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 2018 Ford F250?
A 2018 Ford F250 has a maximum towing capacity of 18,500 pounds when towing a 5th wheel or gooseneck trailer, and a maximum towing capacity of 18,000 pounds when towing a conventional trailer.
The 2018 Ford F250 tow capacity can vary based on a few different factors such as engine size, drivetrain, and others which we’ll cover in this guide.
There’s plenty more to know about the 2018 Ford F250 tow capacity which we’ll cover in today’s guide.
How Much Can The 2018 Ford F250 Tow?
The 2018 Ford F-250 has a max towing capacity of 18,000 pounds to 18,500 pounds depending on what type of towing method is being used.
The 2018 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.
2018 Ford F250 Conventional Towing Capacity
The 2018 Ford F250 conventional towing capacity is 18,000 pounds when properly equipped.
Please refer to the charts below to find out how much your F250 can tow for conventional towing based on your specific vehicle configuration:
2018 Ford F250 Regular Cab Conventional Towing Capacity
The 2018 Ford F250 Regular Cab max conventional towing capacity is 15,000 when properly equipped, but varies based on the engine, axle ratio, and box length of your truck.
See the chart below to find yours:
- The 2018 Ford F250 Regular Cab 6.2L V8 Max Conventional Towing Capacity is 15,000 pounds
- The 2018 Ford F250 Regular Cab 6.7L V8 Diesel Max Conventional Towing Capacity is 15,000 pounds
2018 Ford F250 SuperCab Conventional Towing Capacity
The 2018 Ford F250 SuperCab max conventional towing capacity is 15,000 when properly equipped, but varies based on the engine, axle ratio, and box length of your truck.
See the chart below to find yours:
- The 2018 Ford F250 SuperCab 6.2L V8 Max Conventional Towing Capacity is 15,000 pounds
- The 2018 Ford F250 SuperCab 6.7L V8 Diesel Max Conventional Towing Capacity is 15,000 pounds
2018 Ford F250 Crew Cab Conventional Towing Capacity
The 2018 Ford F250 Crew Cab max conventional towing capacity is 18,000 when properly equipped, but varies based on the engine, axle ratio, and box length of your truck.
See the chart below to find yours:
- The 2018 Ford F250 Crew Cab 6.2L V8 Max Conventional Towing Capacity is 15,000 pounds
- The 2018 Ford F250 Crew Cab 6.7L Diesel Max Conventional Towing Capacity is 18,000 pounds
2018 Ford F250 5th Wheel & Gooseneck Towing Capacity
The 2018 Ford F250 can pull a maximum of 18,500 pounds for fifth wheel and towing when properly equipped.
Please refer to the chart below to find out how much your Regular Cab 2018 F250 can tow for 5th wheel towing based on your specific vehicle configuration:
2018 Ford F250 Regular Cab Gooseneck and 5th Wheel Towing Capacity
The 2018 Ford F250 Regular Cab can pull a maximum of 18,500 pounds for gooseneck towing when properly equipped.
Please refer to the chart below to find out how much your 2018 F250 Regular Cab can tow for 5th wheel and gooseneck towing based on your specific vehicle configuration:
- The 2018 Ford F250 Regular Cab 6.2L V8 Max 5th Wheel and Gooseneck Towing Capacity is 15,700 pounds
- The 2018 Ford F250 Regular Cab 6.7L V8 Diesel Max 5th Wheel and Gooseneck Towing Capacity is 18,500 pounds
2018 Ford F250 SuperCab Gooseneck and 5th Wheel Towing Capacity
The 2018 Ford F250 SuperCab can pull a maximum of 17,300 pounds for gooseneck towing when properly equipped.
Please refer to the chart below to find out how much your 2018 F250 SuperCab can tow for 5th wheel and gooseneck towing based on your specific vehicle configuration:
- The 2018 Ford F250 SuperCab 6.2L V8 Max 5th Wheel and Gooseneck Towing Capacity is 15,500 pounds
- The 2018 Ford F250 SuperCab 6.7L V8 Diesel Max 5th Wheel and Gooseneck Towing Capacity is 17,300 pounds
2018 Ford F250 Crew Cab Gooseneck and 5th Wheel Towing Capacity
The 2018 Ford F250 Crew Cab can pull a maximum of 16,500 pounds for gooseneck towing when properly equipped.
Please refer to the chart below to find out how much your 2018 F250 Crew Cab can tow for 5th wheel and gooseneck towing based on your specific vehicle configuration:
- The 2018 Ford F250 Crew Cab 6.2L V8 Max 5th Wheel and Gooseneck Towing Capacity is 15,400 pounds
- The 2018 Ford F250 Crew Cab 6.7L V8 Diesel Max 5th Wheel and Gooseneck Towing Capacity is 16,500 pounds
You can always reach out to your local Ford dealership for details to confirm how much your 2018 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.
