had an 08 f-450 and i almost bought an 11 f-450. after specking both the 350 & 450, the gcvr of my 08 f-450 was 26k and the 11 f-350 is 29k. i went with the 350 for two reasons. the 373 ls gears and the insurance cost. the 450 was rated "commercial" and so the ins cost was more. the only thing i miss from the 450 is the turning radius. pull a 15k fiver at road speeds all the way to 75 mph. fuel is 9-10 average. empty averages 16. same on mph.