F250 or F350

[MStat]

DW mentioned that perhaps we should start looking for new TV and being a typical fella, that was interpreted as let's get a new TV not just look.

We're kinda looking at both the F250 and F350, equality equipped same engine, tranny, axle ratio, tires, trim etc, etc, etc. F250 has GVWR of 10000k, F350 - 11500

We tow a 36ft TT empty weight 8300lbs, Trailer GVWR of 9500. Tongue weight of 1200lbs. We've currently got a using a F250 which pulls it fine.

Decision was made long ago that we'd never get a fifth wheel due to physical limitations.

There were some issue getting in & out of the one F350 we test drove but we've got an adaptation plan in place (small step as a first step that would have to be placed on the ground) But did not have the same issue in a F250 we also test drove.

We're going out again to just climb in and out of a couple more, to see if this one 350 had some different configuration that caused the problem.

Basic question to others is, should we get the F350 and use our adaptation plan or get a F250? Would the F350 really provide a better towing experience than a F250?

Yes they are both 4WD. That is one of her requirements.

Thank you.

[JIMNLIN]

op wrote:
We're kinda looking at both the F250 and F350, equality equipped same engine, tranny, axle ratio, tires, trim etc, etc, etc. F250 has GVWR of 10000k, F350 - 11500

This may have been mentioned but if your looking at the F350 SRW.... Fords markets it with a 10000 GVWR configured just like a 11200 GVWR truck. Be aware...

Get the one you like....either one will work for what you need.

[RobertRyan]

Shiner Box wrote:
Just about all 250/2500 trucks are limited on payload due to government regulated class system and NOT due to the limitations of the actual truck. The class that 250/2500 trucks are in is maxed out at 10,000 lbs GVWR so no manufacturer CANNOT rate their 250/2500 truck past that. For Canada it is 9,900 lbs which is why the very same trucks here that have a 10,000 GVWR over their have a GVWR of 9,900 lbs. Since payload is a trucks GVWR minus its curb weight and because the class the 250/2500 trucks are in have a max GVWR of 10,000 lbs due to government regulations

In a nutshell , if that is the limit it does not matter if it is what your insinuating, a Government Regulation or a factory specification, breaking it is not an option

[MStat]

Thanks for all the replies;

Well after climbing in several 250's & 350's we're taking delivery of a new F250 on Wednesday.

It was much much easier for her to get in and out of the 250 over the 350.

So the 250 it is.

I'm sure that it will suit our needs quite adequately. (Our 04 would have but she offered me to get a new one and I sure wasn't going to turn that down)

[Passin_Thru]

You can't buy too much truck. Somebody will always pass you!

[Grit_dog]

I'm sure mstat appreciates all the off topic advice, lol.
To your point, both the F250 and 350 4x4s are about the same height off the ground.
Who,ever posted that the 2015 F250 sits higher than prev years, incorrect. Got a '15 250 sitting in my drive that is Identical to the '13 250 I had last year. Both 4x gassers. Unless the 250 you're referring to has a heavy camper package or something, std 250s have 3 rear leafs and minimal blocks. They are lower in the @ss end than both GM and Ram.
A 250 will handle your trailer fine. But not knowing what year you have currently comparing to, I can say the payload of the new 250s is pretty anemic. Needs another leaf.
Getting a work truck version with 17"rims and small tires will help. Will gain you about 1.5" in lowered ride ht over the 20s with big tires.
Get some good nerf bars, drop steps or Amp retractables. Fords have grab handles both sides in the cab.

[Sport45]

goducks10 wrote:
I'll buck the bigger is better trend and say go F250. It's obvious from your post that physical conditions will exempt you from a 5th wheel. The good thing about a 3/4 ton is they're great for TT's and not so great for 5th wheels if you get the diesel option.
I would get tired of having to put a step out all the time just for the sake of having more payload that you'll never use.

I would be looking more at the day to day use.

I agree. Get all the truck you need or think you'll need during the time of ownership, but no more.

In Texas anyway, a 3500 costs twice as much each year to register unless you order the 10,000 GVWR option (which you can get in the 2500). It will also cost more to insure.

[ShinerBock]

AngryBert-63 wrote:
350. Period.

12 years ago we bought our first diesel. It was a 2500.

All was well until we ran out of payload. Too close to limits for comfort.

I wished I'd bought the 3500 the first time around.

Of course, if I had, we wouldn't have a new 3500 in the driveway right now.

All of the 2004 Ram 3500 SRW had a GVWR of 9,900 lbs which not only is less than the Ram 2500 of today, but it also puts the old SRW 3500 in the same class 2b that the 2500s of today are in. The 2004 3500 SRW also had a front GAWR of 5,200 and a rear GAWR of 6,150 while a 2500 like my 2014 CTD has a front GAWR of 6,000 and a rear GAWR of 6,500. So if a 3500 would have worked for you back then, a 2500 would work for you now going by what it can actually handle and not by the max class GVWR.

