Ford F-150
- Years covered
- 1999–2023
- Configurations
- 986
- Observed tow range
- 2,000 – 11,300 lbs
- Payload range
- 800 – 2,710 lbs
- Peak payload
- 2,710 lbs in 2006
Home · Compare · F-150 vs F-250
Ford F-150 vs Ford F-250 Towing Capacity
Ford F-250 has the higher peak towing rating represented in our dataset
F-150
Highest rating represented in our dataset
11,300 lbsF-250
Highest rating represented in our dataset
15,000 lbsDifference
Peak ratings in dataset
+3,700 lbsFord F-250 has the higher peak rating in 19 of 24 shared model years; Ford F-150 leads in 5.
Across the model years represented in our database, the Ford F-250 reaches a higher peak towing rating (15,000 lbs vs 11,300 lbs, difference 3,700 lbs). In shared model years with data, F-150 leads in 5 and F-250 leads in 19. The exact difference depends heavily on model year and configuration.
Ford F-250
- Years covered
- 1999–2022
- Configurations
- 746
- Observed tow range
- 2,100 – 15,000 lbs
- Payload range
- 2,179 – 4,332 lbs
- Peak payload
- 4,332 lbs in 2019
At a glance
Maximum towing represented
F-15011,300 lbs
F-25015,000 lbs
F-250 wins
Peak towing advantage
F-150—
F-250+3,700 lbs
F-250 wins
Maximum payload (validated)
F-1502,710 lbs
F-2504,332 lbs
F-250 wins
Observed towing range
F-1502,000 lbs – 11,300 lbs
F-2502,100 lbs – 15,000 lbs
Years covered
F-1501999–2023
F-2501999–2022
Configurations available
F-150986
F-250746
Peak towing years
F-15011,300 lbs in 2009, 2010
F-25015,000 lbs in 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022
Peak payload years
F-1502,710 lbs in 2006
F-2504,332 lbs in 2019
F-150
VSF-250
Which one works for your trailer?
Searching configurations for the selected years (2012 F-150 vs 2012 F-250). Clear years in the bar above to search the full model history.
Compare specific model years
2012 Ford F-150 vs 2012 Ford F-250
Decision metrics
Peak towing represented
F-1509,400 lbs
F-25012,500 lbs
F-250: +3,100 lbs / +33.0%
Peak payload
F-1501,930 lbs
F-2504,290 lbs
F-250: +2,360 lbs / +122.3%
Minimum towing represented
F-1505,500 lbs
F-25012,000 lbs
F-250: +6,500 lbs / +118.2%
Minimum payload
F-150920 lbs
F-2503,170 lbs
F-250: +2,250 lbs / +244.6%
F-150
- GVWR range
- 6,450 – 7,450 lbs
- Curb weight range
- 4,685 – 6,210 lbs
- GCWR
- 10,400 – 15,100 lbs
- Drivetrains
- 4x2, 4x4
- Cabs
- Regular Cab, Super Cab, SuperCrew Cab
- Bed lengths
- 5.5 ft, 6.5 ft, 8 ft
- Axle ratios
- 3.31, 3.55, 3.73, 4.10
- Engines
- Not available in our dataset
- Configuration count
- 52
F-250
- GVWR range
- 10,000 lbs
- Curb weight range
- 5,886 – 6,914 lbs
- GCWR
- 19,000 lbs
- Drivetrains
- 4x2, 4x4
- Cabs
- Crew Cab, Regular Cab, Super Cab
- Bed lengths
- 6.75 ft, 8 ft
- Axle ratios
- 3.73
- Engines
- Not available in our dataset
- Configuration count
- 28
Data coverage
Ford F-150 2012: 52 configurations
Ford F-250 2012: 28 configurations
Configuration coverage differs between these vehicles. Maximum values shown are the highest ratings represented in our validated dataset.
Compare towing capacity by year
Maximum observed towing capacity per model year in our dataset. Click a year to select it for detailed comparison.
F-150F-250
F-150 vs F-250 by year
Every year where either model has data. Missing values are not treated as zero.
