Test Drive Ford Superduty

[Hans627]

Yesterday I took a test drive in a Ford F-250 and a F-350. The 250 had a gas engine and the 350 had a 6.7 PS. I was surprised that it seemed like the F-350 had a better ride than the F-250.

Was it my imagination? Does that seem logical?

I wanted to drive a F-250 with the 6.7 PS but there were none available. Apparently its late in the season for the 2018 models and too early for the 2019 models.

[Wayne&Sam]

Originally Posted by Hans627

. Apparently its late in the season for the 2018 models and too early for the 2019 models.

Therefore a good time to buy?

[DKB_SATX]

I would expect the ride to be very similar for comparable trucks (e.g. SRW 350, same cab, bed & drive configuration.) The big heavy lump of the diesel probably smoothed out the front axle's behavior somewhat. Until you put enough load on the back to compress the springs down to where the 350's extra leaf comes into play they're pretty similar.

If I were in the market for a diesel superduty, I would get the 350. The cost difference is negligible and the Powerstroke eats a lot of that payload on the 250. I know at least one of the NE states punishes buyers of 350s by forcing you to either register it as a commercial vehicle or outfit the bed in certain ways to make it a camper, I can't remember which state(s).

[majorairhead]

My guess is the weight of the diesel made the difference in feel. My '17 F250 rides rough empty, but just the other day, I put 320 pounds of salt on the bed and the difference it made was amazing

[Countryboy59]

Maybe a difference in options. They should ride the same. The extra springs don’t come into play unless loaded.

You probably really want the diesel, so it rides better.

[DKB_SATX]

Originally Posted by Countryboy59

Maybe a difference in options. They should ride the same. The extra springs don’t come into play unless loaded.

You probably really want the diesel, so it rides better.

He said he drove a gasser 250 and a Powerstroke 350. So yeah, heavy difference in options.

[LDM]

I have a F250 with powerstroke rides very smooth

[Countryboy59]

Originally Posted by DKB_SATX

He said he drove a gasser 250 and a Powerstroke 350. So yeah, heavy difference in options.

Different option levels available for each.

[DKB_SATX]

Originally Posted by Countryboy59

Different option levels available for each.

I'm well aware of that. All other things being equal (250 to 250, e.g, just comparing base curb weight) , the Powerstroke weighs about 800 lb more so even with the same options the ride is likely to be different between the gasser and the diesel.

[Countryboy59]

The gas engine weighs 580lb. The Powerstroke diesel weighs 920lb. I’ve driven the F350 gas and diesel versions in Lariat crew cabs with similar options very recently and I can say the ride is identical. Both are stickered very close to 3000lb payload.

You can definitely feel the 85 extra horsepower of the diesel however.

[Milo1952]

Originally Posted by LDM

I have a F250 with powerstroke rides very smooth

I too have the f 250 with powerstroke. Love the ride.

[uncle_bob]

Hi

If you dig into all the various part numbers, there is very little difference between the maxed out F-250 and the "entry level" F-350. There is also near zero price difference. Both have a number of options that change this and that as you tack them on. In both cases the "entry level" truck is a bit different than one with all the capacity enhancing options tacked on. The days of hard distinctions between F-150/250/350 are long gone ....

Bob

[DKB_SATX]

Originally Posted by Countryboy59

The gas engine weighs 580lb. The Powerstroke diesel weighs 920lb. I’ve driven the F350 gas and diesel versions in Lariat crew cabs with similar options very recently and I can say the ride is identical. Both are stickered very close to 3000lb payload.

You can definitely feel the 85 extra horsepower of the diesel however.

I don't know how much of it comes from the engine itself. However, according to Ford, the curb weight of of the F250 Powerstroke averages 797 lb heavier than the equivalent F250 gasser.

One image is a clip from Ford's website, the other is a spreadsheet made from the data to show the weight difference.

[DRPREECE]

As previous posters have stated, the F250 and F350 are essentially the same vehicle except for an extra leaf spring on the rear of the F350. That being said, your insurance may not cover the F350 as it is considered by some companies to be a commercial vehicle and they require a different policy - regardless of your intended use. My policy is one such policy (did not know until AFTER purchase) and luckily I didn't go with the F350 - would have significantly changed the economics. As others have stated as well, license plates and taxes may differ for the F350 if the state defines it as a commercial vehicle.

The driving difference is most likely due to the weight of the diesel vs the gasser. My 2017 F250 6.7 PS weighs 5,500 on the front axle alone (CAT scales) and the ride was pretty rough until I changed the shocks to RANCHO 9000 XLs and added Timbren Springs in the place of the factory bump stops all around. The rear Timbrens have yet to touch the axle but the front touch 100% of the time and made a huge difference in cornering stability and ride.

Love the F250 6.7. Tows our 2017 FC26U like it isn't even there - except the factory shocks are crap. If you go that route, just plan on replacing them immediately - only takes an hour to do them all if you are mechanically inclined and have the tools - no jack or lift is required.

Whatever you get, enjoy it and be safe!

[tjdonahoe]

I did..and bought a ram 2500..with a 6.7.....

[Hans627]

Originally Posted by tjdonahoe

I did..and bought a ram 2500..with a 6.7.....

May I ask why you went that route?

Just curious as I am planning to take a test drive with the Cummins also.

Thanks!

[Daquenzer]

Originally Posted by Hans627

May I ask why you went that route?

Just curious as I am planning to take a test drive with the Cummins also.

Thanks!

My son is a diesel mechanic and states the Cummins is the better engine. He says just about all diesel equipment uses the Cummins engine. They have been building diesels for a really long time.

When I finally retire and can camp more that’s my next truck as well.

[sbowman]

I told my wife I was not going to reply and read only sometime back. Being a RAM owner made a statement and you ask why.


I was a FORD guy for 40 years, big block gasser's no Diesel's. 2 years ago the wife and I went looking for a new TV. We looked at them all, drove them all, priced them all w/what we wanted. We did a lot of research as this would be our last TV hopefully.



Our son is on his 2nd 3500 RAM 6.7. He averages 65k a year. He kept telling us to go w/the RAM.


The best bang for the buck for us was a 2016 RAM 3500 w/6.7 Cummins. We love it.



Best regards and safe travels

[brick1]

I have been very pleased with the ride of my new 2018 F250 Diesel. Great ride, tows my Serenity 28 with ease.
brick

[guskmg]

If your ride comfort and better trailer damage prevention is a concern, I would recommend a Kelderman air suspension system. I believe full air ride is now available. I have had a Talon air ride on my '07 DMax for 9 years and am quite pleased with the ride comfort. During that time I have gone to Alaska and back. So far, only 3 rivete have popped. My wife think the truck rides better than our passenger cars.
guskmg