Effect of Tire and wheel size question.

I learn something every day. Thanks.

The spline count is listed incorrectly in the specifications. The spline count only changes if you go to the DRW. This can be verified if you do part lookups for the SRW F350 and F250.

md11hog wrote:

Bedlam wrote:
A F250 with camper package is identical to a SRW F350 except for 2" shorter axle blocks. Brakes, axles and springs don't change until you select the DRW F350 model. If you are thinking of a heavier camper, you can get 2" more suspension sag on the F350 than F250 due to the taller blocks and still stay level.

If you are concerned about higher licensing fees, HOA or local limits on heavy trucks or clearance in your garage, get the F250. IF these are not a problem for you, look at the F350 but realize there is little difference other than weight tag and axle block height.

If there was a best answer award here, this would be it. After digging around and researching on the differences between 2015 F250 with camper package and 350, I didn't find any in parts besides the bigger axle blocks. Thanks everybody for the input from everybody as I move from a travel trailer to a truck camper,

Except the spline count on the drive shaft, as mentioned previously.
I rationalize and defend my purchase of a F250 with camper package, but, like I said, I'd get the F350 if I where to do it again (but I'm not going to trade in my F250 for a while).
Congrats to those ordering a new truck. If you troll around on Ford truck sites, sometimes people are willing to track your build. I had a guy who could tell me where my truck stood in line and when to expect it to move. My Ford dealer wasn't nearly as informed and too lazy to try. I called my dealer and told them my truck would be there xx day (they acted like they had no idea) and I'd like to take delivery xy day. It worked out, nicely. Happy anticipation.

Looking at F250 and F350 specs, I decided the F250 with 18" wheels and the camper package was pretty much the same as an F350 SRW. So, I bought an F250 which saves some $$ on annual vehicle reg taxes.

I hope that was a good choice. I would like to have bought an F350 DRW, but the DW wanted instead to live with less camper. I think her judgment was good, since we need the truck for utility use.

We bought a Lance 850, complete with happyjack mounting brackets and airbags on the suspension. I learned in our first few trips, that using airbags only to level the load resulted an very unsatisfactory ride. We had a lot of sway, the rig rocked back and forth like a lake buoy. Since then, I have installed stableloads, hoping if I engage the overloads and run less pressure in the airbags, we will have less sway.

Comments welcome.

Congrats md11hog. Mine has been a great truck. I've been hauling my camper for a year with only lower stable loads installed. I'm getting about 4.5 inches of sag like that. I'm getting ready to install upper stable loads in the beginning of next month. Hopefully that will cut the sag in half which I think will be sufficient. Happy camping.

i ordered the 350 this morning and I really appreciate all the guidance. Special thanks to Bedlam for answering very specific questions. I've got 12 weeks or so before delivery to plan or think about mods.

The F250 suspension with camper package handles the weight of the AF811, but sags too much before the overloads are enabled. Using both the upper and lower Torklift StableLoads solves this problem without having to use air bags. If you plan on more than 7000 lbs rear axle weight, you will need the additional assistance of air bags, upgrade the rear spring pack or consider starting with a DRW.

I was happy with the OEM stabilizer bar, but some people have reported even better handling with the Roadmaster.

Earlier this year I ordered (and received) my new 2015 F350, crew cab, long bed, 4x4, gas, 4:30, with the camper package, and other options. My salesperson was kind enough to get me a copy of Ford's ordering criteria. In reference to getting the “Camper Package 471” the below is what is contained in printed form. As you can see, the camper package is not available with 20” wheels. Hope this helps.


CAMPER PACKAGE (471)
Availability:
• Optional on all Pickups
Not available with:
• 20" Wheels and Tires, Pickup Box Delete (66D), 3.31 Axle Ratio
(on 4x4 w/17" or 18" tires) or Heavy-Service Front Suspension
Package (67H)
Includes:
• Extra heavy-service front springs (4x2) (2 up upgrade above the
spring computer selected as a consequence of options chosen. Not
included if maximum springs have been computer selected as
standard equipment)
• Heavy-service front springs (4x4) (1 up upgrade above the spring
computer selected as a consequence of options chosen. Not
included if maximum springs have been computer selected as
standard equipment)
• Rear auxiliary springs (F-250 only; Std. on 350)
• Rear stabilizer bar (SRW only)
• Slide-in camper certification
NOTE: Salesperson's Source Book or Ford RV Trailer Towing
Guide should be consulted for specific Trailer Towing or
camper limits and corresponding required equipment,
axle ratios and model availability.

Bedlam wrote:
If you are not towing, select a wheel package that has over 7000 lbs per axle. If you plan to tow, select the least expensive wheels so you can go to 19.5" and sell off the OEM's.

I ran a F250 for 25k miles hauling an AF811 while towing a 20' enclosed trailer and can answer additional questions.

Thanks for the offer to answer more questions, How did the F250 sit with the 811 on it and did your 250 have the camper package?

md11hog wrote:
Thanks for the input on the weight issue. I will consider a 350 but I didn't want that much truck all the time. I will reconsider the numbers after the clear advice.

If you don't want a truck that is rated to carry the load, you don't want the load, either.

A 1 ton gets you 1500 more pounds of payload. That is all you need to know besides the empty weight of the truck to decide. Depending on how the truck is optioned, that can be a big deal. If you're going to buy a regular cab, 2wd, gasoline, automatic transmission, maybe it's not such a big deal. But add a crew cab, 4wd, a diesel engine, and other options, and that 1500 pounds is critical.