| Year | F-150 max tow | F-250 max tow | Difference | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 11,000 lbs | No comparable data | No comparable data | Not enough data |
| 2022 | 11,000 lbs | 15,000 lbs | +4,000 lbs F-250 | F-250 |
| 2021 | 11,000 lbs | 15,000 lbs | +4,000 lbs F-250 | F-250 |
| 2020 | 8,000 lbs | 15,000 lbs | +7,000 lbs F-250 | F-250 |
| 2019 | 8,000 lbs | 15,000 lbs | +7,000 lbs F-250 | F-250 |
| 2018 | 8,000 lbs | 13,000 lbs | +5,000 lbs F-250 | F-250 |
| 2017 | 10,000 lbs | 13,300 lbs | +3,300 lbs F-250 | F-250 |
| 2016 | 10,000 lbs | 12,500 lbs | +2,500 lbs F-250 | F-250 |
| 2015 | 9,000 lbs | 12,500 lbs | +3,500 lbs F-250 | F-250 |
| 2014 | 8,100 lbs | 12,500 lbs | +4,400 lbs F-250 | F-250 |
| 2013 | 8,100 lbs | 12,500 lbs | +4,400 lbs F-250 | F-250 |
| 2012 | 9,400 lbs | 12,500 lbs | +3,100 lbs F-250 | F-250 |
| 2011 | 9,600 lbs | 12,500 lbs | +2,900 lbs F-250 | F-250 |
| 2010 | 11,300 lbs | 10,000 lbs | -1,300 lbs F-150 | F-150 |
| 2009 | 11,300 lbs | 10,500 lbs | -800 lbs F-150 | F-150 |
| 2008 | 9,500 lbs | 10,400 lbs | +900 lbs F-250 | F-250 |
| 2007 | 9,500 lbs | 11,100 lbs | +1,600 lbs F-250 | F-250 |
| 2006 | 9,500 lbs | 9,100 lbs | -400 lbs F-150 | F-150 |
| 2005 | 9,500 lbs | 9,000 lbs | -500 lbs F-150 | F-150 |
| 2004 | 9,500 lbs | 7,800 lbs | -1,700 lbs F-150 | F-150 |
| 2003 | 8,800 lbs | 12,500 lbs | +3,700 lbs F-250 | F-250 |
| 2002 | 8,800 lbs | 12,500 lbs | +3,700 lbs F-250 | F-250 |
| 2001 | 8,800 lbs | 12,500 lbs | +3,700 lbs F-250 | F-250 |
| 2000 | 8,800 lbs | 14,500 lbs | +5,700 lbs F-250 | F-250 |
| 1999 | 6,900 lbs | 9,800 lbs | +2,900 lbs F-250 | F-250 |
Payload capacity by model year
Maximum observed payload for both models across years. Higher tow rating is not always the only relevant choice.
F-150F-250
Best towing configurations
2012 Ford F-150
- FX44x4 · Super Cab · 6.5 ft · 3.73Max towing 9,400 lbs · Payload 1,830 lbs
- FX44x4 · SuperCrew Cab · 5.5 ft · 3.73Max towing 9,300 lbs · Payload 1,700 lbs
- FX44x4 · SuperCrew Cab · 6.5 ft · 3.73Max towing 9,100 lbs · Payload 1,570 lbs
- FX24x2 · Super Cab · 6.5 ft · 3.31Max towing 8,100 lbs · Payload 1,870 lbs
- Lariat4x2 · Super Cab · 6.5 ft · 3.31Max towing 8,100 lbs · Payload 1,870 lbs
2012 Ford F-250
- Lariat4x2 · Super Cab · 6.75 ft · 3.73Max towing 12,500 lbs · Payload 3,900 lbs
- Lariat4x2 · Super Cab · 8 ft · 3.73Max towing 12,500 lbs · Payload 3,800 lbs
- XL4x2 · Regular Cab · 8 ft · 3.73Max towing 12,500 lbs · Payload 4,290 lbs
- XL4x2 · Super Cab · 6.75 ft · 3.73Max towing 12,500 lbs · Payload 3,900 lbs
- XL4x2 · Super Cab · 8 ft · 3.73Max towing 12,500 lbs · Payload 3,800 lbs
Compare exact configurations
Change vehicle — open the comparison builder to pick a different pair.
Where each model has the advantage
Ford F-150
- Higher maximum towing in: 5 of 24 comparable years
Show years
2004, 2005, 2006, 2009, 2010
- Higher payload in: 0 of 23 comparable years
Ford F-250
- Higher maximum towing in: 19 of 24 comparable years
Show years
1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2007, 2008, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022
- Higher payload in: 23 of 23 comparable years
Show years
1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022
Years where these models are closest
Shared years with the smallest absolute difference in maximum towing ratings.
| Year | F-150 | F-250 | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 9,500 lbs | 9,100 lbs | -400 lbs |
| 2005 | 9,500 lbs | 9,000 lbs | -500 lbs |
| 2009 | 11,300 lbs | 10,500 lbs | -800 lbs |
| 2008 | 9,500 lbs | 10,400 lbs | +900 lbs |
| 2010 | 11,300 lbs | 10,000 lbs | -1,300 lbs |
| 2007 | 9,500 lbs | 11,100 lbs | +1,600 lbs |
| 2004 | 9,500 lbs | 7,800 lbs | -1,700 lbs |
| 2016 | 10,000 lbs | 12,500 lbs | +2,500 lbs |
Years with the biggest towing-capacity difference
| Year | F-150 | F-250 | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 8,000 lbs | 15,000 lbs | +7,000 lbs |
| 2019 | 8,000 lbs | 15,000 lbs | +7,000 lbs |
| 2000 | 8,800 lbs | 14,500 lbs | +5,700 lbs |
| 2018 | 8,000 lbs | 13,000 lbs | +5,000 lbs |
| 2014 | 8,100 lbs | 12,500 lbs | +4,400 lbs |
| 2013 | 8,100 lbs | 12,500 lbs | +4,400 lbs |
| 2022 | 11,000 lbs | 15,000 lbs | +4,000 lbs |
| 2021 | 11,000 lbs | 15,000 lbs | +4,000 lbs |
Data coverage / methodology
Configuration coverage differs between these vehicles. Maximum values shown are the highest ratings represented in our validated dataset.
- Peak values are the highest ratings represented in our dataset, not a claim of manufacturer completeness.
- Missing values are never treated as zero.
- We do not use averages of towing configurations as a primary comparison metric.
- Trailer “match” means the entered limits are satisfied by ratings in our dataset — additional real-world vehicle/trailer limits may apply. We never say a tow is “safe.”
Model pages
Ford F-150 towing capacity · Ford F-250 towing capacity