Truck ratings

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

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?

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.

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'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.