2015 F-450 - F-350 Press Release Specs - RV-Dreams Community Forum

Bill and Linda · RV-Dreams Family Member

2015 F-450 - F-350 Press Release Specs

BiggarView · RV-Dreams Family Member

Bill, hope you're right about Ford raising the GAWR. It would seem by raising the fifth wheel towing rating by 3300 lbs that the GAWR rating would be increased by approx 20% of that so if I was going to guess, add 660 to the current rating as a ball park number. You're right, now we gotta wait for official numbers confuse

-- Edited by biggaRView on Wednesday 5th of March 2014 11:18:01 AM

Bill and Linda · RV-Dreams Family Member

Brian

It’s always in the details. If you read carefully you will notice the F-350 and the F-450 have the SAME fifth wheel ratings. However, the F-450 has a higher gooseneck rating. This is generally because gooseneck trailers generally have less pin weight than fifth wheels.

Also, some of that max trailer rating has to do with how they put the pin weight on the frame. Sometimes you will see a pin weight rating that will actually be the limitation. However, with a hauler bed, properly engineered that won’t be as much of an issue.

I personally am pretty confident that they will upgrade the F-450 rear axle back what it originally was – hopefully more - as they are upgrading tire size etc. But it appears, for many, an F-350 may do just as well for most fivers as will the RAM or in some cases a Chevy. It just depends on what you need – these new F-450 / 350 trucks are not going to be inexpensive and are not likely to receive any discounts initially

I’m a numbers and test guy and I’m looking forward to seeing those before too long along with some independent tests of the exhaust brake.

This release continues to prove the point; the badge on the side of the truck means nothing without looking much closer at the specific truck and model year in question.

This could be fun – and expensive.

Jack Mayer · RV-Dreams Family Member

Expensive is right,Bill. It WILL be interesting to see ALL the numbers and test ratings.

Just remember everyone, that braking and pulling are still not all the picture. You have physics at work here. For a VERY heavy 5th wheel you still only have a 9,500 lb or so truck in front of it.

TRAILERKING · RV-Dreams Family Member

I think with most of those BIGGER 5th's a guy is better off using an ex highway truck. If it's a tandem then pull the front diff. out of it. Add another section of driveshaft and a hanger bearing. Make sure it's air-ride.

Then you have a tow rig..........................and for a lot less than a dually pickup.

Of course it will now be air brake equipped. There is then the "Driving With Proper Endorsements" basically know what your doing. Not jump out of your Chevy Cavalier and hop up in the rig and giver.(Read about this all the time. Some people don't have a clue)

-- Edited by TRAILERKING on Friday 7th of March 2014 10:54:40 AM

Bill and Linda · RV-Dreams Family Member

FWIW at this point in time: I was able to get a build order on a 2015 F-450 (pickup) from a local Ford dealer using their access to Ford’s dealer’s “build plans.” I.e. a dealer goes into their dealer only login Ford website and “builds a truck” on paper and the order process spits out a price and a specification sheet. This is how they order a truck. These sheets indicate “Late Availability” which means they are not yet ready to build these. They do indicate what Ford refers to as “Job 1 Trucks,” that is the first trucks for sale are due off the line July 7, 2014.

The big number in question is the rear axle rating. Looks like it will be increased from 9,100 lbs to a preliminary 9,650 lbs. (I reconfirmed the 9,100 lb RAWR for the 2014’s two different ways via the dealer’s only Ford specifications / build program as listed on the public website.) Both the commercial truck manager and I agreed (hoped?) they will probably up the 9,650 RAWR number when final numbers are released as the 2014 RAM 3500HD is 9,750lbs. Fiddling with the numbers is normal as each manufacture jockeys their positions.

The GVWR is still 14,000lbs. No surprise there. Same as current and recent previous years for the pickup.

Warranty on the 2015 diesel was 60/100,000; the powertrain 60/60,000.

So things look a little better for those needing a hauler bed, have a higher pin weight and want an aux tank, etc. We’ll have to wait a bit longer for the next round of numbers after Ford finishes playing with the first build numbers.

If you are needing an F-450 specifically and can wait on the 2015's - I sure would before I made a final decision.

As I said, FWIW

Jack Mayer · RV-Dreams Family Member

Just reweighed last week. With 6120lbs on the pin I would be pushing it. Total weight 24490, really loaded up.

So if the pin weight would work I could go with an F350. In theory.

Bill and Linda · RV-Dreams Family Member

Yea, that’s the screwy thing about the Ford ratings. The F-350 has better ones in some places. It’s that “badge on the side means nothing” thing again.

I did the preliminary chart for the 2015 F-450 and the RAM 3500HD is actually a tad better with a big pin weight. But let’s wait for the final numbers to come out. As we all know, Ford will change them once production begins among other marketing motivations.

With 6,120 lbs for the pin I actually think you would be over based on the base weight numbers I have. That would level you with only ~150 lbs for a hitch and about one screwdriver.

All just good campfire chat right now. Nothing more other than that.