Ford F-250/F-350 Diesel

I am thinking about purchasing one of these trucks. The intent is to
purchase a 5th wheel in the future. I am not sure which vehicle to
purchase. Also not sure if a 4x4 is necessary or not. What about dual
wheel wheels or not.

Any suggestions, opinions would be appreciated.

On Thu, 04 Sep 2003 09:47:53 -0700, Hard Status wrote:

>I am thinking about purchasing one of these trucks. The intent is to
>purchase a 5th wheel in the future. I am not sure which vehicle to
>purchase. Also not sure if a 4x4 is necessary or not. What about dual
>wheel wheels or not.
>
>Any suggestions, opinions would be appreciated.

GO BIG!!!

You won't have any mpg differences between the two and the 350 is
certified to haul more. Better to have more truck than you need than
to find out the fiver you decide to buy is too much for the truck. (I
speak from experience as I bought the 250 planning to haul a camper,
only to realize that while many folks do it, it puts the truck WAY
over the max GVWR.)

Dual wheels are a tougher call. For a moderate 5th wheel, I wouldn't
bother. Why haul around the extra weight and width if you don't need
it. If you are going for broke though on the trailer, than you need
every bit of help you can get. As I recall, the SRW F-350 uses a Dana
50 on the front end like the 250 and the DRW uses a 60. If this is
true, that might be a reason to choose the DRW if you go the 4x4
route.

4x4? I imagine that 80% of the folks that buy the 4x4 and tow with it
don't need it. If you only need it once in a great while, wouldn't it
be more cost effective to do without and then figure out an
alternative on that rare occassion? The 2wd will ride much better, at
least the front end. (That being said, I wouldn't bother owning a
250/350 without 4wd. Of course I just prefer 4x4s and will sacrafice
mileage and ride comfort.)

Good luck and enjoy whatever you decide to get.

Matt
99 V-10 Super Duty, Super Cab 4x4

>I am thinking about purchasing one of these trucks. The intent is to
>purchase a 5th wheel in the future. I am not sure which vehicle to
>purchase. Also not sure if a 4x4 is necessary or not. What about dual
>wheel wheels or not.
>
>Any suggestions, opinions would be appreciated.

The main difference between a 250 and 350 are the axle ratings (8800 vs.
9900). That would come into play for you if you were planning on carrying
a truck camper.

For 5th wheel towing the ratings are identical for the two trucks unless
you get into dual rear wheels on a 350.

I towed a 36' Citation fiver with a 99.5 F250 SuperCab short box with no
problems. Rear axle load was well within limits (verified on a truck
scale) and at 9,500 pounds (wet) I had over a ton of capacity left before
I would hit the 12,500 limit.

The ride is very simliar although a 350 will be a little stiffer.

As to 4x4; that comes down to what your going to use the truck for.

I currently have an '03 F250 Lariat CrewCab w/ one of the last 7.3
PowerStrokes. Couldn't be happier with the truck.

Good luck.

Bill Suarez

One watchout...

Although identical for conventional towing, the SuperCab and Crew Cab 250 and 350 6.0L diesel ratings are NOT identical for 5th wheel towing. Reading the fine print for the '03 and '04 models
- 250 Crew Cab SRW - 10,400 lbs
- 250 Super Cab SRW - 12,000 lbs
- 350 Super Cab and Crew Cab - 12,700 lbs.
I don't know why the rating is 2300 lb different, since the axle and GVW ratings are only about 1000 lbs different, or why only the diesel SRW is impacted. You have to really dig to find the numbers, but they are available in the brochures and on the www.ford.com site. I am looking at both the 250 and the 350, and this info is pushing me to the 350 (for a 10,200 lb GVW 5th wheel). I'd like a little headroom on the ratings.
<[email protected]> wrote in message news:[email protected]...

>I am thinking about purchasing one of these trucks. The intent is to
>purchase a 5th wheel in the future. I am not sure which vehicle to
>purchase. Also not sure if a 4x4 is necessary or not. What about dual
>wheel wheels or not.
>
>Any suggestions, opinions would be appreciated.

The main difference between a 250 and 350 are the axle ratings (8800 vs. 9900). That would come into play for you if you were planning on carrying a truck camper.

For 5th wheel towing the ratings are identical for the two trucks unless you get into dual rear wheels on a 350.

