2024 Ford F-350 Towing Capacity Chart: The Definitive Guide

Introduction: More Than Just a Number

The 2024 Ford F-350 Super Duty arrives as a titan in the heavy-duty truck segment, engineered to tackle the most demanding tasks with formidable power and advanced technology. Its capabilities are often summarized by a few headline-grabbing figures that set the benchmark for the class. When properly configured, this truck boasts staggering capabilities:

• Maximum 5th-Wheel/Gooseneck Towing: 32,900 pounds
• Maximum Conventional Towing: 27,000 pounds
• Maximum Payload Capacity: 8,000 pounds

These numbers represent the absolute peak of the F-350’s potential. However, achieving them requires a very specific combination of engine, drivetrain, cab configuration, and optional equipment. The true story of the F-350’s capability is not found in a single number but in the intricate matrix of engineering choices available to the buyer. This definitive guide will provide the comprehensive charts, detailed explanations, and expert analysis necessary to understand exactly what a 2024 Ford F-350 can tow and how to configure the perfect truck for any job.

2024 F-350 Maximum Towing Capacity by Engine (At a Glance)

For those seeking a quick overview of the F-350’s potential, the maximum towing capacity is fundamentally tied to the engine choice. The following table summarizes the peak conventional and 5th-wheel/gooseneck ratings for each of the four available powerplants, providing a clear picture of the performance ceiling before diving into the granular details.

The Heart of the Beast – F-350 Powertrain Deep Dive

Engine Specifications: Understanding the Power Source

The foundation of the F-350’s immense capability lies in its quartet of powerful V8 engines. Each is engineered for a specific balance of performance, durability, and workload, and all are paired with a sophisticated TorqShift® 10-speed automatic transmission designed to handle extreme stress while providing smooth, intelligent shifting.

• 6.8L Gas V8: The standard engine provides a strong baseline with 405 horsepower and 445 lb-ft of torque. It is a robust choice for significant but not extreme towing and payload needs.
• 7.3L “Godzilla” Gas V8: This available gas engine is a class leader, delivering an impressive 430 horsepower and 485 lb-ft of torque. It represents the pinnacle of gasoline-powered capability in the Super Duty lineup.
• 6.7L Power Stroke® V8 Turbo Diesel: The standard diesel option marks a monumental leap in capability. It produces 475 horsepower and a massive 1,050 lb-ft of torque, making it the entry point for serious heavy-hauling.
• 6.7L High-Output Power Stroke® V8 Turbo Diesel: The ultimate powertrain choice, this engine is tuned to deliver a class-leading 500 horsepower and a staggering 1,200 lb-ft of torque. This engine is required to unlock the F-350’s absolute maximum towing ratings.

The raw numbers only tell part of the story. While the horsepower figures show a progressive increase, the torque specifications reveal a fundamental divide in performance. The High-Output diesel produces nearly 2.5 times the torque of the powerful 7.3L gas V8. This is not merely a quantitative difference; it is a qualitative shift in how the truck performs under load. Torque is the rotational force responsible for getting a heavy mass moving from a standstill and sustaining its momentum up a steep grade.

The immense torque of the Power Stroke engines is the primary engineering reason they can be rated to tow loads over 14,000 pounds heavier than their gasoline counterparts. For operators who frequently tow loads exceeding 18,000 pounds, or who work in challenging, high-altitude, or mountainous terrain, the diesel engines are a functional necessity, not simply a premium upgrade. For more information on these powertrains, visit the official(https://www.fordpro.com/en-us/fleet-vehicles/super-duty/).

The Official 2024 Ford F-350 Towing Capacity Charts

The following charts provide a detailed breakdown of the 2024 Ford F-350’s towing capacities. These figures represent the maximum trailer weight a given configuration can pull under ideal conditions, as rated by the manufacturer. It is critical to remember that these ratings do not account for passengers or cargo in the truck, which must be factored against the vehicle’s payload capacity and Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR).

Conventional Towing Capacity Chart (SRW & DRW)

Conventional towing refers to using a hitch mounted to the truck’s frame, typically via a receiver below the rear bumper. These ratings apply to both Single Rear Wheel (SRW) and Dual Rear Wheel (DRW) models, though specific configurations may require a DRW setup to achieve the highest ratings.

