F250 VS F350 Drivability Differences

[Nonrev59]

Would love to hear from people that have driven both the 250 and 350. To get that extra payload, do you get a much stiffer, ruff, ride. Looking for peoples opinions on ride quality I guess. Is it a noticeable difference. Guess which engine doesnt really matter, concerned on ride difference. Steering differences if any. Thanks in advance.

[fordmantpw]

Differences are negligible. There is virtually no ride difference between the two. Absolutely no difference in steering. Test drive them both (make sure they are both equipped with the same engine and suspension packages) and you won't notice any difference.

 

I will add that my 2017 F350 rides and drives much much better than my 2008 F250 did.

 

If you are going with the gas engine, keep in mind that the F250 comes with a different transmission than the F350.

[Nonrev59]

Appreciate that. Going to drive both but with the short drives that you get was hoping to hear from people that maybe have driven them both longer. I see that the G has a better 1st gear ratio is quicker and downshifts and upshifts are quicker. Better grade shifting. So like you said, it seems like a better trans. So I guess the question is why would it not be in the 350? Guess I'm really on the 6.2 version. The weight between the 2 is only a few hundred pounds. Thanks....

[fordmantpw]

Appreciate that. Going to drive both but with the short drives that you get was hoping to hear from people that maybe have driven them both longer. I see that the G has a better 1st gear ratio is quicker and downshifts and upshifts are quicker. Better grade shifting. So like you said, it seems like a better trans. So I guess the question is why would it not be in the 350? Guess I'm really on the 6.2 version. The weight between the 2 is only a few hundred pounds. Thanks....

 

The G is only on the F250 due to the lower specs. It's actually from the F150 (and beefed up a bit), and is not built to handle the loads an F350 is rated for. It's a lighter-duty trans and therefore should have better shifter and better fuel economy. What are you going to be using the truck for? What kinda weights you looking at?

[Nonrev59]

That’s kinda my delima. Going to be towing a travel trailer that I haven’t exactly decided on. Looked at some that are between 7 and 8 grand. 250 is great for that but not sure if I would rather have a 5th wheel then the payload jumps. Not talking some 40 footer or anything but probably 30. Guessing that could get closer to 10 grand, maybe not. Then the 350 would be better but 250 still would be fine if I keep the weight down. Just trying to keep my options open. But most driving would not be towing so I don’t want to make my drive rougher unless i really need to. Going to test drive a 350 soon so i can see if i notice the difference. Could just be a buffer if I wanted to go bigger. Have plenty of time to decide so I’m trying to get as much info and opinions as I can. My old F150 truck is getting old and going to upgrade. Trying to wait to pull that trigger in spring if everything works right. So appreciate the opinions and help.

[fordmantpw]

In my opinion, if I were going with a travel trailer (bumper pull), then I would go with F250. If you go with a fifth wheel, then get the F350. An F250 with a fifth wheel hooked up will run out of payload quickly, and you'll have some decent squat as well. Also, if you are going to keep the truck past the travel trailer and possibly upgrade to a fiver in the future, just go with an F350 now and be done with it.

 

With an F250, I didn't have enough payload to haul my family, enough fire wood for a weekend and our fifth wheel. I was over payload. Sure, the truck will do fine, but you are over what Ford recommends. That's why I went with an F350 this time.

 

Another thought, in my opinion, the diesel rides better than the gasser due to the extra 700 or so pounds to smooth things out a bit.

 

Good luck! The new Super Duty trucks are awesome trucks!

Edited October 19, 2017 by fordmantpw

[Nonrev59]

Yes my wish list has grown. Reality will probably prevail in spring. But I can still wish now. LOL... But I agree with everything you said. It will depend on what I decide on the trailer in the spring. Like you said if I was going to do the 5th wheel then 350 / diesel is the way to go. But since over their next three years til retirement we probably won’t be doing as much as I want in traveling/ camping so dealing with a smaller 25ft or so bumper pull w/ the 250 6.2 is where I should be in the spring. If we really like it as much as I think we will then we could get a 350 diesel and travel a lot more. Without everyone’s opinions thou I would still be at a 150 and trailer. Feeling much better on decisions that will be made when they happen. Thanks to the forums. Nothing better than hearing from people that have been doing this stuff and the real life videos that many people have put out. Thanks

[mettech]

I had a 2005 f350 6.0l.