I towed a 36' Citation fiver with a 99.5 F250 SuperCab short box with no problems. Rear axle load was well within limits (verified on a truck scale) and at 9,500 pounds (wet) I had over a ton of capacity left before I would hit the 12,500 limit.

The ride is very simliar although a 350 will be a little stiffer.

As to 4x4; that comes down to what your going to use the truck for.

I currently have an '03 F250 Lariat CrewCab w/ one of the last 7.3 PowerStrokes. Couldn't be happier with the truck.

Good luck.

Bill Suarez

**** - I was just gonna ask you why the difference. I've been researching both of these for a while. Still can't figure out what the difference is. Dealer tells me that axles are the same front and rear (that is between the 250 and 360). Checking the towing guides is a sure fire way to drive you insane - they don't make any sense. In one chart, the 250 will tow more cause you have less truck weight. But in another, the axles and trucks are identical. The gear ratios are the same. Fifth wheel towing capacity changes depending upon what chart you are looking at. The salesman are about useful at t___ on a bull. Can anyone really tell me what the hell the difference is between the 250 and the 350 other than the namplate? I would really like to know. Thanks and a virtual case of beer to anyone who can answer....

Confused, old and - well I guess they are the same thing....
Papa Don


"Mike Collom" <[email protected]> wrote in message news:[email protected]...
One watchout...

Although identical for conventional towing, the SuperCab and Crew Cab 250 and 350 6.0L diesel ratings are NOT identical for 5th wheel towing. Reading the fine print for the '03 and '04 models
- 250 Crew Cab SRW - 10,400 lbs
- 250 Super Cab SRW - 12,000 lbs
- 350 Super Cab and Crew Cab - 12,700 lbs.
I don't know why the rating is 2300 lb different, since the axle and GVW ratings are only about 1000 lbs different, or why only the diesel SRW is impacted. You have to really dig to find the numbers, but they are available in the brochures and on the www.ford.com site. I am looking at both the 250 and the 350, and this info is pushing me to the 350 (for a 10,200 lb GVW 5th wheel). I'd like a little headroom on the ratings.
<[email protected]> wrote in message news:[email protected]...

>I am thinking about purchasing one of these trucks. The intent is to
>purchase a 5th wheel in the future. I am not sure which vehicle to
>purchase. Also not sure if a 4x4 is necessary or not. What about dual
>wheel wheels or not.
>
>Any suggestions, opinions would be appreciated.

The main difference between a 250 and 350 are the axle ratings (8800 vs. 9900). That would come into play for you if you were planning on carrying a truck camper.

For 5th wheel towing the ratings are identical for the two trucks unless you get into dual rear wheels on a 350.

I towed a 36' Citation fiver with a 99.5 F250 SuperCab short box with no problems. Rear axle load was well within limits (verified on a truck scale) and at 9,500 pounds (wet) I had over a ton of capacity left before I would hit the 12,500 limit.

The ride is very simliar although a 350 will be a little stiffer.

As to 4x4; that comes down to what your going to use the truck for.

I currently have an '03 F250 Lariat CrewCab w/ one of the last 7.3 PowerStrokes. Couldn't be happier with the truck.

Good luck.

Bill Suarez

On Thu, 04 Sep 2003 10:11:32 -0400, Matt Mead <[email protected]>
wrote:

>On Thu, 04 Sep 2003 09:47:53 -0700, Hard Status wrote:
>
>>I am thinking about purchasing one of these trucks. The intent is to
>>purchase a 5th wheel in the future. I am not sure which vehicle to
>>purchase. Also not sure if a 4x4 is necessary or not. What about dual
>>wheel wheels or not.
>>
>>Any suggestions, opinions would be appreciated.
>
>GO BIG!!!
>
>You won't have any mpg differences between the two and the 350 is
>certified to haul more. Better to have more truck than you need than
>to find out the fiver you decide to buy is too much for the truck. (I
>speak from experience as I bought the 250 planning to haul a camper,
>only to realize that while many folks do it, it puts the truck WAY
>over the max GVWR.)
>
>Dual wheels are a tougher call. For a moderate 5th wheel, I wouldn't
>bother. Why haul around the extra weight and width if you don't need
>it. If you are going for broke though on the trailer, than you need
>every bit of help you can get. As I recall, the SRW F-350 uses a Dana
>50 on the front end like the 250 and the DRW uses a 60. If this is
>true, that might be a reason to choose the DRW if you go the 4x4
>route.
>
>4x4? I imagine that 80% of the folks that buy the 4x4 and tow with it
>don't need it. If you only need it once in a great while, wouldn't it
>be more cost effective to do without and then figure out an
>alternative on that rare occassion? The 2wd will ride much better, at
>least the front end. (That being said, I wouldn't bother owning a
>250/350 without 4wd. Of course I just prefer 4x4s and will sacrafice
>mileage and ride comfort.)
>
>Good luck and enjoy whatever you decide to get.
>
>Matt
>99 V-10 Super Duty, Super Cab 4x4


