If you’re looking for a complete workhorse of a truck that is rugged and dependable, then the F250 is your best bet. The F250 has many features consumers expect from today’s super duty trucks, including towing. But what is the towing capacity of a 2003 Ford F250?
A 2003 Ford F250 has a towing capacity of 6,900 to 14,200 pounds.
The 2003 Ford F250 tow capacity can vary based on a few different factors such as engine size, drivetrain, hitch type, and others which we’ll cover in this guide.
There’s plenty more to know about the 2003 Ford F250 tow capacity which we’ll cover in today’s guide.
How Much Can The 2003 Ford F250 Tow?
The 2003 Ford F-250 has a max towing capacity of 14,200 pounds.
The max conventional towing capacity of a 2003 Ford F250 is 12,500 pounds.
The max 5th wheel towing capacity of a 2003 Ford F250 is 14,200 pounds.
The 2003 F-250 tow capacity is affected by other factors like engine type, drivetrain, the weight of cargo and passengers, and whether your vehicle has a towing package equipped or not.
It also can change based on what type of towing you’re doing, whether it’s conventional, 5th wheel, or gooseneck, so we’ll break those down below.
2003 Ford F250 Conventional Towing Capacity
The 2003 Ford F250 max conventional towing capacity is 12,500 pounds when properly equipped, but varies based on the engine, axle ratio, cab style, and box length of your truck.
See the chart below to find yours:
- The 2003 Ford F250 5.4L V8 Max Conventional Towing Capacity is 9,300 pounds
- The 2003 Ford F250 6.8L V10 Max Conventional Towing Capacity is 12,500 pounds
- The 2003 Ford F250 7.3L V8 Diesel Max 5th Wheel Towing Capacity is 12,500 pounds
- The 2003 Ford F250 6.0L V8 Diesel Max Conventional Towing Capacity is 12,500 pounds
2003 Ford F250 5th Wheel Towing Capacity
The 2003 Ford F250 max 5th wheel and gooseneck towing capacity is 14,200 pounds when properly equipped, but varies based on the engine, axle ratio, cab style, and box length of your truck.
See the chart below to find yours:
- The 2003 Ford F250 5.4L V8 Max 5th Wheel Towing Capacity is 9,300 pounds
- The 2003 Ford F250 6.8L V10 Max 5th Wheel Towing Capacity is 14,200 pounds
- The 2003 Ford F250 7.3L V8 Diesel Max 5th Wheel Towing Capacity is 13,700 pounds
- The 2003 Ford F250 6.0L V8 Diesel Max 5th Wheel Towing Capacity is 13,600 pounds
You can always reach out to your local Ford dealership for details to confirm how much your 2003 F250 can tow.
You can also read our guide on what makes a vehicle towing capacity to learn all the aspects that go into it.
2003 Ford F250 Towing Capacity by Trim Level
There are several trim levels for the 2003 F250, and some engines are not available on certain trims, so they’ll each have different max towing limits.
Here’s the max tow capacity broken down for each trim level on the 2003 Ford F-250:
| 2003 Ford F250 Trim Level | Conventional Towing Capacity | 5th Wheel & Gooseneck Towing Capacity |
| 2003 Ford F250 XL | 12,500 pounds | 14,200 pounds |
| 2003 Ford F250 XLT | 12,500 pounds | 14,200 pounds |
| 2003 Ford F250 Lariat | 12,500 pounds | 14,200 pounds |
| 2003 Ford F250 King Ranch | 12,500 pounds | 14,200 pounds |
There are so many variables on the box lengths, engine options, axle ratios, and other packages for the 2003 F-250 that it would be counterproductive to list each individual option here, but we’ve tried to cover the most relevant information.
The 2003 Ford F250 XL Towing Capacity is 12,500 pounds for conventional towing and 14,200 pounds for 5th wheel and gooseneck towing.
The 2003 Ford F250 XLT Towing Capacity is 12,500 pounds for conventional towing and 14,200 pounds for 5th wheel and gooseneck towing.
The 2003 Ford F250 Lariat Towing Capacity is 12,500 pounds for conventional towing and 14,200 pounds for 5th wheel and gooseneck towing.
The 2003 Ford F250 King Ranch Towing Capacity is 12,500 pounds for conventional towing and 14,200 pounds for 5th wheel and gooseneck towing.
2003 Ford F250 Tow Package Info
When it comes to towing with a 2003 Ford F-250, this truck offers several great options and features to make hauling heavy loads easier and safer. Let’s break it down!
