As others have said since you posted your question, a comparably equipped F-350 will always have an additional 1500 pounds of payload due to the fact that it's GVWR is 1500 pounds more than a F-250 but that is only on paper. If there is nothing restricting you from getting the F-350, I can think of no reason to not buy that truck. In my case, a Class 3 truck was off limits so I effectively built a F-350 with F-250 badges. The stickers on the door jamb state that my truck has lower capacities than an F-350 but the fact is, mechanically it is one leaf spring away from being identical.

 

Absolutely correct!
The added leaf does nothing in regards to the 11,500 gvwr.
It's just a number on paper.

 

Actually, it is plenty of truck but not enough sticker. Remember, the trucks are almost identical mechanically but Ford assigned one a GVWR of 10,000 pounds to make it a class 2 vehicle and the other was given a 11,500 GVWR to make it a Class 3 vehicle. It is no different than choosing to derate a 350 to 10,000 pounds; it's the same truck and no less capable than a 350 with the default GVWR of 11,500. Capacity and capability are not the same thing.

 

It appeared to me that I could accomplish the same thing with the 250 and I looked at the springs too So the difference is solely on paper, or the sticker.

i certainly do not want to get a ticket for overloaded.

i can not use a dually. Too wide to access where I go.

I have no rules or restrictions for buying this truck, except as everyone knows it is toooooo expensive. It would be nice to save on insurance and license plates.

It it is a crew cab short bed lariat ultimate.

how And why is a cdl required to drive a 350? Would I need to get a cdl to drive my own truck?

I cannot stand working just at capacity or anything being underpowered. Right now, the trailer that I use mostly is 8,000 total. Me, gear in cab, and gear in bed will be about 1,000. I go work for 3 days each week. The rest of the week I come home each eavening. I will be getting a larger trailer to haul more implements with the tractor. I will stay with conventional trailer because I need the bed enclosed.

i hope this truck will have the ***** to pull such a heavy load! When I did a test drive, after the truck was warm I was going about 20 mph and really hit the throttle. It was like a cross between an army tank and a mustang!

This truck will have 18” wheels because I prefer that look over the 20” wheels. I am getting the 3.55 gears because when I replace the tires I want to go up to 35” BF Goodrich all terrain - if they are made in that size.

Maybe I will go up a notch from 11500 by adding the camper package or heavy spring in the front. I will be adding a grill guard winch mount and winch. That way it won’t ever sag.
If stuck I probably cannot push it out alone. Everything gets a winch.

So so any more suggestions? Thanks for the ideas! I am new here because I don’t have much time to use the Internet.

 

You can get it down to 1636 if you go long bed and check enough boxes on the build sheet!

 

🤣 throw on some aftermarket accessories and its a diesel mini van.

 

A diesel mustang!

 

You won’t save any money after they pull you over.

 

😂
cuz cops patrol with binoculars so they can see If the fender badge starts with a 2 or a 3

 

Because weight patrol pull over so many non-commercial vehicles.

 

Right!
i have a DOT weight patrol guy that lives in my neighborhood. He had driven past my F150 HDPP with a 41.5ft triple axle 5er hooked the back of it while I'm loading it. Didnt give a fart.
He would wave as he drove by every time.

 

Wow, that's low. That's 600lbs. less than my CCSB Lariat Ultimate F250.

 

1000 at most in the truck and 8000lbs conventional trailer? That would be pushing it in a highly optioned F150.

F250 just fine.

Running a topper shell or anything?

If you are running a heavy front bumper stock 5200 springs wont cut it, so Heavy Service is 5600, and snow plow is 5990. Do the math on that. My 5600 springs ride fine.

If you are worried just get the camper/snow plow package.

I only have a couple thousand on mine but I had around 1200 in the bed under the bedcover already and frankly couldn't tell it was in there.

 

Joe - I was joking a bit about the new truck being able to pull the trailer. I expect it will float along.

yes a cap or topper or shell whatever anybody calls them. I need the bed covered for clean and dry tool and gear storage.

The crew cab should give me room for mobile office, some extra clothes, a cooler, and some grub. I leave early Monday morning and return Wednesday evening. Thursday and Friday I work locally.

On the front I will put a Ranch Hand type grill guard, not entire bumper. That way I can mount a 12,000 pound winch. Do you think the heavy service front spring will be enough? Or go to the snow plow springs?

is the 3.55 gear ratio enough to comfortably turn 35” tires or should I go to the 3.73 gears. I don’t want to cause fuel mileage to plummet.

By ordering these changes, I certainly do not want to outsmart the Ford engineers.

Thanks for the help!

 

Yeah i know you were joking about the truck being too light.

I do not think you can get the winch mount on a grill guard, only on the full replacement bumper and they are 200-300lbs over stock (I considered it at one time and cant remember the weight). Add a winch and the 5600 heavy service front end might be light, even more so considering other weight in the truck.

You can only get the 3.55 or 3.31 with the diesel. To get the 3.55 with 18s you need the heavy service front springs at minimal.

With the trailer, topper, winch, and weight in the truck just get the camper/snowplow package F250 diesel. Can remove the camper package rear sway bar if you need to offroad hard enough to articulate the suspension and still keep the extra spring capacity.