5 SURPRISING differences between the F-350/F-450/F-550

In this video we compare the F-350, F-450, and F-550 for towing and everyday use.
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[@boomer9341]

Very well done review. Finally someone who really explained the differences between the f350-f450. The 450 turning radius is insane my dad had one.

[@jonnyonwheels]

Newer f450 cab & chassis can be ordered with up to a 16500lb gvwr, the f550 up to 19500lb gvwr, and new f600 with 22000lb gvwr. If you need more than that you have to step up to a true medium duty f650/f750. We’ve got an ‘04 f450 and the only difference back then between it and the f550 was the leaf springs.

[@dr.blast__2713]

Can u explain to me what gvwr is and do you know what that rear ratio thing is on the ford trucks?

[@jonnyonwheels]

@@dr.blast__2713 gvwr is gross vehicle weight rating, it’s the maximum legal weight of the truck fully loaded as rated by the manufacturer

[@ThrivingEarthFarm]

@@dr.blast__2713gvwr is truck weight plus payload not including trailer loads

[@dr.blast__2713]

@@ThrivingEarthFarm thanks

[@dr.blast__2713]

@@jonnyonwheels thanks

[@rodneylagace5908]

I got a 05 ram 2500 5.9 cummins with 1 extra leaf spring, cold air intake, straight piped i love the thing! I tow dump trailers almost every day for my roofing business in moncton New Brunswick. Love the vedios man keep it up 👍

[@jooka2010]

Ayye I live in moncton 😂

[@tomcampbell6363]

My family had a cabin up in Lynn Lake, Manitoba. Beautiful country. And incredibly nice and friendly people... I enjoyed this video. I didn't know you're Canadian until I saw you at the pumps and started talking. Yup! I was paying $2.50+ a liter when going up there in July 2022. And dn here in the the state's people bitch about $3.00 a gallon!

[@collinmorgan20]

The front wide track axle in the 450 and up trucks are a Dana Super 60, so it's got a 10" ring gear, bigger u joints, slightly larger steering components vs the regular 9.75" dana 60, also when you go to cab and chassis trucks you get a heavy duty c channel frame instead of the boxed frame in the regular pickups

[@deant876]

I don't know about in Canada, but in the US by not having a bed (of any kind) moves you into a different category. It would allow you to pull a longer trailer. I think it would take you to 75 ft total length (bumper to bumper), instead of 68 ft (I'm not 100% sure of that as exact). But that would allow a trailer with a 45-48 ft deck.

[@Colin999999999]

yeah in canada (depending on the province) we can pull a rig upto 75 feet with a regular license and regardless of the vehicle pulling it. If you want to send it with a 1/4 ton truck pulling a 5th wheel and a boat hooked to the 5th wheels bumper, you can giver, as long as you don't exceed 10k lbs in towed weight (then you need a different license).

[@jr.6199]

I have the 450 cutaway with a winnebago class C maxed out on axle weight in the rear without a trailer. The tires age out and blow after 6+ years, often taking out the cabinet behind that wheel. I monitor the pressures closely and after warming up of 30+ miles pressures go from 80 to 96psi on new all steel tires. So even way under mileage, the tires have to get refreshed that often.

[@alwaysapplypressure2477]

We Appreciate You 💯 Thank You 💯 😊 🙏 ❤️ 🙌 💙 💯

[@calgaryramblerreloaded]

Great vid 👌 and awesome pointers !

[@TheReid2DecoderTech]

Great video explaining the deference between the trucks but am I the only one who thought that semi was healing ass at 5:12?

[@melanehme3661]

I think I agree with you about having the capacity but opting to "detune" by keeping your own foot in check ... but not with the "puckup box"; it's flatbed all the way baby!

[@adamspencer6666]

Thanks for the info as I'm looking at a dully for towing a 5th wheel. Really like the idea of the flatbed but we will see.

