Ford F-350 Towing Guide: The One-Ton Titan

Know Your Engine: High Output vs. Godzilla

Ford offers the most diverse engine lineup in the class, and your choice dictates whether you are built for speed (towing) or carry (payload).

• 6.7L High Output Power Stroke Diesel (The Towing King):

  • The Stats: 500 hp / 1,200 lb-ft torque.

  • Max Towing: Up to 38,000 lbs (Gooseneck/5th Wheel).

  • The Advantage: This engine is a monster. With 1,200 lb-ft of torque, it can pull 30,000+ lb trailers up 6% grades without breaking a sweat. It is the only choice for massive toy haulers.

  • Best Match: Luxe Fifth Wheels, DRV Mobile Suites, or 44-foot Toy Haulers.

• 6.7L Standard Output Diesel:

  • The Stats: 475 hp / 1,050 lb-ft torque.

  • Max Towing: ~27,000 – 35,000 lbs depending on configuration.

  • The Balance: Still incredibly capable, offering plenty of power for 95% of RVs on the road while saving money over the H.O. option.

• 7.3L "Godzilla" V8 Gas (The Payload King):

  • The Stats: 430 hp / 485 lb-ft torque.

  • Max Towing: ~22,000 lbs.

  • The Secret Weapon: Because the gas engine is nearly 1,000 lbs lighter than the diesel, a gas F-350 has a significantly higher Payload Capacity. If you want to haul a heavy Truck Camper in the bed, the "Godzilla" engine is often superior to the diesel.

SRW vs. Dually (DRW)

• Single Rear Wheel (SRW): Great for daily driving, but limited by rear tire ratings. Max towing is typically capped around 25,000 lbs. However, with big fifth wheels, you will often run out of payload capacity (pin weight limits) before you hit your max towing weight.

• Dual Rear Wheel (DRW): The "Dually" provides four rear tires to support massive pin weights (payloads up to 8,000 lbs) and offers incredible stability in high winds. If your trailer weighs over 16,000 lbs, we highly recommend a Dually for safety.

Ford's "Smart Tow" Technology

Ford leads the industry in towing tech, making it easier to handle massive loads.

• Onboard Scales with Smart Hitch: The taillights have built-in LED bars that light up to show you how much payload is in the bed. The screen also tells you if your tongue weight is too high or too low—no more guessing!.

• Pro Trailer Hitch Assist: The truck uses cameras and radar to automatically reverse, steer, and brake to line up the hitch ball perfectly under the trailer coupler. You just hold a button.

• Pro Trailer Backup Assist: Steer your massive 5th wheel in reverse by turning a small knob on the dashboard while the truck handles the steering wheel calculations.

What Can I Tow With an F-350?

• Mammoth Toy Haulers: With a Dually H.O. Diesel, you can pull a 45-foot Forest River XLR or Raptor loaded with a side-by-side, 100 gallons of water, and a fuel station.

• Full-Time Living Fifth Wheels: The F-350 is the standard tow vehicle for "Full-Timers" living in units like the Riverstone or Grand Design Solitude. The stiff suspension handles the weight of residential appliances and washer/dryer units.

• Heavy Truck Campers: With the massive payload of the 7.3L Gas Dually, you can carry a Northern Lite or Host Mammoth camper with triple slide-outs and still tow a boat behind you.

Essential Equipment for Super Duty

• Blind Spot (BLIS) with Trailer Coverage: This system extends your blind spot monitoring to cover the length of your trailer. Make sure you enter your trailer's length in the computer for it to work correctly!.

• 5th Wheel / Gooseneck Prep Package: Ensure your truck has the factory "puck system" in the bed. This allows you to drop in a B&W Companion or Ford Factory hitch in seconds without drilling holes in your frame.

Ready to Go Big?

Your F-350 is a commercial-grade tool—let's find the job it was built for.

• Shop Heavy Duty: Browse our inventory of Fifth Wheels and Toy Haulers—your truck can handle the biggest ones we have.

• Check Your Payload: Unsure if you can carry that slide-in camper? Visit our Service Team to weigh your truck and verify your limits.

• Get Hitched: Need a 30K hitch for your puck system? We stock the heavy-duty hardware you need to tow safely.