I am going to the Super Duty drive event in LA on the 10th of August and then very soon after order my new truck. I am on the fence about getting a 250 or 350 King Ranch. I will be towing a 5th wheel and it will be about 12k# loaded so I know that my pin weight will be about 1900-2100# in the bed. I will be using an Anderson hitch so I will be pushing the "sticker limits" of the 250. I know they are essentially the same truck but my question is what are the extra costs for the truck other than the MSRP differences? Is registration, insurance, etc more? I live in California so I know they will get whatever they can.

Been lurking for awhile and learning from all of you, thanks in advance for your responses.

 

You can order a F350 with the 10000 GVWR package which will give you cheaper registration but the truck will still have the same springs and axle as the 11400 GVWR. Now if you get the 10000 GVWR and are stopped by the Highway Patrol they could say you are over the legal limit even though your truck is really a 11400 truck. Here in Texas anything from 10,001 lbs to 18k is $110. If 10k and under then $54.
The F350 has a heavier rear axle and a rear helper spring. The F250 doesn't unless you order the F250 heavy trailer tow package

As far as insurance goes I think it depends upon the cost of the truck.

I would personally get the F350

 

If you are getting the 6.7, you'll be over the 10k gvwr of the f250 by quite a bit. Way over if you have multiple passengers.

 

If you order the F250 with Max towing and a diesel what is different from this vs. the F350, just the helper spring?

Also does anyone know the cost to register in California? Personal use.

 

I believe that California registrations are based on the value of the vehicle and I do not believe they ever decline as the vehicle ages. Your state DMV has an online calculator. (https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/dmv/de...ecalculatorweb) Here is some additional information to help you choose:
Registering Commercial Vehicles and PTI Trailers (FFVR 27)

(PDF) Version
You may need:

• A Declaration of Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW)/Combined Gross Vehicle Weight (CGW) (REG 4008) form (PDF).
• A Permanent Trailer Identification (PTI) Application and Certification (REG 4017) form (PDF).
• An Application for Title or Registration (REG 343) form (PDF).
• A Verification of Vehicle (REG 31) form (PDF).
• A Statement of Facts (REG 256) form (PDF).
• Titling documents.
• Fees.

The Commercial Vehicle Registration Act (CVRA) changed the way the DMV registers commercial motor vehicles and some trailers.
Vehicles Affected

• Commercial motor vehicles with a gross vehicle weight (GVW) or combined gross vehicle weight (CGW) of 10,001 lbs. or more.
• Most trailers.

Vehicles NOT Affected

• Light-weight trucks and vans, if the declared GVW or CGW is 10,000 lbs. or less.
• Pickups with an unladen weight of 8,000 lbs. (even if the operating weight is over 10,000 lbs.)
• Taxis/rental limousines/charter-party carriers operating limousines if the declared GVW is 10,000 lbs. or less.
• Park trailers/trailer coaches.

 

I have a 2005 F350 and now it's about $390: $200 of that is a weight fee which i think it's only for 1ton+ trucks, since a coworker had a F250 and didn't have that on his registration. When i first got the truck (used) in 2008 the registration was about $600-700 (still $200 in weight fee, remains constant)

I would say, go with a F350: californians like to sue people, so you might as well tow "legally" every time you can. For the weight be pull, we could do a F250 and be okay, but it's easier to pay and extra hundred $ a year than potentially get sued (in case you get in a wreck) because you were overloaded.

 

I am also in Cali and am making my first "real" truck purchase! If you are pulling a 5th wheel go with the F350. No matter which truck you have you will have to pay the "commercial vehicle" fee in California (it hauls therefore you Must be using it for commercial use....sigh). Also unladen weight under 8000lbs and gross vehicle weight under 11,500 you will pay the same weight fee as 10,000lbs (from what I have read and calculated). So, to stay under 11,500, I had mine built with the 11,400 package (just a legal sticker on the door...) But, as was said, if you are in a crash your fault or not...your insurance will decline you if you were over the limited and with a F250, 5er hitch, and pin weight...you are over 10,000, maybe without even a driver. Could you do it? Yes, do you want to risk it? Up to you. I have just accepted the fact I will pay more to not risk the liabilty....

