Other than the suspension components, what are the other differences in truck ratings from F150- F250- F350; Chevrolet uses 1500, 2500 3500 ratings. Chrysler uses similar badges.

I'm not sure what you are considering suspension, but 250 and 350 SRWs are very similar in most brands with the primary difference being springs, spacers, and tire capacity.150s are a completely different truck.

jimh425 wrote:150s are a completely different truck.As in lighter frame, weaker springs, P vs LT tires, lower rated wheels, semi floating axle vs full floating. Well you get the picture.2500 vs 3500? Always a debate. Wheels, spring rates are usually the biggies. Oh and the rating per the door post tag. That rating is a certification number the mfg says the vehicle will be safe for occupants in an accident or emergency manuever.

I suspect the Front End components are more "beefy" as well? Are the trannys different or the same?My purpose: A Charter School in Northern Calif. is purchasing a suitable Van to transport young students 1000 miles per month. Snow conditions exists for Mount Shasta County.

I'm sure you will get plenty of input.I have an F-250 and am most familiar with Ford products so I'll take that bite of the pie.An F-150 is a light truck, with an entirely light duty suspension and a GVWR of around 9,000lbs in it's heavies configuration. Perfect for hauling a pop-up trailer or something in the 1500lb range of truck campers.An F-250 is a slightly lighter version of an F-350. It has the exact same axels and drive train as an F-350, unless ordered with "camper package" and/or a heavy duty suspension is has a slightly light spring pack with no overload springs or sway bars. It also could come with slightly lower weight rated tires and a max GVWR of 10,000lbs.When you pay the extra $350 dollars and buy a truck with an F-350 badge you get overloads springs, heavier rated tires and a max GVWR of 11,500lbs. Other than that it is the EXACT same truck as an F-250. Ordering a heavy duty suspension on an F-350 might net you a slightly stronger rear axel or a beefier front end if it is a 2WD truck.If you order a dually F-350 or F-450 you get a different truck, it has six tires and an even higher GVWR, a lower gear in the rear axel and is an even bigger, heavier duty truck.Every Ford diesel pick-up has the exact same engine and trans combo. That being said, transporting children in the back of a pick-up truck is not the greatest idea. Maybe you should consider a full sized passenger van?

Than for my anything with SRW is grocery getter, not a truck. ;)

Truck ratings | Good Sam Community

ejfranz
Explorer
Mar 26, 2016
Our school district is using the Chevy 3500 vans for sport teams and small outings.
The vans are equipped with proper winter tires ( mountain snow flake ) for 6 months of the year.
valhalla360
Navigator
Mar 26, 2016
Not sure about California specific but once you get into commercial transport, it's a different ballgame and most states require a chauffeurs license regardless of size.

Ignoring the legal stuff, moving 10 kids, a 150 should be fine.

Also for clarity, Ford uses E150-350 designation for vans and F150-350 for pickups. Otherwise the answers should be pretty similar.
cmeade
Explorer
Mar 26, 2016
georgehebert wrote:
cmeade: Thank you, you are correct. That is why I am looking for a 10 passenger only.
Careful cuz 10 pass with driver is still a school bus definition..... you must mean 9 pass with driver. If capable for more than one wheelchair then must be yellow schoolbus.
Steve_in_29
Explorer
Mar 26, 2016
georgehebert wrote:
cmeade: Thank you, you are correct. That is why I am looking for a 10 passenger only.

Also driving a more then 10 passenger van requires a chauffeurs license IIRC.

Unless you are hauling LOTS of gear along on those trips a 150/1500 van will work. If you will be towing as well then step up to 250/2500.

If the trips entail a lot of travel in snow then you should look into a 4x4 conversion.
trail-explorer
Explorer
Mar 26, 2016
Size of the brakes

Size and type on Engine.
noteven
Explorer III
Mar 26, 2016
...
georgehebert
Explorer
Mar 25, 2016
cmeade: Thank you, you are correct. That is why I am looking for a 10 passenger only.
cmeade
Explorer
Mar 25, 2016
georgehebert wrote:
I suspect the Front End components are more "beefy" as well?

Are the trannys different or the same?

My purpose: A Charter School in Northern Calif. is purchasing a suitable Van to transport young students 1000 miles per month. Snow conditions exists for Mount Shasta County.
Be very careful with this...... school pupils in CA MUST be transported in a school bus and only vans with vehicle type on VIN plate marked SCHOOLBUS can be converted for use. "bus not a school us" can never be certified by CHP. Only loophole is "not designed, used, or maintained for the transport of more than 10 persons including the driver". Not an OOPs I was confused mistake but full on misdemeanors when school pupils are involved......
KD4UPL
Explorer
Mar 25, 2016
150/ 1500 are completely different. Smaller, lighter, weaker everything.
2500 and 3500 are often very similar. Usually the engine, transmission, transfer case, and axles are identical but there are exceptions. Usually the front springs are identical. The difference is mostly, usually, rear springs, wheels, and tires.
Old-Biscuit
Explorer III
Mar 25, 2016
F-150 denotes same as 1500
F-250 ---2500
F-350 ---3500

F-150/1500 (Old school---1/2 Ton)
F-250/2500 (3/4 Ton)
F-350/3500 (1 Ton)

F-150/1500 Class 2a (6001-8500# GVWR)
F-250/2500 Class 2b (8501-10,000# GVWR)
F-350/3500 Class 3 (10,001-14,000# GVWR)

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