350 vs. 450
 

Ok, I'm starting to get the DRW bug again. My last one was an 03' Lariat LE, and I’m tossing around going back to one in 2020.
I only tow my 8k boat, but the look of the 450 with those wheels and that wide track....
It's a summer daily driver. This is a styling draw only.

So please let me get some questions cleared up.
Even with 4:30 rears, the 19.5 tire size brings the overall ratio back down to compare with the 4:10 on 17" rubber, True?
Fuel mileage differences between the 450 and lets say a CCSRW? Fuel isn’t a biggie, but it’s always a consideration.

I’m assuming ride quality may not be the best, but front coils, the rear axle and spring pack exactly the same as the 350 DRW where the only real difference is commercial tire flex affecting ride?
Thanks.

My last truck was a 2017 drw. If I go drw again I would go 3.55 on a 350, but you are limited on 17" tires. The 350 is about 3" shorter than a srw and looks like it has skateboard wheels and most tires for the 17" rims that are bigger look like balloons and you need spacers. And 19.5 rims on a 350 look goofy because of the short front axle. My vote is 450.

I average around 12-12.5MPG in my F450 mostly highway driving.

The best reason to buy the f450 is the over 7 foot tighter turning circle.
You are correct about the springs and shockey being the same between the F350DRW and F450.
I do believe that the rear sway bar is larger on the 450.
Brakes are larger on the F450, rotors are over an inch larger and pads and caliper atlre over 25% larger.
The 19.5 tires do follow highway ruts more, especially with the new tires.
Make sure you wont have problems with registration and insurance, some states and insurance co consider it a comercial vehicle, and costs go way up.

The main reason I bought a 350 DRW was that a local dealer had one in stock at a reasonable price. Would have had to order a 450 and wait 3 to 4 month's at the time. The 350 does the job towing our 5th wheel nicely and I use it for my daily driver when not towing. Very happy with the 14-15 mpg around town and the 16-17 mpg on the hwy. Towing at 65 mph it gets 9 mpg but trailer weighs in at close to 17K pounds loaded. Overall its been a great truck in the little over 2 yrs I've owned it. No problems with the turning radius living out in the country so I can avoid any tight spots. The factory 17" Michelins have been great so far and the truck tracks straight on the highway and the ride is amazing unless you hit some terrible stretches of highway. I've taken the truck on a few long trips and don't feel fatigued after putting in a 500 mile plus day. The 4.10 gearing is a little low for highway cruising when empty but keeping it around 70 mph it will get over 16 mpg. The best thing is that this listed for 66.5K and not like the 450's loaded out that came in at 75 to 80K bucks! Both models will do a great job towing so it comes down to looks and a personal preference.

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.for...1fa23837c5.jpg

I believe you will find the overall diameter of the 17" vs 19.5" and the rolling radius to be nearly the same. The 4:30 gears in the 450 is to provide better pulling power with a heavier tow, not to change mpg. The only reason I can see to get a 350 over a 450 is possible payload (if that is important to you) and actual cost to purchase. I have had 450s since '09 and would never go back to the wider turn radius 350 if still towing. The ride will be stiffer with the 450, the tire selection is much better with the 350. While neither here nor there, you don't get many "Wow, that's a big truck" with the 350---amazing how many folks think the 450 is a bigger truck than the 350....

I consistently get 15.5 MPG in the summer and 14.5 in the winter with my 2017 F450 when empty. I suppose I drive slower and more gently than most. Perhaps my tonneau helps as well.

With the 4.30, you'll spin at 2000 RPMs at 65 MPH in 6th gear. The 2020 looks like it may have the 10 speed, which may remove the 4.30 gear-fear that some have.

I am in the same range with my 2018 F450, 15ish empty.
It really doesnt get driven unloaded very often so I dont have a lot of unloaded takfills.
I did get to 19mpg on the display a couple of times, flat ground, 50 to 55 mph.

The F450 also has a slightly beefier rear axle and differential. If I ever upgrade from my current truck, it'll be to an F450.

If you do a lot of backing trailer the tighter turning and the adaptive steering really is awsome.
Very quick corrections.
I can do things with this 18 that I couldnt with my 2011 F450

Just picked up an 2019 f-450 Platinum today. the tighter turning radius is nice. Does wander on road some.

I'm actually a bit jealous! Color? Packages? Pics or it didn't happen. :D

The 450 is a medium duty truck with higher rated tires and larger brakes.

both the 350 and 450 have the same registration and insurance challenges .

Its dam near impossible to find a shop that can balance 450 tires

For most folks the 350 is more truck than they will ever use.

If you are buying a dually for just the curb appeal, why not just get a 350 DRW?

Everyone else had done a good job at pointing out pros and cons so I'll just say go F450. Reason being... it's what you want, at least it sounds that way. Since is not a matter of capacity and more so looks, you'll be kicking yourself every time you drive by a 450 if you don't get one.

If Ford ever figures out the HPFP issues on the 6.7 and I get back into one, I'll be getting a F-450. I don't tow anything at all ever, so it would be even more pointless for me than you but who cares. They look awesome.