F450

[atom ant]

Were there some folks saying the F450 pushed them into a CDL or different type of license plate?

[brenkco]

Brad,
It may have been me. This is specific to California (I have no knowledge of what other states do). In California, vehicles with over a 11,500# GVWR are not considered pickup trucks and must stop a scales. It is considered a commercial vehicle and unless used "solely" for recreational purposes, can be subject to PUC filings/tags. In actuality, that would include a F350 dually as it's published GVWR is over 11,500, but not the F350 SRW (it's 11,300). The truck itself requires no different license.

Also, in California, if your trailer is over 15,000 GVWR (not actual weight but the capacity on the sticker), you must have a non commercial class A drivers license. If your trailer is between 10,001 and 15,000 you must get a restriction 41 endorsement to the class c license.

There are no such restrictions for motorhomes. Similarly, it seems that none of this is enforced unless/until there seems to be other issues. There is a great deal of confusion/misunderstanding regarding these laws.

I can tell you that I'm required to stop at all truck scales, whether towing or not. I can also tell you that I'd get run out of them if I did stop. The license thing is another issue.

The good news is that if you have out of state plates, you need not worry as your local state laws take precedent.

Ken

[Dave&Ginny]

The F450 is rated to carry enough weight that if it's pulling the max amount, it would require a "noncommercial" CDL. Depending on your state laws you'll have to get a heavier plate as well. In Illinois I have to have a "F" plate which runs about
$275? each year. This "F" plate is same plate they use on medium duty trucks.

[JerryL]

^In Kentucky, all I need on my 3500 is a 10,000 truck plate. I asked at the DMV, and they said only cover my actual truck weight, my RV has it's own plate. My 10,000 plate is the same price as any other regular vehicle plate. As to CDL, I didn't think they were required for private, non money making towing? I have friends that tow their RV with a regular, though modified, "18 wheel type truck". I don't think they have a CDL.

[Buddy Wallace]

Originally Posted by Dave&Ginny

The F450 is rated to carry enough weight that if it's pulling the max amount, it would require a "noncommercial" CDL. Depending on your state laws you'll have to get a heavier plate as well. In Illinois I have to have a "F" plate which runs about
$275? each year. This "F" plate is same plate they use on medium duty trucks.

In Louisiana, if you are using it to pull a personnel RV you are not commercial and my insurance rates with Good Sams reflects that. I worked with Public Safety and State Police for years and they told me that their records show only California having problems with this. I do not have to have a CDL except there.

[Buddy Wallace]

In Louisiana it is a one time plate and fee for the RV for life. We do have to have an inspection sticker yearly though.

[Buddy Wallace]

Originally Posted by Dave&Ginny

The F450 is rated to carry enough weight that if it's pulling the max amount, it would require a "noncommercial" CDL. Depending on your state laws you'll have to get a heavier plate as well. In Illinois I have to have a "F" plate which runs about
$275? each year. This "F" plate is same plate they use on medium duty trucks.

In Louisiana, if you are using it to pull a personnel RV you are not commercial and my insurance rates with Good Sams reflects that. I worked with Public Safety and State Police for years and they told me that their records show only California having problems with this. I do not have to have a CDL except there.

[almcc]

Here in Canada, different provinces have different regulations. In Ontario all pickups have commercial plates (black lettering vs. blue), even my neighbours Honda! Technically, I believe you have to license the truck for the combined weight of the trailer and truck to be legal but lots of folks just use the truck weight as the weight for licensing purposes. The F450 is also right on the edge of the weight rating where you require a class A license to haul 5th wheel RV, it involves a road test. It's frustrating that the largest diesel pushers here only require a car plate!

I believe in BC you have to get a license endorsement and test to haul a 5th wheeler, Andy can confirm.

Because of reciprocity, if you are legal in your home jurisdiction then you are legal in most others.

I was wandering through the 2015 F450 specs lately and I notice that they are back to 19.5 inch tires as they had pre-2011. There is also a 2015 F350 with a HD towing option that looks similar to what the 2011-14 F450's look like, for the hassles and cost with the 19.5 inch tires it may be a better choice.

[Dave&Ginny]

A CDL is not a state requirement....it's federal. The purpose of the CDL is to eliminate all the different state laws that effected drivers that covered several states and to eliminate the need for multiple licenses (and the games the drivers played with the multiple licenses).

