Not all pickup trucks are created equal as there is a difference in ride, comfort, and hauling capability, even when they come from the same manufacturer.
While you can test-drive such vesicles, you also need to know the specs and details before deciding.
Two models many campers opt for are the F350 and the F450. However, there are considerable differences between the two trucks.
You might notice two significant differences right at the start, such as the F450 offers a larger payload than the F350. However, although larger, the F450 comes with a wider front end that can improve the turning circle. (Read How to Camp in Your Car)
It may not appear to be too vital initially, yet when towing your camper, such details can make all the difference to your camping expeditions.
In our guide, you can learn more from our comparison and the full difference between F350 and F450. By the end, you’ll learn far more than just the Ford F450 towing capacity, and you’ll be better informed which is best for you, be it the F450 vs F350.
Which is Better F350 vs F450?
To help you decide which is better suited to you, here is a quick breakdown of certain areas that could be of importance to you.
Vehicle Performance and Ride Comfort
You must know your weight requirements before leaving the dealership. The gasoline and turbo diesel V8 engines are available in both the F-350 and the F-450, and the second option is required to get maximum weight ratings.
The newly redesigned 6.7-liter turbo diesel V8 engine in the F-350 produces 440 horsepower and 925 pound-feet of torque for considerable performance. Your F-350 has a maximum payload capacity of 4,200 pounds, depending on the configuration.
The F-450 can move heavier loads, as its weight rating suggests. The 6.7-liter turbo-diesel engine in the F-450 allows you to tow up to 5,320 pounds. This makes it a better choice for drivers transporting huge loads or towing a large trailer. (Find the Best Kayak Roof Rack)
Towing Capability & Capacity
The ability to tow heavy loads is another significant distinction between the F-350 and the F-450. Each vehicle is extremely competent, but the F-450 is for drivers who need tow heavy machinery or a large camping trailer.
The F-450 tows a perfect 32,500 pounds when outfitted with a gooseneck trailer or 5th wheel. This is the heavy-duty truck for you if you have a large trailer towing capacity requirement.
You can get the most out of the F-350 if your towing capacity never approaches 32,500 pounds. It’s still a powerful machine. The Ford F-350 can tow up to 18,600 pounds when properly equipped.
Design, Comfort, and Technology
The F-350 is better suited to your demands if you want to customize your truck with the cabin and bed size you want. You can choose from conventional, extended, or crew cabin options for the passenger space you desire. You can choose between a 6.75- and an 8-foot bed on the F-350, allowing you to build the cargo space for your work requirements.
The crew cabin is standard on all Ford F-450 models, offering your passengers plenty of space to stretch out across two rows of chairs.
You may select from a way of comfort levels, starting with rough workhorse essentials and progressing to sumptuous leather interior and ventilated front seats, just like the F-350. The Sync 3 infotainment system is available on both models, and it does a fantastic job of keeping you connected via smartphone integration capabilities. (Find the Best Deep Cycle Battery Charger)
Vehicle Safety
The F-350 and F-450 have a lot in common for vehicle safety. Ford’s new Ultimate Trailer Tow Camera System uses seven cameras, thus offering greater safety and precision when on the job. You will find this on both models.
The system offers a top-down, 360-degree view of your truck, allowing you to quickly swing in and out of camper parking spaces or align a trailer to your Super Duty hitch. Besides, it’s easy to change lanes on the highway once you have a separate camera mounted on the rear of your trailer.
Driver aids like forward collision warning can be added to either model, and these features help you gain a better understanding of your surroundings and avoid potentially dangerous situations.
Why is F450 Payload Less Than F350?
The F450 pickup has a GVWR of 14K lbs., whereas the F450 chassis cab has a GVWR of 16.5K lbs. Because the F450 pickup uses heavier-duty components than the F350 DRW pickup, the payload limit Ford imposed on it may result in less payload available.
Much of this is down to marketing rather than the capacity of the vehicle. Besides this, many states classify any truck with a GVWR over 14,000 pounds as commercial, resulting in higher registration fees and insurance premiums. Sometimes, you could even need a different license.
In reality, the F450 is more capable than the F350, and it can carry more. They base payload figures on pro-rata numbers for vehicle size rather than what it can carry.
Do You Need a special license to drive a Ford F450?
The magical number is 26,000 lbs. When empty, an F-450 weighs between 9,000 and 13,000 pounds.If you’re driving the truck for a work or getting paid to do so, you’ll need a DOT number on the side.
A CDL is not required if you use it for fun or play, are not towing a trailer, or keep the GCVW below 26,000 pounds.
They base towing and hauling differences on the Super Duty model, body type, and power plant, making sure the truck you purchase can handle your needs.
However, you will find that the Ford F450 offers best-in-class towing, although it needs a license to haul the most the truck can tow or carry.
Why Does a F450 Turn Better?
There is more to it than just the vehicle’s ability to turn in smaller areas. The comparison changes when there is a gooseneck in use, the GCVW of the vehicles, and whether they are used in a commercial setting or towing your camper trailer.
The F-450’s wide track front axle is an enormous benefit. The F-450’s ability to U-turn and maneuver is far greater than the F-350’s. The wide track front axle’s benefits cannot be emphasized.
Both trucks can pull a 5th wheel, and the size of your trailer depends on a lot. The F450 has bigger brakes, so stopping is far easier. The suggested tire size is 19.5 inches so if your F350 lacks these, upgrade to an F450.
You will also find the F450 doesn’t support the TPMS system, yet the F350 does, yet many campers state the TPMS system isn’t as important as the better turning radius of the F450. The higher gas use is also bearable; they can tow when more.
However, there could be a deeper issue, and we have seen licensing larger cars can impact. This aside, you may want to choose the F450 over the F350 as it offers a better turning radius over max hauling power.
The F450 can handle the camper’s weight much better. When driving or turning, you can find many campers claim they hardly feel the trailer pulling at the vehicle. (Find the Best Anti Rattle Hitch Device)
When you have a consistently heavy load on the back of your truck, the F350 does not compare. The F450 can handle the weight with ease and gets, and fuel use is around 10 1/4 miles per gallon when completely loaded and flat towing.
The load capacity is where an F 350 vs an F450 can sometimes outperform the F450; unless you move to the F450 cab chassis and aftermarket bed, it is here the F350 offers a higher payload.
The fundamental difference between the Ford F 350 Vs F 450 is the turning radius, which explains why the larger vehicle has a greater class of turning ability.
The F350 Super Duty model comes with a regular and extended cab model. The first offers a turning radius of 47.7 feet, and with the extra length, the expanded cab is a little higher, and the model’s turning radius is 49.1 feet.
The crew cab, even with a tiny bed, measures 53.5 feet long. With a 172-inch wheelbase, the Ford F 450 DRW requires 50.4 feet to turn from curb to curb. At 52.5 feet, the turning radius from wall to wall is higher.
With a 161-inch wheelbase, the F450 has a curb-to-curb length of 47.8 inches and a wall-to-wall length of 49.6 inches. The 2017 F450 had a 60-foot turning radius, while the 2017 F350 had a 66-foot turning radius.
The vehicle’s make and model are the most important elements in determining the proper turning radius. The F350 vs F450 turning radius varies based on the model where the wheelbase length makes the difference and can affect the ease of parking with a trailer.
