350 SRW or 350 DRW OR 450 HELP

[Willie B]

Not sure it's apples to apples, but we tow a 26' race trailer with a F350 dually and would never go back to a single axle. The difference in ride and overall stability is night & day. Good Luck!

[stanleyz]

First I would like to say that unless you are commerical you would not be illegal with any of those trucks. But you might be uncomfortable. The short f250 towed OK and was not illegal but the F350 is very comfortable.

[Jshopes81]

Wow, is this btbrv day on here? Ive seen like 4 posts where someone references that moron.

Either the 350 or 450 will do good for you.

[Florida Rang]

You said you mostly only go 200 miles,,,get a F350 Dually and you will be more than happy until you go full time in 10 yrs.. Then get you a F450..

[Piros1]

I have had SW F350’s, DW F350’s, and DW F450’s. The 450 is not going to get as good of fuel mileage as the others because it has 4.30 gear ratios but it will handle a bigger load and tow more, that is what it is built to do. If you look at the turning specs it will turn 6’ tighter diameter than a F350 long bed and 6” tighter than a F250 or F350 SW short bed. If you are concerned about fuel mileage no sense in upgrading but if you want to tow with more stability and carry a load safer then the F450 is the truck. Like I said they are built to tow and do a fine job of it. For towing a large fifth wheel or any other large trailer they are by far the best way to go. I really don’t mind how my F450 rides on the highway or loaded but I’m use to it and haven’t driven a light duty vehicle for many years. They are not a Lincoln as for as ride goes but you can equip one with just about ever option in the book. Personally

I wouldn’t buy a used one I would order a new one considering the prices you just mentioned. I just ordered a 2020 F450 top of the line Lariat with ever option available for my son to use in our business And it is in the mid $70,000’s. The limited, king ranch, and platinum just have different trim features. You can get all the same options on all. I needed a Race Red and the other models don’t offer it.

[cekkk]

No SRW with that load. I always want cusion and so a 450. Big fun equals big bucks! Ha.

[gcsprayjr]

The F-250 and F-350 SWR use the same rear differential. Dually's use a much stronger unit. Then there is the added safety of having four tires instead of two. If you blow a rear tire, the remaining three will get you off of the road safely. Less sway. Increased weight capicity. It's a no brainer!

[Jshopes81]

Originally Posted by gcsprayjr

The F-250 and F-350 SWR use the same rear differential. Dually's use a much stronger unit. Then there is the added safety of having four tires instead of two. If you blow a rear tire, the remaining three will get you off of the road safely. Less sway. Increased weight capicity. It's a no brainer!

Weve had this discussion several times on here. This was definately true in the past but recent model years this has actually changed in several models.

[tuffr2]

A F-250 has a rear axle rating of 6,200 lbs. and the SRW F-350 has an axle rating of 7,280 lbs.

Now to show how much the GM trucks have been beefed up for the 2020 model year the 2500HD has a rear axle capacity of 6,600lbs. and the 3500HD has a rear axle capacity of 7,600lbs.

*** Shows the axles now surpass standard LT 'E' tire capacity.

I do not know about the Rams, but know they can not carry the weight of a Ford or now the new GM trucks.


Here is a picture from the 2018 Ford Brochure.

[RCAircraft]

From my experience, with a 16,000 pound GVW 5th wheel I moved from a F350, SWD short bed crew cab to a Silverado 3500 crew cab long bed dually. Made a world of difference and could have saved our lives. Was towing at 62 MPH on an interstate and blew a DS tire while on a bridge over the Missouri and of all things a triple tractor trailer was parallel to me. I was able to keep the RV (Redwood 36RL) under control while coasting down in speed hoping all would work work out until I could clear the bridge and look for a soft landing. The Silverado tow package helped to contol fish tailing with one trailer axle draging on the pavement. The force of the exploding tire took out 12 - feet of side wall of the RV, propane lines and an electrical cable assemble. I had the propane shut off, so no fire. The Redwood was equipped with electric over hydraulic brakes. By the time I cleared the bridge the RV was leaning at about 45 degrees.

I felt in complete control at all times however was worried as the clearance to the bridge was near nothing.

During the repairs I had the 16" E-rated trailer tires changed to 17" H-rated tires and the suspension system upgraded to the MOR/Ride heavy duty shackles and links.

[Jshopes81]

Originally Posted by RCAircraft

From my experience, with a 16,000 pound GVW 5th wheel I moved from a F350, SWD short bed crew cab to a Silverado 3500 crew cab long bed dually. Made a world of difference and could have saved our lives. Was towing at 62 MPH on an interstate and blew a DS tire while on a bridge over the Missouri and of all things a triple tractor trailer was parallel to me. I was able to keep the RV (Redwood 36RL) under control while coasting down in speed hoping all would work work out until I could clear the bridge and look for a soft landing. The Silverado tow package helped to contol fish tailing with one trailer axle draging on the pavement. The force of the exploding tire took out 12 - feet of side wall of the RV, propane lines and an electrical cable assemble. I had the propane shut off, so no fire. The Redwood was equipped with electric over hydraulic brakes. By the time I cleared the bridge the RV was leaning at about 45 degrees.

I felt in complete control at all times however was worried as the clearance to the bridge was near nothing.

During the repairs I had the 16" E-rated trailer tires changed to 17" H-rated tires and the suspension system upgraded to the MOR/Ride heavy duty shackles and links.

Youre extremely lucky one tire didnt take out the other in that time. Thats mind blowing that one tire took out that much. Did the tread seperate and then hang on to an end or something?

[Jshopes81]

Originally Posted by tuffr2

A F-250 has a rear axle rating of 6,200 lbs. and the SRW F-350 has an axle rating of 7,280 lbs.

Now to show how much the GM trucks have been beefed up for the 2020 model year the 2500HD has a rear axle capacity of 6,600lbs. and the 3500HD has a rear axle capacity of 7,600lbs.

*** Shows the axles now surpass standard LT 'E' tire capacity.

I do not know about the Rams, but know they can not carry the weight of a Ford or now the new GM trucks.


Here is a picture from the 2018 Ford Brochure.

Attachment 266246

I was just browsing tire rack just to see ratings on e tires. I have to wonder how many people these axle ratings are going to bite in the behind, there arent many tires that can support that much weight.

[Dieselguy4]

The F350 has a front gawr of 5990 lbs. F450 has a front gawr of 6000 lbs. Both have a rear gawr of 9900 lbs. Both have a gvwr of 14000 lbs these are 2019 specs. Both are tow monsters.

[tuffr2]

The old GVWR's were 13,300 pre 2017 I think. (My 2012 F-450 was 13,300) Now 14,000, so up by 700 lbs. The payload on my 2012 F-450 was a meeger 4,450 lbs.

I posted a question on a YouTube post on the 2020 Ford's The person at the dealership answered with the 2020 Ford's will have the best payload. Not sure how true that is with the 2020 GM trucks.

Just a few days ago I looked at the Ram 6.4 gas 2500 trucks.

Ford still rules payload by a tiny bit:

My 2017 F-250 6.2 gas - 3,497 lbs.
2020 GM 2500 6.6 gas - 3,425 lbs.
2020 Ram 2500 6.4 gas - 3,300 lbs.
2020 Ram 2500 mega cab 6.4 gas - 2,800 lbs.