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Old 04-02-2006, 07:20 PM   #1
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F250 or F350?

I've been looking at possiably buying a new Ford F 250 Diesel but found a F350 at the dealer in the color and with all the right options. Lariat, Crew Cab,4X4,tow command, etc. My question is; is this overkill for towing an Airstream ( I have a 31' sovereign and a 94 25' Classic). Is the suspension to stiff? I thought that the ability to carry an extra 1000lbs an asset??
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Old 04-02-2006, 07:29 PM   #2
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I'd say go for it. Sometimes they are hard to find the way you want.The only difference between the two is spring rates, and the ride is by far improved, since Ford went with coils in front. Their prices are just about the same. Jeff
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Old 04-02-2006, 07:33 PM   #3
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What is the GVW on the F-350? A friend of ours just bought one. He got the Harley Davidson version. It is a really cool truck. Rides like a Cadillac. I do not think it would be too much, heck, there are folks towing Airstreams with Freightliners, Volvos and Macks!
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Old 04-02-2006, 07:43 PM   #4
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GVW of the F 350 is 11200 lbs
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Old 04-02-2006, 07:49 PM   #5
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I have a 2005 F250 powerstroke cc 4x4 King Ranch after extensive research, decide this will not be overkill for towing a 28-32ft AS. (we are purchasing this summer). We currently travel and camp in the mountains extensively, and the family intends to take a trip in 2 yrs to Alaska from AZ so we'll need a little more poop. The diesel breaks even in 3-5 years if you buy and hold. It will tow like a dream. One of my good friends has a '05 F250 v10 and he tows a SOB 32' with a huge slide GVWR over 10K and it is perfect for the task. The real plus in my opinion is the huge cab. 5 men can easily ride in comfort, even those over 6 foot, so it has huge family transport potential. Get a Retrax for the back, you'll love their Tonneau cover.
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Old 04-02-2006, 07:49 PM   #6
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hi craftsman, and others.....

the differences for our purposes are insignificant...the 350 has a higher bed/payload...handy for a bigger 5th wheel....from a step up beefier dana? axle set...and longer bump stops on rear leafs...

the springs can be the same if the 250 has all the uprated add'ons like fx/off road, rear anti sway bars, long bed and camper package....

i really like my 250 but the 350 would be great too......

if you do opt for the 05 be sure they do all the recall work before you take delivery....tranny program, fuel management, coolant container recalibration... are the 3 so far....that i had done....required 2 days in the shop....

great for towing, shouldn't be too much for your trailers.....besides there may be a new one in your future, right?

cheers
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Old 04-02-2006, 08:08 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Craftsman
I've been looking at possiably buying a new Ford F 250 Diesel but found a F350 at the dealer in the color and with all the right options. Lariat, Crew Cab,4X4,tow command, etc. My question is; is this overkill for towing an Airstream ( I have a 31' sovereign and a 94 25' Classic). Is the suspension to stiff? I thought that the ability to carry an extra 1000lbs an asset??
Craftsman,
IMHO yes it is a bit stiff, but that is what they make Air Ride Hitches for. I have seen the end results of an Airstream that has been pounded...I own one (not that I did the pounding)

Aaron
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Old 04-02-2006, 08:36 PM   #8
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You can get around some of the stiffness by either taking one leaf off the rear springs and/or adding one of these:

www.airridehitch.com

I think for what you have a 1 ton might be too stiff. Airstreams love a soft ride from what I've read. If you have a good deal on a 350, I'd say go for it and look at the two possible options. There could be other options too, but one complaint you'll never hear around here is that my tow vehicle tows too good.
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Old 04-02-2006, 09:48 PM   #9
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hi craftsman.....

lets try this again......

the single rear wheel 250 and 350 have exactly the same springs/suspension, when equipped similalry...

the 250 has a dana 60 front axle and the 350 a dana super 60

the hotchkiss drive has a 9.75 inch pitch ring gear in the 250 and a 10.00 inch in the 350.


