John,
I ordered a 2016 F350 XLT 4WD SB SRW extended cab through a Ford dealer associated with the COSTCO car buying program and got exactly what I wanted at a great price. Actually, an unbelievably low price. (We buy all our vehicles through COSTCO.) So I do have some experience ordering a Ford pickup. A few thoughts, not in any particular order.
If they still have the camper package, order it. What it does, it gives you upgraded/heavier springs (if not already included in some other option) and a rear sway bar. The Ford OEM sway bar is not as heavy duty as the Hellwig but I am close to the GVWR with my rig and I have no issues with the Ford sway bar. The rig corners just fine. And the Ford sway bar weighs less than the Hellwig. In the 2016 literature it says “Camper Package required with F250/F350/F450 Super Duty”. Can you get by without it and put in an after market sway bar – probably – but better peace of mind if the truck is certified for use with a camper. Especially to get heavier springs.
Lights on the cab roof just reduce the clearance between the camper and the cab roof. Not a good idea IMO. And your camper will have its own running lights anyway.
As for tires, I found when ordering mine that the AT tires gave a higher GVWR than the M&S tires – both from Michelin. Even had the salesman go out on the lot and look at weight ratings on the tire sidewalls and he discovered much to his surprise that for the same truck, one with AT tires will have a slightly higher GVWR. That was the case for 2016 model year anyway.
Also I definitely suggest the 18″ wheels on the F350 – gives you a significantly better GVWR than than 17″ wheels.
I bought an aftermarket aluminum wheel to match the Ford OEM aluminum wheels to replace the steel wheel spare so I do a five wheel tire rotation – keeps the tread on the spare same wear as the others so when you need the spare you do not have to worry that it is new and the other three tires have less tread.
I got the 3.73 rear end. I worked construction and at one time we had a fleet of Chevy pick ups with 4.10 rear ends and I thought for sure when I bought a pick up I would always want a 4.10 rear end. But the 3.73 is so much better on paved roads – you can actually go the speed limit. But maybe you do want the 4.10 for towing. But do consider your top speed will be lower relative to your RPM with the 4.10 or higher rear end. But Mike is right in saying with a gasser a 4.10 rear end might be better. My truck is a gasser and on the uphill side of Colorado passes I am definitely slow. But for all other driving I am glad I have the 3.73.
I also got the electronic locking axles. Important for getting unstuck.
The XLT package gave me the front seat I wanted – semi-bench with a fold down console in the middle.
I just went with the skid plates that came with the 4WD package – did not order any specials or put on after market specials. Weight was a consideration for me.
My salesman was helpful providing weights of every option – used Ford document called “Truck Payload Actual Regular Production Content Weights”. Even gives you the split between front and rear axle weight for each option. For instance, the rear sway bar adds 17 lbs to the rear axle but actually takes a pound off (lighter) on the front axle because the sway bar is mostly located beyond the rear axle a bit.
About the rear view camera on the tail gate. When you remove the tail gate to install your camper you will find that the camera wiring harness connects to the truck via a plug – but it is a factory assembly type plug – not easily disconnected – I actually broke the plastic latch disconnecting it first time – no big deal – the fit is so tight it never comes loose on its own. You can find on line the replacement part – camera and harness with the plug and install that where you want leaving the camera in the tailgate. Word of advice – if you mount the camera approximately at the same elevation and angle as the tail gate one then the green/yellow/red lines on the screen on your rear view mirror will be close to reality. If you mount the spare camera too low or or at wrong angle you will have to ignore the warning lines and learn to “calibrate” what you see on the screen with how close you really are. I mounted mine on the camper itself.
Sliding rear window is a waste of money IMO. I did not get one.
Yes, the GVWR sticker and the GAWR shown on it are all real numbers that you should not exceed. I would go with the package that gives you the absolutely highest GVWR. And be wary of heavy options that increase the weight of the bare truck and thus reduce payload for your camper. 4WD is the only super heavy option that is worth it.
Hope that helps some.
Jeff
Reply To: ? for F 250 owners – options mods etc on custom ordered 2019
