F150 vs F250 & Tow vs 5th Wheel Opinions

[bansai]

Originally Posted by suzhou

sobuck1 - No issues with torque or HP pulling your trailer? I've settled on the gas 250 for now but am still going back and forth a bit. I started a thread on the 5th wheel forum earlier to get their two cents. Here is what I just posted there.

This is really difficult to pin down for a decision for me. I know I'm being a bit over analytical but - I test drove the 6.2L F250 gas version today. Drives fine but the difference in torque and HP between it and the diesel is noticeable. After talking to the Ford dealer and reading what some of you have posted here I do believe the 250 and 350 have the same structure underneath. An extra spring perhaps and dual tires of course. Do I ignore the door sticker on the 250 diesel and go over load cap by about 500lbs assuming the door sticker is under stated or do I get the gas model and be within specs on the door sticker and give up the torque and HP? That 10,000lb GVWR thing is very puzzling in terms of does it really limit the load cap or is it just a truck rating move by Ford. I don't know for sure. I'm not worried about a wreck and getting sued. That's such a low risk that I'm not factoring that into the decision. As I just told my wife - if the door sticker of the 250 diesel was right at max load for us I wouldn't hesitate. I just hate to start out with a truck that has a 1,900 load max with a trailer with a dry weight pin of 2,000lbs.

There are a couple of tangible differences between a 250 and 350. The 350 comes stock with a suspension that you need to do 1 upgrade on the 250 to achieve. The rear end is identical. Same frame, same transmission, same motor, same cab, same everything. Add the camper package to the 250, and you get the spring pack out back that come standard with the 350.

This is a hot topic on some of the big Ford forums, so definitely cross check what I'm saying, but even Ford engineers are saying there's no difference between the two. It's 99% marketing.

That said, I would happily pay the extra 1000 dollars to get the sticker on the 350 that says I magically have another 1000+ pounds of payload IF I was going with the diesel motor.

They are playing some games with the GVWR on both trucks. If you've decided to go diesel anyway - pay the extra 1000 dollars and get the 350 and never second guess your decision again. Most of that 1000 dollars is going for a different sticker, and nothing else... but what's 1K between friends I've researched all of the relevant part numbers between the 2 trucks and there is NO difference other than the leaf springs in the back - and that can be 'fixed' for less than 170 bucks with the camper package.

I went with the gas 250 because I don't plan on towing anything that comes with its own post office zip code in my lifetime. For us, it really came down to either getting a loaded gas Lariet, or a minimally equipped XLT 350 diesel. You seriously cannot go wrong with either choice. After spending 6 months debating this same thing over here, that's my opinion on it

[jsallman1]

Originally Posted by suzhou

That 10,000lb GVWR thing is very puzzling in terms of does it really limit the load cap or is it just a truck rating move by Ford.

Its not ford, its a federal thing I believe.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Truck_classification

Take a read there. My opinion, the 250x trucks are in demand cause its heavy duty for commercial use wear and tear, yet doesn't require a CDL (at least in my state). 350 commercially in IA I believe requires a light CDL if used commercially, privately no. I have often wondered if I had a 350 and drove my own vehicle for a work event and claimed mileage if I could have issues. I have a Ram 2500 6.4, so its just a wonder.

Registration fees, registering for a certain weight. and inspection requirements may differ as well but my state seems fairly forgiving there, probably due to farming.

Its a comfort call in my opinion. If the door sticker says x and your pulling x + 500, its very hard to quantify the risks. My guess, not that its worth anything, you wont be over the axle limits, just the payload sticker due to the truck federal classification

And as far as hp, on my trailer (8500lbs or so) the 2500 pulls it without issue, but you will have to accommodate a lot more downshifting to maintain speeds on hills than my friends seem to with Diesels. On cruise and a hill, loss of 7-8mph fast is not uncommon and takes downshifting to like 2 to get it back (aka floor it) but it will do it. I maintained 60-65 over the Appalachians in Tennessee, it will do it. Haven't tried the rockies except the black hills area, which I was passing others with trailers heading up those hills yet not speeding.

I think The diesel with a turbo (and due to the turbo I believe) just has far more torque at normal cruising RPM, you have to wind the gassers up a bit. My F150 ecoboost power wise towed that trailer on hills much better, but in every other way like stability, trucks pushing you around, etc 3/4 ton wins.

Another thing to consider, do you want a diesel as a daily driver. My understanding Not so great on diesels to run around town a few miles, they like to work and heat up. I know people who have diesels, but then buy a cheap around town car, just more food for thought.


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[Subaru297]

Originally Posted by suzhou

After talking to the Ford dealer and reading what some of you have posted here I do believe the 250 and 350 have the same structure underneath. An extra spring perhaps and dual tires of course.

Suzhou,

I think I saw you post this in another thread that you think the 350 is way too much truck to daily drive but you could manage with the 250. Just wanted to make sure you know that the 350 comes in single rear wheel as well and would be identical daily driving as the 250 other than a slightly stiffer suspension. Although I have also read that the ride quality is the same between the F250 and F350.

