2017 F450 vs F350

[Venom4u]

I currently tow 43ft Jayco 377RLBH. I tow with a 2007 F350 dually.

Couple things.

1) The pin weight on the Jayco is just about 3000 lbs.

2) I have 6 people in the truck plus a 100lb dog.

3) I think the tow wieght is around 14k lbs.

I currently feel my vehicle does an OK job. But it could use airbags. I'm a inch or so away from the touching the overload Springs when all loaded up, full fuel etc.

It's a heavy load and I believe a 2017 with the newer engines would do a better job with it.

So I'm thinking 350 or 450. The 3500 mega cab was also in the mix but the mega cab isn't really bigger interior wise than the Ford and it had a short bed.


That said the 450 is listed as not able to carry as much load in the truck itself. I'm a bit confused because on paper the 350 looks like it works better with a bigger payload since I am way under Mac towing capacity of both trucks.

Many have said that the f450 is underrated.

I have read the 450 has a tighter turn radius which is nice.

So I am a bit torn. 450 sounds like a great rig... But being less capable of load bugs me... Should I really worry?

Opinions please...

[Cummins12V98]

transferred wrote:

Cummins12V98 wrote:

transferred wrote:
I love my old 2005 Dodge 3500 SRW and have bought from each of the big three- they all make good trucks. If I were buying something to tow your 5er I'd go with the 2017 F450 4x4, sidetrack front end is a huge boon.

The Dodge Crew Cab introduced in 2010 is far bigger than the previous QC. I prefer the QC, but the CC now stacks up against the GM and Ford offerings.

Most reliable truck I ever owned was my GMC Duramax, never had an issue. The Cummins is as stout as they get but Dodge electrics and seals are another matter, the latest Ford Powerstroke seems to run well but boy does that name have a f'ed up history.

You should go sit in a LongHorn, your opinion of seat comfort in a RAM will change.

I think you have the wrong poster. I like my front bench in my 2005 Laramie, plenty comfortable.

Oops! Thanks for pointing that out.

[transferred]

Cummins12V98 wrote:

transferred wrote:
I love my old 2005 Dodge 3500 SRW and have bought from each of the big three- they all make good trucks. If I were buying something to tow your 5er I'd go with the 2017 F450 4x4, sidetrack front end is a huge boon.

The Dodge Crew Cab introduced in 2010 is far bigger than the previous QC. I prefer the QC, but the CC now stacks up against the GM and Ford offerings.

Most reliable truck I ever owned was my GMC Duramax, never had an issue. The Cummins is as stout as they get but Dodge electrics and seals are another matter, the latest Ford Powerstroke seems to run well but boy does that name have a f'ed up history.

You should go sit in a LongHorn, your opinion of seat comfort in a RAM will change.

I think you have the wrong poster. I like my front bench in my 2005 Laramie, plenty comfortable.

[Cummins12V98]

transferred wrote:
I love my old 2005 Dodge 3500 SRW and have bought from each of the big three- they all make good trucks. If I were buying something to tow your 5er I'd go with the 2017 F450 4x4, sidetrack front end is a huge boon.

The Dodge Crew Cab introduced in 2010 is far bigger than the previous QC. I prefer the QC, but the CC now stacks up against the GM and Ford offerings.

Most reliable truck I ever owned was my GMC Duramax, never had an issue. The Cummins is as stout as they get but Dodge electrics and seals are another matter, the latest Ford Powerstroke seems to run well but boy does that name have a f'ed up history.

You should go sit in a LongHorn, your opinion of seat comfort in a RAM will change.

[LIKE2BUILD]

Venom4u wrote:
I currently tow 43ft Jayco 377RLBH with a 2007 F350 dually.

Couple things.

1) The pin weight on the Jayco is just about 3000 lbs.

2) I have 6 people in the truck plus a 100lb dog.

3) I think the tow wieght is around 14k lbs.

I currently feel my vehicle does an OK job. But it could use airbags. I'm a inch or so away from the touching the overload Springs when all loaded up, full fuel etc.

I'm thinking 350 or 450. The 3500 mega cab was also in the mix but the mega cab isn't really bigger interior wise than the Ford and it had a short bed.

1" from overload springs doesn't seem like a big deal. If you're still on the primary spring back that shouldn't be an issue.


My Previous TV was an '04 Chevy 2500HD crew cab. The cab in my new TV --'14 Ram 2500 Crew Cab, 8' bed-- feels like a cavern compared to the Chevy. I used to think I had all kinds of room on the Chevy but the Ram has tons more leg room. I image the ability to recline seats in MegaCab would be great, but I'm happy with just the crew cab.

Also, the turning radius of my RAM is pretty huge. I can definitely see the benefit of the wider track front on the F450 and tighter radius would be really nice.

Don't forget, on the RAM 3500's 5-link air suspension with auto-level is a factory option. My truck is on coil springs with are very smooth but also very stout. I'd love to see how the air system rides.

