2500 or 3500 what's the major difference?

[lmarcrum]

I am looking at new trucks. It seems most new trucks on the lots are 2500. If you want to tow or have a HD truck wouldn't you want a 3500. Most of the trucks are equipped with a diesel and a 2500 chaise. Why is that? I am looking looking for a Ford F350 with a gas 6.2L engine. Hard to find. I live in Illinois and will not use the truck that much in the winter. That is why I did not choose the Diesel engine. I have heard the cold is not good for a Diesel engine if not used or started much in the winter.
What is the major difference between the 250 & 350 chaise. Are the brakes the same? Thank you

[JIMNLIN]

fla-gypsa wrote:
Having spent 30 years administering industrial safety compliance programs I will respectfully decline to accept your opinion of what the difference is and defer to what the manufacturer states in writing the established ratings for the product they sell are. We call that hazard recognition and risk avoidance and it is the ONLY proven and acceptable data available. Everything else is opinion and worth diddly squat.

Your way off the track here.
If you believe in mfg rating then why don't you read Fords spec sheets clicky I made above that backs up what ricatic, myself and others have all ready found out and have shown in our replies pertaining to the OP post of 250/350 major differences.

Or you can continue to stick your head in the sand and continue making ignorant remarks about other folks as arm chair engineers which doesn't help the OP find the differences he is asking for.

Simply read the OP question and give a informed answer. If you can't read Fords specs sheets then ask some one to read the for you.

[Redsky]

It depends in part on the manufacturer and the model year. With the 2011 and later GM trucks the difference is in the number of leaf springs at the rear axle and the available configurations with fewer choices with the 3500 trucks though the option for DRW. With the 2013 RAM trucks the 1-ton has a stronger frame but in 2014 the same frame is used with the 2500 trucks.

There are too few units sold to justify having two different trucks so over the years the manufacturers have made the differences entirely those of payload capacity and this is primarily the difference between SRW and DRW rear axles. It is easier to add two more wheels at the rear and stay with 18" wheels than to use special 19.5 rims and tires to increase payload capacity.

[fla-gypsy]

ricatic wrote:

fla-gypsy wrote:

ricatic wrote:

fla-gypsy wrote:
It is all about payload and it matters. Many armchair engineers will claim the only difference is this or that but unless they are building them its all conjecture.

Gypsy...

I have posted this Ford information many times...but I will repeat it for you and those that have not read it...The complete axle assemblies for all Ford F250 and F350 SRW trucks are identical. They are all assembled in Sterling Heights Michigan at Ford's Sterling Axle Plant. My BIL is very high up in management at this location.

When I asked him the difference between 250 and 350 axle question several years ago he told me there were none...in fact...the assemblies leave the plant for Louisville Assembly with no designation as to which model truck they were to be installed...all components: housings, shafts, axles, gear sets and brake assemblies are all the same...

...any discussion regarding the F350 having larger axle shafts only concerns F350 Dually's...The dually truck does not use the common Sterling Axle Plant product but instead uses a Dana manufactured assembly...The confusion is caused by a continuing error published in Ford's specifications...The name Dana does appear in the Dually specs but most readers fail to understand...

...not an arm chair engineer...just a distributor of facts...

Regards

Having spent 30 years administering industrial safety compliance programs I will respectfully decline to accept your opinion of what the difference is and defer to what the manufacturer states in writing the established ratings for the product they sell are. We call that hazard recognition and risk avoidance and it is the ONLY proven and acceptable data available. Everything else is opinion and worth diddly squat.

...and where are those black helicopters...the information posted is easily verified by reading the entire specifications regarding the F Series SRW trucks and the F350 Dually...the difference only appears in the dually...and it is clearly listed as a Dana axle assembly...

I will concede that the F350 SRW truck has two differences...ones already stated...they are:

F350 SRW truck has an additional overload leaf spring below the main spring pack

The F350 SRW truck uses a 4 inch spacer between the main leaf spring pack and the axle...the F250 uses only a 2 inch spacer...

Just the facts...

Regards

Apparently the choppers are on the way to bring you more secret data.

[ricatic]

fla-gypsy wrote:

ricatic wrote:

fla-gypsy wrote:
It is all about payload and it matters. Many armchair engineers will claim the only difference is this or that but unless they are building them its all conjecture.

Gypsy...

I have posted this Ford information many times...but I will repeat it for you and those that have not read it...The complete axle assemblies for all Ford F250 and F350 SRW trucks are identical. They are all assembled in Sterling Heights Michigan at Ford's Sterling Axle Plant. My BIL is very high up in management at this location.

When I asked him the difference between 250 and 350 axle question several years ago he told me there were none...in fact...the assemblies leave the plant for Louisville Assembly with no designation as to which model truck they were to be installed...all components: housings, shafts, axles, gear sets and brake assemblies are all the same...

