350 vs 450

[nkc914]

I am reposting this to make my question clearer.
What I meant to ask see this :. I have a 42' fifth wheel with empty weight of 13,590. I am told by the dealership that my 2016 6.2 F350 srw
Can pull it according to Thier Ford tow list.

I want to get a dually, I am looking at a 2013 F450 and would like to know if there are any big differences between the 350 and 450.

Sorry for the confusion.

Mike.

[Cummins12V98]

^^^^^ BOTH the 350/450 are labeled as 14,000. The REALITY is the 450 can carry more weight. It's the 14K that limits all DRW trucks. BUT that is just on paper and has NOTHING to do with what the truck can actually weigh. That is all dictated by the manufacturers to keep their DRW trucks in "Class 3". Any heavier and licensing and insurance become an issue in MANY areas.

Example my unloaded FAW is around 5,200# my RAWR is SAE rated at 9,750#. WOW how can that be, 14,950#. I run OVER 15K on my truck every time I tow. I am licensed to carry that load. I am at or below my SAE axle ratings and below my combined weigh. My typical towing weight is 33K and when I tow two Cruiser bikes behind my RV I am at 35K.

[Groover]

One of the big differences is that the 2013 F450 pickup was only available in 4wd with a diesel and you seem to imply that you wanted a gas burner.

Assuming that you are OK with the diesel and 4wd the big difference is the wide front end and rear axles. The wide front gives a shorter turn radius and the bigger rear axle gives more towing ability. However, while the GCWR of the 450 is higher than that of the 350 for more towing the GVWR is about the same. Since the 450 is a heavier truck it is actually rated to carry less. If you are looking at a chassis/frame with a custom bed F450 everything changes. Its GVWR is much higher and it rides like a truck.

Here is some good info for you to look at:
https://www.ford.com/services/assets/Brochure?make=Ford&model=SuperDuty&year=2013&postalCode=11738

http://www.trucktrend.com/cool-trucks/1308-2013-ford-f-450-platinum-road-test/

It is ironic that there are some many comments here in favor of the wide front on the F450. Ford offered that front end on the F350 for a while but did not have enough takers so they dropped that combination.

[Helmsey]

Man I miss the turning radius of my 450.... Between the 2 I'd pick the 450 just for that alone.

[valhalla360]

Is the 42' 5th wheel overweight for the smaller truck?

You haven't given us enough info.

The 450 will likely have more capability and at 42', the 350 will likely be overweight but we don't know with any certainty.

[Grit_dog]

42' 5ver is a big trailer. Don't see how you can go wrong with a 450, especially if it's the pickup model with the full HP rating. Bigger heavier chassis, more gearing options. It'll blow you away compared to a srw gasser.
I would maybe think twice about a C&C truck. Even heavier duty, but made more for hauling heavy than towing heavy.

[ljr]

The 450 has had some major changes over the years. My 2013 has few differences from a 350. One is a much smaller turning radius than the 250 it replaced.

[danrclem]

I don't know what your 42' 5th wheel weighs but it seems like it probably would be a lot of weight for a 6.2 to tow.

[FishOnOne]

nkc914 wrote:
I am looking at a 2013 F450 drw to replace my 2016 F350 6.2 gas srw that will be used to pull my 42 fifth wheel. Anyone have some solid info in favor of either one ?
thank you
Mike
2016 F350 6.2 SRW.

Going from a 6.2 gas to a 6.7 Power Stroke will be the big difference in towing ease along with a DRW for stability.

Personally I like the looks of the big F450. :B

[Mortimer_Brewst]

Here’s a video by Big Truck Big Rv comparing the two trucks. He went from a 2016 F450 to a 2017 F350. He then traded off the F350 for a 2017 F450 because of the turning radius.

[4x4ord]

The gearing of the 450 is not as good as it is with a 350 for towing most RVs. I recommend that you take the GCWR of your fifth wheel and add about 9000 lbs for the weight of a truck and then go with Fords recommended gear ratio for the CGVWR of your unit. More than likely it will put you into a F350 dually with 3.73 gears.

[centerline]

personally I would stick with a 350... a 350 can be purchased as a dually or singled, where the 450 is always a dually.
the 450 offers nothing more than a 350 dually except a 1000lb more weight capacity and somewhat lower mileage.... not a good enough trade off in my opinion, especially when the 350 has everything it needs to pull an RV.... if it was being purchased as a commercial vehicle and pulling maximum loads, it may be different.
one thing to look at is the transmission... different brands and different years, the 450's can sometimes be found with heavier transmissions in them for commercial duty applications, where sometimes these heavier transmissions arent available in the 350's

[Cummins12V98]

Second Chance wrote:
1. The F450 has a wider front end (wider track) and smaller turning radius.
2. The rear end gear ratio is lower on the F450.
3. The F450 has larger brakes (given same year models).
4. Depending on year and equipment, the F450 sometimes has a lower payload rating. This is due to the fact that the numbers on the F450 are calculated using the SAE J2807 standards.
5. Depending on the state, the F450 can cost more to register and insure than the F350.

Rob

Lower payload is based on the GVWR of 14k.

[Second_Chance]

1. The F450 has a wider front end (wider track) and smaller turning radius.
2. The rear end gear ratio is lower on the F450.
3. The F450 has larger brakes (given same year models).
4. Depending on year and equipment, the F450 sometimes has a lower payload rating. This is due to the fact that the numbers on the F450 are calculated using the SAE J2807 standards.
5. Depending on the state, the F450 can cost more to register and insure than the F350.

Rob

[TakingThe5th]

More stability with DRW, but you knew that. Gas or diesel? DRW and diesel make a nice combination on winding hilly roads which I think you have in your area. What is the weight of that 42 footer? I'm sure you understand pin weight, axle weight, etc. and how to figure out if the truck is suitable.