Hey everyone,
I’ve been looking for a good work truck, and I can’t figure this out.
Does the Ford F250 and F350 have the same Powerstroke engine? If they’re the same, how can the F350 tow more? What makes the difference if the engine is identical?
Hey everyone,
I’ve been looking for a good work truck, and I can’t figure this out.
Does the Ford F250 and F350 have the same Powerstroke engine? If they’re the same, how can the F350 tow more? What makes the difference if the engine is identical?
It’s all about the suspension. Towing more isn’t about how fast you can pull—it’s about how well you can control the load.
Briar said:
It’s all about the suspension. Towing more isn’t about how fast you can pull—it’s about how well you can control the load.
Exactly. It’s not just about what you can pull—it’s about what you can stop!
They use the same engine, but the difference is in the suspension. The F250 is a 3/4-ton truck, and the F350 is a 1-ton truck. The F350 has heavier-duty suspension, which lets it handle more weight. Like others have said, it’s about control, not speed.
Suspension and brakes make a huge difference in towing. Getting the load moving is the easy part. Stopping it safely is what really matters.
Kris said:
Suspension and brakes make a huge difference in towing. Getting the load moving is the easy part. Stopping it safely is what really matters.
You’re the first to mention the larger brakes on the F350. Bigger brakes = more stopping power
@Remy
When did they change that? I thought the F250 and F350 were identical except for the spring packs. Only the dually models had bigger brakes.
Aki said:
@Remy
When did they change that? I thought the F250 and F350 were identical except for the spring packs. Only the dually models had bigger brakes.
My 2017 F350 SRW has bigger brakes than the F250. The calipers are larger, which reduces the ‘spongey’ feel when braking under heavy loads. At least, that’s what the dealership told me when I bought it.
As others have said, the engine and transmission are the same. The F350 just has stiffer springs and a slightly bigger rear block. It’s more about handling the weight than the engine power. Dually models are a different story—they spread the load better with the extra tires.
The F250 with the tow package is basically the same as the F350. The real difference is the rear axle and the GVWR sticker on the door. The F350 has a higher rating, which legally allows it to tow more. It’s all about the numbers on paper for towing limits.
It comes down to payload. A diesel F250 doesn’t have much more payload than a half-ton truck. But a one-ton SRW (F350) can handle around 4,000 lbs, which is perfect if you’re towing a 5th wheel or hauling heavy gear.
The F250 and F350 have the same engine, but the suspension is stiffer on the F350 to handle more weight. Also, older models (like pre-2005) had differences in axles—F250s had Dana 50s while F350s used Dana 60s.
The Powerstroke engine is the same from the F250 all the way up to the F750. The difference is in the suspension, brakes, frame strength, and tires. For the bigger trucks, they sometimes lower the engine output to make them last longer.
It’s mainly suspension and gearing. Back in the day, there was a bigger difference in standard configurations. The F250 was usually gas-powered and SRW, while the F350 often came standard with a diesel, dually setup, and optional overload springs.
A lot of the difference comes down to DOT classes and registration rules. GVWR ratings can affect fees and limits for towing in some states.
The engine is exactly the same. The difference comes from suspension and possibly the gear ratio. Those two things make all the difference in towing capacity.