F250 or f350

Fern · 02-19-2018, 04:47 PM

Wondering if anyone in AZ with a one ton can chime in. I’m throwing around idea about getting a 3/4 ton or full ton truck. I test drive the f350 and was really impressed. I have also found out that the one ton trucks here in AZ have to be registered as a commercial vehicle. Can anyone tell me what the cost is? Also read you have to declare how much you would be towing or hauling when registering and if you get pulled over and your registered at the minimum weight ie no trailer but towing a trailer you get fined.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Quantum · 02-19-2018, 05:22 PM

Can't help you with registration, but...

If you're looking at a diesel, you're going to run out of payload on a F250 or any 2500 really fast.

For that reason, go with a F350 and pay the extra registration.

If you're going with gas, a F250 will likely fit your needs.

Best thing to do is find the 5th wheel/trailer your going to tow, figure out the pin/tongue weight when it's at GVWR and buy a truck that has enough payload for that weight plus the passengers and cargo you put in the truck.\

Since you're buying a new truck, you can buy one that matches what you tow.

Most people buy the truck first and then decide to buy a trailer that is too big for their truck's capacity.

Fern · 02-19-2018, 05:49 PM

Looking at the diesel not gas. We have a 6500 gvwr trailer now and my Titan towed it slowly and was working. I don’t plan on buying anything huge in future but want to get enough truck to give us options maybe in 5 years or so.
Not buying a truck any time soon just like to start planning and saving.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

GrumpyDad · 02-19-2018, 06:34 PM

Unless there's so reason NOT to get the F350 like insurance or state registration rules, always get the 1 ton. No mechanical downside.

RedHorse1 · 02-19-2018, 06:58 PM

We live in Texas so I can’t help with your registration questions but I pull with an F350. From the CAT Scale my rear axle weight (Rear GAW) is 3360# and from the sticker on the truck my rear axle is rated (Rear GAWR) for 6730#. Which means that I can add 3420# in the bed before reaching the max the axle is rated for.

We tow a 39’ 5th that weighs (GVW) 12780# with 3020# on the pin so I am below the rear axle rating.

A very popular 5th is the 377 RLBH and I believe it will be in the 16000-17000# range which IMHO is dually country. I think there’s plenty of folks towing with a SRW so what I’m spouting is just opinion.

The $$ difference between 250-350 is not huge so the decision should be influenced by what you intend to tow.

kerner · 02-19-2018, 07:41 PM

How'd the ride compare between the two? I'd go F350, but I think for daily driver use during the week it won't be the most comfortable, or when we travel without the camper behind it.

DonaandDon · 02-19-2018, 09:03 PM

IMHO - The only difference between the F-250 and the F-350 (SRW) are the top over load springs on the F-350. Dealer will install them on the F-250 for about $1250. I had Quad City Spring install an additional spring and Timbrens ($750). Although were are retired and full timers (8yr) we pick and choose when to pull, I.E. Calm weather. "Winter Texans".

RedHorse1 · 02-19-2018, 09:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DonaandDon

IMHO - The only difference between the F-250 and the F-350 (SRW) are the top over load springs on the F-350.

This! I also think a 350 may sit a touch higher but the ride should be the same.

Fern · 02-19-2018, 09:16 PM

Yeah state of AZ I guess requires one ton to be registered commercial so don’t know what that will do to insurance. I hope to call and try to find out a ball park what the insurance is.
Anyone work for geico lol

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Quantum · 02-19-2018, 09:25 PM

An F250 with a diesel equipped similar to my F150 only has about 300-400lbs more payload than my F150. Crazy, because the drivetrains are vastly different, but according to the yellow payload sticker on the door, that's how it is. Diesel 250's run out of payload quickly. Now if you're going 2WD, that'll save some weight and gain you some payload.

If you go with an F350, you're going to be in the low to mid 3000lbs payload, if not higher.

I don't think you would notice an appreciable ride difference between the 250 or 350, they're both going to be pretty stiff. People who drive cars think my F150 has a harsh ride, it all depends what you're used to. That yellow sticker on the drivers door jamb is going to be what you want to look at.

Quantum · 02-19-2018, 09:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DonaandDon

IMHO - The only difference between the F-250 and the F-350 (SRW) are the top over load springs on the F-350. Dealer will install them on the F-250 for about $1250. I had Quad City Spring install an additional spring and Timbrens ($750). Although were are retired and full timers (8yr) we pick and choose when to pull, I.E. Calm weather. "Winter Texans".

