Ford diesel 250 vs 350

[urnmor]

i often times had to either stop short or hold my breath about the next available diesel. now i can plan well in advance regarding where i will choose to stop for fuel.


I agree about the 50 gallon relacement tank. I put one in our F 250 just before our trip in Februaary to Florida. It allowed us to stop when we wanted to and like you said not hold our breath to the next diesel gas station. I also found it saving us a little on diesel prices.

[Ampman]

gpt,
Trailer tongue weight hitch rating on the Ford F250 unit is 1250 lbs. with Weight Distribution and only 600 lbs. with out Weight Distribution. Label has 5V on it too whatever that means. Swapped it out with a Curt XD unit good for 2550 lbs. with or without WD. Didn't want to be out in the middle of no where and have my WD hitch fail and have all that tongue weight on the Ford receiver which is only rated for 600 lbs. with out WD. Probably will never happen but if it does then no worries. Plus I drag a regular trailer with an 8000 # skid steer with out WD and like the extra capacity of the XD hitch.


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[switz]

We cut off the 2012 Dodge 2500HD factory hitch (some reports of weld failures in the round weld joint to the frame) rated 1200 pounds and replaced it with a Curt 15049 rated 2,550 pounds tongue weight with no caveats) and a 17,000 pound trailer. Our Classic does not put the hitch close to either of those two limits.

Another advantage is that the Curt receiver opening was substantially lower and the complete Kelderman air bag suspension installation lowered the truck to level all the time with no sagging when connected, the ProPride adjustable hitch worked so the trail is only 1/4" low at the front.

Also added the Curt front hitch, just in case.

[reelfastgreg]

Originally Posted by Ampman

gpt,
Trailer tongue weight hitch rating on the Ford F250 unit is 1250 lbs. with Weight Distribution and only 600 lbs. with out Weight Distribution.

ok, now i have some greater understanding of the limits. it was interesting for me to learn that using the 'sleeve' on the class V hitch reduces the weight capacity by 1/2 to the 1250#s you mentioned. i would also believe this weight reduction will also have something to do with what your hitch ball and assembly are rated at. i am not very worried about this, however, as nothing i have comes close to that limit.

[dbj216]

I probably read it wrong. I read a 2 1/2" square tube receiver bolted to a heavy duty pick up is capable of towing 17,000 pounds and can handle 1700 pounds tongue weight with weigh distribution.

Golly, I've seen a lot of skid steer and back hoes on heavy duty flat bed trailers being pulled by 3/4 ton pick ups with no weight distribution at all. I wouldn't think those folks worry about their receivers falling off.

David

[Ampman]

The label on the factory hitch clearly states the limits. As a commercially licensed driver I know that it is the drivers responsibility to correctly load their rigs within the nameplate limits. The labeling probably gets the liability off of the manufacturer and solely on the operator. If the receiver hitches were able to actually be rated to what the truck can handle then the aftermarket hitch companies like Curt, Titan and others wouldn't be in business. Weak link on the trucks in my opinion. That's why I changed mine out.


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[sparkymark]

go with the 350, much more stable for towing especially with long wheelbase. Diesel has more power than you'll ever need and the descent control works well on steep grades...


Ford F-350 crew cab 4X4 diesel, 25' Jack Bauer edition AS

[reelfastgreg]

did some 6% and an 8% downhill this past week. i learned that by leaving the truck in cruise, it will downshift to try and maintain the speed you set. no need to have it in 'tow/haul' mode for this to work. pretty nifty feature.

[dbj216]

Thanks Ampman, you are right. I read my label on my receiver and was quite surprised at the derated loads when using a reducer sleeve. I can now see why you upgraded if you're towing heavy loads.

David

[Ampman]

Crazy ain't it. Guess they figure no one ever reads the labels. But if it were to fail the entire responsibility is on the driver if the tongue weight exceeded the label rating. Down side is you can't even give the old receiver hitch away because nobody wants them. Going straight to the steel scrap yard. Safe travels.


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