F250 or F350 which one?

[Horsehauler123]

Hi all, I am brand new to this forum. I have horses and a new to me living quarters horse trailer. It is actually 20 years old but in great condition. It is a Featherlite, 28ft, 3 horse slant. It weighs 10,600 lbs empty. I have 3 horses which will add about 3,500 lbs plus whatever tack, feed, water and supplies. The weight on the hitch is about 5,000 lbs. I will be hauling at most 5 hrs one way. Might make a 1x a year trip across the country but typically staying closer to home. I live in Iowa.

My question is which Ford to get- the F250 or the F350? I don't want a dually unless it is really absolutely necessary. I currently have a 1987 F30 gas crewcab long box. First time we put the trailer on it, we had to inflate the tires. The truck we have will pull it, but can't maintain speed on hills. Everybody (but my husband) says I need a different truck. The problem is nobody agrees on which Ford I need. I am getting a diesel and this one will have 4x4.

I am leaning towards a crewcab- 3 kids shortest is 5.11 and tallest and growing is 6.3. Also really want a short box- 6.5 I believe. The trailer is a gooseneck. I know the shortbox is harder with a gooseneck and I have to watch so I don't take out the back window of the truck.

I would like to drive the new truck as my everyday vehicle and a dually won't fit into our garage. Also will need to drive this truck over icy, snowy roads.

So which truck would you recommend for my needs? Thanks for the input.

[Powerstroke W/smoke]

go with the f350 for the extra towing capicity. using a dully to tow is so much nicer than a SRW. go drive both and see what one you like, crew cab sounds like a must for your situation

[thesmokinstroke02]

deffinently get a F350. youll squat the crap out of an F250 with that setup on towing. look for an F350 SRW if you arent a fan of duallys, but i think a dually would be the best option for your situation.

[2006PSDSD]

My neighbor hauls stuff for his boss for a living, using a SRW LB CC. He really likes it, and says that it will do the same thing that a dually would. You could invest in some airbags if you needed, but I'm sure a CC SB Ford diesel will fit the bill just fine

[thesmokinstroke02]

id think a long box would be better for towing if you ever put things in the bed while you were towing a trailer. we haul our 32ft 5'er with my dads 2500hd duramax ext cab long box and we have a 110 or so gallon aux tank in the bed (L shaped) and it fits just right in there with it all. so i guess it all depends on what you use your bed for while towing or just in general.

[Horsehauler123]

Thanks for the thoughts. Do any of you have trouble with your diesel trucks in the bitter cold if they sit out? If I end up with the dually, it will have to sit outside in the cold and snow/ice storms. Will it need to be plugged in?

Edited to add I am from Iowa. This past winter we had actual air temps -15 to -20 for about a week. We usually run from -5 to 10 for a good share of the winter.

[thesmokinstroke02]

where are you from? cold to you might not be cold to other members on here. my truck can sit outside plugged in in negative aactual temperature weather and start up just fine. mines a 7.3 though i cant speak for any of the other motors. but usually keeping them plugged in helps tremendously

[Scainiac]

F-350 would definately be the way to go!

[Horsehauler123]

Originally Posted by thesmokinstroke02

where are you from? cold to you might not be cold to other members on here. my truck can sit outside plugged in in negative aactual temperature weather and start up just fine. mines a 7.3 though i cant speak for any of the other motors. but usually keeping them plugged in helps tremendously

Sorry about that I am from Iowa. I added it in the question so others don't get confused.

[thesmokinstroke02]

okay. then you should be fine. make sure you keep additive in the fuel and keep it plugged in. most important thing though is aditive. you deffinently dont want a gelled up tank. my truck got a new fuel pump and line this winter because of gelled up fuel.