[@mojorisin7371]

Your absolutely right about the detuned motors of the cab chassis of F550 and up. Smaller turbos and it makes just 330/850. That's a big difference from 500/1200 for the high output. Your right again, on most drivers will go foot to the floor, because if the power is there use it and most likely due to being on strict time limits and pay schedules. I drove class A vehicles for 25 years and did hot shoting for 8 years with a F-550 and 11k lb 38ft sliding axle trailer. Didn't mind the loss of power most times but going up mountainous highways was to be desired and most 18 wheelers hauling more weight pass me easy doing 65-70 mph up 5% grades. So Ford could have made more "detuned" reliable power not so much for speed but for consistency, lugging a weak motor isn't healthy either. Solution is to spec out the right vehicle and motor setup for what your hauling and where your hauling it. Can't assume a F-550 or 600 will haul 40k lbs consistently when you can get a F-700 or higher that can do that 40k lbs consistently with ease and has a buffer for extra weight or just keeping it in the sweet spot rather then being maxed out all the time. Class 4 trucks have no business doing class 6 and up duties. I always felt more safer and comfortable hauling 30k lbs in a class 7 truck then a class 4 truck (F-550). These vehicles have really seen an uprising of entrepreneurial truck drivers looking to hotshot on the smaller load market. Obviously making fleet hauling companies pissed off and some drivers upset of not getting the easier lighter loads that still pay decent. Hotshots do it by virtually eliminating the pork of bigger fleet companies and under cutting their transport prices. In my opinion I only have issues with the fly by night drivers with some extra cash who just look at a KZbin video and read some articles and think they can just buy a truck set up get a CDL license and make mega money doing the aforementioned. They are mostly obtuse and woefully inept and make honest pure breed truckers look bad. In this industry like many you're either born to do it or you most likely won't last or you'll be left without your sanity by the time you retire, quit, or get fired. Thanks for the input, Stay safe driver 🤙🏽🇺🇲

[@NateAIM]

idunno man. I have to question the accuracy of one of the details you mention here. I get stuff shipped on UShip pretty frequently using these hotshotters and you might not be underestimating their abilities far enough. These guys can't back a trailer, their equipment is broken or breaking about (literally) half the time, and most importantly I don't think any of them have a CDL... I'm serious. These guys are crack heads and some of them may not even have a drivers license. But CDL? No way. Most do not. I have some stories I could tell...

[@DrSamBeckett]

​@@NateAIM And this is what messes things up for the guys like myself who hotshot correctly. I have a CDL, and I take pride in both my equipment and my business. Unfortunately, there are a lot of guys that just hop on the road with no knowledge of anything.

[@crrc4s]

The F250,350,450 all have the same frame just more springs in the rear, different axels and gear ratios. The 550 has a different frame altogether, different axels and shares the de-tuned engine like the 450.

[@laymansworld9858]

In 2020 I had my mind made up to get the F450 for the tires and turning ratio, but after studying the Ford propaganda discovered the F350 actually has a higher "legal" pin weight than the F450 and the F450 didn't have tire pressure monitoring. Maybe I made a mistake but I haven't regretted it and the F350 handles my 18k 5th wheel great and I haven't run into a situation where turning radius has been a problem.

[@UserYoutube-i6f]

They have bigger brakes that is why they have 19,5 inch wheels. Also swapping for bilstein shocks is a way to go

[@concretejungle77]

I tow everyday 7klbs and 3klbs payload which class truck should I use? my terrain includes mostly flat highway/freeway with a 7% grade the next city over, streets include canyon roads like Malibu Ca and steep hillside streets any input would be great, currently use 1996 Ford F-SUPERDUY reg cab 12 ft flatbed

[@JohnDiMartino]

The 450 chassis cab is 16000-17000 Gvwr, the 550 is around 19000-19500./F600 is 22000.

[@mikeowentaylor]

Our f650 2021 revs to 3k, it also has the same turbo that's in our 19 f350

[@Yo-lg4hv]

I tow a 26k 5th wheel with a 21 f450 and I wouldn't have it any other way. It's a beast.

[@celestepalm6949]

Yeah, I was wondering if an F450 is enough to carry an Eagle Cap or Host Yukon (5Klbs empty & close to 10K fully loaded) truck camper or for windy/top-heavy considerations if going to a 550 was best. I like the turning radius of the 450/4500 & wondered if a 550/5500 would be overkill. Scoring a used older 450/4500 would be a tad easier on the wallet as well.

[@CoyoteFTW]

@@celestepalm6949 - 2015 Ford F450 crew cab 4x4 can tow up to 31,200 you won’t feel that camper

[@celestepalm6949]

@@CoyoteFTW If you're talking carrying capacity vs actual towing then I am impressed - towing capacity is great to know for 5th wheels, etc but with truck campers it's all about CCC. Thanks for replying!