...any discussion regarding the F350 having larger axle shafts only concerns F350 Dually's...The dually truck does not use the common Sterling Axle Plant product but instead uses a Dana manufactured assembly...The confusion is caused by a continuing error published in Ford's specifications...The name Dana does appear in the Dually specs but most readers fail to understand...

...not an arm chair engineer...just a distributor of facts...

Regards

Having spent 30 years administering industrial safety compliance programs I will respectfully decline to accept your opinion of what the difference is and defer to what the manufacturer states in writing the established ratings for the product they sell are. We call that hazard recognition and risk avoidance and it is the ONLY proven and acceptable data available. Everything else is opinion and worth diddly squat.

...and where are those black helicopters...the information posted is easily verified by reading the entire specifications regarding the F Series SRW trucks and the F350 Dually...the difference only appears in the dually...and it is clearly listed as a Dana axle assembly...

I will concede that the F350 SRW truck has two differences...ones already stated...they are:

F350 SRW truck has an additional overload leaf spring below the main spring pack

The F350 SRW truck uses a 4 inch spacer between the main leaf spring pack and the axle...the F250 uses only a 2 inch spacer...

Just the facts...

Regards

[fla-gypsy]

ricatic wrote:

fla-gypsy wrote:
It is all about payload and it matters. Many armchair engineers will claim the only difference is this or that but unless they are building them its all conjecture.

Gypsy...

I have posted this Ford information many times...but I will repeat it for you and those that have not read it...The complete axle assemblies for all Ford F250 and F350 SRW trucks are identical. They are all assembled in Sterling Heights Michigan at Ford's Sterling Axle Plant. My BIL is very high up in management at this location.

When I asked him the difference between 250 and 350 axle question several years ago he told me there were none...in fact...the assemblies leave the plant for Louisville Assembly with no designation as to which model truck they were to be installed...all components: housings, shafts, axles, gear sets and brake assemblies are all the same...

...any discussion regarding the F350 having larger axle shafts only concerns F350 Dually's...The dually truck does not use the common Sterling Axle Plant product but instead uses a Dana manufactured assembly...The confusion is caused by a continuing error published in Ford's specifications...The name Dana does appear in the Dually specs but most readers fail to understand...

...not an arm chair engineer...just a distributor of facts...

Regards

Having spent 30 years administering industrial safety compliance programs I will respectfully decline to accept your opinion of what the difference is and defer to what the manufacturer states in writing the established ratings for the product they sell are. We call that hazard recognition and risk avoidance and it is the ONLY proven and acceptable data available. Everything else is opinion and worth diddly squat.

[APT]

The minimum difference is springs. It could be a lot more depending on brand and vintage.

Most people shop by tow ratings which cab be pretty high for 3/4 ton diesels. RVers tend to have more numbers to shop by like payload.

There is nothing wrong with diesels in the winter. They won't heat up as quickly as gas, but otherwise the same problems as gassers. A friend of mine has a 2012 GM dually. Parks it in his garage in Nov and pulls it out in March/April. He did the same with a 2003 diesel pickup. Get the engine you want. Note payload for the diesel equipped truck is quite a bit lower than the same truck gasser.

[therink]

Dave H M wrote:

therink wrote:

therink wrote:
See my truck in signature. I had to factory order to get a 3500 gasser. You will have a hard time finding one. If buying new, why not factory order anyway? Then you can build it yourself and get exactly what you want.
Steve

Btw the difference for me was a yellow sticker in the door jamb with an additional 800 lbs payload. I was running 500 lbs over with my last 2500. I like to run legal.

Would you please explain what you mean by "legal"? :h

For one, I was over weight. My truck also is also a lettered truck for my company with a DOT#. I am subject to comply with Dot regs. Even if my truck was not subject to commercial regs, I choose not to pull a trailer heavier than my truck is rated to pull especially with my family on board.

[ricatic]

fla-gypsy wrote:
It is all about payload and it matters. Many armchair engineers will claim the only difference is this or that but unless they are building them its all conjecture.

Gypsy...

I have posted this Ford information many times...but I will repeat it for you and those that have not read it...The complete axle assemblies for all Ford F250 and F350 SRW trucks are identical. They are all assembled in Sterling Heights Michigan at Ford's Sterling Axle Plant. My BIL is very high up in management at this location.

When I asked him the difference between 250 and 350 axle question several years ago he told me there were none...in fact...the assemblies leave the plant for Louisville Assembly with no designation as to which model truck they were to be installed...all components: housings, shafts, axles, gear sets and brake assemblies are all the same...

