Ford F-250 Super Duty Towing Capacity
The F-250 Super Duty’s towing capacity starts at 20,000 lbs. and can reach up to 30,000 lbs. with the right option.
Written by Jasmine Kanter
Reviewed by Jessica Barrett
The
Ford F-250 Super Duty
’s towing capacity starts at 20,000 lbs. and stretches to 30,000 with the High-Capacity Trailer Tow Package. Drivers will find it more than capable of taking on commercial and recreational challenges.A high towing capacity is essential for drivers who like to work hard and play hard. Pickup truck buyers know to look for rugged axles, frames, and engines, but other parts and accessories also have a role to play in how much you haul. So pack smart and don’t forget the
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!The car super app
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has pulled together all the essential information on the Ford F-250 Super Duty, from towing capacity and upgrades to money-saving tips on car insurance.Compare insurance quotes from 50+ carriers with Jerry in under 45 seconds
Compare insurance quotes from 50+ carriers with Jerry in under 45 seconds
4.7/5 rating on the App Store | Trusted by 5+ million customers and 7 million cars4.7/5 app rating | Trusted by 5M+ driversHow much can a Ford F-250 Super Duty tow?
Base towing capacity: 20,000 lbs.
Maximum towing capacity: 30,000 lbs.
Engines: 6.2L V8, 6.7L V8 Turbo Diesel, 7.3L V8
The Ford F-250 was one of Ford’s most popular full-size trucks. In 2017, the Super Duty line was introduced to provide best-in-class horsepower, payload, and towing capacity. In true Ford tradition, the F-250 Super Duty is a workman’s truck, with a range of upgrades that appeal to campers, off-roaders, and snow-plowers alike.
Trim levels start at XL and run through XLT, Lariat, King Ranch, Platinum, and Limited, but they won’t affect the truck’s towing capacity. Neither will the choice of a Regular, Super, or Crew cab (although what you load into them will certainly add to the strain on your truck).
Only trucks with a 475-horsepower, 6.7L V8 Turbo Diesel engine have the option to upgrade to the High-Capacity Trailer Tow Package (535). According to the
Ford towing option selector
, it boosts the F-250 Super Duty’s fifth-wheel/gooseneck towing power to 30,000 lbs. when combined with a 3.31 or 3.55 axle ratio.Trailer hitches for a Ford F-250 Super Duty
On their
online store
, Ford offers a $30 heavy-duty, 2 5/15” trailer hitch ball for 2011-2022 Super Duty models. Formed from stainless steel, it has a 20,000 lb. towing capacity. To take advantage of the increased fifth-wheel/gooseneck towing capacity, you’ll have to first install a
prep package
($720), then your choice of a hitch rated for 19,000 lbs.
($1,340), 27,500 lbs.
($310), or 32,500 lbs.
($1,960).Meanwhile, among aftermarket sellers, you can pick up a
CURT 31078 Class III receiver hitch
with a 5,000-lb. pulling capacity for $232.45. If that’s not enough for you, DRAW-TITE offers a pair of Class V 41931
and 45508
hitches that can haul 12,000 and 18,000 lbs., respectively.
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How to calculate the towing capacity you need
The maximum weight that you can pull with any vehicle is around 80% of its overall towing capacity. For example, the 20,000 lb. towing capacity of the Ford F-250 Super Duty means that you can haul up to 16,000 lbs.
Online
tow calculators
are great tools to help you further estimate what you can and can’t pull. It’s critical to keep some power in reserve so you can brake safely, drive uphill, and avoid damaging your car. Remember that passengers, luggage, and other cargo all contribute to engine strain! The final number will depend on the exact weight of your items, but here’s a general idea of
what you can expect to haul
with an F-250 Super Duty:- Canoe/kayak trailer: 100 to 400 lbs. (200 lb. avg. capacity)
- Motorcycle trailer: 300 to 800 lbs. (1,900 lb. avg. capacity)
- Utility trailer: 300 to 5,200 lbs. (1,800 to 4,400 lb. avg. capacity)
- Boat trailer: 1,100 to 4,400 lbs. (11,400 lb. avg. capacity)
- Pop up camper: 1,400 to 3,000 lbs. (1,100 lb. avg. capacity)
- Fifth wheel camper: 5,000 to 12,000 lbs. (6,000 lb. avg. capacity)
As you can see, the F-250 Super Duty is equally capable of hauling construction materials to the job site, watercraft of all sizes to the shore, and whole families plus their kit and caboodle into the woods. Remember to include the weight of everything you load into the trailer (like dirt bikes, ATVs, or snowmobiles stored in toy haulers) into your calculations!
How to increase towing capacity
Trailer hitches aren’t the whole story—you can increase your F-250 Super Duty’s towing capacity through other OEM or aftermarket parts. If you need to pull a bigger load on the road, look for:
- A weight-distribution hitch to reduce swaying and pressure on the suspension
- Upgraded brake pads and rotors that can stop more weight
- A bigger radiator to cool the engine faster
- Stronger axles, like RV axles, to bear bigger loads
- A trailer with integrated brakes to increase your stopping power
Some parts can increase your Ford’s towing capacity, and others can decrease it. For example, swapping the standard 17-inch wheels for the optional 18-inch Sparkle Silver rims can put more pressure on the engine, leaving less power for towing.
In any case, there’s only so much that replacement parts can do. If you regularly find yourself in need of significant tow power, you might want to consider switching to an even heavier-duty truck like the
Ram 2500
, which can pull up to 23,000 lbs., or the Ford F-450 Super Duty
, with its maximum rating of 24,200 lbs. 
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FAQs
Is a Ford F-250 Super Duty good for towing?
The Ford F-250 Super Duty is built for towing everything from trailers and flatbeds to campers and fifth wheels.
Can you put a trailer hitch on a Ford F-250 Super Duty?
Yes. Ford and aftermarket parts sellers offer a range of upgrades and replacements for the F-250 Super Duty’s trailer hitch.
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