Just joined and did a quick search but couldn’t sort through the posts to find what I’m looking for….although I’m sure it’s there somewhere beyond my ability.

I'm looking at purchasing a used SD that will be my daily as well as my tow vehicle for my boat and eventually a travel trailer. We have a good idea of what TT size we are looking at and that’s where the issue arises. The GVWR of the 5th wheel toy hauler is 14k (dry weight 10.8k)but we have no heavy toys, likely hauling less than 1000k of “cargo” putting us around only 12k.

When I look at Ford specs, it looks like up until 2016 the f25 and f350 have similar towing capacities (not focusing on payload right now) but in 2017 the f350 made a significant increase. It seems that the F250 didn’t make this increase until 2020. Am I seeing this correctly? And are these number put out on the Ford brochures each year accurate?

In my area, there is a huge price difference between used f250 and f350 right now and the only reason I would need a f350 is that towing capacity….indont need the higher payload to haul anything else. I’ve always heard the 90% rule referenced and we would still be under that, but wondering if being “close” (within 2k) a 350 would be more advisable than a 250

any help would be appreciated

 

for your use, go with a 350 to have some headroom in case you want to go bigger.

 

If you're planning on an 5th wheel toy hauler I would stick with the 350. No matter what the specs for the 5th wheel say, the actual tongue weight will be much higher. Just my .02 cents

 

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.

 

https://www.ford.com/towing/

The RV and Towing Guide PDF is too large for me to attach.

Although for 2022 I dont have a 2023 so I dont have a PDF of those option weights. This is pretty close for 2022 as far as weights.

 

14k 5th wheel is going to have a pin weight of 2800 to 3500 lbs. So I would be looking for payload capacity (yellow sticker) north of 3800lbs.

 

I looked and did not see this posted.
Simple SD doc.

https://www.ford.com/cmslibs/content...Info_Dec16.pdf

 

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.

 

Just for reference, I have '23 F350 SB Lariat FX4 7.3L with front bench seat. Payload is 4,219lbs

 

thanks. However I’m looking at used and my biggest question is the about the major discrepancies over time, specifically between 2017-2020. The F250 and 350 had very similar towing capacities until 2017 when the 350 made a huge jump. But now, they are back to similar with biggest difference being cargo capacity. I guess what I’m wondering is, what change was made to create this separation during those years.

 

Ebay has a pretty solid selection of F250 badges to solve that problem should the need arise.

 

For the first gen super duties the GVWR's were 8800 and 9900 for SRW 3/4 and 1 tons respectively from 1999-2004. When the new front end in 2005 and on the GVWR's crept up to 10k for F250's and 11.5k ish for F350's. But as engines, transmissions, emissions and aftertreatment systems kept getting heavier for diesels and additional electronics and creature comforts showed up it ate into available payload to the point by the time you get to the 2017's you have F250's with less than a ton of payload depending on option mostly handicapped by the 10k GVWR limit. The HCT two trucks got the same Dana M275 rear axle at the same period F350s starting in 2020 IIRC and that bumped GVWR up to 10.8k for the F250's. Starting in the 2023, the F250s could now be a whole mess of GVWR's all the way up to 11.5k for a CCLB and the SRW F350s can be up to 12.5k for a CCLB or 12k for a CCSB diesel (I believe the gas engine trucks are still 11.5k). Biggest change that I am aware of is the rear axle. The sterling 10.5 was pretty much the only super duty axle until 2017, when the 350's got the M275 and the HCT F250's got it latter on. Now the 11.6" SRW rear end is showing up in the newer truck, honestly not sure if that is going to totally replace the M275 or just supplement it. The chassis always had the head room to bump up the GVWR, my 2019 F250 has a front GAWR of 5990 cause of the plow springs and my sterling is rated at 6340 at a spec'd tire pressure of 65 psi, combined axle rating of 12,330 but a GVWR of 10k (81% of combined axle). For comparison a 2023 F350 would be 5990 for the front axle and 7230 for the rear in every instance I can find, giving you 13,220 of combined axles but the GVWR could be as high as 12,500 depending on configuration (94.5% of combined axle ratings). I know I am missing a few of possible combinations in my long winded monologue, but you get the picture.... depending on what your pulling "towing capacity" is a marketing number. Especially in a F250, the lower GVWR is going to be the gating factor for how much you can tow in most instances.

 

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

 

1) Never use the trailer's dry weight, use GVWR and 22 - 25% for pin weight; they always weigh more than advertised due to options and the fact the dry weights don't typically include batteries, propane, water, etc. I carried over 1,000 lbs in my slide in truck camper. .....for my 30' travel trailer my batteries, propane and water alone weigh more than 1,000 lbs....my typical load out is more like 2,000 lbs over the manufacturer's advertised dry weight.

2) A 3/4 ton is a poor choice for all but the smallest fifth wheels.....if you already own one, that's one thing, otherwise, just buy the F350 or you'll regret it.

3) Tow capacity isn't an issue for what you describe, payload (GVWR) is.

2 cents,

Dave

 

Toyhaulers are built differently - they usually have a much higher pin/tongue weight than other trailers their size due to the fact that they expect you to place thousands of pounds in the rear. When you pull them empty they are VERY heavy up front.

Don't even consider an F250. In fact, get the long bed for the added fuel tank capacity and extra 1,000lbs GVWR.