 

I have a 2016 f250 6.2l w/tow package.

 

I towed with both, a 36ft 5th wheel 11+k lbs.

 

I have no issues towing with the 6.2l. Flat land tow is 9 MPG. Hills Mnts will down shift to 2nd gear and can maintain 60 MPH.

 

For the overall operation cost, the 6.2l is a bargain.

[fordmantpw]

I had a 2005 f350 6.0l.

 

I have a 2016 f250 6.2l w/tow package.

 

I towed with both, a 36ft 5th wheel 11+k lbs.

 

I have no issues towing with the 6.2l. Flat land tow is 9 MPG. Hills Mnts will down shift to 2nd gear and can maintain 60 MPH.

 

For the overall operation cost, the 6.2l is a bargain.

Now tow it with a 6.7L diesel. It is simply an amazing engine.

[mettech]

60MPH should be the same..

[fordmantpw]

60MPH should be the same..

Its just so much more relaxing not listening to the engine roar up the hills. It just quietly goes about its business.

[Nonrev59]

Ok went and test drove a 2017 f250 6.7 today. That was nice. It surely is different than driving a gas engine. But smooth. It did get up and go. Ask if they’d let me drive it up to the mountains and back. Only take a few hours. He didn’t flinch. Love to see how it handled going up and down the Thornton Gap. I can imagine that engine purring. So it’s11,000.00 off sticker and almost exactly what I specked out to order the other day for the 6.2. Still around 53. Whew.....Not like the old days. He said good resale value. I said I’m dieing in it.....Didn’t have a couple options. Funny not even running boards. That’s a climb. Yep could put those on myself. So really leaning towards just getting that truck. I’ll sleep on it.... Thanks for everyone’s insight.....

[fordmantpw]

Sounds awesome! Good luck on your decision!

[Nonrev59]

If I could get your opinion on the Regen deal. I read a lot of people dealing with it. I did read the 250 manual on it last night and the warmings that you get if you don’t drive in a manner to let it do its thing. So my worry is that we will not be doing that traveling with TT for a year around to retirement But really for some time I will not be driving but a lot of shorter trips. Close to work kind of stuff. Stores .etc. Still read about if its 100% you can do a manual regen ( if equipped ask dealer) in driveway (30 min) or something. I saw on other forum and asked same thing. One wrote if I knew it was really 100% i would like to be able to be in control and turn it on say to speak. But I see most people say you don’t really see that and actually have to add that option at dealer or I guess that where the EDge monitor comes in...............So looking for advise for how that works or how to handle Regen when driving mostly short trips....Thanks

[fordmantpw]

If I could get your opinion on the Regen deal. I read a lot of people dealing with it. I did read the 250 manual on it last night and the warmings that you get if you don’t drive in a manner to let it do its thing. So my worry is that we will not be doing that traveling with TT for a year around to retirement But really for some time I will not be driving but a lot of shorter trips. Close to work kind of stuff. Stores .etc. Still read about if its 100% you can do a manual regen ( if equipped ask dealer) in driveway (30 min) or something. I saw on other forum and asked same thing. One wrote if I knew it was really 100% i would like to be able to be in control and turn it on say to speak. But I see most people say you don’t really see that and actually have to add that option at dealer or I guess that where the EDge monitor comes in...............So looking for advise for how that works or how to handle Regen when driving mostly short trips....Thanks

 

The only way to get manual regen (Operator Commanded Regen is the official name I think) is on an XLT or lower trim. I think Edge and a couple others will allow you to do a regen manually, but I personally don't like the thought of my truck sitting in the driveway with the hood up and the engine revved up to 2000+ RPMS just running a regen for 30+ minutes. It can't be good for it running like that with no load and no air being forced past the engine.

