F250 or F350?

[Higginez]

Hey fellas. Getting ready to order a Crew, Short bed, Lariat Ultimate, Tremor and could use some advise. I carry a 250 gallon sprayer that weights 350-400 lbs empty and tow a 7,500 lb trailer with 500-700 lb tongue weight. I'm leaning really hard towards a 350 with the 11,400 package but I've read it's the same spring pack as a 250 with the HD tow package. I'd like as heavy a spring pack as I can get as I'm likely to go to a larger tank in the future.

My apologies as I'm sure this has been covered, but I'm so tired of trying to figure out what's what and I just want to get this truck ordered.

Thanks guys.

 

[oops]

The 250 Tremor and 350 are the same truck. At the numbers you’re citing, almost any configuration of a 250 would get the job done.

 

[oops]

In case you haven’t come across it: Here is the Super Duty towing capacity guide.

https://www.fleet.ford.com/content/dam/aem_fleet/en_us/fleet/towing-guides/2021_Ford_RVandTrailerTowingGuide.pdf

Those tables plus the knowledge that physically a 250 Tremor and a 350 are the same truck should help clarify.

 

[Higginez]

Pushing 3,182 lbs with a full tank and 700 lb tongue weight.

 

[oops]

Got it. So you’re saying you’re putting 3200 lbs in the bed AND towing a 7500 lb trailer at the same time?

 

[oops]

Are you in the Highway with that of ranching?

 

[Higginez]

2,483 lbs plus the 700 lb tongue weight.

 

[Higginez]

Hwy

 

[ccw]

350 assuming you want to be under the payload number on the sticker. With your current weight you can probably get a 250 to work, but it would have to be a light config - definitely gas 7.3, not the diesel. Would want to take a browse through one of the payload sticker threads to see what configs give what payloads.

To have room for expansion? 350 IMO for sure.

As others have stated, with the Tremor it's the same truck except for the badge and the sticker so this truly is just a question of legalities. Personally I don't ever want to risk it, others aren't as worried so you'll have to weigh that out for yourself. Since you're on the highway with it I would lean even more for the 350 just because of the increased likelihood of being pulled over regarding weight.

Since you're in CA, be aware that apparently the 350 comes with significant additional registration fees (higher GVWR) so that's another factor to consider.

 

[Higginez]

Since you're in CA, be aware that apparently the 350 comes with significant additional registration fees (higher GVWR) so that's another factor to consider.

GVWR over 11,500 requires a CA number. Not sure if this effects reg fees.

 

[Higginez]

kinda why I was leaning 11,400 pkg

 

[ccw]

GVWR over 11,500 requires a CA number. Not sure if this effects reg fees.

Ah that could be. Not in CA myself so I can't speak to it directly, just know lots of other folks have brought up higher registration fees in other threads. Don't know the exact GVWR it starts at.

 

[ccw]

Assuming you are either comfortable with the higher fees or there aren't any with the config you're looking at, then IMO 350 no question. No other downside I'm aware of to having the additional capacity on the sticker.

And the bigger number on the badge is always better, right?

 

[oops]

What ccw said.

 

[oops]

Where in CA are you? I’ve see a few nice 350 Tremor’s recently online in Napa, Folsom Lake, and Bakersfield.

 

[Higginez]

I'm up near Chico. Gonna order one as I'm in no hurry and have a few must haves.

 

[oops]

Good call. I recommend talking to Gary Katz in Folsom Lake if you’re ordering. One of the more personable dealers I’ve worked with in NorCal. Not too far from you.

 

[Paragon]

There isn't all that much of a purchase price difference between the 250 versus the 350 is there?

 

[Higginez]

About a grand.

 

[Parksoffroad]

I am in Norcal (Petaluma) and went with the 350. Went with the 350 over the 250 to get the better numbers for what you can legally do on the door, went with the 11,400 derate. Price difference was negligible between 250 and 350, since its pretty much the same truck would rather have the numbers and not need them then need them and not have them, also dont want that overweight ticket which will run you far more than any increase in registration ever will. CA registration was just over $900 for the second year although I swear it was less for the first year from the dealer, go figure.

After shopping quite a few dealers all over CA, ended up at Elk Grove and dealt with one of the owners Rachael. Got the best deal by far there. I did a special order as I wanted EXACTLY what I wanted and I could not be happier.