5th-Wheel & Gooseneck Towing Capacity Chart (SRW & DRW)

5th-wheel and gooseneck hitches mount in the truck’s bed directly over the rear axle. This configuration allows for significantly higher towing capacities by transferring the trailer’s pin weight more effectively and enhancing stability. The F-350’s highest ratings are exclusively achieved using this method.

Deconstructing the Numbers – Key Factors That Define Towing Capacity

The wide range of values in the charts above is a direct result of several key configuration choices. Understanding how these factors interact is essential for selecting a truck that is properly and safely equipped for a specific workload.

SRW vs. DRW: Why a “Dually” is the King of Towing

The most significant factor separating moderate and extreme towing capabilities is the choice between a Single Rear Wheel (SRW) and a Dual Rear Wheel (DRW) axle, commonly known as a “dually.” While it may seem like just adding two extra tires, the DRW configuration is a comprehensive engineering upgrade that fundamentally alters the truck’s stability and weight-bearing architecture.

The DRW setup provides a wider, more stable platform that dramatically improves the truck’s ability to manage the sway and immense pin weight of very large trailers. This enhanced stability and higher Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) are what allow engineers to certify DRW trucks for much higher Gross Combined Weight Ratings (GCWR). The impact is not subtle. For example, a Crew Cab 4WD F-350 with the 6.7L diesel engine sees its maximum 5th-wheel capacity increase by over 7,500 pounds simply by moving from an SRW to a DRW configuration.

The highest towing ratings of over 30,000 pounds are exclusively available on DRW models. Therefore, the DRW option should not be viewed as a simple add-on; it is the non-negotiable gateway to unlocking the F-350’s maximum advertised capabilities. For those who need to tow the heaviest loads, the choice of a dually is the first and most critical decision.

The Axle Ratio Equation: Power vs. Efficiency

The axle ratio is a critical but often overlooked specification that acts as a torque multiplier, directly impacting both towing capacity and fuel efficiency. The ratio (e.g., 3.55:1, 4.30:1) describes how many times the driveshaft must rotate to turn the wheels one full revolution. The trade-off is straightforward:

• Higher Numerical Ratio (e.g., 4.10, 4.30): This is often called “lower gearing.” It multiplies the engine’s torque more effectively, making it easier to get a heavy load moving and increasing the truck’s certified towing capacity. The downside is higher engine RPMs at highway speeds, which can lead to reduced fuel economy when the truck is unloaded.
• Lower Numerical Ratio (e.g., 3.55): This is often called “taller gearing.” It results in lower engine RPMs at cruising speed, which generally improves fuel efficiency. However, it provides less torque multiplication, resulting in a lower certified towing capacity.

For the 2024 F-350, the 4.30 axle ratio typically yields the highest conventional towing ratings for the gasoline engines. The diesel engines, with their immense inherent torque, are often paired with a 3.55 ratio to provide an optimal balance of extreme towing power and reasonable highway efficiency.

Cab Size, Drivetrain, and the Weight Penalty

There is a simple, inverse relationship between a truck’s own weight and its maximum towing capacity. Every component and option added to the truck increases its curb weight. For any given powertrain and axle combination, the manufacturer sets a maximum Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR)—the total permissible weight of the truck, its contents, and the trailer.

Because this GCWR is a fixed ceiling, any weight added to the truck must be subtracted from the amount it can legally tow. This explains why the absolute highest tow ratings are always achieved by the lightest possible truck configuration: a Regular Cab with a 4×2 drivetrain. Adding the larger SuperCab or Crew Cab, or the heavier 4×4 drivetrain, increases the truck’s weight and correspondingly reduces its maximum towing capacity, as seen in the detailed charts.

The Unspoken Rules of Towing – Payload and Weight Ratings

A truck’s advertised towing capacity is only one part of the safety equation. In many real-world scenarios, particularly with heavy 5th-wheel and gooseneck trailers, a truck’s payload capacity can become the limiting factor long before its maximum tow rating is reached.

Payload Capacity: The Real Limiter for Heavy Towing

Payload capacity is the total weight a truck can carry in its cab and bed. This includes passengers, fuel, cargo, and—most critically—the downward force exerted by a trailer’s hitch. This force is known as tongue weight for a conventional trailer and pin weight for a 5th-wheel or gooseneck trailer. As a rule of thumb, tongue weight should be 10-15% of the total trailer weight, while pin weight should be a much more substantial 15-25%.