 

Just take a longer trip every once in a while and you won't have any issues. We have a 3rd vehicle so I don't do as many short trips with my '17 as I did with my '08. With my '08, it was short trips all winter long, and when it started regen, I would just take it for an extended 15-20 minute drive and let it finish. However, unless you have a monitor (you can buy an ODBII device and use a phone like I do), you won't know when the '17 goes into regen. It doesn't have an indicator like the '08-'16 trucks had. You could use forscan and enable the DPF% screen and get a pretty good indication of when it's going to regen, and just plan to take a longer trip when it nears 100%.

 

In reality, Ford has made it mostly unnoticable that the truck is in regen, and you can just drive it and forget about all that stuff. That was the intention. If you have too many short trips and it can't complete a regen, then it will notify you and say 'drive to clean exhaust' or something like that, and then you just need to take a 20 minute drive as soon as you get a chance. You didn't mention how "short" your short trips are, but my guess is that you will be fine and won't have anything to worry about.

[Nonrev59]

I appreciate that. I figured you had a better answer than some of the stuff I see online. Dealers are clueless. Drive to work is like 7 mins. But yes I get enough other driving in that Im not worried about it. Just seems funny to me that if the regen is important when full that you would get some kind of warning. The manual did say something like what you said. Seemed to be several that meant the same thing. Guess one is talking about the Passive Regen with exhaust filter cleaning and then one next one with drive to clean maybe thats the Active Regen and needs to finish. But that next warning, filter overheated Stop NOW. wow that didn't sound good. Ha. So peopl e were saying that it wants to clean every 500 or so miles. But it kinda sounded to me in the manual that it would do some passive along the way then maybe need that longer drive to really get soot off. That OBDII with phone would be nice to give you a heads up unless you drove longer drives all the time then wouldn't ever matter i guess. I have a OBDII reader that had in old truck to clear codes. Would that one read the exhaust filter. I haven't used that thing in a long time but I have it somewhere. Doesn't work with the phone. Just did checks and read and clear codes.

 

Well off to see a 2017 F250 CC 6.7 w 3.31 rear. Value package. FX4.... Silver. Not my first choice but if the price is right. Could just have a new truck. Thanks again.

[fordmantpw]

Passive regen is typically when you are towing and the truck is generating enough heat due to the workload on the engine to burn off some of the soot. Active regen is when the truck is dumping fuel on the exhaust stroke in order to burn off soot in the DPF.

 

Regens vary in how often they occur (less often in highway driving), but 500 miles is the max the truck will go without starting one regardless of how full the DPF is. The distance is typically just a factor of how much fuel youve burned, but passive regen can increase the mileage between regens a bit.

 

I dont know if the reader you have will read the code or not. If you have an iPhone, youll want a WiFi reader where an Android phone can use a Bluetooth reader.

 

Good luck!

[fordmantpw]

Double post.

Edited November 12, 2017 by fordmantpw

[HarryTitus]

My F 250 is a supercrew King Ranch with an 8' bed and cap. Heavy duty everything with 4WD and off road package. Gasser. The long length (22') evens out the ride a but, but at highway speed, even with an 18' 3,500 lb. trailer, some of the concrete surfaced 4 lanes can get pretty bouncy and results in an uncomfortable ride. Still, compared to other heavy trucks, it rides and handles pretty good. The solid front axle does dance to one side a bit when turning while running over rough spots (like rumble strips), but that's a trait of these axles and is to be expected. Bottom line, these ride better than the rest, they are still heavy duty trucks and won't give you a dream ride like an Expedition will. It's just the price we pay for needing a more capable truck.

Edited November 12, 2017 by HarryTitus

[Nonrev59]

Passive regen is typically when you are towing and the truck is generating enough heat due to the workload on the engine to burn off some of the soot. Active regen is when the truck is dumping fuel on the exhaust stroke in order to burn off soot in the DPF.

Regens vary in how often they occur (less often in highway driving), but 500 miles is the max the truck will go without starting one regardless of how full the DPF is. The distance is typically just a factor of how much fuel youve burned, but passive regen can increase the mileage between regens a bit.

