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I've been in the market for a used F250 and usually have been finding them in the mid $40's price range (2012 or newer, 6.7, Lariat, less than 50k miles). Yesterday I came across a F350 that fit my parameters for $42k and it looks like a pretty good deal. My question is; does anybody notice any differences in the ride quality between the 250 vs 350? I'm coming out of a 150 and I don't want the tar beat out of me when I'm not towing. Thanks for your input.
Last edited by Marcusjolaine; 07-08-2015 at 11:16 AM.
Even new it's only a few $k difference between the models (assuming SRW F350 that is). But one of the largest differences are the rear springs, including the use of overload springs on the F350. This drives the payload WAY up on the F350 adding in some cases another 1k lbs of payload by having those overload springs. I also have read in places that the gear-set is different between the rear axles for 250 vs 350, but can't confirm that.
One thing to consider is that in the F250 platform when equipped as a 4x4, with PSD motor, in SCREW cab, the amount of remaining payload is surprisingly low. As in right at 2k lbs. You can get that today in a heavy F150. However with a comparably equipped SRW F350 with those heavier rear springs, the payload goes way up around 3.5k lbs. So that's a point to consider. Additionally the registered GVWR can be an issue in your home state. The F250 is typically registered below 10k while the F350 is above. Many states have different licensing fees above the 10k with some states (like mine) charging your weighted truck class for above this limit.
You are in a similar boat to me. I had a 2015 F-150 3.5L EcoBoost with MaxTow, etc. (yes I lost $ on this swap) and just upgraded last Friday night to a F-250 2012 Lariat 6.7L. The only difference between the F-250 and F-350 (no camper package) is the sticker on the door and a 1" bigger block in the rear. I have lots of threads on powerstroke.org and ford-trucks.com all about this as I wasn't sure what I would buy as I started looking.
You can get a F-350 with a 10,000 GVWR sticker, in that case the only difference is the 1" block.
When you get the camper package, they add the extra leaf, which would increase your payload technically. I'd add air bags instead personally.
Even though the F-250 once you add lots of options has less and less payload, because your GVWR is 10,000, it doesn't mean the truck can't handle it. They just simply cant go over 10,000, so your payload "sticker" goes down. So legally speaking if you are over the GVWR you have that issue, but technically the truck can handle what the stock F-350 can handle with the higher like 11,300 or whatever the GVWR is. remember, once you add the "Camper Package" it does increase that, but I am talking non-camper F-250 to non-camper F-350...
Add airbags too
FYI though too that in CA once you get a truck over 10,000GVWR you pay higher registration and it is considered 'commercial'. It's an excuse possibly for your insurance to charge you more (not saying they WILL, but they MAY). So you have to decide, do you want the sticker that says you can handle more payload, but possibly pay more. Or do you want the same truck (basically) but the sticker doesnt show that, and possibly pay less. Also for ME there were far more F-250's available (used) to choose from than F-350. So I went F-250.
By the way, the ride is much harsher than my 2015 F-150.. but this is a TRUCK now, and the F-150 really drove like a car in comparison I kind of dig it though so far. I expect when I tow my 35' TH, that it will ride super smooth because of the extra weight holding the rear down.
actually, the F350 rear springs are different AND the rear axle diameters are different and I THINK they still have the finned rear end cover, but not sure.
Ride will be rougher, no doubt. If you don't need the payload (towing is the same) don't bother with the 350 if 250 is an option.
The only difference is the overload leaf above the spring pack and a taller block in the rear. Everything else is the same...
Having built both on Ford's site, this is very much the case, and the price difference is in the hundreds. Figure out what you want to use it for and let that be the deciding factor. Since I wanted to tow a fifth wheel well within the specs for an F250 and knowing that if I got another fiver, it would be much heavier, I went with the F350. Here in VT, the F250s are plow trucks and the F350s are heavy haulers. If you don't see yourself hauling heavy loads, get the F250 for the softer ride.
actually, the F350 rear springs are different AND the rear axle diameters are different and I THINK they still have the finned rear end cover, but not sure.
Ride will be rougher, no doubt. If you don't need the payload (towing is the same) don't bother with the 350 if 250 is an option.
Nope. Same leaf pack (except for the top overload), same stearling rear end, and same rear diff cover.
If the F250 has the camper package doesn't it have the same overload spring as the F350? My 2013 F150 with E load tires didn't ride much better than my 2015 F250 with a camper package, the only real difference I notice is on really bumpy roads, the F150 was a little better, I prefer the F250 all day long over my F150. The payloads are technically the same, same rear springs, but the F250 is limited to 10,000 max.
07-08-2015, 10:45 AM
F250 vs F350