the 250 has a visteon 6200 rear axle and the 350 has a visteon 7280 rear axle...

this axle is spline is 1.36/1.50 with 35 splines in the 250
and in the 350 is 1.50/157 with 37 spines....so slightly larger in diameter...with 2 more spines

in addition the rubber bump stop is longer on the 350...

so the suspensions on the 2 srw models is the same....but larger axles result in a higher load rating for the bed....on the srw 350....the tow ratings are the same....

now the issue of whether this is too much for your trailers isn't clear.....

if not loaded to the max, tire pressures on the truck can be adjusted to soften ride...same with trailer tires...

rubber mods can be done to the t.v. rear suspension like the morryde....
http://www.morryde.com/php/products/...cles/index.php

inland andy doesn't like this system....many folks do....i haven't tried it yet.

removing one leaf from the rear is also an andy suggestion......but without adjusting the front also, this is an imbalance in the factory tuned setup.......

i consider this dangerous, and suspect it may void parts of the warranty. in a wreck your insurance may have issues too...so check with qualified people if even considering this...

without knowing the degree of high freq/low amplitude vibration vs the low freq/high amplitude vibs.....no one here can reasonably modifiy the truck to improve this issue....much more than tire inflation may...

srw 350s don't ride any stiffer than 250s with the same options..

cheers
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Old 04-02-2006, 09:50 PM   #10
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What about the ride for the occupants in the truck. How does the 350 ride compared to the 250. The Airride is a good idea but if someone wanted to use a Hensley, it doesn't look like they have a setup for a Hensley, or do they, I don't see one. Good luck.
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Old 04-02-2006, 09:53 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 2airishuman

the single rear wheel 250 and 350 have exactly the same springs/suspension, when equipped similalry...
I think there is the key....similarly equipped. If you get a standard 250 vs a 350, it may be possible to have one extra leaf spring. I would suggest looking under both and making sure. Regardless a 1 ton, particularly for your 25 is going to be a bit too hard. For the 31, could be too. Not that Ford follows GM, but every GM 3500 I've been under and every 2500 and 2500HD, the 3500 did in fact have an extra leaf on the spring. Might not be the same as Ford.
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Old 04-02-2006, 10:11 PM   #12
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We tow our '67 Tradewind with an '06 F150 Supercrew 4x4 w/ full tow package & the 5.4L . . . like a dream. It is rated at just under 9,000# with 1,000# tongue weight and all of it is overkill for our svelte 4,000# trailer. The 250, properly equipped will pull over 11,000#.

Just remember to have a properly sized equalizing hitch and sway bar (or combo thereof).
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Old 04-02-2006, 10:13 PM   #13
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hi basecamp

the 350 and 250 ride the same......if equipped the same....so long bed/crew cab, 4x4 lariats are the same....

the harley edition has larger wheels and lower profile tires....so this changes things a little.

the kings ranch again....different tire/wheel package

fx/off road comes with different tires and the 2x4 has more highway friendly tires...

so these things will affect ride noticeable....

and a short bed/standard cab 4x4 rides MUCH differently than a long bed/crew cab 2x4....very different. 2x4s have independent front suspensions and 4x4 an old fashion straight axle...

twink....there is not standard 250/350....

there is a base model in each length and cab
and a series of 5 upgraded models....
and 2x4 at each length/model/cab also...

if the off road package or camper package or other packages are added... spring rates/capacities change....up to the max of 10,000 or so...then no matter what's added the max is already present....

craftsman describes a truck exactly like mine...except for the bigger axles that 350s get.....that's it.....so if he has the fx package or camper package too (like many of them do) the spring rate will be the same, with the same number of leafs....

