Ready to order new 6.0 super cab. I tow 33 foot 5th. wheel. Would like imput on weather to go 250 or 350.
Currently have 2500 HD GM 8.1 with Allison. To much oil use and power low pulling 6% grades. Trailer goes 13K loaded.

 

Get the F350 to ensure you aren't over the GVWR with the pin weight.

 

I agree go with the F350 much better in my opinion

 

I'd weight the rig with and without the trailer attached to the truck. That way you can get the weight the fiver puts on the rear axle and determine just how much truck you need. The GCVW may tell you you need more truck than the 350. I made a real deal on a hitch, aux gas tank and wing from a guy towing a 37' fifth wheel with an F250. He went to an F550 to get the GCVW that he needed.

I would definitely go to a higher numerical axle ratio. The new 6.0 hits peak torque @ 2000 RPM. That equates to 70mph-faster than I want to tow, 55mph is the legal limit in CA. 4.10, available on the F350 dually raises the rpm about 180 @ 55 mph. This is still not at the peak of the torque curve but it should help.

By the by the F350 has a GCVW in the neighborhold of 21,000 lbs.

 

I agree to get the 350. I have a 250 and if I would have known then what I know now, I would have bought the 350. The payload capacity on the 350 is greater even though the towing capacity is the same.

It is only about $700 different between a 250 and a 350, not much of a deal when spending well over 30k for a new truck.

 

Thanks for the replies. Looks like the 350 is the way to go. although I am going with the SRW, short bed. I have not been able to drive a 350 to see how it rides incomparisson to the 250. The spec sheet from Ford shows the rear axle to hold the same load as the 350, allso the fifth wheel load rate is the same.


Longone
Chevy 2500 HD gasser soon to be Ford 6.0

 

personaly speaking I would not go with the short box...
you might find tht in tight turns that the front of the fth will be almost touching the cab... best to go with the long box.. besides it is hard to cary a sheet of plywood in a short box..
the SRW is a good idea though as with dulies you are a foot wider on each side... makes for tight spots when parking and what not...
just my 2 bits woth however...

 

Most of my driving is not pulling a trailer. So wouldn't one approach be to simply put the transmission in 4th gear when I do pull a trailer? The Califonia Highway Patrol will not ticket for freeway driving at 70 mph with no trailer.

JT

 

JT:
Yes, that is how I'd do it -- keep it out of O/D while pulling the trailer. Get the highest axel ratio (lowest numerically) they'll let you have -- probably 3.73.

 

If you get a 250 or 350 single rear wheel you'll have a 3.73 axle. That is the only one available. If you get a 350 dual rear wheel you can order a 4.10 axle.

There is no method to keep the transmission in fourth gear. There is no overdrive cancel because there is no need for one.

The TorqShift transmission has a Tow/Haul mode. It is MUCH better at selecting the proper gear for towing than the normal shift schedules. It will tow all day long in overdrive.

 

THANK YOU!

JT

 

The Torq-shift really kicks butt. We have a couple 9% grades and they really shift quick.