rjstractor
Maple Valley, WA
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Joined: 01/20/2003
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The trucks are so similar mechanically (especially the diesel version) that I personally think it's silly that Ford and other manufacturers build the 250 and 350 SRW. The 350 has higher numbers, an overload spring set (available on the 250), maybe a little bit bigger tires and a spacer block. Nearly all the nuts and bolts are the same. There's a reason the 350 only costs a little bit more. Having said that, get the 350. If marketing made any sense, the F350 SRW would be come the F250 and the F350 would be DRW only. Same goes for other makes. Ram could probably beef up their coil suspension to meet the current 3500 SRW specs.
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goducks10
There
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Joined: 02/22/2010
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Well there must be a reason since most dealers stock a lot of both near me. I'm perfectly happy with my 2500. It's more than enough for my 28' 9000 lb 5th wheel. A 3500 would be overkill. In reality my 2500 CTD is too. If you gotta tow big then go 1 ton. If not then get what floats your boat.
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2001400ex
Veradale, WA
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In years past, 1 tons used to ride awful. Even my buddies 2013 Ford 1 ton rides rough when unloaded. The newer pickups from what I read, they ride almost the same now. My next pickup will be a 1 ton. Because I'm overloaded with my fifth wheel on any 3/4 ton and there are times when I just need a little more pickup, like with rock in the bed. I'd rather buy too much than not enough.
2017 Forest River Stealth SA2816
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ksss
Eastern Idaho
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A lot can always do a little, but a little can never do a lot.
2020 Chevy 3500 CC 4X4 DRW D/A
2013 Fuzion 342
2011 RZR Desert Tan
2012 Sea Doo GTX 155
2018 Chevy 3500HD CC LB SRW 4X4 D/A
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Huntindog
Phoenix AZ
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A lot of HOAs prohibit 1 ton trucks. A friend of mine ran into this issue. His fix? He replaced the F350 emblems with F250 emblems. The HOA gestapo was then satisfied.
For the same reason, Ford offers the lower GVW as an option. Some HOAs have limits, and in some places registration costs more with higher GVWRs.
So to answer the question, there is no real reason to get an F250. Just some made up rules by busybodies that love to tell others what they can have.
Huntindog
100% boondocking
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Shal36
Winter Springs, FL
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I was riding through a residential area near DC a month ago and noticed a sign on the road going into a neighborhood that read something to the effect of: “No vehicles over 10,000 lbs GVWR.” So, your normal F350 with 11,500 GVWR or thereabouts would be verboten but order the same truck with the 10,000 GVWR placard and you’re ok. The F250 would raise no eyebrows no matter how similar it is to the F350.
Isn’t it funny how all the 250/25000 series trucks magically cap out at 10K GVWR with most being either 10k or 9,500. Gee, the 3/4 ton trucks must all be so mechanically similar (this is sarcasm, folks)...meanwhile, there’s a bazillion GVWR configurations for half-ton trucks.
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thomas201
Eastern Panhandle WV
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The OP lives in MD. I95 is labeled no trucks over 5 tons in the hammer lane. I think the BW parkway also, and some other garbage. However, rules is rules, and that is why the 250/2500 exists. Wife is from NJ, and we travel MD regularly, also parking restrictions in NJ. Loaded for camping, with the 5er (a half ton towable model) we still have about 500 pounds of payload, in the F250, so it works for us. Without the "rules" I cannot see a reason for the 250/2500 class.
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OutdoorPhotographer
Arizona
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I bought F250 because it was the best used deal on the lot and at the time I lived in MD with all the signs noted above, including one in my subdivision of no pass through for vehicles over 5T GVWR. It wasn't enforced in our neighborhood for one tons and a few Class C's but the sign was their and many signs in DC area including some that state all vehicles over 10,000 lbs GVWR must stop at scales. Beautiful area but rules are outrageous.
Wish I had the F350 but for a smaller 5th Wheel I'm fine and 6.2 gas gives me plenty cargo to carry the pin weight.
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River Hill
Maryland
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Great Information. Thank You.
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rhagfo
Portland, OR
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Huntindog wrote:A lot of HOAs prohibit 1 ton trucks. A friend of mine ran into this issue. His fix? He replaced the F350 emblems with F250 emblems. The HOA gestapo was then satisfied.
For the same reason, Ford offers the lower GVW as an option. Some HOAs have limits, and in some places registration costs more with higher GVWRs.
So to answer the question, there is no real reason to get an F250. Just some made up rules by busybodies that love to tell others what they can have.
Exactly!!!
That and registration cost!
Russ & Paula the Beagle Belle.
2016 Ram Laramie 3500 Aisin DRW 4X4 Long bed.
2005 Copper Canyon 293 FWSLS, 32' GVWR 12,360#
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