...any discussion regarding the F350 having larger axle shafts only concerns F350 Dually's...The dually truck does not use the common Sterling Axle Plant product but instead uses a Dana manufactured assembly...The confusion is caused by a continuing error published in Ford's specifications...The name Dana does appear in the Dually specs but most readers fail to understand...

...not an arm chair engineer...just a distributor of facts...

Regards

[45Ricochet]

spoon059 wrote:


It kinda makes me wonder why more manufacturers don't offer softer springs in the rear for a more comfortable ride and factory air bags to support higher weights.

2014 Rams now offer it and I'm sure the next few years so will Ford and GM.

[JIMNLIN]

op wrote:
I am looking at new trucks. It seems most new trucks on the lots are 2500. If you want to tow or have a HD truck wouldn't you want a 3500.

As others have said the F250 trucks specs are the same as the F350 SRW trucks. The F350 SRW specs show a 7000 RAWR which include the higher rated rear spring pack/higher rated wheels and tires.

The F250 has 6100 RAWR.

The F350 DRW has those big 9600 RAWR and four tires for much more payload.

Most of the trucks are equipped with a diesel and a 2500 chaise. Why is that?

The 250/2500 is the biggest seller for the dealers as not everyone needs or wants a full one ton truck.

Are the brakes the same? Thank you

Yes on the F250/F350 SRW have the same brake specs according to Fords website spec sheets anyway.
https://www.fleet.ford.com/truckbbas/topics/2014/specs.html

Use this clicky for any actual differences in a 250 vs 350 you may be concerned with.

If you have any concern about legal weight issues contact your state size and weights folks (dot) and ask them.
Some of the opinions given about legal (code or civil) weights on a rv website are really amusing at times.

[spoon059]

And in reference to the "legal" aspect of it, I can't find any traffic law in the state of Maryland about vehicle weights, except that 26,001 lbs and over requires a CDL. There is always the potential that a civil attorney could weight the pieces of wreckage and determine that you were potentially 700 lbs over your GVWR and come after you for liability...

It seems that weight ratings are determined by the manufacturer to determine the most weight a truck can carry without having an unacceptable level of failure... IE its only important during your warranty period.

[spoon059]

FWIW, my friend has a Ford F250 with the 6.0. His front and rear axle are the same exact as the F350 of that year. Same part number. His wheels are the same, he has E rated tires that can support that weight. His brake rotors and pads are the same part number from Ford. His 6.0 is the same 6.0 they put in the F350. Same transmission too.

The only difference is that he doesn't have overload springs in the rear.

It kinda makes me wonder why more manufacturers don't offer softer springs in the rear for a more comfortable ride and factory air bags to support higher weights. For sane people (defined as people who buy a truck based upon its merits, not simply based upon brand infatuation), ride quality comes into play. Factory air bags (even as a $500 option) would potentially provide a much better ride empty and loaded.

[Me_Again]

Dave H M wrote:

therink wrote:

therink wrote:
See my truck in signature. I had to factory order to get a 3500 gasser. You will have a hard time finding one. If buying new, why not factory order anyway? Then you can build it yourself and get exactly what you want.
Steve

Btw the difference for me was a yellow sticker in the door jamb with an additional 800 lbs payload. I was running 500 lbs over with my last 2500. I like to run legal.

Would you please explain what you mean by "legal"? :h

He is referring to the virtual internet tickets written by the RV.net Weight Police, as he has never read the federal or state "Bridge Weight Laws"!

The only ticket a pickup will/could/maybe/etc get is for not paying your state the correct amount of tonnage for your load if tonnage is required in your home state or an unsafe load (Rear bumper dragging on the ground or excessive sway etc). Chris

[rhagfo]

Dave H M wrote:

therink wrote:

therink wrote:
See my truck in signature. I had to factory order to get a 3500 gasser. You will have a hard time finding one. If buying new, why not factory order anyway? Then you can build it yourself and get exactly what you want.
Steve

Btw the difference for me was a yellow sticker in the door jamb with an additional 800 lbs payload. I was running 500 lbs over with my last 2500. I like to run legal.

Would you please explain what you mean by "legal"? :h

Legal, Here would be defined as not exceeding any of the TV weight ratings.

There are those that think if you are close to or over your GVWR, GCWR your running illegal! There are those that believe if they are not exceeding axle ratings they are fine.

If you want a gas 3500, you are either need to order, or have a dealer do an inventory search, they are rare, and will not likely hold resale value.

[Dave_H_M]

therink wrote:

therink wrote:
See my truck in signature. I had to factory order to get a 3500 gasser. You will have a hard time finding one. If buying new, why not factory order anyway? Then you can build it yourself and get exactly what you want.
Steve

Btw the difference for me was a yellow sticker in the door jamb with an additional 800 lbs payload. I was running 500 lbs over with my last 2500. I like to run legal.

Would you please explain what you mean by "legal"? :h