I'm not sure what the weight is that puts the F450 into that class. But this is only when the F450 is maxed out. As for other non-commercial federal licensing requirements......air brake endorsement if you drive anything with air brakes. This will come into serious play if ever involved in an accident. The F450 does NOT come with air brakes so this doesn't apply.

[atom ant]

Hmmm - I'm staring at twin F450 and F350 Lariats (trying to snag the last of the two tone color like mine before the 2015 take over). I don't need the F450, but wouldn't kick out the idea.

Thought I better check around to make sure I'm not inviting additional cost and hassle for something I thought would be cool.

[Dave&Ginny]

Originally Posted by atom ant

Hmmm - I'm staring at twin F450 and F350 Lariats (trying to snag the last of the two tone color like mine before the 2015 take over). I don't need the F450, but wouldn't kick out the idea.

Thought I better check around to make sure I'm not inviting additional cost and hassle for something I thought would be cool.

The F450 is going to have less mpg due to the differential and check with your insurance company. I like the idea of the F450 but it's more truck than what's needed for the Redwoods.

[atom ant]

what I mainly like is the flair on the front fenders and bumper with the wider front axle, but I see now the flair is an option for the F350, so I may stick to that one.

[Buddy Wallace]

Originally Posted by atom ant

Hmmm - I'm staring at twin F450 and F350 Lariats (trying to snag the last of the two tone color like mine before the 2015 take over). I don't need the F450, but wouldn't kick out the idea.

Thought I better check around to make sure I'm not inviting additional cost and hassle for something I thought would be cool.

I bought the F450 Lariat first so anything I pick I could pull. We were looking at the 3 axle New Horizon's. I got mine with full warrant with under 5K miles for $47,000.00 They only sold F250 and F450.

[almcc]

Originally Posted by Dave&Ginny

The F450 is going to have less mpg due to the differential and check with your insurance company. I like the idea of the F450 but it's more truck than what's needed for the Redwoods.

It's probably too early to have speed in gears values for the 2015's, but the RPM's on the 2015 450's may have about the same RPM numbers as the 2014's.

I was presently surprised by my 450's mileage. I dropped about 1.5 mpg from my 2003 F-350 SRW manual with 4.10 gearing. The combination of DRW, automatic and emission controls probably did it and the Redwood didn't help either! The engine RPM at 60 MPH on the 450 is exactly what the 350 was (350 had 16 inch tires the 450 has 17 inch). The new 450 may be the same with the 19.5 tires.

The 2015 F-350 with the HD towing option may be the best choice however.

I

[brenkco]

Brad,
There were 2 reasons I chose the F450 over the F350 (I had a 2012 F350 SRW).
Number 1 was the 9.5 foot shorter turning radius for the F450. It makes a big difference in maneuvering these beasts. I have a tight street to back my rig into the driveway so it made a big difference to me.

The other thing we noticed was a much softer ride when not towing. I added tiimbrens so the ride is unchanged when unloaded and supported loaded.

Yes, fuel economy is slightly lower due to the rear end but insignificant IMO.

The rig sits lower...not quite 2" due to the 17" tires. Makes it nicer for me in the garage and easier in and out for DW.

Regulation hassle here is no different for an F350 or 450. The price difference wasn't significant either.

Dave is right about checking with your insurance company. Some limit personal policies to 1 ton, some 1 1/2.

Ken

[Dave&Ginny]

I like everything I've read about the 2015 F450 and I'll look at one when I get a chance.

[atom ant]

Just found out - the 2015 F350 now comes with a "wide track" option which sets the front wheels out to where the outer duallys are (just like stock F450), giving it a much tighter turning radius and it gets you the front fender flares and bumper extensions.

That was the only thing I looked to the F450 for, as I liked that turning radius

[Jim & Mary]

Brad

Looks like that "wide track axle" also requires you to get 4.30 gears in the rear end. Not sure I would like that for highway towing.......5 MPG?

Jim

[atom ant]

Ah - I didn't even catch that. Thanks Jim

Jim, how close does your paint match the Redwood? I might entertain your color if I have to have that brown on the bottom.

[brenkco]

Jim,
It's not that bad! I get about 16 empty, 10 towing.

Ken