I hope some of you truck enthusiasts can help me. I’m going to be a first-time truck owner. I’m buying a truck to use as a family vehicle most of the time, but also to haul a 3-horse GN trailer once a month or so. I would like a truck that is pretty comfortable (I currently drive a minivan, which I think is far more comfortable than most sedans I’ve driven).


I was planning to order a 2017, F250, diesel, 4x4, crew cab, Platinum model with the high capacity trailer towing package and the gooseneck/5th wheel hitch prep package. Then I realized I could get a 2017 F350, SRW, diesel, 4x4, with the GN/5th wheel hitch prep package for almost the same amount of money.


My problem is that I can’t find a single SRW F350 to test drive within 100 miles of where I live. Well, there are a few with the off-road package, but I’m not getting that option so it wouldn’t be a fair comparison since I’m trying to determine ride quality.


I researched the difference between the 250 and 350 and almost convinced myself to just buy the 350 without taking a test drive. Then I emailed a Ford dealer and asked him. He said, “The main difference is in the suspension. The F-250 has 3 rear leaf springs whereas the F-350 has 5. This makes the F-350 a more rough, stiff ride.”


Can anyone here help me? Is the dealer correct in the number of leaf springs? If so, does this affect the ride quality?


Thank you!

 

IIRC the f350 has the new, higher capacity rear axle made by Dana (360?) probably worth getting the f-350 for that alone. Also getting some decent adjustable shocks (I like the ranch 9000x) can help ride emmensly. Tuned to soft, the ride is almost carlike while setting on hard, its like riding on concrete. Simple 1 minute change to custom tailor your ride.

 

The high capacity tow package 250 and the SRW 350 6.7 diesel both have the same Dana m275 axle.

As to the ride difference, it really isn't noticeable between the two. I would opt for the SRW 350.

As to the springs, they both have the same count on the main pack. The 350 comes standard with overloads where as the 250 has to be ordered with different suspension packages to obtain them.

 

What Josh says is true, but the spring rates are considerably softer on the 250 despite having the same number of leafs.

 

According to those who have checked in person, even the high capacity 250 has one less leaf than the SRW 350. I haven't personally so I'll have to go along with what they've posted.

 

I have a 17 350 DRW and I still have my old 250. I think the 17 350 rides better. I am really happy with it's road manners. Been passed by a 18 wheeler while pulling 35 foot 5th wheel. Never felt a thing. Go big or stay at home. LOL

 

A dually is going to ride completely different than a SRW. He's not considering a dually

 

While the F250 has good numbers, you really should go F350 if you are pulling 5th wheels or gooseneck trailers. You need payload if you are utilizing those configurations.
I test drove an F350 cc Platinum and an F250 lariat a month ago. Both were short beds. The ride was way too close for me to really be able to tell the difference.

 

I agree that it's near impossible to tell the difference while driving down the road empty. I don't know what a 250 feels like when it's loaded down in comparison to the 350. I do know that the 350 is AWESOME.

 

Yes...it will ride worse because the springs are considerably stiffer and there is much more unsprung weight in the form of the heavier axle and extra wheels.

Therefore, if the 2017 dually rides better than the old 250...well, any 2017 will ride very nicely.

Personally, I have a different opinion. In a short time, I went from driving a 2016 F-350 SRW CCSB to a 2016 F-250 CCSB to a 2017 350 DRW. The 2016 F-250 had the best ride of any of the Super Duty trucks I'd owned. The only caveat was I installed 35" tires which could only be inflated to a maximum of 65psi.

The new dually rides pretty well except over big bumps you get tossed in your seat pretty hard, especially back seat passengers...at least when empty.

 

Here are the rear spring specifications, assuming the trucks are built as the specs call for:

 

Nice find

 

Thanks. So the specs here indicate another small nuance between the F250 and F350, one which should not only change the ride quality but also the actual weight carrying assumptions many of us have made. The 350 is not the same as a 250 with the auxiliary spring pack.

 

That was only the case with the previous gen Rob... I think Bill found the info about the extra leaf a while back. He's the spec master...

 

It was my impression that the Heavy Duty tow package on the F250 was the same thing as a F350. The cost difference between the two was a small amount, only around 15 if memory serves me correct .
Am I now seeing that the HD 250 isn't the same as a 350 and it has one less spring pack but everything else is the same (axel)?