Do I get the 350 or 450 Help

[rmosso1]

onelugnut:

My answer and my point is that you can probably spec a F - 450 to pull your load, but you will have such a heavy duty truck you will not enjoy the ride and economy with all the beef and reduction. From what I read that I have cut and pasted from Ford's web sites, I do not believe the F - 350 will legally pull your load, especially in KAL -- EE -- FORNIA for us Southern Boys.

Here is what I found with reference you can check:

The way I read the FORD specs, the maximum loaded trailer weight for a F-350 dually, crew cab, auto or manual is 15,000#
Similarly, for the F-450 the maximum trailer weight for a F - 450 dually, crew cab is 16,000#

Fifth wheel max trailer weights jump to a maximum of 15,200 # and 17,700# with 4.3 rears, and package.

The big jump is with the F - 450 which jumps to 17K, 18k, 20k and even up to 24K weight with certain packages and rear ends, the maximum looks like 24,500# with 4.88 rears.

Here is the link: http://www.fordvehicles.com/assets/p...ec%20Light.pdf

Then this link makes this claim:

MAXIMUM CAPABILITIES*
F-250 16,400 lbs. 5th-Wheel Towing • 12,500 lbs. Conventional
Towing • 3170 lbs. Payload • 23,000 lbs. GCWR • 10,000 lbs.
GVWR • 6000 lbs. Front GAWR
F-350 18,700 lbs. 5th-Wheel Towing • 15,000 lbs. Conventional
Towing • 5720 lbs. Payload • 26,000 lbs. GCWR • 13,000 lbs.
GVWR • 6000 lbs. Front GAWR
F-450 24,500 lbs. New Record 5th-Wheel Towing • 16,000 lbs.
New Record Conventional Towing • 6120 lbs. New Record Payload
• 33,000 lbs. New Record GCWR • 14,500 lbs. New Record GVWR
• 6500 lbs. New Record Front GAWR*


http://www.fordvehicles.com/assets/p...%20Cat_NAV.pdf


REMEMBER when you read the "fine print" to see that you should always check with your sales consultant. (i.e. YEAH, right, my bet to sell a truck today, they will tell you a F -350 will pull doubles!!!!!!!!!!!)

[sbaset]

Slightly OT, but what is the average MPG diference between the 350 and 450 both with auto trans.

[rmosso1]

My bet is that depending on rear ratio you could go from around 11, as I get on my F - 350 dually 4 x 4 TO maybe 7-8 on a deep reduction 4.88 rears F - 450

I honestly believe if I had the 3.7 rears my mileage would go to 13.

[firehawk198]

Estimated weights of between 16-17 can be off. I thought I was only towing about 14-15k. When I scaled out last summer, with the family bikes. Dumbell weights, wood, Dog and everything else ended up being 16650#. Comparing my 350DRW it would squat about 5 inches when I dollied up the 5ver, my 450 only about an inch. For empty normal driving the 350 does ride softer. The 450 does ride stiffer and is more stable in higher speed corners towing. When it came to braking there is no comparison to what my 99 was. Then it did not have a factory brake controller. But still the larger brakes of the 450 really help stop. In the Poconos I was doing 65 down a steep hill when a BMW spun out and every one was locking up the brakes. Could not believe how well my 450 stopped. Same in stop and go traffic my new truck is much better. The 450 is heavier and will get less fuel milage. Might want to consider a manual in either truck. They seem to get about 1.5- 2mpg better. We planned on upgrading to a heaver 5ver that is one big reason I also went with the 450. If I had to do it over again I would still go with the 450 but a manual instead. The Torqshift is an amazing transmission towing, just seems to hold the truck back more when mty than the manual. Good luck, you will not go wrong with either. As others suggested if you plan on towing a lot the 450 would be a better choice, if not the 350 will do quite well. Keep us posted with your decison. Below is a link for my experience towing last summer.http://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/63...5-1-miles.html

[diesel_dan]

A couple things:

I was wondering why folks think there will be so much difference in fuel consumption between an F450 with 4.30s and an F350 widetrack with 4.30s? It should be close, the F450 being a bit heavier w/ a beefier frame, etc. Please educate me if I'm off base here.

In CA you can get a recreational endorsement on your Class C license for towing a trailer "with primarilly purpose being living quarters" (a horse trailer with quarters does not qualify), as long as the trailer's Weight Rating is between 10K and 15K lbs. -- over 15K it requires a full Class A. Actual weight of the trailer is not a factor unless it's over it's GVWR. This is straight from the CHP, who are the ones that pull you over and/or weigh you.

If it were me I'd go F450 and get the heavier duty brakes and tires and frame (and rating)...

[firehawk198]

Originally Posted by diesel_dan

A couple things:

I was wondering why folks think there will be so much difference in fuel consumption between an F450 with 4.30s and an F350 widetrack with 4.30s? It should be close, the F450 being a bit heavier w/ a beefier frame, etc. Please educate me if I'm off base here.

If it were me I'd go F450 and get the heavier duty brakes and tires and frame (and rating)...

From what I read the same 350 & 450 are 600# difference. So just a little difference in fuel milage. maybe a couple of tenths at most.

[onelugnut]

Ok. We went the 450. Not being a daily driver I think it was best for us. Black over silver 4x4 with the 4.30 gear set.I seemed to know more about the truck than the sales person thanks to you guys.

Thanks again

[firehawk198]

Originally Posted by onelugnut

Ok. We went the 450. Not being a daily driver I think it was best for us. Black over silver 4x4 with the 4.30 gear set.I seemed to know more about the truck than the sales person thanks to you guys.

Thanks again

Congrads, when do you pick it up? or is it ordered? You will be really happy with it, epecially towing.

[onelugnut]

Thank you.We drove it home same day.
They are discounting the lariat down to xlt price.Not to sure about the leather seats it gets hot here in central cal.

[firehawk198]

Originally Posted by onelugnut

Thank you.We drove it home same day.
They are discounting the lariat down to xlt price.Not to sure about the leather seats it gets hot here in central cal.

I sometimes put a color matching bathtowel over the leather seat if it is hot.