Hi Jan in Reno and welcome to the forum.  You've asked a question that has been around a few times before today, but I'll try to give you a comprehensive answer.  The Super Duty PSD in F250 or F350 clothing is the same truck with 2 exceptions. The emblems and the rear spring blocks. My wife and I bought a 2001 F350 PSD SRW SB six speed brand new off the lot and have been tickled with that truck since day one. We pull a 3h slant, with full LQ and the truck does just fine. Empty, our trailer weighs about 8k and gross about 12k. Fully loaded for a week of trail riding I'm pretty confident we are pushing the gross limits of the trailer and the GCWR of the truck as well. I have never had an instance where I felt I needed more truck, more hp, more brakes when towing. Once in a while I borrow "my wife's truck" to pull a GN flat bed with building materials. I have probably exceeded the GCWR a couple of times and still felt confident the truck was doing a a good job. The engine in our truck is still stock, no chips, upgrades or reprogramming. The only modifications I've made to the truck are the following:

1. New 5" exhaust from Dynomax from the downtube back.

2. New high flow air filter.

3. Shorter spring blocks on the rear axle.

4. "Power Braker" engine brake. *this is one upgrade I did that I am very spoiled with, really saves the brakes on truck/trailer*

I've toyed with the idea of reprogramming the computer with a Super Chip, but don't feel the need to do it right away. We've owned the truck since 2001 and it's always towed what we hooked to it just fine with 275hp from the factory. I might have gained a few hp with the exhaust/air filter upgrades, but I'm still under 300hp for sure.

Please let me know if you have more questions as I'm always wanting to brag, *ahem* talk about my Fords.

Happy trails.

Hi Jan in Reno.  I purchased a new 2002 1 ton Dodge Dually extended cab diesel w/ six speed tranny.  I have hauled both my heavy 1987 steel two-horse Hart w/ LQ, and a 1995 Thor Electra Park Avenue 31' travel trailer w/ 8' slide out.  The travel trailer hitch has been converted to GN. 

I find this truck pulls both trailers equally well and at highway speeds.  I tried out the 3/4 ton Dodge extended cab diesel, but liked the feel and looks of the dually (I was trading a 1996 Chev dually extended cab w/ 454 cid). 

This truck acts as a hauler and family vehicle and is my choice of transportation when going on a trip.  I sold my '87 Hart trailer and downsized to a 2006 Chaparral 16' GN Stock.  Never know it's behind me when I haul...

I think personal preference of a vehicle is what determines the choice you make.  I have owned and driven chevies, fords and dodges - I like them all - the Dodge happened to suit my needs at this time.

Also I have not made any modifications to the motor either - no super chips of the like.

Rick

Now My 2 cents...I have a 2006 F 350 Dually,Diesel,4x4 4.10 rear end,Larait, auto,crewcab,long bed.Pull a trailsWest 3 horse LQ.

I weighed it loaded and combined weight was 23850

truck was 8400,trailer 15450

Plenty of power for hills and new auto trans holds back the load on hills.

Had a 2001 F250 that pulled the trailer empty but too much full.

Just get the F350. As stated above their is not much difference between the F350 & F250.  There have been many discussions on Truck forum about what, IF anything is different. But Ford does rate the working capacities higher on the F350 for some reason. The cost difference of the two models new is very minor. The resale difference of used trucks is better for the F350. At least in my area. You  rarely see a F250. The new computer designed springs and suspensions produce a great ride even in a 1 ton truck.

I live north of Salt Lake and my driving is simillar to anything you will do.  I have owned a 2000 7.3L, a 2003 6.0L and now a 2006 6.0L F350. The newer 6.0L with Torque Shift auto tranny is MUCH MUCH better than the older 7.3L   My 2000 7.3L was chipped and had a after market exhaust. My 6.0L trucks have been stock. Some of the 2003-2004 6.0L had some problems. But the newer engines seem to be running just fine.

I tow a 3 horse GN with a weekender package. The trailer weighs between 12,000 & 13,000lbs when loaded. I also frequently tow a 14 foot dump trailer or a tilt bed trailer with a skid loader. Both of these are around 12,000lbs loaded.  The 6.0L will haul them over I-80 up Parleys Summit at 70 mph. I don't know how much faster you'd want to haul horses over a mountain grade. I can start down Parleys or Trappers Loop ( both 7-8% grades), Touch the brakes and downshift, and never touch the brakes again for the rest of the downgrade. (this alone is reason enough to buy the newer 6.0L over the older 7.3L)

Either truck will come with the same powertrain. So the main difference is what Ford does to get the extra weight capacity on the F-350 ( usally a "E rated" vs a "D rated" tire). On a $40,000 truck the extra $300-$500 that the F-350 costs is a small percentage of the total.

Thank you to everyone for your responses and for your input!   All your comments were very helpful.  I think I'm ready to make my decision now!  Happy Trails......

/jir