[@jamesleaty7308]

@@celestepalm6949 450 is plenty..duelly and 12 ply . commercial 19.5 tires.. I am old.. people have run that stuff on f 350 duellys with springs and airbags, upgraded, you just don't want then tow in addition to that.,,but they do. boomer dad packed the station wagon till the springs were on the axle,,pop up camper.

[@timothymichael517]

Thanks so much for this info!!

[@GenAfterNextTactics]

I have a F550 work truck with the normal cab and bed, how do I know if it’s been detuned or not? It seems like it’s got plenty of power but it would be cool to know that could have even more power.

[@dinoanamations8180]

Maybe dyno it and normally if it's a f550 it's detuned

[@jamesleaty7308]

@@dinoanamations8180 If its ok power. Leave it . The turbo s , good oil. Regular oil change. They all last. If run the oil to sh t, then throw 3 grand at it. I was pepsi guy 25 yrs, 4000mi oil change, entire fleet. With modern oils now, you can go 8 to 10. Check it if its clean. I have an 06 f250, 6.0 powerstroke. 375000 mi. All original commercial d tuned. 30ft trailer. had a couple of EGR valves go south. Probably could use an injector. I run Rotella t5. Change about twice a year. I also run the archoil stiction stuff. Just replace parts with Motorcraft when they fail. Everyother fluid, oil. Diffs and t case60000mi.

[@dinoanamations8180]

@@jamesleaty7308 they make 320 320 350 hp

[@jamesleaty7308]

@@dinoanamations8180 mine is 300 .

[@dinoanamations8180]

@@jamesleaty7308 must be very de tuned

[@moikechan]

Have a 2015 450 chassis cab. It doesn't have any engine braking at all. Only transmission tow/haul mode. I can deal with not pulling the grades at speed limit under load but downgrade is not confident!

[@mrdrchad6110]

A GEO Metro with a 75hp engine could pull a 80,000lb trailer. The problem starts when you need to stop. Bigger trucks come with better suspension and stopping power.

[@SingleTrak6]

A geo metro couldn’t move a trailered smart car

[@JinkTV]

I have a 4WD 2019 F550 that was involved in an accident. I will need to replace the entire front suspension and motor. Will the 4WD front suspension and motor of an F350 and F450 also fit mine please?

[@Firebird400]

2.98 a litre!!!! Wow buddy. It’s a 1.89 here in Alberta and I am thinking twice about going camping with the truck and trailer. I can’t imagine what your spending on fuel

[@gravytrainoutdoors]

I blew the rear end in my 2019 f-450. Ford is still waiting for more parts but they are having the replace the entire axle housing. 100k and pulling 35k day in and day out did the rear end in. I think the Dana S110/130 was a far better axle than the Dana M300 that come in these new trucks

[@swashington942]

Which one is in my 07 f550?

[@nicholasmendoza6159]

Change out to amsoil in the rear. It gets too hot and regular oil breaks down too fast.

[@cameronkitchenandbathdesig5118]

Really good explanation on the F Series HD differences! I just picked on a 2021 F-550 60" CC with the 7.3 Gas engine and 4:88 gears. It will have a steel stake bed and 3000lb lift gate on her (no trailering) as this is fit for purpose for is. What's your thoughts on this setup and in particular, the 7.3 Gas engine?

[@Tman0517]

Definaly dont want a diesel if youre not gonna tow.

[@lt4753]

I have heard good things from that gas. Low maintenance, start and go.

[@richscott2952]

I have one with the 73 no problem here very strong

[@andrewslagle1974]

The 450 pickup front axle is rated higher, it has bigger brakes front and rear ,the steering box is bigger .The 19.5 tires last way longer than the 350 tires & the front 2/3 of the frame is heaver ,same as cab chassis 450. The 14k gvw like the 350 is done for a reason. I just ordered a 450 regular cab pickup diesel regular out put i dont need the HO.

[@gizzmo667]

Very well said Dave S AUSSIE

[@jackofall2305]

I would rather have the detuned engine. I use my truck to make money and thats it. I dont associate it with my personality. I dont need a showing lifestyle choice. I wish they would focus more on reliability, cooling and braking than they do with torque numbers. Its the pony wars all over again

[@roadglide1142]

I’m gonna agree with everything you said but the F-450 having better tire wear . Every F-450 I’ve seen with those crappy stock Continental tires cup like crap within 5-6 K miles on the front axle.

