Hey y'all.

So here's what I've got going. Some time this fall, I'm going to be starting into work somewhere in the Rockies (Montana or Wyoming, most likely), and once I get some good (read "steady") money coming I'm going to be looking for a new(er) truck. Since I'm going to be in ranching/farming, I'm wanting a truck that will pull bigger trailers than my '95 F150, but I'm not sure how much bigger. So my question comes down to this:

Will an F250 or F350 serve me better?

I lean toward the 350, just because cattle and horses are heavy, and I may have to move several at a time. But on the other hand, do the extra registration/ maintenance costs of a one ton offset the chance that it may be more useful at some point?

And in that same direction, will the cost of maintenance and hassle in the cold with a diesel(likely a 6.0 or early 6.4. Possibly a 6.7) be made worth it because of better torque, or would a 6.8 gasser be better overall?

Anyone in the Ag business, I'd be more than happy to hear your experience in these areas.

--TK

 

My info may not apply to the newest trucks, but traditionally the only difference between the 250 and the 350 was stiffer springs and a couple more inches of ride height in the 350. So the 350 should handle some additional tongue weight, but other than that there's not much difference.

 

I have lots of SD experience, I would not ever touch the 6.4, and there's a .01% I would buy a 6.0 again. I would get a 6.7 if I needed diesel. My recent personal choice is to drive gas anymore, and it has been a wonderful experience. Something in the 06-'10 range in the V10 would be a sweet, reliable, lower cost truck. I'm a big fan of the current 6.2 motor.

 

The guys with cattle around here that I'm aware of use 350's and up. Mostly only diesels.

I haul a three horse bumper pull pushing 9k with three rope horses in it with my 6.2 gaspot 350. I haul 3-4 times a week with no problem. Mileage is a bit nasty though but I don't keep very close track of it, just what the 'puter tells me.

 

If you're going to be a hired hand some where, I'd hope they'd provide you with a pickup. Unless they offer an allowance or other compensation.

That being said, I'd go with with an F250 or an F350. I'd go with a 6.2 gas, a 6.8 gas or a 6.0 that's been worked over. I'd avoid a 6.4.