f250 VS f350

When empty/not towing the ride on the F350 will be worse.

A friend added extra springs to her F250 for towing her 3 horse trailer with living quarters. Tows great, empty ride ...

As others have said I think you and she may be underestimating the weight of a LQ trailer all loaded up.

One of our horse trailers is a GN four horse slant with front dressing room, but it's NOT a LQ, and it's usually loaded out to close to 14K lbs going to a show. We use a F350 diesel dually tow tow it.

So yes, I second the idea that for a LQ, a one ton dually is best fit.

There is a reason why one ton duallies are called the "Kowgirl Kadillac"

If I were her, I'd head straight into a F350 DRW with the diesel. If she's hauling a 16k lb GVW trailer, she's going to really be at the limits of a gas engine. The diesel will make her towing experience much easier and probably safer as well.

You'll need to look up the payload capacities of the SRW vs DRW of the two vehicles. I know that with the diesel F250, 16k is at it's very limit and possibly over it depending on the tongue weight.

The DRW will give her extra security when she encounters crosswinds and when the big rigs blow by her. It'll give her all the extra payload she needs.

If she wants bigger brakes (15.4 inch) and a 6 foot tighter turning radius, then the F450 would be the way to go.

You can check out the ratings using the Ford Towing Guide:
https://www.ford.com/cmslibs/content/dam/brand_ford/en_us/brand/resources/general/pdf/guides/18RV&TT_Ford_SuperDtyPU_Nov27.pdf

Same truck, differnet springs. Doesn’t matter.
Actually I think the 350 has a slightly heavier rear axle but it’s not the limiting part of the equation.

I've had both and considering the small price difference I would go with the 350. Extra payload capacity etc might come in handy down the road if circumstances change. Never hurts to have a little more than you need.

I think with the gasser, either would do the job, especially with the 4.30 gearing, that may require ordering. I do think in the new model 250/350, that there are a couple significant differences. I'm thinking the 250 gas has a lighter duty transmission now, compared to the 350 gas, or diesel versions. It also seems that the 350 gas has a heavier duty rear axle too, not just rating.

The 6.2 has been a good engine since it's beginning.

Jerry

You need to look at the loaded hitch weight of that large horse trailer and then at the payload rating for the trucks. You may well be into dually range to carry that much weight.

Always go by the GVW of the trailer. For any weight close to that, she should go straight for the F-350.