In need of advice for new 250 or 350
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In need of advice for new 250 or 350
Hi all, Titantalk has been my spot for awhile but now im upgrading and need help, i dont know much about HD trucks yet. But i am looking at either a 250 or 350 but would prob only be getting the 350 if i dont go deisel. On the note of deisel i have been skeptical of buying one i have heard that especially on the new ones they have been having a lot of problems especially cause of all the new emmisons tech, couple guys said they had multiple $1000+ repairs and i cant afford that. I am a start up landscaper so i will be towing mowers daily and plowing in the winter so i wanna know what options are best for me with the gear ratio and everything. Thanks in advance
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sorry, crew cab with short bed im gonna buy brand new so whatever best deal i can get on the '11 otherwise ill just get a '12 im not trying to go top of the line but just want a few extras but if i go 350 i dont wanna go over 55k but i live in PA. i have just been asking around my area and everybody said stay away from deisel so i thought id get the forums opinion.
Laughing Gas
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 939
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From: Central Kansas
First of all, welcome to the real truck forum! 
IMO, it depends on how much weight you'll be towing/hauling. Diesels definitely have their place but as you've heard they can be expensive to maintain and repair. It sounds like this will be mainly local use and lighter towing duties - personally I think a gas motor would work better in that situation. The gas motor will be quite a bit cheaper as well. If you're buying new though the warranty should cover most any issues - of course if you're planning on keeping the truck long term that's irrelevant.
The 250 and 350 can be equipped pretty much identical, but the 350 will always have higher ratings - look into your registration requirements and see if there's any cost difference between the 2, some states charge more for the 350 since it's rated higher.
Either way it's a HUGE step up from the titan!!
IMO, it depends on how much weight you'll be towing/hauling. Diesels definitely have their place but as you've heard they can be expensive to maintain and repair. It sounds like this will be mainly local use and lighter towing duties - personally I think a gas motor would work better in that situation. The gas motor will be quite a bit cheaper as well. If you're buying new though the warranty should cover most any issues - of course if you're planning on keeping the truck long term that's irrelevant.
The 250 and 350 can be equipped pretty much identical, but the 350 will always have higher ratings - look into your registration requirements and see if there's any cost difference between the 2, some states charge more for the 350 since it's rated higher.
Either way it's a HUGE step up from the titan!!
Laughing Gas
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 991
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From: Newberry Springs, CA
The other thing to consider it what you're comfortable working on.
I tow a 19' TH. Loaded to the gills it's probably 9 to 10K. I went with the gas V-10 for the simple reason that I have NO idea how to work on a diesel. If I get stuck in the desert or on the road I need to be able to diagnose and field repair well enough to get me home, or at least to the next town. If I had a diesel, I would lift the hood, look at it and say "Yep, the engine's still there".
But the V-10 pulls like a 40 mule team, comparable to some of the smaller diesels.
I tow a 19' TH. Loaded to the gills it's probably 9 to 10K. I went with the gas V-10 for the simple reason that I have NO idea how to work on a diesel. If I get stuck in the desert or on the road I need to be able to diagnose and field repair well enough to get me home, or at least to the next town. If I had a diesel, I would lift the hood, look at it and say "Yep, the engine's still there".
But the V-10 pulls like a 40 mule team, comparable to some of the smaller diesels.
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Thanks wish i knew how to post pics on here though cause im not getting rid of her shes my baby(first vehichle) and i wouldnt get enough money back from the mods but even with 35s on her she still does great and 140k miles. but ill be towing 3 mowers daily on 18' trailer but thatll be my heaviest towing probably and then im doing mainly residential plowing so i wasnt sure on what gear ratio was best. I thought id get the answer for gas especially when im against time mowing it would not be a good time to have a prob with the truck. I prefer to keep a car as long as possible to get the most out of it but with plowing i may swap a little early plus as my business expands ill be getting more heavy duty trucks but thats down the line.
Laughing Gas
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 939
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From: Central Kansas
Don't think you can post pics directly since you're a new member - but you can upload them to photobucket or something and insert them that way.
Don't sweat it, keep the titan for your toy and leave the work to the real trucks, that's what they're built for.
