I currently own another brand of a one ton, SRW, diesel pick up. Use the truck to tow a 35' 5th wheel. I'm considering a new truck this spring, & it WILL be a brand change. I was looking at the tow ratings in the March towing guide in Trailer Life mag. & the 5th wheel ratings for a F- 250, & F-350 Super cab, SRW, long box Diesel are the same, 15,900lbs, with a 3:31, or a 3:55 rear. So the question is what is the difference between the 250, & 350?
John

 

Springs, spacers, where you can drive and park and taxes, depending on where you live.

 

What year truck are you looking at? There will be some changes on the 2017 model.

 

when equiv equiped, the only difference is the emblem.

 

Looking to order a 2016. 4X4

 

As pointed out above some states have legal issues when it comes to plating and driving an F350. The legal limits on the F350 might be higher.
Essentially they are the same truck but the F350 has a larger spacer on the rear springs (in somes cases the F250 may have the larger spacers). The F350 might come with an additional helper spring in the rear, which is an option on the F250.

 

The major difference is the weight ratings on the door sticker. The two trucks can be optioned out the same but the 250 won't have the same ratings as the 350. As was said some states require commercial plates for 350's. I always advise to get the F350 so you don't have the " oh I should have" guilt later.

 

OK here are the numbers. According to the chart in Trailer Life mag configuring the truck with a long bed, SRW, Diesel 4X4 & super cab they both have the same 5th wheel tow rating at 15,900lbs. Went to the Ford web site clicked on "build your own", & did a chat with a rep. She agreed that the tow ratings were the same, but the payload on the 250 is listed at 2,460lbs. while the payload on the 350 is listed at 3,820. Adding the dual rear wheel option on the 350 bumps the 5th wheel towing to 19,000lbs. Does that make any sense?
John

 

It's about the ratings for the truck and what different people need them for. Could the 250 tow the same load sure. But they need an option for people who don't really need a 1 ton for the other headaches they already mentioned. It's basically the same truck as other said, just derated a little bit.
You have to keep in mind the pin weight of your trailer too.