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

18 Replies

DPC57
Explorer
Sep 21, 2014
jfritz_drfritz wrote:
I have an 11 f450 - so basically an f350 tow boss
Honestly, 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

Wouldn't have any way to transport another car, even a smart. which is why the tow vehicle has to pull daily driver duties as well
Golden_HVAC
Explorer
Sep 21, 2014
I don't know if I would want a 4X4, and would rather have the simplicity of 2 WD in the pickup.

I think that the F-350 dually and F-450 have very close payload abilities. The 14,000 GVWR of the F-450 is not that much more than a F-350 dually, and the F-350 should be lighter curb weight, so it is pretty much a wash.

And the insurance companies understand what a F-350 is, while the F-450 is considered more a commercial vehicle, and some do not want to touch it. Call your insurance agent first, and see what they have to say.

I know that I compared a Ford car with a Kia, and the Kia was much more expensive to insure, due to higher costs to repair the car, and higher injury rates with the smaller car.

Good luck!

Fred.
ed6713
Explorer
Sep 21, 2014
Few drivers ever complain that the have too much truck for the job.
donn0128
Explorer II
Sep 21, 2014
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?
jfritz_drfritz
Explorer
Sep 21, 2014
I have an 11 f450 - so basically an f350 tow boss
Honestly, 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
Farmer_David
Explorer
Sep 21, 2014
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
lawnspecialties
Explorer
Sep 21, 2014
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.
leggy
Explorer
Sep 21, 2014
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.

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

18 Replies

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