They've really changed the gearing on these new trucks, I think the highest you can even get now is 3.73 which is barely adequate in my 2005 - but there's been lots of changes since then. Also, be sure to get the locking rear differential option, that would be great for plowing.
Don't sweat it, keep the titan for your toy and leave the work to the real trucks, that's what they're built for.
They've really changed the gearing on these new trucks, I think the highest you can even get now is 3.73 which is barely adequate in my 2005 - but there's been lots of changes since then. Also, be sure to get the locking rear differential option, that would be great for plowing.
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Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2007
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Good luck in your business venture... 55K is a lot of start up cost for a lawn mowing business. Hope everything works out for you!
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From: Gilbert
The mpg difference between the 4.30's and 3.73's wasn't enough for me to be concerned with. Plus I'm planning on going to 35's at some point so having the 4.30's will help with the added size/weight. With (essentially) 2 overdrive gears on the 6spd, the 6.2's rpms at highway speeds with the 4.30 gears are still respectable.
I'd say get the gas, but I'm biased..
I'd say get the gas, but I'm biased..
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Thanks Ive been doing it for 3 yrs now so i have a good client base built up and youd be surprised how much you can make mowing in my area but if i really wanted to make more i would just have to get off my *** but im trying to be a little young while i can but my moms divorce is getting settled and from the start she said she would help me with my new truck when its settled cause i helped her the whole way. But silverbullet you have like exactly what i want thats my color and everything to kinda match my t but if the difference isnt that much ill do 4.30s and locking dif is def on the list. im gonna try and keep this pretty stock to not scare away clients like in the Titan but that mod bug can really get real itchy.
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Hotshot
Joined: Mar 2007
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From: Pa
sorry, crew cab with short bed im gonna buy brand new so whatever best deal i can get on the '11 otherwise ill just get a '12 im not trying to go top of the line but just want a few extras but if i go 350 i dont wanna go over 55k but i live in PA. i have just been asking around my area and everybody said stay away from deisel so i thought id get the forums opinion.
Its my opinion that gassers are better for plowing because the engine weighs about half of what a fully dressed diesel does. The lighter engine means you can put more weight on the front axle than the diesel before reaching the GAWR. The plow adds enough weight to the front of the truck, you don't need any extra.
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Well im gonna shoot for the 350 hopefully ill have it before thanksgiving and slap a boss plow on it, this freak October storm should hopefully be good sign for the winter. Makes sense though never thought of it that way with how heavy the diesel engine is and i never knew that i would have to pay more for registration, is it much more? just so i know to add that in. Thanks for the help guys ill report back when i get her.
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Rogue,
I went through the same delema on F250vs 350. And Diesel vs Gas. After all you pay around 7K just for a Diesel and then 45 cent more for it at the pump in NC. I was set for a Gas 2012, but fell back and regrouped. For the increase in the payments of my F150 trade in, I got a 2000 F350 duelly ( duellys look really cool anyway) 7.3 for just about 1/2 of the increase in price of the payment. I am now putting extra stuff on it. Mine is not a daily driver so the extra .45 cent is not a big deal. I heard I have the better of the 3 diesels used by Ford (not including the new 6.7-too new to tell). I cleaned the K N filter and got 20.6 mpg at 58mph.
So far no regrets and it was super well taken care of, even if it does have 201K on the clock.
I went through the same delema on F250vs 350. And Diesel vs Gas. After all you pay around 7K just for a Diesel and then 45 cent more for it at the pump in NC. I was set for a Gas 2012, but fell back and regrouped. For the increase in the payments of my F150 trade in, I got a 2000 F350 duelly ( duellys look really cool anyway) 7.3 for just about 1/2 of the increase in price of the payment. I am now putting extra stuff on it. Mine is not a daily driver so the extra .45 cent is not a big deal. I heard I have the better of the 3 diesels used by Ford (not including the new 6.7-too new to tell). I cleaned the K N filter and got 20.6 mpg at 58mph.
So far no regrets and it was super well taken care of, even if it does have 201K on the clock.
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I went with '12 f350 with the 6.2, had to order it cause they didnt have any with what i was looking for now i just hope i get it before the plants xmas break cause i ordered it nov 4 and i wont be happy if it snows and i cant plow....