From inside the truck you wouldn't be able to tell if you are in a 3/4 or 1 ton. My only regret in getting our F250 is that I wish I went with the F350 so we could upgrade to a nice 5th wheel someday.

Cheers

[suzhou]

Correct, typical 350 is not an option for me. I did see a single wheel 350 at a local dealer. Looks a bit odd to me to be honest. I think I'll stick with the 250 since for now it seems I can get a package that will be within specs for the 5th wheel we want. If every day use wasn't a priority as well then yes, the 350 diesel is really the ideal truck for the job.

[Subaru297]

I'm sorry suzhou but I am still confused. The gas vs diesel debate has nothing to do with the 250 vs 350 debate.

A F350 with the 6.2 gas engine would be identical to an F250 with a gas engine. Both single rear wheel. As mentioned other than the suspension differences and payload capacity they are identical.

Not sure why the F350 SRW looks odd to you. Unless you are close enough to see the badge you would not be able to tell them apart.

Cheers

[suzhou]

I meant odd only in that I had never seen one. Didn't even know they made one.

[kampfirekid]

Originally Posted by bansai

That's pretty impressive for a 250. When mine comes in, I'll be happy with anything above 3K lbs...

I wouldn't say that payload is that impressive. It's a supercab, not a crewcab.



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[kampfirekid]

Originally Posted by Marcm157

I just (Reluctantly) traded my 2016 F150 3.5 EcoBoost for a 2016 leftover F250 Gasser. My F150 pulled my camper without issue AND had a very generous 2003 payload but, with my tongue weight, family, firewood, gear etc, I was very often at or over my payload number not to mention my rear axle weights. I just towed my camper for the first time with the F250 (3680 payload) and couldn't believe the difference! I will not say I didn't know my trailer was behind me but I will say it felt much more stable on the road. I had a much better experience than with my F150.

I ended up not taking too bad a beating buying the leftover then if I would have gone with a 2017. I made a few sacrifices, and concessions but I believe in the long run it will be well worth it.

We have one trip this early summer without a trailer, and then I am reinstating my search for a low mileage used diesel F350. My 2016 F150 King Ranch is a wonderful rig, but with a family of four, it's useless for towing a travel trailer if you care about ratings. We were going to wait until next spring to get a trailer, and I was hopeful to find a truck now to offset the hits, but now after seeing how ugly the 2018 Whitehawk trailers may be, we may reconsider.


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[glitelover]

Just wanted to chime in and say that we had an F-250 gasoline with camper package and added leaf springs aftermarket. It handled our Rockwood Signature Ultra-Light travel trailer with ease. We started thinking about a 5th wheel, much like the OP, and when we saw what the North Points and Pinnacles weighed, we went ahead and sold the F250 and went with an F350 Platinum diesel dually, and we didn't even have a 5th wheel camper yet!

Hubby drives this truck as a passenger vehicle sometimes, and the ride is phenomenol. It's a way better ride than the F250 for whatever reason. Now there's no doubt that it's a lot of truck, and I was skeptical, but DH had that look in his eye. It was already drilled out for the 5th wheel, and he put in a bed liner and went with a Curt Q24 5th wheel, and then we (finally) found our North Point 375 BHFS. It was nice not to have to say, "I love this one, but it's too heavy for our truck."

The bottom line is that we were tired of having to upgrade, first a Chevy 1500, then the Ford F250, so we went all in--and hopefully this will be the last truck we have to buy. Just some food for thought.

[suzhou]

Deed is done. Decided to buy what I know is the right vehicle for the trailer for safety and comfort, and put the day to day driving at a lower priority. Purchased an F350. 5,200lbs of payload capacity. Plenty of headroom for our trailer and whatever else we decide to load up with for the trip.

[repacs0103]

5200 payload must mean you bought a dually instead of SRW?

Great decision and you will love the truck.


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[suzhou]

Yep - 2017 DRW Platinum 6.7L turbo diesel. Since my primary issue was payload I figured if I was going to spend the money to fix the problem then by golly fix it. Don't just get a little headroom that squeaks by and then fuss as your wife when she wants to bring another pillow into the trailer. It took me too long to come to the right answer but I'm not worried now. One of the motivators was from our last trip where high winds pushed our current truck (2016 F150) and pull behind TT around on the freeway. Actually pushed me into the next lane and I couldn't control it. It was very scary. I turned around and came home only 10 miles from the house. It was very windy here yesterday so I remembered and also wanted as much safety margin as I could against that happening again. Even 18 wheeler's get pushed around so no guarantee but less likely now.

[cekkk]

Suzhou, I'm betting you'll love the Big Boy. After a while you'll be taking it to the grocery store. I bought a GMC Denali, the long one, this week and I'm having to get used to where it is, even though it's smaller than my dually. It just takes a bit of getting used to. Kind of like a wife.