[@F450FTW]

Agree. I finally ditched my Conti Hybrids after 11k mikes for a set of Michelin XZE. Those Continental tires are absolute garbage.

[@zepplin810]

F450 cab chassis is 16k gvwr f550 gvwr is 19k. Maybe the non cab-chassis f450 is rated at 14k?

[@BrandonLeech]

That's how a real trucker runs his truck...as easy as possible most of the time to keep the temps and fuel consumption down. Cowboys and Billy Bobs think it's a race to the top of the hill and a peepee measuring contest.

[@kenunruh7155]

The lariat is the highest trim level in the F450 C/C and doesn’t even have the same level of trim on the F450 lariat box truck. ie no colour matching fender flares, no led lights

[@Turbotalkin]

Would be nice if someone that knows could pitch in if the wide track front end is really just a spacer or not im interested to know

[@dobermanracing]

No it has a larger ring gear, thicker axle tubes, bigger ujoints. It's an overall a much stronger axle on top of the extra steering angle.

[@robertparrish5542]

You can do things to make the ride better.

[@TheExtremeRace]

I own a f250. And really liked the f550 at what point do you need a cdl for a f550 I have a toy hauler that is about 7k but maxed out is about 15k I believe. Do I need a cdl for that?

[@caleb5882]

In the US no

[@islanderson691]

Hey you still selling the shift lever for the alumiduty?

[@williammackey7243]

Why not just get a cab chassis and tune it? (honest question, not a smart aleck question)

[@swashington942]

I need to figure out how to remove the “fleet tune” on my 07 f550. It’s like driving a tank. Slow pedal response and lowered hp combined with the 4.88 gears suck big time.

[@markmywords5126]

Looks like the Yukon

[@armedmariner]

Great. Now I hate my F-350! Not. Great video man. Appreciate it. Good analysis of the F’s.

[@hqoffroad]

I have a 2016 f450 xlt axis 4,30 with engine km 330 000 modified in tow by my garage performance, new transmission, tranfer case, the rpm in the mountains at 90 km/h is 1900-2000 rpm without changing gear loaded with a 25k lbs, In the information of the truck I am at a capacity of 41000 lbs max without box, I have the smallest tank 125 liter and 600km autonomy full charge, my partner has a 2017 not modified with a tank of 155liter if I am not mistaken and he makes less km with his truck than mine, I think to change for a f550 for the capacity of load but if the price is good. without what I but a new engine and I modify it has infinity because an engine install it is 10500$ it is not expensive to pay.

[@alwaysapplypressure2477]

Smaller turbo ! Is this 550 or 450 diesel

[@PunisherOfDeath101]

I'm torn between the f550 and the ram 5500. Cummin motor with dodge crappy build or Ford built quilty with the more expensive to mentain stroker.

[@CoyoteFTW]

6.7 powerstroke is just as good better than the 6.7 Cummins. Last good Cummins was the 12valve

[@cashlane4881]

You can govern your truck with th key 🔑 that's what I did

[@MrKnoNothing]

now the 450 is rated for 16/18 k

[@bradmcmanis3231]

Giant difference in axles from f350-450,350 has a high pinion 60 with normal 1 ton knuckles 450 completly different 60 bigger tubes bigger axles massive knuckles I have a 1-1/4 ton giant rear end in my 2013 F450 cab/chassis 4wd 120" Wheelbase with a 330/660 power,I also have a flatbed only use it to tow my toyhauler and after the cp4 pump failing at 100845 miles I'll never own another 6.7 LOL should of kept my 2002 7.3 F350 dually that had 450,000 miles 😀

[@nicholasmendoza6159]

Need the cp4 fuel block/diverter. Cleans fuel post hydraulic use, preventing extra wear, and sends it back to the tank instead of dumping it into the injectors.

[@michaelsavo-mg2pc]

Any review you see is for a brand new truck. In the long haul. Your truck will let you down

[@Таргариен-ж8з]

Price?

[@StevenLaFrance]

My ram is good for 37k of towing. That’s just be honest these trucks are playing with the big boys now. Most rig owners I know will only take up to 20k on there trailers now a days. So at what point are we going to match the USA and say max without a class 1 would be 26001 lbs.