 

Please, let's not spread the insurance won't pay rumor. This is completely untrue. They will pay up to your limits even if you are doing something wrong. It's no different than speeding or drunk driving. You're doing something illegal but they will still pay. Your rates will go up next year or they may even cancel you, but they will pay. Now, if you get sued and loose for an amount over your insurance limits, you could be in trouble but that is as rare as hens teeth and personally, I don't worry about it.

Also, the only weights that matter in the event of an accident or even the rare CA private vehicle weigh are axle and tire ratings. There is no consideration given to GVWR or GCWR. Those numbers are fabricated by the manufacturer to keep folks from abusing then making warranty claims.

What was said above about the 250 vs. 350 being the same but for a single rear overload spring was very true in the current generation of 11-16. Other than that spring and on earlier models a taller rear spacer block which had no effect on weight carrying, the two trucks were physically 100% identical but for the door jamb sticker and the emblems. However, we don't know if this will remain the same between the HD version of the 250 and the SRW 350 for 2017. All that said, being in CA, which is one of the only states in the union that checks private RV's for weight, I would get the 350 SRW for your needs so you don't have to sweat ever being checked. (And not the derated one as that would defeat the point.) Yes, that will cost you more annually for your tags but what's your piece of mind worth while towing past the CHPs?

 

Yes that is completely correct along with the rest of the post. But peace of mind also comes from making every attempt at being legal, especially in CA with an extremely powerful DOT and a bank of lawyers and individuals looking for a pay out every time there is any accident. The litigious society has created individuals who will take everything the insurance company will pay, then the manufacturers then the owner and the driver and anyone else culpable or even remotely related to the accident who may or may not have contributed to the accident, regardless of fault whether or not there is even a hint of wrong doing.

Operating a vehicle well out of its permitted weight range would be classified as gross negligence in the event of a serious accident, regardless of fault.

As we discussed before I do not run and hide behind every obstacle afraid of the consequence of the shyster lawyer and the get rich quick victims but I do make the effort to ensure my equipment is capable and legally permitted and registered for the job at hand. That is how I was taught and how I don't have to worry when traveling down the road. At 55mph in California on a 75 mph highway just because the law says pulling a trailer at speed is a danger to society.

 

OK, now I am leaning towards the 350. I am attempting to go to the build link on the Ford website and it appears to be down. Anyone else having problems?

 

Ford has the wrong link on their site - can you believe that??? The correct link was posted in this form a while ago: 2017 Ford SuperDuty - Build & Price

 

It's simple...

5er = 350 SRW minimum.
TT = 250/350.

My as well go 350 for everything. I would if ordering new. Most older guys go the 3/4 route due to a "Better Ride" than the 1 ton. For some trucks it's still true I guess. Ram has coils on 2500.

 

It's not that "simple" at all. There are plenty of light 5th wheels that are within a 250's legal specs. Hell, there are lots of ultra light 5ths that are well under a 150's specs. And, if the 17's are the same as the 11-16's and new HD version of the 250 is once again physically the same as the SRW 350, then it's only a liability fear of something going wrong need and not an actual truck capability requirement.

 

Many F150 trucks have a higher payload than a 6.7 10k gvwr f250. If you have the 6.2, a f250 may be ok, but if you have several passengers and/or the 6.7, I'd get a f350 for fifth wheel towing.

 

That's because the 250 is de-rated from Ford to keep it a Class 2 truck. Not because of any physical or engineering reasons. But yes, for the OP in a place like CA, I would go the 350 route for sure. Other states are starting to check this as well. PA has fined the truckers to death so much that there is nothing left so they are going after private rigs. Guys pulling big boats with SUV's and even SUV's with not pulling anything but overweight due to passengers are being fined now. When states keep giving away money they need to explore all kinds of options to keep the coffers full...