Differences between Ford SD F350 and F450?

I can't speak for others, but my F450 rides smoother than the '06 Ford SRW that it replaced either empty or loaded. With a 14500 GVWR, that leaves 5500 for my tc etc. I think that makes it a tower and a hauler. ;) I also like having 19.5s for the stronger tire walls.

No, it doesn't get the mpg that the srw did, but I'm still working on that. It does go over the Cascades much easier with the 4.30 gearing and gives me the option of towing a monster fiver some time in the future.

Ford took a F-350 and upgraded the front end and the rear axle and provided lower gearing to increase the towing capacity of the truck with the F-450. If you want more payload capacity you need to go to the F-550 or to a different manufacturer's truck.

Golden_HVAC wrote:
It can have the pedistal or normal style hitch installed too.

Fred.

Fred, could you please explain what a "pedistal" hitch is?
I'm confused.
Thanks, Jerry

Actually the '15 F-450 is a better hauler than an F-350 DRW. It has bigger brakes, 19.5s, bigger rear axle, bigger sway bars, and steering upgrades. Just because the sticker on the door says it can carry less doesn't make it a less capable tool. The '15 F-450 has a 14k GVWR, but it is almost the same truck as the 08-10s and they were 14.5. Wouldn't surprise me if the '16s are 14.5k or more. I believe the only reason the '15 is 14k is to keep it a class 3 truck for registration and insurance purposes, not unlike the 9900 GVWR SRW F-350.

Also the wide track front axle and 4.30 gears are now available on the F-350 with the high capacity towing package. (Basically like the 11-14 F-450s)

Most truck campers exceed their GVWR anyway. Looking at the printed payload isn't necessarily the best meter.

Boatycall wrote:

bobndot wrote:
the 450 is a tow-er not so much a hauler

Yup, x2

I did the exact same research not too long ago. (My camper is one heavy SOB...) The F450's are set up for much heavier GCWR, you can get 4.88 gears, but actually has less GVWR.
For a TC, F350 or F550. If you're a BIG 5'er hauler, F450 of F550.

That was my conclusion also, compared them side by side on the lot, bought a 350.

bobndot wrote:
the 450 is a tow-er not so much a hauler

Yup, x2

I did the exact same research not too long ago. (My camper is one heavy SOB...) The F450's are set up for much heavier GCWR, you can get 4.88 gears, but actually has less GVWR.
For a TC, F350 or F550. If you're a BIG 5'er hauler, F450 of F550.

The F450 pick-up version only comes in 4x4 with a Diesel. Make sure you are comparing it to a 4x4 F350 diesel and not a 2wd F350 gas.

Unless you are looking at the 2008 to 2010 F450 trucks which had the 19.5 tires and wheels the new ones have 17" the same as the 350. The brakes on the 2011 to present are the same. The front axle is the same as the 350. Now the prior years 2008 to 2010 has the wide front axle the same as the chassis cabs 450 and 550. The brakes on these are larger than the F350. I have heard rumors that the 2015 F450 is going back to the 19.5 tires. The GVWR on the 2008 to 2010 trucks is 14500#. The 2011 F450 pickup was the same as the 350 and was 13300# now the newer 350 and 450 are 14000# GVWR now.

Big differences between the 2008 to 2010 F450 and the 2011 to present F450.

My guess is the curb weight of the F-450 pickup bed truck has a higher curb weight than the F-350.

Be sure to check the rear axle ratio's because the F-450 normally has a lower rear axle ratio, leading to higher engine rpm's at at any given road speed in a certain transmission gear. I would not want the engine reving up more than normal, and considering it is a diesel, you want a lower engine RPM most of the time.

Are you planning on towing more than 23,000 pounds? If not, then the F-350 will handle the load, probably have softer springs, and should not ride as much like a lumber truck as the heavier F=450.

You might also consider a special bed truck. You can buy a F-350 or F-450 in cab and chassis configuration. It will have a slightly longer length from cab to center of rear axle, normally about 9" longer wheelbase. Then a specialty bed is installed with compartments to store stuff. It can have the pedistal or normal style hitch installed too.

Fred.

I was told the 450 is a tow-er not so much a hauler. The wide track front axle does turn tighter.
Its possible that Ford plays a numbers game with payloads because some states require commercial paperwork when such numbers are exceeded .
IMO, I would make things work using a 350. If I couldn't , a would bump it up to a 550 and skip over the 450 but things get expensive as far as upkeep.

I found this info you might want to read thru :

http://www.heartlandowners.org/showthread.php/28342-New-F350-vs-F450