Why buy F450 vs F350?

[corn18]

I was curious in case a deal popped up around me about the F350 vs F450 (dually CTD versions). So I went online to Ford and priced the trucks both with CC LB 4x2 6.7L. The F450 was $2000 more and the only difference that I could see on the full sheet was the 4.30 rear on the F450 vs. 3.55 on the F350. And the F350 had a higher payload and same towing specs as the F450. Other than the fancy steering that seems to reduce turning radius, the 4.30 rear and a wider stance, why would you buy an F450? The payload difference is quite large in the 4x2 LB CC configuration (F350 is 1,600 lbs more).

[Dieselguy4]

The F450 and F350 has the same suspension and axles. The difference is the 19.5 inch tires, 1 inch larger brakes in the front and 1.2 larger rear brakes and 4.30 years all due to the larger tires. It does have 2mm thicker axles shafts which are for the 4.30 years and taller tires. The wide track axle makes turning nice but didn't impress me. The ride is hard due to the 19.5 inch 110 psi tires. The lower payload was a big factor to go with the F350. The 14000 lb gvwr kills the F450. After doing all the research the F350 is a better buy. Mine tows my 13300 lb fifth wheel great. The F350 payload and towing capacity beats the F450 so why buy it.

[texasrs]

When I had a large 5th wheel purchased in 2010, I bought a 450 because I liked the larger brakes. Had it for two years, only used it when we pulled the 5th wheel. Upon renewal of the insurance policy, I noticed the rate increased quite a bit. I called the company and was told that they were charging me the "commercial" rate because it was a 450 instead of 250 or 350. My argument was: no commercial use. Too bad, that's what a 450 is rated. Sold the 450 and purchased a 350 dually.

[CRV2]

Not a debate comment, just to help me understand and I have also read from others that the F350 could haul\tow as much or more than the F450 (which sounds confusing to start with). In any case, I looked at the new chart from ford linked here, and on page 27 and those afterwards they claim the F450 has the higher towing capacity, but I don't see anywhere where the list the trucks actual payload, which I suspect the reason it is reduced (F450 reduced from the F350) is that the F450 weighs more to start with. In any case, just an observation, I don't doubt one bit what any of you are saying, just that the Ford literature is a bit confusing. ~Craig https://www.fleet.ford.com/content/d...owingGuide.pdf

[tuffr2]

The turning radius is a big deal. I went from a F-450 to a F-250. The F-450 was easier to park and could make the turn in the small circle at the end of my street. The F-250 can't. When towing a 5th wheel in tight spaces you can't beat a F-450.

To me the bigger brakes were also big deal. I used them twice hard trying to slow down with the 5th wheel to make a tight off ramp turn. I made it both times without incident.

I had a 6 speed so solo highway driving with 4:30 gears was not pleasant as the truck did not like to go 75 plus mph.

The F-450 is higher and wider thus looks bigger than a F-350 dually. I parked next to a F-350 dually to look at the trucks. For only $2,000 difference the F-450 is more truck.

[Roam America]

My 2018 F450 has 10 bolt hubs front and rear. F350 has 8. Better turning radius, brakes 4:30 rear and higher GCWR were my reasons.

[corn18]

Originally Posted by Roam America

My 2018 F450 has 10 bolt hubs front and rear. F350 has 8. Better turning radius, brakes 4:30 rear and higher GCWR were my reasons.

It doesn't have a higher GCWR than an F350 that I saw.

[Palmeris]

I chose f450 platinum because of turning radius, bigger brakes and over 5300 lbs of payload that can all go on the 9100 lb rear axel which is 4.30 limited slip it was a better towing machine than the F350 at least in my opinion, circa 2014, and the 400 hp 800 ft lb torque performance with the 6 speed 4wd makes it all the more enjoyable to drive.

[NevadaNick]

Axle rating and tires. Which one wins ? Because thats what matters.

[jrollf]

To make it even more confusing... there are two completely different F450s.

There is the F450 Super Duty Pickup, and there is the F450 Chassis Cab.

The Chasis Cab has a differnt heavier frame and heavier suspension. It is much more of a 'comercial' truck than the pickup version.

Big Truck Big RV has a good video on this:
https://youtu.be/9ztChpZH2x8

[Jshopes81]

Originally Posted by jrollf

To make it even more confusing... there are two completely different F450s.

There is the F450 Super Duty Pickup, and there is the F450 Chassis Cab.

The Chasis Cab has a differnt heavier frame and heavier suspension. It is much more of a 'comercial' truck than the pickup version.

Big Truck Big RV has a good video on this:
https://youtu.be/9ztChpZH2x8

The c&c trucks arent trying to stay inside certain gvw classes to the extent that the pickup is. The 450 pickup gets the 14k gvw because thats where they want to market it. The c&c truck gets its gvw because thats what its capable of, if that makes sense. Commercial buyers arent as concerned with staying under 14k, they buy a truck for what they need it to do. The c&c trucks, unfortunately, had the motors massively derated, i dont know about current models. If i needed a 450, id buy the c&c truck and have a pickup bed put on it. They make a slick filler panel to fill in the extra few inches between the bed and cab. The 450 pickup just has to stay under that 14k gvw mark so they give it bogus ratings.

[Toby Dog]

CTD is the acronym for Cummins Turbo Diesel. Ford only used them in the F650s and bigger and stopped using them a few years back.
Somebody fill me in on what I'm missing in the OP's post please. What does the CTD reference mean in this instance?

[tuffr2]

I don't know what the OP meant when he typed 'CTD'. Since that did not make sense to me either I just read it as 'TD' Turbo Diesel.

[Gammel]

I thought that the F450's frame was thicker steel?