That's a really nice looking setup...but I'd go out on a limb and say you're well over your payload number that is shown on the drivers door jamb?

DonaandDon · 02-19-2018, 09:32 PM

Yes it was, over the cargo capacity until I added Timbrens and an added a leaf in the spring pack. As I stated before the only difference in a F-250 and the F-350 (SRW) is the top overload spring.

Additionally are the tires.

F-150 use passenger tires better ride, but suffers on towing. Where Super Duty use truck tires and yes it does stiffen the ride.

Wrascal · 02-19-2018, 10:08 PM

Anyone work for geico lol

My story (aside from your original question) is for you to shop insurance companies. I believed Geico's propaganda (Lizard and Caveman) for over 30 years - then I decided to price shop.

EVERY ONE of my competing offers beat them; I wound up with State Farm.

Four/ five years later I again shopped - then switched to USAA. Just last month my premium was renewed, with just a cost increase (literally) of only pennies per month increase.

Apparently accident free/ loyal customers don't mean squat.

Wrascal · 02-19-2018, 10:17 PM

"Yes it was, over the cargo capacity until I added Timbrens and an added a leaf in the spring pack. As I stated before the only difference in a F-250 and the F-350 (SRW) is the top overload spring."

Tis my belief that you can never "increase" the capacity regardless of any mod's you make. The law reads your door jam sticker and that is what it is.

I guess I should clarify that statement, if you reduce your trucks weight (jettison the diesel, lose the 4wd, shrink the size cab to single, etc) ... then you may gain additional cargo capacity capacity.

Just what I've been led to believe.

Slurugger · 02-19-2018, 11:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DonaandDon

IMHO - The only difference between the F-250 and the F-350 (SRW) are the top over load springs on the F-350. Dealer will install them on the F-250 for about $1250. I had Quad City Spring install an additional spring and Timbrens ($750). Although were are retired and full timers (8yr) we pick and choose when to pull, I.E. Calm weather. "Winter Texans".

That isn't your opinion but more of a fact. Obviously it depends on the year but for many years (i.e. 2011 - 2016) the 250 and 350 SRW were the same except for the extra spring and 4" block. That and the classification (i.e. GVWR put it 350 into commercial in some states) are the only reason the 350s had higher payload numbers. My 2015 250 tows my 377 quite well. I installed air bags before buying the 377 because the rear springs were the limiting factor. This allows for a comfortable ride as my daily driver then the towing stability when I add air to tow or haul. This thread breaks it down very well and Ifound it quite helpful:

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1483186-axle-question.html

Atlee · 02-20-2018, 02:33 AM

You might just have to bite the bullet and go with the F350 since you are getting the diesel. You pay a heavy "premium" getting a diesel in a 3/4 ton truck, since the heavy diesel engine eats up a lot of the extra cargo capacity you'd expect vs. the 1/2 ton truck.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fern

Looking at the diesel not gas. We have a 6500 gvwr trailer now and my Titan towed it slowly and was working. I don’t plan on buying anything huge in future but want to get enough truck to give us options maybe in 5 years or so.
Not buying a truck any time soon just like to start planning and saving.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

PMC · 02-20-2018, 05:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fern

Yeah state of AZ I guess requires one ton to be registered commercial so don’t know what that will do to insurance. I hope to call and try to find out a ball park what the insurance is.
Anyone work for geico lol

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Another vote to check with State Farm. My 1 ton cost a bit more than my f150 to insure but not much and I’m licensed as a commercial vehicle. Upside in MN is commercial is wheel based tax and not based on purchase price. A 2500 would cost 600 to 700ish a year to license while my 1 ton is a 136 dollar flat rate.

cariboocreek · 02-20-2018, 06:09 AM

One ton....regardless of insurance. Always. Unless it’s an F450....even better.

SOMBATFAMILY · 02-20-2018, 10:20 AM

Not a 1/2 Ton truck.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

CampNow · 02-22-2018, 10:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fern

Yeah state of AZ I guess requires one ton to be registered commercial so don’t know what that will do to insurance. I hope to call and try to find out a ball park what the insurance is.
Anyone work for geico lol

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

You're right, in AZ you have to register a 350/3500 1-ton truck as a commercial vehicle. Not a big deal though. You pay a $4 diesel tax and a $60 commercial fee, that's it.

Here's another FYI if you register a new 1-ton truck in AZ. In AZ you can "declare" the GVWR. If you declare 10,001 or higher you are not covered by the AZ Lemon Laws. If you declare 10,000 or lower, you are covered.

You may also like: