350vs450 for 5th wheel
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New User
Joined: Jun 2004
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350vs450 for 5th wheel
We are going full time RVing and pull a 35' Cardinal with a 99 250 ford Diesel. We are planning to upgrade our 5th wheel eventually to somehting heavier. We want to purchase a new 2005 FORD and can't deceide between 350 dually or 450. Any Comments
Tuned
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 465
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From: Metro DC
Check out the Ford Vehicles web site, SuperDuty and Commercial for the F350 and F450 towing specs. A lot depends on the cab style, tranny, and engine you order. If you have a very large trailer, say 15500#, you can't pull it within the max trailer weight and GCWR using an F350.
Post Fiend
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 5,324
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From: Denton,TX
With the increased GVWR and GCWR you should be able to do it with the F350 dually, but the F450 will give you the option of lower gearing. If I were in your situation I would consider how much you are going to use the vehicle for towing and how often for empty driving. If you don't plan on towing that much I would recommend getting the 2005 F350 dually, assuming that whatever fifth wheel you eventually get will be within the increased GCWR and GVWR limits for 2005.
Tuned
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 465
Likes: 1
From: Metro DC
Well, I see towing limits are WAY up for '05! Cool. In the horsepower/pound feet of torque wars among brands, I'd rather be the one safely pulling the larger trailer than the one with "better" engine stats.
Anyway, 04superduty has a point: You simply want to be sure you have enough truck, and that you're not near the edge. The incremental cost difference between a 350/450 are minimal.
Stability is a function of weight ratio, wheelbase and wheel width and enough truck. Pulling is a function of engine/tranny combo and enough truck. Comfort is a function of package: XL vs. Lariat and on hills, enough truck. Mileage is a function of, well, never mind. I bet the mileage doesn't differ than much between 350/450 with comparable drivetrains.
Anyway, 04superduty has a point: You simply want to be sure you have enough truck, and that you're not near the edge. The incremental cost difference between a 350/450 are minimal.
Stability is a function of weight ratio, wheelbase and wheel width and enough truck. Pulling is a function of engine/tranny combo and enough truck. Comfort is a function of package: XL vs. Lariat and on hills, enough truck. Mileage is a function of, well, never mind. I bet the mileage doesn't differ than much between 350/450 with comparable drivetrains.
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 673
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From: Virginia
450 will have larger brakes and a larger rear axle (dana 80 (350) vs dana 135 (450)) and the 450 will probably come with 4.88 gears. Will you get a cab/chassis or will you want a pickup truck bed on it or better yet, a hauler bed? 450/550 only come cab/chassis ( i believe) and youre options are wide open.
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Postmaster
Joined: Mar 2001
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From: So Cal
One other thing I have read on this website is that the 450 and lrger trucks often have a much more expensive registration fee.
You probably should look into that too.
Jim Henderson
You probably should look into that too.
Jim Henderson
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Postmaster
Joined: Dec 2002
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From: USA
One thing I found out when I went looking at new Superdutys recently at the dealer, is that the Powerstroke diesel and TorqShift trans options in an F250 or F350 pickup are more than double what they charge for the same engine/trans option on the commercial cab/chassis trucks F350-550. I was quite surprised to find that out! Overall, it seems that you get a much better deal when you choose a commercial truck instead of a pickup. My dad found that out too when he bought his E150 panel van. Buying from the commercial dealer he paid much less than he was quoted from the regular dealer.
Elder User
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 936
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The F-450 is a much more heavy duty truck than the F-350. The F-450 has 19.5" rims verses the 16's on a F-350 - with the 19.5" rims you get commercial tires that will last longer and handle loads better. The wheel bolt pattern is bigger, the frame is a thicker straight rail, and the brakes will probably last over 100,000 miles - I have a F-250 Super Duty and I have only replaced the front rotors/pads and rear pads at 90,000 miles. I have built a F-450 on Ford's website and you can get 4:30 gears which should be good for towing and the five speed auto or six speed manual should make the 4:30's ok for just driving around. The composite box is the way to go for looks and function. http://www.texasstagecoach.com/composite_hauler_bed.htm As for the ride quality check out the kelderman air ride for a 450/550. They offer a four link system for the rear and your front axle should be fine if the new coils are as great as they say???? http://www.keldermanmfg.com/category.php?id=20 The slighly longer box and wheelbase would be a plus for highway ride and control also.