F350 w/snow plow pkg?

[Diane336]

Hi, this is my first post

I am looking at a new tow vehicle. Found a 2020 F350 Lariat on dealer lot but it’s out of state. Thinking about buying sight unseen since I’ve driven several similar trucks. My only concern is this truck is equipped with the snow plow package (heavier front springs and bigger alternator.). Does anyone have experience with the impact on towing and/or ride quality with the heavier front springs? I don’t plan on plowing snow! ��

[DewTheDew]

I have the snowplow package (I didn't want it but the truck was otherwise just like I wanted and it only added $185) and I have not driven an F250 without it, but it basically seems to ride like a truck. Nothing I wouldn't expect and this is the 250. It tows beautifully.

[sparkymark]

I have a 2018 f350 with snow plow package, replace front shocks with bilstein shocks-it will be just fine. I purchased mine, also sight un seen in Utah to be used in California...Great truck

[CRH]

I have a 2019 F350 with the snowplow package in the front and slide in camper cert in the rear. I have no complaints about the ride either towing or empty

[nryn]

Where I am at, it’s really hard to find a 250 or 350 on a lot that does not have the snowplow package. If you are shopping off lots that’s just how they are most often configured.

[wilsodf]

I have a 2020 F350 Lariat that came with the snow plow package. I really didn't notice much of the difference with or without this package. It tows really nice when hooked up to our FC 27FB. Without towing, it seems to drive like all the other Super Duty's I test drove, with or without this package. When driving just the truck, it is definitely a rougher ride. I used to have a 2018 Ford Expedition which had a really smooth ride. Super duty trucks all have a much stiffer ride.

[Diane336]

Thanks for replies re F350 snow plow pkg. I’ve got two new TV possibilities - one F-250 and the F350 - would appreciate your thoughts.

Both trucks: 6.7 L diesel, 10 speed, 3.55 Locking axle

F-250:
GVWR 10,800#, payload 2696#, FA 5200#,RA 6340#, TP cold 60/65 psi

Nice Extras: local dealer - truck is 5 miles away

Not so nice: hmm, payload 500-600# less than F350

F350:
6.7 L diesel, 10 speed, 3.55 Locking axle, GVWR 11,500#, payload ??? (~3200-3300), FA 5990, RA 7230, TP cold 60/80 psi

Nice Extras: more payload, supplemental cab heater, quad beam headlamps, 397 amp alternator, adaptive cruise, heated rear seat

Not so nice: out of state truck, 500 miles away, snow plow pkg?

[ROBERT CROSS]

Disclaimer....I'm not a big truck guy.

Our 2500 Burb has the Autoride suspension (electrostatic shocks), without the air suspension.

Realize, the more compliant the suspension the better the towing experience with less chance of AS damage.

It's not so much how big it is, it's how well it fits.

The..."it tows like it's not even there" is not the goal, be aware it's there at all times.
Get a compliant, lash-up with a quality hitch and correct weight distribution and go camping.

Remember the Forum Credo...🤓

“If you’re happy with what you’re using…it’s adequate.
If other people are un-happy….it’s not”
RLC

Bob
🇺🇸

[JonDNC]

What are you towing? And what’s the tongue weight? What do you envision your max payload will be when you add all your stuff? That will tell you whether needed or not. We went with the 350 no snowplow pkg cause the deal was too good, didn’t need the extra capacity but can now carry a motorcycle if I want when camping [emoji41]. Good luck both great choices

[jaybauman]

Here is what I know on the difference in ride quality between 2500 and 3500 GM products: My 3500 has an additional "helper" spring on the rear axle. Otherwise, the suspension is identical to the 2500. The 2 trucks ride identically until an extremely heavy load is added to the back, when the extra spring kicks in.

If the Ford suspension philosophy is anything similar, the 2 trucks should give you the same ride for any Airstream trailer and camping gear you bring along. My recommendation is to pick the truck you want more (F250 closer or 350 with a few more bells and whistles) and not worry about the badge on the side.

[KK4YZ]

Originally Posted by Diane336

Thanks for replies re F350 snow plow pkg. I’ve got two new TV possibilities - one F-250 and the F350 - would appreciate your thoughts.

Both trucks: 6.7 L diesel, 10 speed, 3.55 Locking axle

F-250:
GVWR 10,800#, payload 2696#, FA 5200#,RA 6340#, TP cold 60/65 psi

Nice Extras: local dealer - truck is 5 miles away

Not so nice: hmm, payload 500-600# less than F350

F350:
6.7 L diesel, 10 speed, 3.55 Locking axle, GVWR 11,500#, payload ??? (~3200-3300), FA 5990, RA 7230, TP cold 60/80 psi

Nice Extras: more payload, supplemental cab heater, quad beam headlamps, 397 amp alternator, adaptive cruise, heated rear seat

Not so nice: out of state truck, 500 miles away, snow plow pkg?

Since the diesel lowers available payload capacity by about 900 lbs, I’d go with the F350. That’s what we did...and don’t regret it. The way we pack for a trip (and with a topper and slideout) we have about 1000 lbs of payload margin per the CAT scales. If we had an F250 we’d be almost at payload.

Also the adaptive cruise control is amazing. I previously avoided using cruise control while towing. But with this truck i really like the cruise control.

We also bought our truck new, sight unseen while out west on a caravan. The dealership is 100 miles away from our home. Small inconvenience for the benefit gained.

I hope this helps.

