Longtime lurker and first time poster here. I got permission from the wife to finally upgrade from my 2005 F150 since it struggles to pull my travel trailer.

In the future, we’d like to upgrade to a 5er so I’m at a crossroads with what to get. F250 6.7 or F350. How much of a difference is the ride between the two?

Thanks

 

Welcome... My 350 was a bit rougher ride than my 250... But usually ride around empty...... I am sure folks will jump in here... But it seems to me that payload is a big factor in 5er... Some loaded trucks have lower payload than my basic truck...I am trying to learn all the tow stuff myself

 

If you're stuck on a diesel, the 6.7 diesel eats up the payload. Therefore, you'd probably want a F350.

 

If you plan on towing a 5th wheel you will do better with a 350. I bought a loaded '17 Lariat F-250 6.7 and my payload was only 2002 lbs. I have an '18 F-350 Platinum 6.7 now and the payload is around 3200. The difference in the ride empty is not that bad of a trade off for the extra capacity. You will love the 6.7 as it is a beast. I tow a gooseneck (4700# empty) a lot and it pulls it with ease, loaded or unloaded. Good luck in your search.

 

If you get a bare bones F-250 with the gas engine the payload isn't too bad. I opted for the well optioned F-350 with the 6.7L to pull my bumper pull 11k toy hauler. It should also have enough capacity to pull a good size fifth wheel trailer should I decide to upgrade.

 

The two are essentially the same price. Go F350.

 

 

5'ers are strictly F350+ territory. I can't recall one that didn't max out an empty F250. You can always swap in softer rear F250 springs, or Deavers for little $$$. But there is nothing you can do to improve the door sticker. A gas 250XL can swing it, 3100# cargo capacity. But a diesel F250, especially a fatty Lariat or better, is only 1800-2000#. Options have weight.

[Anytime you mention wife or girlfriend, you have post pics. Rules, man!]

 

Always remember" Better to have too much truck than not enough truck"

 

I think for a 5th wheel you need the 350. For example, I have a 2017 F-250 Crew XLT Premium diesel and I have a max payload of 2300lbs. The average 5th wheel should have between 15-20% of the total weight sitting on your bed hitch. But first you need to deduct the weight of everything that you will have in the cab and bed of your truck...the weight of all passengers and cargo. If you had a light 5ver and it was just you and a wife and you guys were on the lighter side...you might be able to get away with it. Now gas trucks have much better payload numbers, but the engines can struggle to pull a heavy 5ver, especially in hills, and fuel economy is not good.

There are ways to make a 250 perfectly suitable for towing a heavy 5ver trailer...adding $500 airbag spring helpers to the rear axle completely solves the payload problem...it just doesn't do so legally. Some people worry about liability from being "legally" over payload if they were in an accident...but its pretty unlikely. Keep in mind that the frame, brakes, engine, transmission, front axle and suspension, wheels and tires are identical between 250 and 350 trucks. And the rear axle will be the same on a 250 if you option for the HD tow package, and even if you don't it will be the same as a 2016 F-350's axle.

One last thought...if you plan to tow a 5ver, get an 8' bed. Makes turns less worrisome.

 

Not a big price difference between F350 vs F450. I originally spec'd out a 350 and after comparing numbers with my salesman I ordered the F450 to get 19.5 wheels, tighter turn radius, bigger brakes, but I also wanted a dually. My fiver is heavy so not sure how big you might go with your fifth wheel. Definitely go 8' bed so you're not screwing around with sliders, etc. Just my. 02

 

F250 if you aren't worried about being pulled over. F350 if you couldn't sleep at night thinking about being outside the law. Same exact mechanicals (get HD tow if you go F250 for beefier rear axle)

Air bags will be a necessity on either truck for really heavy stuff. If you plan on driving unloaded a lot you will feel the pain a lot more in the 350.

 

 

I just put a down payment on a toy hauler and they wouldn't even take a down payment until I sent them a picture of my payload sticker. Make sure you get the right truck the first time.