[kennethwooster]

Having ran 250 and 350, go with the 350. DRW and myself are only about 5'2". We make sure the trucks we buy have the factory running boards. No problems getting in and out. Buy F 350 and if you trade you would still be in good order.

[Winnebago_Bob]

350. Period.

12 years ago we bought our first diesel. It was a 2500.

All was well until we ran out of payload. Too close to limits for comfort.

I wished I'd bought the 3500 the first time around.

Of course, if I had, we wouldn't have a new 3500 in the driveway right now.

[Golden_HVAC]

Yes a snow plow package will raise the front of the pickup. You probably will not need any extra capacity in the F-250 to carry extra weight, and the extra stiff front springs that become part of the snow plow package can just make the ride stiff in your truck.

You really only need to have about 2,000 pounds of cargo rating. The 17" diameter stock tires are what I would desire. The 18" rims would make it run about 1/2" taller, because outside diameter of the tire will be higher. 20" or other larger rims make no sense to me, as they are 'low profile' and have less space between the rim and the road. That 5" of rubber is important in absorbing pot holes and vibrations!

Do not 'settle' for a truck that you do not want! I ordered the color that I like, all the options that I wanted without any extra options that I do not want to purchase. You still have a great truck, make sure that the dealership thinks you still love that truck, and the only way they will make a sale is to give you top dollar as a trade. You already know that the truck will be up for sale at a huge markup as soon as your deal is done, and the 3 days have passed so you do not back out of that deal.

If they have the right color and a couple of extra things at their dealership or a nearby one, fine. Otherwise tell them that you will be looking at the GM dealership too (you do not have to go there) and they might come down on the price a little bit.

Download and understand the towing guide. IT will tell you the base weight of many pickups (look on the page stating max cargo rating to carry a cabover camper). Also check the tow rating for gas and diesel engines. I think my next truck will be gas, the mark up of $8,000 to get a diesel is way to expensive!. And the truck is lighter, will carry slightly more cargo, and mileage is not that much worst.

Good luck!

Fred.

[ShinerBock]

Just about all 250/2500 trucks are limited on payload due to government regulated class system and NOT due to the limitations of the actual truck. The class that 250/2500 trucks are in is maxed out at 10,000 lbs GVWR so no manufacturer CANNOT rate their 250/2500 truck past that. For Canada it is 9,900 lbs which is why the very same trucks here that have a 10,000 GVWR over their have a GVWR of 9,900 lbs. Since payload is a trucks GVWR minus its curb weight and because the class the 250/2500 trucks are in have a max GVWR of 10,000 lbs due to government regulations. The truck's payload will be lower because the maxable government allowable GVWR for that truck class is much lower than the class the 350/3500 trucks are in.

Perfect example would be the 2015 F250 and the F350. Here are the specs for each that can be found here....Super Duty Pickups
F-250/F-350/F-450

2015 F250 SRW 6.7L 4x4 172.4
GVWR: 10,000 <--- Max GVWR for class 2 10,000 lbs
Weight: 7,668
Payload: 2,400
Front GAWR: 5,600
Rear GAWR: 6,100


2015 F350 SRW 6.7L 4x4 172.4
GVWR: 11,200 <--- Max GVWR for class 3 is 14,000 lbs
Weight: 7,720
Payload: 3,550
Front GAWR: 5,600
Rear GAWR: 6,290


Keeping in mind that to Ford(and all vehicle manufacturers) the GAWR is in Ford's words "determined by the rated capacity of the minimum component of the axle system (axle, computer-selected springs,wheels, tires) of a specific vehicle". If that is the case, why does the F250(which has the same frame, tires, transmission, front axle/suspension, and brakes) has only a 190 lb difference in rear GAWR yet has over 1,000 lbs less payload? That is because the F250 is maxed out at 10,000 lbs for its class and the F350 can go up to 14,000 lbs. It has nothing to do with the actual carrying capability as some suggest, and has more to do with an archaic truck class rating system the DOT uses which modern trucks far exceed. Then there is the registration fees that most have that sky rocket for any vehicle past 10,000 GVWR.


So keep this in mind in your search for a new TV. Although if you do get an F250, go with the camper tow package. It is about a $160 upgrade, but it adds an upgraded suspension with more leaf springs and a rear stabilizer bar on F250s essentially making it the same as the F350, but with F250 decals(still with a 10,000 GVWR though).

[fla-gypsy]

Both will meet your needs. Convenience would push me toward the F 250. For a TT it is ideal and what I use.

[lenr]

Check the VIN axle ratings of the trucks that you are looking at. Any heavy duty options (snow plow, camper, heavy duty, etc.) will increase the front springs. Stiffer springs, same weight, means that the front doesn’t settle down as much. I measured close to an inch difference back in 2011 when we were shopping. I don’t believe that a 350 will improve the towing experience over a 250 for a TT only. The auxiliary springs supplied on the 350 may not even engage with a TT hooked up.

[PRodacy]

If getting in is an issue and you're not locked into Ford, Check outi the GMC line. Even their 3500 is lower than the F250. I think they ride a little better, too, and the diesel / Allison combo is unbeatable.