Standard Towing Features:
The ’06 F250 comes standard with 7/4-pin trailer wiring.
2003 Ford F250 Engine And Drivetrain
There were four engine options available on the 2003 F250: a 5.4L Triton V8 gas engine, a 6.8L Triton V10 gas engine, and a 6.0L Power Stroke V8 Turbo Diesel engine.
5.4L V8 Engine
This engine is the base option for the 2003 Ford F-250 and provides a good balance of power and efficiency for general towing and hauling needs, producing 26 horsepower and 350 lb-ft of torque.
This engine offers solid performance for lighter towing and everyday driving.
2003 Ford F250 5.4L V8 Engine Max Towing Capacity: 9,300 pounds
- 2003 F250 5.4L V8 Conventional Max Tow 9,300 lbs
- 2003 F250 5.4L V8 5th Wheel Max Tow 9,300 lbs
- 2003 F250 5.4L V8 Gooseneck Max Tow 9,300 lbs
6.8L V10 Engine
This engine is also a base option for the 2003 Ford F-250 and provides a good balance of power and efficiency for general towing and hauling needs, producing 310 horsepower and 425 lb-ft of torque.
The V10 provided more power and torque, making it a great choice for those needing additional towing capability without going diesel.
2003 Ford F250 6.8L V10 Engine Towing Capacity: 14,200 pounds
- 2003 F250 5.4L V8 Conventional Max Tow 12,500 lbs
- 2003 F250 5.4L V8 5th Wheel Max Tow 14,200 lbs
- 2003 F250 5.4L V8 Gooseneck Max Tow 14,200 lbs
6.0L Power Stroke V8 Turbo Diesel Engine
The 2003 F250 6.0L V8 Powerstroke diesel engine produces 325 horsepower and 560 pound-feet of torque.
The turbo diesel was the top choice for heavy-duty towing, offering exceptional torque for pulling large trailers and heavy loads, along with better fuel efficiency compared to the gasoline engines.
2003 Ford F250 6.0L V8 Turbo Diesel Engine Tow Capacity: 13,600 pounds
- 2003 F250 6.0L Diesel Conventional Max Tow 12,500 lbs
- 2003 F250 6.0L Diesel 5th Wheel Max Tow 13,600 lbs
- 2003 F250 6.0L Diesel 5th Gooseneck Max Tow 13,600 lbs
7.3L Power Stroke V8 Turbo Diesel
The 7.3L Power Stroke V8 Turbo Diesel was also available for the 2003 Ford F-250, but it was phased out mid-year in favor of the newer 6.0L Power Stroke engine. It produces 250 horsepower and 525 lb-ft of torque.
- 2003 F250 7.3L Diesel Conventional Max Tow 12,500 lbs
- 2003 F250 7.3L Diesel 5th Wheel Max Tow 13,700 lbs
- 2003 F250 7.3L Diesel 5th Gooseneck Max Tow 13,700 lbs
2003 Ford F250 Payload Capacity
The 2003 Ford F250 max payload capacity ranges from 2,525 pounds to 3,380 pounds depending on the drivetrain, cab style, and box length.
Please note, the payload capacity will vary based on factors such as engine type, drivetrain and whether or not your vehicle is equipped with a towing package that includes other features like an engine oil cooler or transmission oil cooler.
If you are unsure of your vehicle’s payload capacity, please contact your local dealership for details.
2003 Ford F-250 Towing Capacity Vs Competitors
The 2003 Ford F250 has a maximum tow rating of 14,200 pounds, which makes it capable of doing some heavy duty trailer towing. This number is similar to its main competitors, the 2003 Silverado 2500 and the 2003 Ram 2500.
Here are some similar vehicles to the Ford F250 and their towing capacities below:
2003 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD Towing Capacity: 15,800 pounds
2003 GMC Sierra 2500 HD Towing Capacity: 15,800 pounds
2003 Ram 2500 Towing Capacity: 13,850 pounds
2003 Ford Trucks Towing Capacity Chart
| Model | Towing Capacity |
| 2003 Ford F350 | 14,200 lbs |
| 2003 Ford F250 | 14,200 lbs |
| 2003 Ford F150 | 8,800 lbs |
| 2003 Ford Ranger | 5,980 lbs |
Data Accuracy
We’ve gathered all data represented here from the official 2003 Ford F250 Owner’s Manual on Ford’s website and have checked all data thoroughly for accuracy.
Having said that, we still recommend you refer to your vehicle’s owner’s manual yourself before towing with your Ford F250.