Does the f250 Super Duty make the f350 obsolete?

[EddieWalker]

My 2012 F150 has more power, gets better mileage and has a higher tow rating then my 98 F250. At 200,000 miles, I felt it was time to trade it in. I'll keep this one for at least that long too.

I never seen a F350 with the six cylinder engine. We had a bunch of the E350 vans at Airborne Express, where I used to work and they all had the 300 six cylinder. That was a great engine. Took tons of abuse, got decent mileage and had plenty of power. Not sure about towing anything with it.

I'm still not sure if I want a diesel or a big block gas engine. Since it's not something that will be driven very often, I'm not too worried about the cost of fuel. More important would be what's going to start after sitting for awhile and be ready to work when needed.

 

[ultrarunner]

It seems to me the simplicity Diesels were known for doesn't exist anymore...

They are also more costly when it comes to repair.

I'm thinking their strong suit is going the distance towing.

One of the people I work with bought this huge boat on a tri axle cruiser... he went to pick it up and with his F350 Gas and decided it was a bad idea... had trouble at the launch...

The seller of the boat had a F350 Diesel and agreed to deliver for the cost of fuel... it was still a load... but the guy with the Diesel has towed it from Seattle to the Bay Area down Highway 5...

My 96 f150 is a 6 with a 5spd manual... hit a lot of traffic last week going out towards Walnut Creek... just inching along 24 out the Caldecott... took about 40 minutes to go a couple of miles uphill in stop and go... the first time I ever said I miss not having an automatic...

In the new vehicles... I guess a straight 6 and manual are no longer options...

 

[Btown]

It seems to me the simplicity Diesels were known for doesn't exist anymore... They are also more costly when it comes to repair. I'm thinking their strong suit is going the distance towing. One of the people I work with bought this huge boat on a tri axle cruiser... he went to pick it up and with his F350 Gas and decided it was a bad idea... had trouble at the launch... The seller of the boat had a F350 Diesel and agreed to deliver for the cost of fuel... it was still a load... but the guy with the Diesel has towed it from Seattle to the Bay Area down Highway 5... My 96 f150 is a 6 with a 5spd manual... hit a lot of traffic last week going out towards Walnut Creek... just inching along 24 out the Caldecott... took about 40 minutes to go a couple of miles uphill in stop and go... the first time I ever said I miss not having an automatic... In the new vehicles... I guess a straight 6 and manual are no longer options...

Were the F350's close in age. If they are the gas one should have a slightly higher towing capacity due to the lighter gas engine. My guess is the owner with the diesel had a dual rear wheel truck which has a higher rating than a single rear wheel. The diesel will have more torque and should accelerate better.

 

[fordmantpw]

That's a very nice truck, and very sharp looking! Congrats to your brother. :cool2:

 

[ultrarunner]

I will pass on the compliment....

He only buys a new truck every 38 years... so he will be in his 90's the next time.

 

[Copperhead]

The pickup OEM's play some slight of hand card tricks when it comes to capabilities. While a 1/2 ton might have some impressive "tow" rating, it really means nothing unless the payload capability is such to take advantage of it. Once one throws in the family, the dog, all the gear one needs in the box, full of fuel, and it doesn't leave a lot of payload left to deal with any kind of serious trailer (at least any trailer the approaches the advertised "tow rating"), unless one is pulling a grain wagon with a draw bar instead of a weight bearing tongue. Given that 10-15% of trailer weight is on hitch or 20-25% on a 5th wheel or gooseneck, just how much can that 1/2 ton really tow at that point? That same analogy applies when comparing 3/4 and 1 ton varieties. When folks take a look at pickups they have to take all factors into account. Marketing fluff is for sales and the buyer has to look behind the numbers and see what realities are.

 

[ultrarunner]

I guess Ford is the last of the majors to use the same testing to certify tow ratings.

Apparently the 2017 models will be the first to tow at maximum load in sustained heat up a grade.

 

[skyhook]

I dont need an F350, with an F250 I'd take the downgrade option to 9,900 pounds.

Driving a 350/3500 up here in Ontario means commercial annual safety and paperwork.

A 2500/250 is all I need. That gets me an 8' box and a full crew cab.

Not if you have the "personal use" sticker.

 

[tcartwri]

Not if you have the "personal use" sticker.

Doesn't that limit you to a 6000 lb trailer....

How do you apply for that?

 

[skyhook]

Doesn't that limit you to a 6000 lb trailer....

How do you apply for that?

Things get tricky when you start combing trailer weight, so I don't know, But on my F350, I just told the license bureau it was for personal use, they give you a red 'personal use" sticker to add to your plate. No annual safety needed. If your running a business and hauling a dual axle trailer, you can't get this. But an unmarked F350 like I have doesn't need it and i do own a dual axle trailer that I use "occasionally".