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I know plenty of people who regretted buying a F250. I never met anyone who regretted buying a F350 unless their local HOA prohibited parking it at home.
I would love to see a real world test between a 250 and 350 with the same 5th wheel camper in tow. I've got a fresh $5 bill that says the difference in performance would be so miniscule it wouldn't even be worth mentioning.
If a guy is ordering a new truck, yes go 350 just because. No brainer. But if a guy is shopping used there is zero reason to pass on a 250, unless he's planning to use it for licensed business work and GVWR numbers on a sticker mean something.
thank you. This is exactly the information I’ve been seeking. I’ve pretty much concluded I’m looking for a 2017 or newer F350 or a 2020 or newer 250. Of course the 2020 or newer 350 with the 10 speed would be ideal, but cost prohibitive at this point.
again thank you for the great explanation
Sure thing, my post was a bit of a ramble but I am glad it helped.
If your lugging around a 14k toy hauler, I would opt to a 2017-2019 F350 diesel, the 6.2 is a great engine but at that weight you will want the additional grunt of the 6.7. Or a 2020+ F350 with either the 7.3 or the diesel, if you get the 7.3 I hear the 4.30 rear end is the better option but I don't own one so I can't comment. My next truck is going to be a F350, especially now that the CCSB's get the 12k GVWR. I am just waiting for the quality to improve a bit... which will happen right after Elon Musk shuts up.
There are many F-250's on the road that are over their manufacturer payload. I'm not saying they don't pull the trailer just fine. You never know what trailer you might trade for in the future, even though a toyhauler might have a lighter pin weight for now. With a SRW F-350 you get more payload and have less chance of legal troubles if you ever have an incident. Even though you can get an F-250 with the Dana M275 and the trucks are technically almost identical. In my case the only difference between my 2018 F-350 SRW and an F-250 with high capacity trailer towing would be the blocks on the rear springs are taller (as far as I know anyway). Since you are looking at used, here is my 2018 F-350SRW CC 6.7 for reference. My camper is lighter although I do some heavy gooseneck towing. I have never been sorry to have a little more capacity than needed.
What is your source for this statement? Everything I read says airbags don't increase payload. They only decrease available payload by their weight.
If, for some odd reason other than registration taxes based on GVWR if your state has that, you choose an F250 I would largely ignore payload. I think what that guy was trying to say was that SOME F250's are built mechanically identical to an F350, including springs and axles. You have to do your own research here, but if you have an F350 axle, you can add airbags to run level as needed, and just ensure that your tires are rated for the axle weights you expect.
At the end of the day, the ratings that actually matter are front and rear axle weight ratings, and these are usually driven by the load ratings/PSI of the tires. Some here claim that the axles on our trucks are actually rated to much higher weights (like a factor of two), but the limiting factor is wheel and tire load ratings.
As always, do your own research here, or just get the F350 and don't overthink it.
What is your source for this statement? Everything I read says airbags don't increase payload. They only decrease available payload by their weight.
250’s and 350’s are nearly identical…same axles, frames, tires, wheels…the 250 might have one less leaf spring and a different sticker on the door. That’s it. Ignore the sticker and take the truck for face value.
with a fifth wheel payload will be your limiting factor not gross weight. 350 is the safest and best option. The yellow sticker on the driver's door is what you need most as every truck is different depending on options. No brochure will give you accurate payload.
What he said. Door jam sticker. My 350 has 4100 payload. Some have 4500. A 250 will be about 1000 less for payload, on average.
I tow with both a dually 350 & 450, towing 15 -22,000 lbs (including gooseneck trailer). I prefer the 350 as it is much less prone to dance around on heavily rutted roads. Quite anoying on the 450.
250’s and 350’s are nearly identical…same axles, frames, tires, wheels…the 250 might have one less leaf spring and a different sticker on the door. That’s it. Ignore the sticker and take the truck for face value.
Or just get the 350 and you don't need to ignore the sticker. I agree; they are largely the same truck ('cept for duallies) but if you're buying the downsides to just getting the 350 are exceedingly minor unless you live somewhere that charges a big insurance premium to step up.