The F-350’s maximum payload rating is an impressive 8,000 pounds, but this figure is only achievable on a specific configuration: a Regular Cab, 4×2, DRW model with the 6.8L gas engine and the Heavy-Duty Payload Package. More common configurations, especially high-end luxury trims, have significantly lower payload capacities due to the weight of their added features. For example, a 2024 F-350 Lariat Crew Cab can have a payload capacity of just 4,512 pounds.

This creates a potential payload bottleneck. Consider a 25,000-pound 5th-wheel RV, a load well within the F-350 diesel’s towing capacity. At a conservative 20% pin weight, that trailer places 5,000 pounds of force directly into the truck’s bed. This would immediately overload the Lariat model from the example, which has only a 4,512-pound payload capacity, without even accounting for passengers or gear.

In this common scenario, the truck runs out of payload capacity long before it approaches its maximum tow rating. This is the single most important calculation for buyers of high-trim trucks for heavy towing. The payload capacity listed on the tire and loading information sticker, located on the driver’s side doorjamb, is the definitive number for that specific vehicle and must be consulted.

GCWR vs. GVWR: Understanding the Master Numbers

To tow safely and legally, it is essential to understand two master numbers set by the manufacturer that must never be exceeded.²⁵

• GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating): This is the maximum permissible weight of the truck itself, fully loaded. It includes the truck’s curb weight, all passengers, all cargo in the cab and bed, and the trailer’s tongue or pin weight. The total weight of the truck sitting on its own wheels cannot exceed the GVWR.
• GCWR (Gross Combined Weight Rating): This is the absolute maximum permissible weight of the fully loaded truck and the fully loaded trailer combined. It is the total weight of the entire moving rig. The GCWR is the ultimate limit determined by the manufacturer based on the capabilities of the engine, transmission, axles, and frame.

The official towing capacity is derived from the GCWR. The basic formula is: Maximum Towing Capacity = GCWR – Curb Weight of the Truck. This reinforces why adding options increases the truck’s curb weight and reduces its tow rating. For a complete understanding of these terms, resources like(https://www.curtmfg.com/towing-capacity) offer excellent explanations.

Gearing Up – Essential F-350 Towing Packages and Technology

Ford offers several packages and a suite of advanced technologies designed to enhance the F-350’s towing capability, safety, and ease of use.

Must-Have Hardware: Towing Packages

• 5th-Wheel/Gooseneck Prep Package: This factory-installed package is essential for anyone planning to tow heavy 5th-wheel or gooseneck trailers. It provides the necessary under-bed mounting hardware, a frame crossmember, and an integrated 7-pin wiring connector in the bed, creating a clean and robust connection point.
• Heavy-Duty Payload Package: Primarily available on gasoline models, this package includes upgraded springs and other reinforcements to achieve the F-350’s best-in-class 8,000-pound maximum payload rating. It is a critical option for those who need to maximize hauling capability.
• Tremor™ Off-Road Package: This package transforms the F-350 into a highly capable off-road machine with a lifted suspension, 35-inch all-terrain tires, skid plates, locking differentials, and unique drive modes like Rock Crawl. While it retains excellent capability, its conventional towing is rated up to 18,200 pounds, meaning it is optimized for off-road performance rather than achieving the absolute maximum towing figures of other configurations.

Smart Towing Technology Suite

The 2024 F-350 is equipped with an array of class-leading technologies designed to reduce the stress and complexity of towing.

• Pro Trailer Hitch Assist™ & Pro Trailer Backup Assist™: These systems automate two of the most challenging towing tasks. Pro Trailer Hitch Assist uses cameras and sensors to automatically steer, brake, and accelerate the truck to align the hitch ball with the trailer coupler. Pro Trailer Backup Assist allows the driver to steer the trailer while reversing using a simple knob on the dashboard, letting the truck handle the complex steering inputs.¹⁰
• Onboard Scales with Smart Hitch: This innovative feature provides a real-time estimate of the cargo weight in the truck’s bed and helps guide proper trailer tongue weight distribution, displayed on the center touchscreen and through the truck’s taillights. This helps prevent dangerous overloading.
• 360-Degree Trailer Camera System: An array of cameras provides a bird’s-eye view of the truck and trailer, virtually eliminating blind spots and making it easier to navigate tight spaces.
• BLIS® (Blind Spot Information System) with Trailer Coverage: This system extends the truck’s blind spot monitoring to cover the length of a conventional trailer, providing alerts if a vehicle is alongside the trailer during a lane change.
• Trailer Navigation: When a trailer profile is active, the onboard navigation system can plan routes that account for the trailer’s height and width, helping to avoid low bridges and tight corners.