Jim

[superChop]

Diane336 - curious why you are looking for a diesel TV? Our '19 F250 Lariat gas, 4X2 has a payload of 3500lbs. 2020 F250's have another engine choice for $2+K - the 7.3L with 10 speed transmission.
I can understand if you are towing most of the time, but diesels are not designed for daily chores comprised of very short distances.
Our F250 has done great with our 1989 34' Excella and 1964 renovated 26'. We went to Ford.com and ordered our truck with only those options we were interested in. You can PM me to get the details, but for the kind of money these new trucks cost, you should get the truck you want/need. Your diesel costs over $10K new and maintenance and fuel are more costly. PM if you want add'l details.

[DewTheDew]

Originally Posted by Diane336

Thanks for replies re F350 snow plow pkg. I’ve got two new TV possibilities - one F-250 and the F350 - would appreciate your thoughts.

Both trucks: 6.7 L diesel, 10 speed, 3.55 Locking axle

F-250:
GVWR 10,800#, payload 2696#, FA 5200#,RA 6340#, TP cold 60/65 psi

Nice Extras: local dealer - truck is 5 miles away

Not so nice: hmm, payload 500-600# less than F350

F350:
6.7 L diesel, 10 speed, 3.55 Locking axle, GVWR 11,500#, payload ??? (~3200-3300), FA 5990, RA 7230, TP cold 60/80 psi

Nice Extras: more payload, supplemental cab heater, quad beam headlamps, 397 amp alternator, adaptive cruise, heated rear seat

Not so nice: out of state truck, 500 miles away, snow plow pkg?

We have a similar trailer (2017 27FBT Flying Cloud) and we do well with our F250 for towing and our current payload needs. HOWEVER, since I love flexibility I would have preferred to buy an F350 for the extra payload to haul the stuff we might want to buy some day. But, my wife was very insistent at "no black interior" and I could not find an F350 configured as desired and with a non-black interior; we had a time constraint. I also tend to love "extras" and find the heated seats wonderful, as it seems your 350 has but the 250 does not. I do not know that there is a downside to the F350 vs F250; they will both ride a bit stiffer than a 1/2 ton.

I wouldn't let the distance to pick it up be a hinderance; your local Ford dealer will still service it. Or you can show your salesperson the truck you want and they can probably get it for you.

In any case have fun and good luck!

[Diane336]

Originally Posted by superChop

Diane336 - curious why you are looking for a diesel TV? Our '19 F250 Lariat gas, 4X2 has a payload of 3500lbs. 2020 F250's have another engine choice for $2+K - the 7.3L with 10 speed transmission.
I can understand if you are towing most of the time, but diesels are not designed for daily chores comprised of very short distances.
Our F250 has done great with our 1989 34' Excella and 1964 renovated 26'. We went to Ford.com and ordered our truck with only those options we were interested in. You can PM me to get the details, but for the kind of money these new trucks cost, you should get the truck you want/need. Your diesel costs over $10K new and maintenance and fuel are more costly. PM if you want add'l details.

I’ve not found 7.3 L gas F-250 in my area - I’ve been looking at diesels since

[JonDNC]

If you don’t need it right away, might be worth ordering exactly what you want. On line configurator is your friend.

[CRH]

If you want a diesel get a diesel. With that said, either the 6.2 or 7.3 with 4.30 gears will pull your AS just fine. I have a 2019 6.2 with 4.30 gears. I pulled the AS 4k miles last year with no complaints. The heaviest load I towed was 12k pounds. It did a fine job with that, too.

[pjshier]

Not heard it here yet, but others have indicated higher resale in the F350 market. No personal experience.

We selected a slightly used F350 rather than a new F250 (both oil burners) primarily due to payload. My bride collects rocks. Saved quite a bit on the one year old ride, too. There were a few unknowns that surfaced, but covered by warranty.

X2 regarding the Adaptive Cruise. Very, very cool and effective, even when towing.

[superChop]

Diane336 OP and most recent comment: "I’ve not found 7.3 L gas F-250 in my area - I’ve been looking at diesels since"

For $50K or more for a new truck, get the one you want. From order to delivery, our F250 took about 4 weeks. We did not want a black interior, or black, white, gray, silver exteriors. Blue Jeans, or Ruby Red were the exterior color preferences. Try finding those on a dealers lot.

Lariat upgrade with minimal options was about $2K more than the XLT and included electric retraction of tow mirrors, leather heated and cooled front seats. Memory seat adjustments, B&O Sound system +more.

If you have the model and list of options you are interested in, the dealers will offer to locate one for you. We believe ordering is the "way to go". We talked with six dealers before obtaining the best deal of 12% off the MSRP. I could not talk them out of removing the "Document Fee", which is just extra profit, confirmed by more than one Sales Manager.

IF you are purchasing new, look for a dealer that offers the limited lifetime warranty on the driveline. Review the warranty, to ensure it meets your needs. Most of these are from third parties and NOT Ford.

Nobody had addressed the addition of a topper. Yes it takes about 200 lbs from your payload, but we have plenty and we love the security and dry truck bed with our ARE topper. We had a "Bedrug" installed instead of spray in liner and could not be happier! Plus the two rope LED lights provide fantastic assist on dark nights at the campground! Every time I turn those LED's in the topper on, people from around the campground walk over to see how the bed is so well illuminated. Those nice LED lights in the back corners of the bed, are covered by all the stuff we have packed for camping and do not provide alot of assistance.

As long winded as this is, I will also add the benefit of having the all weather floor mats as well as the carpeted floor mats provide a nice covering during muddy times at the campground, just put the carpeted mats in the bed and change out when you get home.

[CRH]

I agree on ordering. I ordered my truck exactly the way I wanted it and also cut about 12% off the sticker.

About that flooring, forget carpet, select carpet delete...That was one of my favorite ordering options. No worries about mud, snow, spills or whatever on new carpet because there is none.

[brick1]

My 2018 F250 diesel came with the snowplow prep. Very important here in Georgia...