning radius.
2. The rear end gear ratio is lower on the F450.
3. The F450 has larger brakes (given same year models).
4. Depending on year and equipment, the F450 sometimes has a lower payload rating. This is due to the fact that the numbers on the F450 are calculated using the SAE J2807 standards.
5. Depending on the state, the F450 can cost more to register and insure than the F350.

Rob

Second Chance wrote:
1. The F450 has a wider front end (wider track) and smaller turning radius.
2. The rear end gear ratio is lower on the F450.
3. The F450 has larger brakes (given same year models).
4. Depending on year and equipment, the F450 sometimes has a lower payload rating. This is due to the fact that the numbers on the F450 are calculated using the SAE J2807 standards.
5. Depending on the state, the F450 can cost more to register and insure than the F350.

Rob

Lower payload is based on the GVWR of 14k.

personally I would stick with a 350... a 350 can be purchased as a dually or singled, where the 450 is always a dually.
the 450 offers nothing more than a 350 dually except a 1000lb more weight capacity and somewhat lower mileage.... not a good enough trade off in my opinion, especially when the 350 has everything it needs to pull an RV.... if it was being purchased as a commercial vehicle and pulling maximum loads, it may be different.
one thing to look at is the transmission... different brands and different years, the 450's can sometimes be found with heavier transmissions in them for commercial duty applications, where sometimes these heavier transmissions arent available in the 350's

The gearing of the 450 is not as good as it is with a 350 for towing most RVs. I recommend that you take the GCWR of your fifth wheel and add about 9000 lbs for the weight of a truck and then go with Fords recommended gear ratio for the CGVWR of your unit. More than likely it will put you into a F350 dually with 3.73 gears.

Here’s a video by Big Truck Big Rv comparing the two trucks. He went from a 2016 F450 to a 2017 F350. He then traded off the F350 for a 2017 F450 because of the turning radius.

nkc914 wrote:
I am looking at a 2013 F450 drw to replace my 2016 F350 6.2 gas srw that will be used to pull my 42 fifth wheel. Anyone have some solid info in favor of either one ?
thank you
Mike
2016 F350 6.2 SRW.

Going from a 6.2 gas to a 6.7 Power Stroke will be the big difference in towing ease along with a DRW for stability.

Personally I like the looks of the big F450. :B

I don't know what your 42' 5th wheel weighs but it seems like it probably would be a lot of weight for a 6.2 to tow.