has a conventional towing capacity of 21,000 lbs. and a fifth-wheel/gooseneck towing capacity of 32,000 lbs. Hauling the heaviest loads depends on the right combination of axle ratio, engine, and gear.

Anything’s game when you have a truck with a high towing capacity—one day you might be hauling bricks down the road, the next might see you taking your boat to the beach. But towing can be tricky; the best defense against swaying, fishtailing, and tipping your whole load is to know your car’s capabilities inside and out. You might also want to look into

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To help lighten your load,

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has created a guide to the Ford F-350 Super Duty’s towing capacities—what you need to haul the most cargo, where to get it, and how to insure it for cheap.

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How much can a Ford F-350 Super Duty tow?

Base towing capacity: 21,000 lbs.

Maximum towing capacity: 32,000 lbs.

Engines: 6.2L V8, 6.7L V8 Turbo Diesel, 7.3L V8

Ford introduced the Super Duty line of trucks in 2017. While the F-350 might sit in the middle seat, the whole line represents the best-in-class of horsepower, payload, and towing capacity. Ford offers further customizations and upgrades to ensure that buyers always have the right truck for the job.

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 your choice of a Regular, Super, or Crew cab, or your choice of box size. Just remember that what you load into them will contribute to the truck’s overall weight.

The choice that matters is a 3.31 or 3.55 rear axle ratio plus a 475-horsepower, 6.7L V8 Turbo Diesel engine. But don’t assume that the biggest axle ratio (a measure of how fast the driveshaft spins) will give you the best bang for your buck. A higher number can help your truck climb steep roads, but it can also cause your fuel economy to plunge.

Trailer hitches for a Ford F-350 Super Duty

Following the philosophy that you need the right tool for the right job, Ford offers a plethora of accessories on their online store. You can find Super-Duty

trailer hitches

, sensors, and ball mounts for sale.

To haul a

gooseneck trailer

, you’ll need a prep kit ($720) plus a hitch kit for either 27,500 lbs. ($310) or 37,000 lbs. ($545). A

fifth-wheel

requires the same prep kit, plus a hitch kit for either 19,000 lbs. ($1,340) or 32,500 lbs. ($1,960), both of which are sized for an 8’ bed.

Aftermarket parts are also plentiful. Check out this

CURT 31078 Class III receiver hitch

($184.79) with a 5,000-lb. pulling capacity. A Class V upgrade from DRAW TITE to 12,000 lbs. (

41931

) or 18,000 lbs. (

45508

) starts at $254.79.

MORE:

How to install a tow bar

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How to calculate the towing capacity you need

You should aim for the total combined weight of the vehicle plus passengers, cargo, and trailer to equal no more than 80% of its overall towing capacity. The Ford F-350 Super Duty’s 21,000 lb. towing capacity, for example, translates into a limit of 16,800 lbs.

Why is it important to keep your gross combined weight low? Well, besides being healthier for your truck’s engine, it impacts how safely you can brake and how comfortably you can handle difficult terrain and weather. Use a

tow calculator

to help you estimate your maximum load, and remember that passengers, cargo, and car fluids all add to your weight!

What you can expect to haul

with an F-350 Super Duty depends on the exact weight of the items, but here’s a rough estimate:

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)

Reading through the list of trailers, you can see that there aren’t many places the F-350 Super Duty can’t reach—work sites, waterfronts, and camping grounds are all possible. With its huge towing capacity, you can plan some very long trips indeed!

How to increase towing capacity

There are other OEM and aftermarket parts besides trailer hitches that can boost your truck’s towing capacity. If you want your F-350 Super Duty to haul more, look for upgrades like:

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

Just as some parts can increase your towing numbers, others can decrease it. If you can’t pack light, skip the smaller axle ratio options. Similarly, the standard gas 6.2L V8 engine won’t deliver the power that the 6.7L V8 Turbo Diesel engine does.

If your head’s spinning from mentally swapping parts, it might be time to look at other vehicles. The F-350 Super Duty is near the very top in terms of towing capacity, but there’s one higher: the Ford F-450 Super Duty, which can haul a whopping 24,200 lbs. to 37,000 lbs.

MORE:

Travel trailer insurance, explained

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How to find affordable car insurance

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FAQs

Is a Ford F-350 Super Duty good for towing?

The Ford F-350 Super Duty exceeds the average consumer’s towing needs, with a 21,000-lb. conventional towing capacity and a 32,000-lb. limit for gooseneck trailers and fifth wheels.

Can you put a trailer hitch on a Ford F-350 Super Duty?

Yes. The F-350 Super Duty can be equipped with a variety of trailer hitches offered by Ford and aftermarket sellers.

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