Decided to take the advice of Matt Mead <[email protected]> and
GO BIG!

Just ordered a 2004 Ford 350 SuperDuty Crew Cab, 5 speed automatic, DRW,
FX4, diesel 6.0.

Was told to expect delivery just before XMas.

Decided to get the Power Sliding Rear Window. That feature won't be offered
until Oct 1, 2003. That is why it will take so long to deliver.

Thanks to all who replied.

On Thu, 04 Sep 2003 10:11:32 -0400, Matt Mead <[email protected]>
wrote:

>On Thu, 04 Sep 2003 09:47:53 -0700, Hard Status wrote:
>
>>I am thinking about purchasing one of these trucks. The intent is to
>>purchase a 5th wheel in the future. I am not sure which vehicle to
>>purchase. Also not sure if a 4x4 is necessary or not. What about dual
>>wheel wheels or not.
>>
>>Any suggestions, opinions would be appreciated.
>
>GO BIG!!!
>
>You won't have any mpg differences between the two and the 350 is
>certified to haul more. Better to have more truck than you need than
>to find out the fiver you decide to buy is too much for the truck. (I
>speak from experience as I bought the 250 planning to haul a camper,
>only to realize that while many folks do it, it puts the truck WAY
>over the max GVWR.)
>
>Dual wheels are a tougher call. For a moderate 5th wheel, I wouldn't
>bother. Why haul around the extra weight and width if you don't need
>it. If you are going for broke though on the trailer, than you need
>every bit of help you can get. As I recall, the SRW F-350 uses a Dana
>50 on the front end like the 250 and the DRW uses a 60. If this is
>true, that might be a reason to choose the DRW if you go the 4x4
>route.
>
>4x4? I imagine that 80% of the folks that buy the 4x4 and tow with it
>don't need it. If you only need it once in a great while, wouldn't it
>be more cost effective to do without and then figure out an
>alternative on that rare occassion? The 2wd will ride much better, at
>least the front end. (That being said, I wouldn't bother owning a
>250/350 without 4wd. Of course I just prefer 4x4s and will sacrafice
>mileage and ride comfort.)
>
>Good luck and enjoy whatever you decide to get.
>
>Matt
>99 V-10 Super Duty, Super Cab 4x4


Decided to take the advice of Matt Mead <[email protected]> and
GO BIG!

Just ordered a 2004 Ford 350 SuperDuty Crew Cab, 5 speed automatic, DRW,
FX4, diesel 6.0.

Was told to expect delivery just before XMas.

Decided to get the Power Sliding Rear Window. That feature won't be offered
until Oct 1, 2003. That is why it will take so long to deliver.

Thanks to all who replied.

On Thu, 04 Sep 2003 10:11:32 -0400, Matt Mead <[email protected]>
wrote:

