how much difference, 250 x 350?

[coon_creekers]

we have not yet deciced on a trailer length, but it def will be a fifth wheel. my be, knowing dh, tow vehicle will be a diesel ford super duty, but both of us are kind of uncertain if we really will need a 350? allowing for empty vs stuffed full trailer weight, how would one really know what you are pulling without packing it up and weighing? ..........and there is the problem..... is the 350 really that much different in capacity?? would a 250 be adequate? I know we would not be over a 35footer. please throw in your opinions

[taken]

Yep, it's been that way on all the SD trucks since they started with them in 1999...

[spoon059]

BenK wrote:
Like the front disc's between my era's 3/4 ton and 1 ton look the exact same...but
the disc is thicker, the caliper holds a thicker pad, the MC has bigger bores,
the rear wheel cylinder has bigger bores, the proportioning valve is different
as are the rest of the suspension.

Can anyone tell the difference between a 8.6K GVWR torsion bar vs a 9.6K GVWR torsion bar?
Without reading the part number and/or weighing it?

My buddy has the 6.0 F250, so early to mid 2000's MY. Brakes, axles, wheels, frame, etc is all the same between 250 and 350 that year. The only difference is the suspension. He mentioned overload spring, I assume it also has the block as well. Everything else is the same between the 2 vehicles.

[taken]

BenK wrote:
The difference in their GVWR's and the contract from the OEM based on those RATINGS

Also, baked in are the warranties and liabilities that their certification testing
confirmed (pass/fail)

Not all is visible to the naked eyeball

Like the front disc's between my era's 3/4 ton and 1 ton look the exact same...but
the disc is thicker, the caliper holds a thicker pad, the MC has bigger bores,
the rear wheel cylinder has bigger bores, the proportioning valve is different
as are the rest of the suspension.

Can anyone tell the difference between a 8.6K GVWR torsion bar vs a 9.6K GVWR torsion bar?
Without reading the part number and/or weighing it?

Which is why I said I looked up ALL the part numbers. Same truck when your talking about a Ford SD SRW...

[BenK]

The difference in their GVWR's and the contract from the OEM based on those RATINGS

Also, baked in are the warranties and liabilities that their certification testing
confirmed (pass/fail)

Not all is visible to the naked eyeball

Like the front disc's between my era's 3/4 ton and 1 ton look the exact same...but
the disc is thicker, the caliper holds a thicker pad, the MC has bigger bores,
the rear wheel cylinder has bigger bores, the proportioning valve is different
as are the rest of the suspension.

Can anyone tell the difference between a 8.6K GVWR torsion bar vs a 9.6K GVWR torsion bar?
Without reading the part number and/or weighing it?

[rowekmr]

I posted this same question before and was told exactly what Taken has said just the blocks and the overload spring. IIRC they both could be ordered with the same selection of front/rear main springs from Ford.

[taken]

tbred wrote:

So, would "upgrading" springs or adding airbags to a 250 increase payload as well? If so, by how much?

Of course it wouldn't increase your legal payload but common sense would dictate if all parts are identical then the payload between the 250 and 350 are identical. A sticker on the door jamb would say different though.

To put it quite simply a 250 with taller blocks and an upper overload spring IS a 350 other than emblems and the door sticker.

Disclaimer: This applies to Ford only. I don't know about Ram and GM...

[tbred]

taken wrote:
To answer some of the OP's and subsequent poster's questions here goes. This has been discussed ad nauseam on many RV forums and has been clarified 100% on the Ford fourm FTE. The difference (other than the door jamb sticker) between single rear wheel 350's and 250's are two things and two things only. The 350 has a 4" rear spring spacer block vs. the 250's 2" block. The second difference is the 350 comes with an upper overload spring. (This can also be ordered as an option on the 250.) Everything else is 100% identical. Same frames, brakes, axles, differential, etc. For a while in early 2011 the 350 SRW trucks had hydro-boost brakes but now share the vacuum boost brakes with the 250. So, yes, if you're ordering or buying new, you may as well spend the $900 and get the 350. If ever you go to a state that weighs private rigs, this may come into play. (There are VERY few of these.) If you are buying used you can do what I did on my 09 250 and what many others have done to eliminate sag. Swap in taller spring blocks and add airbags or an overload spring and you've got the same truck albeit not on the door sticker...

As to why there are also 350's with lower GVWR's, it's so you can own the truck in certain states that are heavily regulated without paying more registration, insurance, and inspection fees based on a high GVWR.

PS: If you're wondering how I can say without a doubt that they are the same, I've done what a few others recommended when I wasn't sure I believed it. I looked up all the part numbers between the 250 and 350 and found them to be identical.

So, would "upgrading" springs or adding airbags to a 250 increase payload as well? If so, by how much?

