Tow Capacities

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 lbs
F-250

Highest rating represented in our dataset

15,000 lbs
Difference

Peak ratings in dataset

+3,700 lbs

Ford 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.

Check which one fits your trailer ↓

Ford F-150

Years covered
1999–2023
Configurations
986
Observed tow range
2,000 – 11,300 lbs
Payload range
800 – 2,710 lbs
Peak towing
11,300 lbs in 2009, 2010 (2009, 2010)
Peak payload
2,710 lbs in 2006

Open F-150 model hub · Change vehicle

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 towing
15,000 lbs in 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 (2019, 2020, 2021, 2022)
Peak payload
4,332 lbs in 2019

Open F-250 model hub · Change vehicle

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
VS
F-250

Which one works for your trailer?

Searching configurations for the selected years (2017 F-150 vs 2017 F-250). Clear years in the bar above to search the full model history.

Compare specific model years

2017 Ford F-150 vs 2017 Ford F-250

Decision metrics

Peak towing represented

F-15010,000 lbs
F-25013,300 lbs

F-250: +3,300 lbs / +33.0%

Peak payload

F-1502,230 lbs
F-250Not available in our dataset

Not enough data to compare

Minimum towing represented

F-1505,000 lbs
F-25012,300 lbs

F-250: +7,300 lbs / +146.0%

Minimum payload

F-1501,600 lbs
F-250Not available in our dataset

Not enough data to compare

F-150

GVWR range
6,010 – 7,050 lbs
Curb weight range
4,049 – 5,697 lbs
GCWR
Not available in our dataset
Drivetrains
4x2, 4x4
Cabs
Regular Cab, SuperCrew Cab
Bed lengths
5.5 ft, 6.5 ft, 8 ft
Axle ratios
3.15, 3.31, 3.55, 3.73, 4.10
Engines
2.7 liters V-6, 3.5 liters V-6, 5.0 liters V-8
Configuration count
44

F-250

GVWR range
9,900 lbs
Curb weight range
—
GCWR
Not available in our dataset
Drivetrains
4x2, 4x4
Cabs
Crew Cab, Regular Cab, Super Cab
Bed lengths
6.75 ft, 8 ft
Axle ratios
3.73
Engines
6.2 liters V-8
Configuration count
34

Data coverage

Ford F-150 2017: 44 configurations

Ford F-250 2017: 34 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.

19992004200920142019202315,6486,252
F-150F-250

F-150 vs F-250 by year

Every year where either model has data. Missing values are not treated as zero.

YearF-150 max towF-250 max towDifferenceWinner
202311,000 lbsNo comparable dataNo comparable dataNot enough data
202211,000 lbs15,000 lbs+4,000 lbs F-250F-250
202111,000 lbs15,000 lbs+4,000 lbs F-250F-250
20208,000 lbs15,000 lbs+7,000 lbs F-250F-250
20198,000 lbs15,000 lbs+7,000 lbs F-250F-250
20188,000 lbs13,000 lbs+5,000 lbs F-250F-250
201710,000 lbs13,300 lbs+3,300 lbs F-250F-250
201610,000 lbs12,500 lbs+2,500 lbs F-250F-250
20159,000 lbs12,500 lbs+3,500 lbs F-250F-250
20148,100 lbs12,500 lbs+4,400 lbs F-250F-250
20138,100 lbs12,500 lbs+4,400 lbs F-250F-250
20129,400 lbs12,500 lbs+3,100 lbs F-250F-250
20119,600 lbs12,500 lbs+2,900 lbs F-250F-250
201011,300 lbs10,000 lbs-1,300 lbs F-150F-150
200911,300 lbs10,500 lbs-800 lbs F-150F-150
20089,500 lbs10,400 lbs+900 lbs F-250F-250
20079,500 lbs11,100 lbs+1,600 lbs F-250F-250
20069,500 lbs9,100 lbs-400 lbs F-150F-150
20059,500 lbs9,000 lbs-500 lbs F-150F-150
20049,500 lbs7,800 lbs-1,700 lbs F-150F-150
20038,800 lbs12,500 lbs+3,700 lbs F-250F-250
20028,800 lbs12,500 lbs+3,700 lbs F-250F-250
20018,800 lbs12,500 lbs+3,700 lbs F-250F-250
20008,800 lbs14,500 lbs+5,700 lbs F-250F-250
19996,900 lbs9,800 lbs+2,900 lbs F-250F-250

Payload capacity by model year

Maximum observed payload for both models across years. Higher tow rating is not always the only relevant choice.

1999200420092014201920234,8321,280
F-150F-250

Best towing configurations

2017 Ford F-150

  • Limited3.5 liters V-6 · 4x2 · SuperCrew Cab · 5.5 ft · 3.15Max towing 10,000 lbs · Payload 2,070 lbs
  • Limited3.5 liters V-6 · 4x4 · SuperCrew Cab · 5.5 ft · 3.31Max towing 10,000 lbs · Payload 2,020 lbs
  • King Ranch5.0 liters V-8 · 4x2 · SuperCrew Cab · 5.5 ft · 3.31Max towing 9,000 lbs · Payload 2,130 lbs
  • King Ranch5.0 liters V-8 · 4x2 · SuperCrew Cab · 6.5 ft · 3.31Max towing 9,000 lbs · Payload 2,230 lbs
  • Platinum5.0 liters V-8 · 4x2 · SuperCrew Cab · 5.5 ft · 3.31Max towing 9,000 lbs · Payload 2,130 lbs

View all 44 configurations

2017 Ford F-250

  • XL6.2 liters V-8 · 4x2 · Regular Cab · 8 ft · 3.73Max towing 13,300 lbs
  • XLT6.2 liters V-8 · 4x2 · Regular Cab · 8 ft · 3.73Max towing 13,300 lbs
  • Lariat6.2 liters V-8 · 4x2 · Super Cab · 6.75 ft · 3.73Max towing 13,000 lbs
  • XL6.2 liters V-8 · 4x2 · Super Cab · 6.75 ft · 3.73Max towing 13,000 lbs
  • XLT6.2 liters V-8 · 4x2 · Super Cab · 6.75 ft · 3.73Max towing 13,000 lbs

View all 34 configurations

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.

YearF-150F-250Difference
20069,500 lbs9,100 lbs-400 lbs
20059,500 lbs9,000 lbs-500 lbs
200911,300 lbs10,500 lbs-800 lbs
20089,500 lbs10,400 lbs+900 lbs
201011,300 lbs10,000 lbs-1,300 lbs
20079,500 lbs11,100 lbs+1,600 lbs
20049,500 lbs7,800 lbs-1,700 lbs
201610,000 lbs12,500 lbs+2,500 lbs

Years with the biggest towing-capacity difference

YearF-150F-250Difference
20208,000 lbs15,000 lbs+7,000 lbs
20198,000 lbs15,000 lbs+7,000 lbs
20008,800 lbs14,500 lbs+5,700 lbs
20188,000 lbs13,000 lbs+5,000 lbs
20148,100 lbs12,500 lbs+4,400 lbs
20138,100 lbs12,500 lbs+4,400 lbs
202211,000 lbs15,000 lbs+4,000 lbs
202111,000 lbs15,000 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

Related comparisons

Compare other vehicles