>On Thu, 04 Sep 2003 09:47:53 -0700, Hard Status wrote:
>
>>I am thinking about purchasing one of these trucks. The intent is to
>>purchase a 5th wheel in the future. I am not sure which vehicle to
>>purchase. Also not sure if a 4x4 is necessary or not. What about dual
>>wheel wheels or not.
>>
>>Any suggestions, opinions would be appreciated.
>
>GO BIG!!!
>
>You won't have any mpg differences between the two and the 350 is
>certified to haul more. Better to have more truck than you need than
>to find out the fiver you decide to buy is too much for the truck. (I
>speak from experience as I bought the 250 planning to haul a camper,
>only to realize that while many folks do it, it puts the truck WAY
>over the max GVWR.)
>
>Dual wheels are a tougher call. For a moderate 5th wheel, I wouldn't
>bother. Why haul around the extra weight and width if you don't need
>it. If you are going for broke though on the trailer, than you need
>every bit of help you can get. As I recall, the SRW F-350 uses a Dana
>50 on the front end like the 250 and the DRW uses a 60. If this is
>true, that might be a reason to choose the DRW if you go the 4x4
>route.
>
>4x4? I imagine that 80% of the folks that buy the 4x4 and tow with it
>don't need it. If you only need it once in a great while, wouldn't it
>be more cost effective to do without and then figure out an
>alternative on that rare occassion? The 2wd will ride much better, at
>least the front end. (That being said, I wouldn't bother owning a
>250/350 without 4wd. Of course I just prefer 4x4s and will sacrafice
>mileage and ride comfort.)
>
>Good luck and enjoy whatever you decide to get.
>
>Matt
>99 V-10 Super Duty, Super Cab 4x4


Decided to take the advice of Matt Mead <[email protected]> and
GO BIG!

Just ordered a 2004 Ford 350 SuperDuty Crew Cab, 5 speed automatic, DRW,
FX4, diesel 6.0.

Was told to expect delivery just before XMas.

Decided to get the Power Sliding Rear Window. That feature won't be offered
until Oct 1, 2003. That is why it will take so long to deliver.

Thanks to all who replied.

On Wed, 17 Sep 2003 18:50:28 -0700, Hard Status wrote:

>Decided to take the advice of Matt Mead <[email protected]> and
>GO BIG!


Oh the pressure!!..... I SURE HOPE this truck lives up to your
expectations.......

Seriously though, congrats. I'm sure you will be happy with your
choice.

Matt
99 V-10 Super Duty, Super Cab 4x4

Hard, Status wrote:

> Decided to take the advice of Matt Mead <[email protected]> and
> GO BIG!
>
> Just ordered a 2004 Ford 350 SuperDuty Crew Cab, 5 speed automatic, DRW,
> FX4, diesel 6.0.
>
> Was told to expect delivery just before XMas.
>
> Decided to get the Power Sliding Rear Window. That feature won't be offered
> until Oct 1, 2003. That is why it will take so long to deliver.
>
> Thanks to all who replied.

If you've never checked out: http://www.thedieselstop.com/ you might want
to. You probably have time to cancel your order if you wish. I looked at all
three makes before purchasing my 3/4 ton diesel and have no brand loyalty. The
Ford 6.0 had too many problems to suit me.

Snoop


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On Thu, 25 Sep 2003 15:48:43 -0600, Snoop <[email protected]> wrote:

>Hard, Status wrote:
>
>> Decided to take the advice of Matt Mead <[email protected]> and
>> GO BIG!
>>
>> Just ordered a 2004 Ford 350 SuperDuty Crew Cab, 5 speed automatic, DRW,
>> FX4, diesel 6.0.
>>
>> Was told to expect delivery just before XMas.
>>
>> Decided to get the Power Sliding Rear Window. That feature won't be offered
>> until Oct 1, 2003. That is why it will take so long to deliver.
>>
>> Thanks to all who replied.
>
> If you've never checked out: http://www.thedieselstop.com/ you might want
>to. You probably have time to cancel your order if you wish. I looked at all
>three makes before purchasing my 3/4 ton diesel and have no brand loyalty. The
>Ford 6.0 had too many problems to suit me.
>
>Snoop
>
>
>-----= Posted via Newsfeeds.Com, Uncensored Usenet News =-----
>http://www.newsfeeds.com - The #1 Newsgroup Service in the World!
>-----== Over 100,000 Newsgroups - 19 Different Servers! =-----


Looked at the site. Did not find any thing that grabbed my attention or
gave me pause or cause or concern. Could you be more specific?

Thanks.

Hard, Status wrote:

> Looked at the site. Did not find any thing that grabbed my attention or
> gave me pause or cause or concern. Could you be more specific?

It seems that Ford has had more than it's fair share of problems with the new
6.0 Diesel.
I don't want to get into Ford bashing. I've owned 5 Ford pickups in my
business (in the early 80's, all gas.) After that, I owned GM trucks. I spent
quite a bit of time researching the big three and settled on the HO Cummins in
the Dodge. My favorite pickup so far but my first diesel.

Snoop


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