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 2008 Ford F250?
A 2008 Ford F250 has a towing capacity of 8,100 to 16,800 pounds.
The 2008 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 2008 Ford F250 tow capacity which we’ll cover in today’s guide.
How Much Can The 2008 Ford F250 Tow?
The 2008 Ford F-250 has a max towing capacity of 16,800 pounds.
The max conventional towing capacity of a 2008 Ford F250 is 12,500 pounds.
The max 5th wheel towing capacity of a 2008 Ford F250 is 16,800 pounds.
The 2008 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.
2008 Ford F250 Conventional Towing Capacity
The 2008 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 2008 Ford F250 5.4L V8 Max Conventional Towing Capacity is 12,200 pounds
- The 2008 Ford F250 6.8L V10 Max Conventional Towing Capacity is 12,500 pounds
- The 2008 Ford F250 6.4L V8 Diesel Max Conventional Towing Capacity is 12,500 pounds
2008 Ford F250 5th Wheel Towing Capacity
The 2008 Ford F250 max 5th wheel and gooseneck towing capacity is 16,800 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 2008 Ford F250 5.4L V8 Max 5th Wheel Towing Capacity is 12,100 pounds
- The 2008 Ford F250 6.8L V10 Max 5th Wheel Towing Capacity is 16,800 pounds
- The 2008 Ford F250 6.4L V8 Diesel Max 5th Wheel Towing Capacity is 16,100 pounds
You can always reach out to your local Ford dealership for details to confirm how much your 2008 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.
2008 Ford F250 Towing Capacity by Trim Level
There are several trim levels for the 2008 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 2008 Ford F-250:
| 2008 Ford F250 Trim Level | Conventional Towing Capacity | 5th Wheel & Gooseneck Towing Capacity |
| 2008 Ford F250 XL | 12,500 pounds | 16,800 pounds |
| 2008 Ford F250 XLT | 12,500 pounds | 16,800 pounds |
| 2008 Ford F250 Cabela’s | 12,500 pounds | 16,800 pounds |
| 2008 Ford F250 Lariat | 12,500 pounds | 16,800 pounds |
| 2008 Ford F250 Harley Davidson | 12,500 pounds | 16,800 pounds |
| 2008 Ford F250 King Ranch | 12,500 pounds | 16,800 pounds |
There are so many variables on the box lengths, engine options, axle ratios, and other packages for the 2008 F-250 that it would be counterproductive to list each individual option here, but we’ve tried to cover the most relevant information.
The 2008 Ford F250 XL Towing Capacity is 12,500 pounds for conventional towing and 16,800 pounds for 5th wheel and gooseneck towing.
The 2008 Ford F250 XLT Towing Capacity is 12,500 pounds for conventional towing and 16,800 pounds for 5th wheel and gooseneck towing.
The 2008 Ford F250 Cabela’s Towing Capacity is 12,500 pounds for conventional towing and 16,800 pounds for 5th wheel and gooseneck towing.
The 2008 Ford F250 Lariat Towing Capacity is 12,500 pounds for conventional towing and 16,800 pounds for 5th wheel and gooseneck towing.
The 2008 Ford F250 King Ranch Towing Capacity is 12,500 pounds for conventional towing and 16,800 pounds for 5th wheel and gooseneck towing.
The 2008 Ford F250 Harley Davidson Towing Capacity is 12,500 pounds for conventional towing and 16,800 pounds for 5th wheel and gooseneck towing.
2008 Ford F250 Tow Package Info
When it comes to towing with a 2008 Ford F-250, this truck offers several great options and features to make hauling heavy loads easier and safer. Let’s break it down!
Towing Packages:
- Trailer Tow Package: This is the basic package for towing and includes a heavy-duty hitch receiver, wiring harness (so your trailer’s lights and brakes can connect to the truck), and a 7-pin connector. It’s great for towing smaller to mid-sized trailers or boats.
- Heavy Duty Trailer Tow Package: If you need more pulling power, this package adds a stronger rear axle and upgraded cooling systems for the engine and transmission. It’s designed for those heavier loads, like larger boats or RVs, keeping your truck cooler and performing well even when you’re towing for long distances.
- Tow Command System: This is an available feature that integrates a factory-installed trailer brake controller right into the truck’s dash. It allows you to control your trailer brakes with the push of a button, giving you better control when stopping, especially with bigger trailers.
Trailer Sway Control
- Increased Stability: Automatically applies the brakes if it detects any trailer sway, keeping everything steady while you’re towing.
2008 Ford F250 Engine And Drivetrain
There are three engine options available on the 2008 F250: a 5.4L Triton V8 gas engine, a 6.8L Triton V10 gas engine, and a 6.4L Power Stroke V8 Turbo Diesel engine.
5.4L V8 Engine
This engine is the base option for the 2008 Ford F-250 and provides a good balance of power and efficiency for general towing and hauling needs, producing 300 horsepower and 365 lb-ft of torque.
2008 Ford F250 5.4L V8 Engine Max Towing Capacity: 12,200 pounds
- 2008 F250 5.4L V8 Conventional Max Tow 12,100 lbs
- 2008 F250 5.4L V8 5th Wheel Max Tow 12,100 lbs
- 2008 F250 5.4L V8 Gooseneck Max Tow 12,100 lbs
6.8L V10 Engine
This engine is the base option for the 2008 Ford F-250 and provides a good balance of power and efficiency for general towing and hauling needs, producing 362 horsepower and 457 lb-ft of torque.
2008 Ford F250 6.8L V10 Engine Towing Capacity: 16,900 pounds
- 2008 F250 5.4L V8 Conventional Max Tow 12,500 lbs
- 2008 F250 5.4L V8 5th Wheel Max Tow 16,800 lbs
- 2008 F250 5.4L V8 Gooseneck Max Tow 16,800 lbs
6.4L Power Stroke V8 Turbo Diesel Engine
The 2008 F250 6.7L V8 Powerstroke diesel engine produces 350 horsepower and 650 pound-feet of torque.
2008 Ford F250 6.7L V8 Turbo Diesel Engine Tow Capacity: 16,300 pounds
- 2008 F250 Diesel Conventional Max Tow 12,500 lbs
- 2008 F250 Diesel 5th Wheel Max Tow 16,100 lbs
- 2008 F250 Diesel 5th Gooseneck Max Tow 16,100 lbs
2008 Ford F250 Payload Capacity
The 2008 Ford F250 max payload capacity ranges from 2,390 pounds to 3,170 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.
2008 Ford F-250 Towing Capacity Vs Competitors
The 2008 Ford F250 has a maximum tow rating of 16,800 pounds, which makes it capable of doing some heavy duty trailer towing. This number is similar to its main competitors, the 2008 Silverado 2500 and the 2008 Ram 2500.
Here are some similar vehicles to the Ford F250 and their towing capacities below:
2008 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD Towing Capacity: 15,800 pounds
2008 GMC Sierra 2500 HD Towing Capacity: 15,800 pounds
2008 Ram 2500 Towing Capacity: 13,050 pounds
2008 Ford Trucks Towing Capacity Chart
| Model | Towing Capacity |
| 2008 Ford F350 | 18,700 lbs |
| 2008 Ford F250 | 16,800 lbs |
| 2008 Ford F150 | 11,000 lbs |
| 2008 Ford Ranger | 6,000 lbs |
Data Accuracy
We’ve gathered all data represented here from the official 2008 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.