The biggest surprise to me was driving an '08 F350 single cab, dually, 8' bed compared to my RAM. The F250 is a school truck I drive on occasion to pull a 28' trailer for our high school band. The first time I drove that thing I thought I would need a kidney transplant :E :E Holy smokes an old buckboard wagon on a logging trail would ride smoother than that beast. I think every internal organ got shifted and turned upside down. When I tow my 5er in the RAM it feels completely smooth, so I'm not sure if the difference is coil vs leaf spring, wheelbase, 1-ton vs 3/4-ton chassis, DRW vs SRW, or new era vs old era. Regardless, the ride harshness is totally night and day between the two trucks.

KJ

[carringb]

And I should clarify my California comment.... They don't actually require a "CDL", but they do require a non-CDL Class-A license for heavier/longer RVs. Only for residents but the requirements are the same including requiring a medical exam card. Your out-of-state Class C license will be valid for your RV in California as well.

That said - California only classifies pickups up to 11,500 pounds, so if your future may ever include a potential move to that state, that may be good reason to reconsider and F450 (Ford offer low-GVWR options for the F350, which are a sticker change only, for that reason).

[Home_Skillet]

^
True.

[carringb]

Venom4u wrote:
Not to change my own topic....but doing this research also led me to figure out that in Texas I am actually not legal driving my rig with a Class C license. I actually need to get a Class A non-commercial license since my trailer is over 10k and the total GVWR of the entire truck and trailer is over 26k.

As far as I know, every state except Kalifornia exempts RV combinations from CDL requirements, when used for personal use and not transporting for hire or using as part of their business.

[blt2ski]

If one was in Wa St, either the 450 or 350 would have a licensed wieght of at least 14, if not 16K lbs gvwr. As OUR DMV takes tare wt times 1.5, to the next higher ton, and that is what you are licensed at, and LEGAL too!
Reality is, take the truck in this case, with the tighter turning radius, heaver springs, axels etc, license it for what you need, and start enjoying the rig.
I've had multiple rigs, licensed OVER the manufacture gvwr, even the axle wt ratings, been pulled over, wieghed, NEVER have I had an overweight ticket! as MY PAID for license was over what I weighed in at. Only once when I weighed just over 27K with my navistar, licensed at 26K, did I run into problems, and even at that, no issues IMHO. I was given a 10 day pay for a 28K tab, and sent on my way! as I was under the 19200 graw and 9600 front axel weights they enforce too.
Either of the two trucks will get the full max 20K on rear axel, and probably 9500-12K on the front. So technically, here any way, they could go down the road at 30K gvw and still be legal. I would prefer the 450 personally at this wt than the 350!
GCWR wise, that is not a legal term per ANY SP in ANY of the 50 states, so that is also not a factor. It is more do you have enough payload to handle the load per your limiting factors!

Speed wise, both rigs will pull hills about the same, same max grade in first gear starting at, assuming the same motor HP/torque specs, axel and trans gearings, tire diam etc. Braking will be less on the 350 vs 450 for the truck load itself.

Marty

[transferred]

Me Again wrote:

Bedlam wrote:
I don't know if the market is big enough for two.

GM thinks so. They are bringing back the 4500. Chris

As a pickup? Or just back to Medium Duty c&c offerings? A link would be appreciated as this is great news either way. The Duramax/Ally deserves a heavier duty application.

[transferred]

I love my old 2005 Dodge 3500 SRW and have bought from each of the big three- they all make good trucks. If I were buying something to tow your 5er I'd go with the 2017 F450 4x4, widetrack front end is a huge boon.

The Dodge Crew Cab introduced in 2010 is far bigger than the previous QC. I prefer the QC, but the CC now stacks up against the GM and Ford offerings.

Most reliable truck I ever owned was my GMC Duramax, never had an issue. The Cummins is as stout as they get but Dodge electrics and seals are another matter, the latest Ford Powerstroke seems to run well but boy does that name have a f'ed up history.

Edited: autocorrect made my term incorrect-- changed widetrack to sidetrack, now corrected.

[alexleblanc]

if I was putting my money down on a truck to tow your 5er, it would be the underrated F450 for sure.

[Me_Again]

Bedlam wrote:
I don't know if the market is big enough for two.

GM thinks so. They are bringing back the 4500. Chris

[Me_Again]

tinner12002 wrote:

Me Again wrote:
For less than the cost of a new Ford you could have one like this.



Then again turn radius is an issue. Chris

Looks like a mega cab with an 8ft bed!! Custom built??

I believe it was done in Colorado. This guy drove a brand new truck to them to have the frame extended that the 8' box installed. I really like the color BTW. There are others that the company has do on the TDR site. Chris

[taken]

It was touched on earlier in the thread but just to clarify. The main reason the DRW 350 has a higher listed max payload over the 450 is the DRW 350 can be ordered stripped down to a regular cab, 2X4, 6.2 gas engine. That's a big weight loss over the 450's mandatory crew cab, 4X4, 6.7 diesel. Option them the same and the payload will be similar. That said, they are both limited by the Class 3, 14k ceiling. I also agree that if I was going to go DRW, it would be only a 450 due to the wide track that is no longer available on the DRW 350 in 2017.