Putting it to Work – What Can the 2024 F-350 Really Tow?

With its vast range of capabilities, the 2024 F-350 can be configured to handle nearly any towing task imaginable. The numbers on the charts translate to real-world confidence for both work and recreation.

• Recreational Towing: A properly equipped diesel DRW F-350 can effortlessly handle the largest multi-slide 5th-wheel RVs, which can weigh over 20,000 pounds. It is also an ideal choice for towing large cabin cruiser boats (16,000+ pounds) or multi-horse gooseneck trailers with full living quarters, which can easily exceed 14,000 pounds when loaded.
• Commercial & Agricultural Towing: For job sites, the F-350 is capable of towing heavy equipment like small bulldozers, skid steers, or mini-excavators on a gooseneck trailer. It can also manage large flatbed trailers loaded with building materials or agricultural implements, making it a versatile workhorse for construction, farming, and fleet operations. To better understand how to manage your truck’s weight limits for these tasks, explore our guide on the.

Conclusion and Final Recommendations

The 2024 Ford F-350 Super Duty stands as a testament to modern engineering, offering a spectrum of towing capabilities that range from highly competent to class-dominating. With a peak 5th-wheel/gooseneck rating of 32,900 pounds, it is built to move mountains.

However, the key takeaway is that this capability is not universal across the lineup. The most critical task for any potential buyer is to spec the truck for the job. A thoughtful selection of engine, drivetrain, axle ratio, and wheel configuration is paramount. For those with the most demanding needs, the path is clear: a 6.7L Power Stroke® Turbo Diesel engine and a Dual Rear Wheel configuration are essential. For a full comparison of these powertrains, see our guide on.

Finally, before making a purchase or hitching up a trailer, always verify the specific ratings on the vehicle’s Safety Compliance Certification Label and the Tire and Loading Information label on the driver’s side doorjamb. For the most detailed and official specifications, consult the official(https://www.ford.com/towing/).

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the maximum towing capacity of a 2024 Ford F-350?

The 2024 Ford F-350 has a maximum 5th-wheel/gooseneck towing capacity of 32,900 pounds. This requires the 6.7L High-Output Power Stroke® V8 Turbo Diesel engine, a 4×2 drivetrain, Regular Cab, and a Dual Rear Wheel (DRW) configuration. Its maximum conventional towing capacity is 27,000 pounds.

Which F-350 engine is best for towing?

For towing loads over approximately 18,000 pounds, the 6.7L Power Stroke® V8 Turbo Diesel engines are essential. The High-Output version provides the absolute maximum capacity, while the standard diesel is also exceptionally capable. The massive torque output of 1,050 to 1,200 lb-ft is the key advantage for moving heavy loads, especially from a stop or up steep grades.

Do I need a dually (DRW) F-350 to tow heavy?

Yes. To safely and legally tow the heaviest loads (generally above 22,000 pounds) and achieve the F-350’s maximum ratings, a Dual Rear Wheel (DRW) configuration is required. The DRW setup provides the necessary stability and weight-bearing capacity that extreme loads demand.

How does axle ratio affect F-350 towing?

A higher numerical axle ratio (e.g., 4.10) acts as a torque multiplier, increasing the truck’s ability to pull heavy loads from a stop and raising its overall towing capacity, though it may reduce fuel economy. A lower ratio (e.g., 3.55) improves fuel economy when not towing but results in a lower tow rating. The best choice depends on the primary use of the truck.

What is the difference between conventional and 5th-wheel towing?

Conventional towing uses a hitch mounted on the truck’s frame behind the rear bumper. 5th-wheel and gooseneck towing use a special hitch mounted in the center of the truck bed, directly over the rear axle. This placement allows the truck to handle much heavier and more stable loads by positioning the trailer’s pin weight directly over the truck’s suspension.