1/2 ton, 3/4 ton and 1 ton designations are so variable now....
they are mostly useless.....unless going to dual rear wheel models....

basecamp.....you are correct many air systems don't work with the w/d systems...

morryde told me theirs did.....
the rubber is under sheer forces more than compression.....so it "wears out" in 3-7 years....and actually cracks develop and they are measured to determine.....useful life.....that's sort of weird....and a reason not to jump to using it...

cheers
2air'
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Old 04-02-2006, 10:17 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Neophyte
We tow our '67 Tradewind with an '06 F150 Supercrew 4x4 w/ full tow package & the 5.4L . . . like a dream. It is rated at just under 9,000# with 1,000# tongue weight and all of it is overkill for our svelte 4,000# trailer. The 250, properly equipped will pull over 11,000#.

Just remember to have a properly sized equalizing hitch and sway bar (or combo thereof).
Nice setup you have Neo. I think we can all agree, either he's looking at will tow very well, as does your setup.

My particular concern is the harshness of the ride of the 350s. The 1 tons do tend to be a bit more firm. Maybe not as noticeable as is the case between 150 and 250. If he had a 34' slide, I'd say sure, 350, not really an major issue cause it's got a heavy hitch weight, but with the smaller lighter hitch weights and not knowing what is equipped on the 250 or 350 he's looking at, to err on the safe side and look might not be a bad idea.
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Old 04-02-2006, 10:24 PM   #15
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And, what are you going to do with the vehicle the 95% of the time you're not towing; providing business for the local renal care center?

Unless the 350 has another use, stick w/ the original plan: the 250 (and plush it out).
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Old 04-02-2006, 10:35 PM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Neophyte
And, what are you going to do with the vehicle the 95% of the time you're not towing; providing business for the local renal care center?
That could easily be the same case with my 2500 Suburban....especially at well over $2/gal. Cringe and say ouch seems like the best answer, but that's not very dignified, as you see the pump pass the $80 mark.

Of course, after gettin' the Burb, my Greenpeace membership was revoked, but oddly, I got an honorary OPEC membership card in the mail to replace the Greenpeace one.
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Old 04-02-2006, 10:49 PM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Silvertwinkie
That could easily be the same case with my 2500 Suburban....especially at well over $2/gal. Cringe and say ouch seems like the best answer, but that's not very dignified, as you see the pump pass the $80 mark. :D

Of course, after gettin' the Burb, my Greenpeace membership was revoked, but oddly, I got an honorary OPEC membership card in the mail to replace the Greenpeace one. ;) :) :D
Ouch!

Put marbles in the tank . . . it'll dispace the fuel and your next visit to the pump won't hurt as much . . . nor will you be able to go as far.:innocent:
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Old 04-02-2006, 11:00 PM   #18
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My solution was to keep it in the garage unless I need it for snow covered roads, towing or hauling.....and ouch was the only PG-13 word I could use in public....I've used other choice words for the $80+ fillups.

...wonder if marbles would void my warranty.
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Old 04-03-2006, 08:17 AM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Silvertwinkie
My solution was to keep it in the garage unless I need it for snow covered roads, towing or hauling.....and ouch was the only PG-13 word I could use in public....I've used other choice words for the $80+ fillups.

...wonder if marbles would void my warranty.
Same here for my van. I changed the oil (Mobil 1) this weekend. Total mileage since Feb 8 2005, 4580 miles, with towing making up 95% of that total. Not had the $80 fill up yet.....(I don't let it get down that low !).

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Old 04-03-2006, 08:42 AM   #20
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Originally Posted by jcanavera
Same here for my van. I changed the oil (Mobil 1) this weekend. Total mileage since Feb 8 2005, 4580 miles, with towing making up 95% of that total. Not had the $80 fill up yet.....(I don't let it get down that low !).

Jack
I just swapped to Amsoil...also the deep pan trans and differential cover (they add about 3-4 quarts more to the capacities). I'll let folks know if it reduces my heat on the trans at all now that I have a baseline from last years towing to go by. I found that if you pay $20 for the peferred customer, you can get a significant discount off the retail price of their oils.

What size gas tank do you have in your van Jack?
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