Ford Super Duty F-250 or F-350: Which Do I Need?
If you’re looking to get a new or used Ford truck in Laconia, NH, and you know the F-150 line isn’t beefy enough, then you’re probably asking yourself this question: Ford Super Duty F-250 or F-350: Which do I need?
Before you start looking at the F-250 and F-350 to help you decide which is best, you should first look at what that “Super Duty” title means. That way, you can determine if a Super Duty truck with this much capability is even right for you.
At the end of the day, your average Joe is able to get away with an F-150.
What “Super Duty” Means
“Super Duty” is simply a way to distinguish these trucks from the base model in the Ford Series: the F-150. Not only that, but the bodywork and chassis are both different from the F-150 as well simply because these are bigger trucks.
Why is it important to distinguish the F-250 and F-350 from the F-150? Because, these trucks are built for a tougher kind of job. Where the F-150 isn’t enough, turn to a Super Duty.
The chassis and suspension components are no joke; and much stronger than the ones found on the F-150. This allows for higher payload and towing capacities for larger projects. On top of that, the PowerStroke diesel engines are available as an option for those who need the extra kick where torque is concerned. Even the transmission is a heavy-duty setup.
In other words, Super Duty is synonymous with hard work. But, how much work? Well, one way to figure this out is by looking at the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating.
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
Perhaps the biggest difference between an F-150 and the two aforementioned models, is the GVWR. While a 2017 F-150 sits at just over 7,000 pounds maximum for its gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR), the 2017 F-250 and F-350 Super Duty trucks sit at a maximum 14,000-pound GVWR. This puts the F-250 and F-350 in an entirely different class than the F-150. The two Super Duty trucks are considered class 3 trucks, while the F-150 is a class 2 truck.
The US DOT came up with a GVWR Class System in order to help classify trucks by their GVWR, which is the max operating weight a truck can possibly carry while driving -- including the truck itself. This is why you see those weigh stations on the highway.
Forgetting about the weigh stations and DOT, this system is a good way for you, the consumer, to get started buying a truck. Do you need a class 3 Ford Super Duty that has a maximum GVWR that high? No? Then perhaps an F-150 will do just fine.
Still convinced you need an F-250 or F-350? Take a look at some of the other important specs about the F-250 and F-350 below.
F-250 and F-350
Naturally, the first thing you should be looking at before all else is the price. This will determine if you’re even able to afford a Super Duty truck.
Price
The 2017 F-250 XL starts at an MSRP of $32,535, and as much as $62,310 for the Platinum trim. The 2017 F-350 XL starts at a base MSRP of $33,705, and can cost as much as $61,975 with the Platinum trim.
This is both good and bad news. Yes, the trucks are close enough to the same price that you won’t even notice the difference. But, it makes it harder to decide since you can’t say “I’ll just buy the cheaper one.”
Engines
To further complicate matters, both Super Duty trucks use the same standard and optional engines.
The standard choice is a 6.2-liter SOHC 2-Valve Flex Fuel V8 engine that delivers 385 horsepower/430 lb.-ft of torque. While the optional engine is that 6.7-liter Power Stroke V8 Turbo Diesel engine mentioned earlier, generating 440 horsepower/925 lb.-ft of torque.
Obviously, it’s easy to choose which engine you need. But, that doesn’t help you decide which truck is right for you.
Transmissions
This will help sway your decision: there is a difference in the transmissions. Paired exclusively to the gas engine on the F-250 is a new-for-2017 TorqShift-G Heavy-Duty 6-speed SelectShift Automatic transmission. The F-350 doesn’t have this for that 6.2-liter V8, which means you’ll need to settle for the transmission from the previous model year. Because of this, you’ll be missing out on a host of new benefits the TorqShift-G transmission provides, such as a higher first-gear ratio for better first-gear launches; better acceleration from rolling stops; faster downshifts; improved upshifts; and transmission-based grade braking availability in Tow/Haul mode, which helps the brakes last longer.
As you can see, that “G” at the end of the TorqShift name makes all the difference compared to the older 6-speed TorqShift paired to the 6.2-liter on the F-350. However, both the F-250 and F-350 PowerStroke diesel engine is paired to the TorqShift Heavy-Duty 6-speed SelectShift Automatic transmission.
Towing and Payload
As far as towing and payload go, both the F-250 and F-350 are able to tow 21,000 pounds with the conventional towing setup, 27,500 pounds with a 5th wheel, and a whopping 32,500 pounds with a gooseneck setup. Payload is the same as well, and both the F-250 and F-350 Super Duty can haul 7,630 pounds, maximum.
Same engines, same performance, and similar fuel economy. If that’s what you need for work, then how can you decide which one you need when they’re so similar?
Which One Do You Need?
Well, a lot of that is dependent on model year. For 2017 models, here is what you should consider…
The Verdict
It’s important to note that even though the height, length, and width of both the F-250 and F-350 are similar dimensions; the curb weight represents anywhere from a 200-300 pound difference, depending on the trim. Obviously, this means the F-350 will get slightly less gas mileage compared to the F-250.
Combine that fact with the new transmission paired to the F-250’s gasoline V8, and it’s clear that for the 2017 model year, the F-250 should be your go-to if you want an edge for your Super Duty’s performance. That TorqShift-G transmission is too good to pass up, and kicks the gas-powered F-350 to the curb. Diesel setup? Matter of preference, honestly. Either way, the heavier F-350 is going to be slightly harder on fuel-efficiency, when compared to the F-250.