The wife and I are seriously considering semi-retiring and traveling around the country with a large 5th wheel trailer for a few years.I'd rather have too much tow vehicle than too little and we are looking at the large end of the 5th wheel trailer spectrum. My wife would be starting a business that involves vending at renfairs, car shows, folk fests, etc., and I can work anywhere I have an Internet connection. The tow vehicle also has to serve double duty as the daily driver.When I price out the 2015 F-350 vs the F-450, the price delta is about $8k comparably equipped. My impression is that the additional advantages of the F-450 are worth the money, but I don't have any practical experience here. Current leading candidate for the trailer is the Thunderbolt XLR 415AMP with the Fuzion Chrome 403 also under consideration.

I traded a 2008 450 DW for a 2012 350 SW in the spring. As a daily driver i like the 350 much better, ride , mileage and parking. Pulling, i see a little difference however i am very happy with 350. I guess it comes down to trailer first to determine tow rating and go from there.

For the last several years, its almost been a wash. I had a 2011 F450 for two years and it was a fine truck. It did everything well and my wife even liked driving it. Honestly, I thought the 4.30 rear end was overkill because the power all three are putting out these days is like a locomotive.For 2015, I think the F350/F450 comparison is a much bigger deal. I haven't even seen a 2015 F450 at a dealer yet. But its been beefed up even more. Its gonna be hard to get any real world experience yet. But if you could afford it, I'd go with the F450. I'm like you. I'd rather have too much truck than not enough.

I went from a 2011 F350 to a 2013 F450 the reason I did was for the turning radius of the 450. Both trucks pulled my trailer fine but sure love the front end of the 450 downside is less fuel mileage, the 4.30 rear end is over kill

I have an 11 f450 - so basically an f350 tow bossHonestly, I recently purchased a 2011 international lonestar (class 8 power unit) with 300,000 miles on it for much less than I paid for the 450. So.... If it's it really is capability you are looking for that is the direction I would look - if you are not going to be driving icy roads or backing into mud holes since any rv trailer you put behind it is like running bobtail. For the daily driver get a smart. If going pickup and driving ice the f350 is a better choice since there are no comparable winter tires in the 19.5 in size. Also, I suspect the f450 is also limited to 83 mph if that makes any difference to you

For the price of a new Ford you can buy a MDTthat would be much better suited to hauling a large fiver. Depending on fiver brand, ie Mobile Suites or something similar the F350 would probably be borderline at best what brands of large fiver are you considering?

F-350 vs F-450. Any experience making the choice

4x4ord
Explorer III
Sep 21, 2014
I firmly believe that an an F350 dually is a better choice than an F450 for towing an RV down the highway. The 4.30 gears are suited for heavy duty use...oil patch and forestry. What is it that you see as an advantage in the 450?
donn0128
Explorer II
Sep 21, 2014
DPC57 wrote:
donn0128 wrote:
For the price of a new Ford you can buy a MDTthat would be much better suited to hauling a large fiver. Depending on fiver brand, ie Mobile Suites or something similar the F350 would probably be borderline at best what brands of large fiver are you considering?

Last sentence of the first post. And the tow vehicle has to do double duty as a daily driver.

Tighter turning radius of an MDT would make it much more suitable as a DD IMHO.
kennethwooster
Explorer
Sep 21, 2014
I realize F450 is a different truck in 2015. Last March DW and myself decided we needed to upgrade from a SRW F250 to DRW 350 or 450. Did a lot of research and just was not enough difference in total towing capacity and etc. I'm very pleased with the 350 with DRW. I love the long bed, and the ability for towing in complete control. I made sure it had all of the towing capacity and load capacity that Ford had. Also came with the puck system for the hitch. Went with the B&W hitch, and can't believe how easy it is to operate.
Bedlam
Moderator
Sep 21, 2014
If you are looking at the F450 pickup also look at the F450 chassis cab with a utility or flat bed. I found better pricing with a comparable chassis cab even when you spend an additional $4k on a skirted flat bed.
calewjohnson
Explorer
Sep 22, 2014
I bought a 2015 F350 with the 14k GVWR package (4.3 rear) for two reasons. The insurance and registration were cheaper and the CCC of the F350 was higher than the F450. The F350 will be more than I ever need...

http://www.ford.com/trucks/superduty/specifications/payload/

Another thing...the tires are 17 vs 19 (I think), means cheaper tires when the time comes...

Cale
rhagfo
Explorer III
Sep 22, 2014
Too bad you sound like a Ford man Blue and Blue. The Ram 3500 has as much tow capacity as a F450. :B

The Devil made me post that! :E
FishOnOne
Nomad
Sep 22, 2014
rhagfo wrote:
Too bad you sound like a Ford man Blue and Blue. The Ram 3500 has as much tow capacity as a F450. :B

The Devil made me post that! :E

Perhaps the OP want's a truck built by an American Company.

Being a proud American made me post that! :W
4x4ord
Explorer III
Sep 22, 2014
As impressed as I have been with my Ford I have to admit the new GM has a much better ride and is just as quiet. Now if you could put Ford mirrors on the GM...

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F-350 vs F-450. Any experience making the choice

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