[@SlipFitGarage]

I think you mean 20 tons, which is 40,000 pounds. In the US your average semi truck can legally gross out at 80,000 pounds..... then deduct the weight of the truck and trailer itself, and that gives you your net legal load capacity. Every truck and trailer combination can be different in weight, but my general rule of thumb is 40,000 lb for a tractor and trailer.... that then gives you 40,000 pounds of net load. (20 tons) these numbers can change 5 to 10 thousand pounds in either direction but you get the idea.

[@StevenLaFrance]

@@SlipFitGarage yeah they legally can but like l said most of the truckers i know will only do 10 ton max, no money in it after that

[@SlipFitGarage]

@@StevenLaFrance Interesting. I've been in the transportation business in some capacity or another since 1990 and I've never heard of a guy losing money because he took a full legal load. How are these drivers making any money on hauling "half" loads? How would a full load cost more money that a half load? (considering the entire load goes to the same customer) The difference between grossing out at 60,000 VS 80,000 doesn't do anything to the fuel mileage of a semi tractor. I don't know.... maybe hauling boxes and freight is different.... but in the equipment hauling business there isn't much work to be had if you cap yourself at a "half" load of 20,000 pounds. To each his own I guess. Around here we haul full loads.

[@StevenLaFrance]

@@SlipFitGarage yeah most of the guys I know run flatbed freight and dryvan so having a half load actually saves them a lot of fuel on their trucks and here in the mountains of BC having 40,000 pounds climbing 12% grades just murders the trucks. But the market pays $2mile for the half loads so who knows.

[@freemanscott78]

Can you get away with using Home Heating fuel with added Cetane booster for lubricity ? ...over here in the UK diesel fuel is £1.85 per litre ..heating oil is around 75 pence per litre ..don't know what the exchange is ...definitely worth thinking about if it's possible 👍👍

[@Theblindfarmer]

I have a 450 cab and chassis’s and my to the only difference was it had 1 less leaf and one less overload as well mine has the same size turbo as regular trucks

[@davidescobar5366]

Around the 8:30 mark this guy talks about how dealers don't know much about why these huge trucks are detuned and such Of course they don't know. Most of these guys are probably not even truck lovers themselves. They are simply salesmen that drive Camaros and Lexus and such. Even mechanics are just mechanics and that's a job for them. Their job is not to be informed about the vehicles they sell. This is all up and down the Ford corporation ladder however from the factory worker to the executives and CEO to their suppliers although a handful of engineers might know a bit about what is mentioned here. The rest of the people mentioned it's just a job for them which is why Ford made crappy cars and had to eventually give up and simply sell trucks Due to the lack of love for lack of a better term for their jobs even their trucks are not known to be as reliable as they claim either. Ford and even GM should get their acts together and hire care lovers that live their jobs. Not simply hire for example a CEO that graduated from Yale university and first worked being a CEO at Hershey's then jumped to Target and now ended up there. These guys seek money they don't care about cars. Kind of like a store owner hiring a head chef as their manager for the store only because that chef has great people skills. Yeah the head chef might know about managing a restaurant but what the hell does he know about managing people in a store???

[@jeffhurt5835]

NINE MINUTES….to say, it’s detuned. Geezus

[@jacoblawrence9849]

The 450 has bigger break package then the 350 but they share the same rear axle

[@gravytrainoutdoors]

The 450 axle is larger than the 350 dually. Same axle housing and ring and pinion but the f-450 has larger diameter 41 spline axles.

[@philliphols]

Lost me when you started exposing dump bodies and what we can carry…. If we’re here looking at these trucks I doubt we needed that breakdown. Oh to the next

[@michaelsavo-mg2pc]

I bought two trucks for my Business and F450 and a 550 the worst trucks ever. The gas tanks peel'd off and destroyed the engines. First time I brought it to the dealer. I had to go through insurance. Which was $25000 to repair and my insurance went up. It happened over and over again. They replaced it the second time. With the same crap they were twenty thirteen Fords Worst trucks ever. Also had Fords in the past with suspension problems. Does anybody out there understand what I am going through

[@spencerelsbury9110]

Get a ram 5500 limited 4x4

[@5inchborespaceing]

You need the 4.88 gears and the higher rear gawr.