[taken]

To answer some of the OP's and subsequent poster's questions here goes. This has been discussed ad nauseam on many RV forums and has been clarified 100% on the Ford fourm FTE. The difference (other than the door jamb sticker) between single rear wheel 350's and 250's are two things and two things only. The 350 has a 4" rear spring spacer block vs. the 250's 2" block. The second difference is the 350 comes with an upper overload spring. (This can also be ordered as an option on the 250.) Everything else is 100% identical. Same frames, brakes, axles, differential, and main spring pack. For a while in early 2011 the 350 SRW trucks had hydro-boost brakes but now share the vacuum boost brakes with the 250. So, yes, if you're ordering or buying new, you may as well spend the $900 and get the 350. If ever you go to a state that weighs private rigs, this may come into play. (There are VERY few of these.) If you are buying used you can do what I did on my 09 250 and what many others have done to eliminate sag. Swap in taller spring blocks and add airbags or an overload spring and you've got the same truck albeit not on the door sticker...

As to why there are also 350's with lower GVWR's, it's so you can own the truck in certain states that are heavily regulated without paying more registration, insurance, and inspection fees based on a high GVWR.

PS: If you're wondering how I can say without a doubt that they are the same, I've done what a few others recommended when I wasn't sure I believed it. I looked up all the part numbers between the 250 and 350 and found them to be identical.

[DavinD]

johndeerefarmer wrote:
I just bought a 2015 F350 1 ton SRW. It has the 11,500# GVWR package. This truck has an extra helper leaf spring that the F250 doesn't. The main height difference that I saw between the F250's and F350's on the lot was the tires. All of the F350's had 20" tires while the F250's had 18". I didn't think to look at the axle blocks.

My SRW F350 came with 18". The 20s are an upgrade. If you build one on the ford website, 18" are standard for most trims except for the Platinum and King Ranch. The tires and wheels don't seem to make any difference to the GVWR. Again, if you build one on the website you can get the 11400 package with 18" wheels. Sorry if this was a bit of a thread hijack, but it's important that people know that there is a 10k SRW F350 (even if it is just a sticker).

[Winged_One]

dave17352 wrote:

JIMNLIN wrote:

Winged One wrote:

dave17352 wrote:
Really, is that all it is a sticker? Interesting I thought maybe different tires and rims.

No they are not right, there are suspension differences.

Were talking 10k GVWR F350 SRW vs a 11400 GVWR F350 SRW in the truck configuration I mentioned in one of my above posts which "their are no differences".

Now in a F250 10000 GVWR vs the F350 SRW 10000 GVWR the SRW comes with a heavier rear spring pack. Many F250 already has the heavier optional 18" wheels and tires.

Interesting, yes I knew there were differences between the F250 and F350. I have always wondered when for instance on my 3500 it is rated for the higher 11600 because it is diesel. But not a thing different? I am going to have to look into this a little more. Not saying JIMNLIN you are wrong just want to verify:)

I wasn't responding to anything jimnlin wrote, in fact I don't even see his posts unless they are quoted. I was responding to 250 versus 350.

[johndeerefarmer]

I just bought a 2015 F350 1 ton SRW. It has the 11,500# GVWR package. This truck has an extra helper leaf spring that the F250 doesn't. The main height difference that I saw between the F250's and F350's on the lot was the tires. All of the F350's had 20" tires while the F250's had 18". I didn't think to look at the axle blocks.

[wandering1]

Why don't you check the truck specs and see what the difference is?????? Go with the facts not the opinions and guess work.

SUPER DUTY Specifications

[dave17352]

JIMNLIN wrote:

Winged One wrote:

dave17352 wrote:
Really, is that all it is a sticker? Interesting I thought maybe different tires and rims.

No they are not right, there are suspension differences.

Were talking 10k GVWR F350 SRW vs a 11400 GVWR F350 SRW in the truck configuration I mentioned in one of my above posts which "their are no differences".

Now in a F250 10000 GVWR vs the F350 SRW 10000 GVWR the SRW comes with a heavier rear spring pack. Many F250 already has the heavier optional 18" wheels and tires.

Interesting, yes I knew there were differences between the F250 and F350. I have always wondered when for instance on my 3500 it is rated for the higher 11600 because it is diesel. But not a thing different? I am going to have to look into this a little more. Not saying JIMNLIN you are wrong just want to verify:)

[JIMNLIN]

Winged One wrote:

dave17352 wrote:
Really, is that all it is a sticker? Interesting I thought maybe different tires and rims.

No they are not right, there are suspension differences.

Were talking 10k GVWR F350 SRW vs a 11400 GVWR F350 SRW in the truck configuration I mentioned in one of my above posts which "their are no differences".

Now in a F250 10000 GVWR vs the F350 SRW 10000 GVWR the SRW comes with a heavier rear spring pack. Many F250 already has the heavier optional 18" wheels and tires.