I dont know if the reader you have will read the code or not. If you have an iPhone, youll want a WiFi reader where an Android phone can use a Bluetooth reader.

Good luck!

Making sense of it all now. And Ill know if my reader will soon. I pulled the tigger yesterday. Did all the paperwork but I have to wait til Tue to pickup truck. Trucks in Va beach. About 4 hrs from me. So they have to pick it up and prep it. Then I can do my run through and make sure no issues. I had been up so early yesterday and had to work, that by the time I got out of dealer with all that darn paperwork and home hit the sack. Think its just dawning on me that I have finally bought a truck. Now I know how these guys feel that special order and have to wait weeks. I only have to wait til mon or tue probably. So it doesnt seem real yet but yes sir Im starting to get psyched. Cant wait to actually get in and not be just test driving something that I know isnt it. And yes sir its the 6.7........ 3.31 instead of 3.55 but I wasnt passing up the deal. Been looking long enough. So a 2017 CC 6.7, 6.75 bed, Lariat w/value package, FX4, Nav, supplemental heater, block heater, roof lights, upfitter switches. 3.31 locking rear. And Silver. Had to go look at some Silver ones again and more i looked the more I liked it. Darn glad I kept waiting and listening to all of ya. Thank you there bud. I know Im not going to have any second thoughts down the road. This truck will fit our needs perfect. Edited November 12, 2017 by Nonrev59

[fordmantpw]

Making sense of it all now. And Ill know if my reader will soon. I pulled the tigger yesterday. Did all the paperwork but I have to wait til Tue to pickup truck. Trucks in Va beach. About 4 hrs from me. So they have to pick it up and prep it. Then I can do my run through and make sure no issues. I had been up so early yesterday and had to work, that by the time I got out of dealer with all that darn paperwork and home hit the sack. Think its just dawning on me that I have finally bought a truck. Now I know how these guys feel that special order and have to wait weeks. I only have to wait til mon or tue probably. So it doesnt seem real yet but yes sir Im starting to get psyched. Cant wait to actually get in and not be just test driving something that I know isnt it. And yes sir its the 6.7........ 3.31 instead of 3.55 but I wasnt passing up the deal. Been looking long enough. So a 2017 CC 6.7, 6.75 bed, Lariat w/value package, FX4, Nav, supplemental heater, block heater, roof lights, upfitter switches. 3.31 locking rear. And Silver. Had to go look at some Silver ones again and more i looked the more I liked it. Darn glad I kept waiting and listening to all of ya. Thank you there bud. I know Im not going to have any second thoughts down the road. This truck will fit our needs perfect.

 

Awesome! Congrats! I think you'll like those 3.31's just fine with the 18" wheels. The 6.7 has so much torque it'll pull right on through.

 

I can relate to waiting after ordering. Mine took 7 weeks to get here, which isn't bad, but the last 2 weeks it sat at a rail yard 100 miles from my house. That was the painful part! But, it was worth it to get exactly what I wanted.

[Nonrev59]

Ok Have to update. That truck did not work out. This stuff was crazy at the end. Other dealers would not release trucks to the dealer I wanted to get truck from. Supply and demand. So its a long story but the first one I wanted is what I needed up with. So YES I do I have my new truck. I’m going on my first drive over 40 MPH in a few minutes down to our river house, couple hours away. So I’m going to get my first real drive. Only got this one 2 days ago late evening. So its still a F250 CC 160” WB , 6.7, 3.55 rear, now. Magnetic not Silver which I like better anyways. . Lariat Value Package. Still 18in Goodyears AT tires. FX4 ..... Think that’s it. I’m off for rest of weekend and I’m really happy with this setup. Thanks again for feedback.

[7591250sd]

WE were in the travel trailer / 5th wheel market. Wanted to about 30' to fit in state parks. I didn;t like the TT tail wagging the dog, and not being able to pull my ATV trailer, 5th wheels have a ton more storage.. Bought a Artic Fox 275L, empty pin weight is 2100 lbls, with just 2 of us, and small dogs, the payload wil be fine..