F-250/F-350?

Redterpos3 wrote:
Also, what kind of weight and class restrictions are there?

I didn't see this fully answered so I figured I would.

As previously stated, depending on how the truck is optioned, there is not any difference mechanically between the F250 and F350. the frame, brakes, axles, and just about everything is identical except for the rear suspension depending on what package you get. You can buy an F250 with a less stiff spring that has 3 leafs or you can opt for the $160 camper package that will give you the same rear leaf spring pack found on the F350. The only difference would be that the F250 would have lower ratings to fit in the truck class that it is in even though it is identical to the F350. Even more interesting is that you can option an F350 to drop it's 11,200 lbs GVWR to 10,000 lbs GVWR like the F250.

The truck classes were posted earlier by Bedlam, but the two classes that apply to the F250 and F350 are class 2B and class 3. Class 2B are vehicles between 8,501 lbs to 10,000 lbs GVWR which is where the F250 is and the class 3 that the F350 is in are 10,001 lbs to 14,000 lbs GVWR vehicles. That 10,000 lbs max of class 2B is why an F250 cannot have a GVWR of over 10,000 lbs. So even if the the built the F250 exactly like the F350 that is rated to handle a much higher GVWR, Ford still cannot give the F250 a GVWR higher than 10,000 lbs if it wants to keep in in class 2b. Since the F350 is in class 3, then it has all the room in the world to be given higher GVWR and it is usually the DRW trucks that are maxed out to the 14,000 lbs GVWR of class 3.

Why do we have these classes? Different reasons, but the main ones that would concern you are taxes and registration. In most states, a GVWR higher than 10,000 lbs has a much higher registration fee. In Texas, the registration fee on anything above 10,000 lbs GVWR(F350) is twice as much as a class 2B truck with a GVWR of 10,000 lbs or less(hence the reason why you can option an F350 to have a lesser 10,000 lb GVWR). In some of your more "liberal" states, the cost between the two GVWR registrations are astronomical. So don't let anyone tell you that there is only a small price difference between the two up front because you can be paying a lot more on the back side. Most states that I know of will not be able to ticket you for going over the manufacturer GVWR, but can ticket you for not having enough GVWR on your registration. In Texas, you can actually option to buy a 10,000+ GVWR (if you axles allow it) essentially making an F250 would be a "one ton" in the eyes of the law.


Here's a little fun fact. Most 2004 and prior 350/3500 SRW truck had a GVWR of 10,000 lbs or less essentially making them "three quarters" tons since they were in the same class 2B that today's 250/2500 trucks are in and the back then as well. The Ford F350 SRW, Ram SRW 3500, and GM SRW 3500 all a had a GVWR of 9,900 lbs which is less than the 10,000 lb GVWR most 250/2500 trucks have today. So technically you can call any SRW 350/3500 made prior to about 2004 a "three quarter ton". Although the owner might get a little pissy at you for doing so.