2018 Ford F250 Towing Capacity by Trim Level
There are several trim levels for the 2018 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 2018 Ford F-250:
| 2018 Ford F250 Trim Level | Conventional Towing Capacity | 5th Wheel & Gooseneck Towing Capacity |
| 2018 Ford F250 XL | 18,000 pounds | 18,500 pounds |
| 2018 Ford F250 XLT | 18,000 pounds | 18,500 pounds |
| 2018 Ford F250 Lariat | 18,000 pounds | 18,500 pounds |
| 2018 Ford F250 King Ranch | 18,000 pounds | 18,500 pounds |
| 2018 Ford F250 Platinum | 18,000 pounds | 18,500 pounds |
| 2018 Ford F250 Limited | 18,000 pounds | 18,500 pounds |
There are so many variables on the box lengths, engine options, axle ratios, and other packages for the 2018 F-250 that it would be counterproductive to list each individual option here, but we’ve tried to cover the most relevant information.
The 2018 Ford F250 XL Towing Capacity is 18,000 pounds for conventional towing and 18,500 pounds for 5th wheel and gooseneck towing.
The 2018 Ford F250 XLT Towing Capacity is 18,000 pounds for conventional towing and 18,500 pounds for 5th wheel and gooseneck towing.
The 2018 Ford F250 Lariat Towing Capacity is 18,000 pounds for conventional towing and 18,500 pounds for 5th wheel and gooseneck towing.
The 2018 Ford F250 Platinum Towing Capacity is 18,000 pounds for conventional towing and 18,500 pounds for 5th wheel and gooseneck towing.
The 2018 Ford F250 Limited Towing Capacity is 18,000 pounds for conventional towing and 18,500 pounds for 5th wheel and gooseneck towing.
2018 Ford F250 Tow Package Info
Ford offers a standard towing package and the 535 towing package on the 2018 F-250.
We’ll cover each of these next.
2018 Ford F-250 Standard Towing Package
This towing package includes several features aimed at enhancing towing capacity and safety.
Key features are the 7-Wire Harness with a 4-/7-Pin Connector, ensuring compatibility with a wide range of trailers.
The Smart Trailer Tow Connector and Trailer Brake Wiring/Feed Kit ensure proper connection and braking capabilities.
The Upgraded Rear Axle and Increased Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR) for the 6.7L diesel engine enhance load capacity and durability.
Additionally, it includes Tow/Haul Mode for better transmission control and Trailer Sway Control to improve stability.
2018 F250 High-Capacity Trailer Tow Package
This package is specifically designed for the F-250 model and includes the standard 7-Wire Harness with a 4-/7-Pin Connector and Hitch Receiver.
The 535 option code package features standard Trailer Sway Control for enhanced towing stability.
The Upgraded Rear Axle and Increased GCWR with the 6.7L diesel engine are also included to boost towing performance.
Tow/Haul Mode is standard, optimizing the vehicle’s transmission performance under heavy load conditions.
Some features such as the Smart Trailer Tow Connector and Trailer Brake Controller are not included or only applicable under certain conditions.
2018 F-250 Towing Options and Benefits
7-Wire Harness & 4-/7-Pin Connector
- Provides electrical connections for trailer lights, brakes, and other systems, ensuring that trailers are fully operational and compliant with safety standards.
Hitch Receiver
- Serves as the primary connection point for the trailer, crucial for safe and secure towing. Specific capabilities are detailed in an additional chart, likely including weight ratings and compatibility notes.
Smart Trailer Tow Connector
- Provides diagnostics and alerts for trailer-related issues, enhancing safety by ensuring the driver is aware of potential problems with the trailer’s electrical system.
Trailer Brake Wiring/Feed Kit
- Ensures that the trailer’s braking system is properly connected to the vehicle, which is essential for maintaining control and stopping power when towing heavy loads.
Upgraded Rear Axle
- Increases the vehicle’s load-bearing capacity and durability, allowing it to handle the additional weight and stress of towing heavy trailers.
Increased GCW (6.7L)
- Enhances the combined weight capacity of the vehicle and trailer, allowing for heavier loads and more versatility in towing.
Tow/Haul Mode
- Optimizes the transmission’s shift patterns to maintain power and control when towing, reducing wear on the transmission and improving driving performance under load.
Trailer Brake Controller
- Allows the driver to control the trailer’s brakes directly from the vehicle, improving safety and stopping power when hauling heavy trailers.
Trailer Sway Control
- Detects and mitigates trailer sway, enhancing stability and control, which is particularly useful in adverse weather conditions or during emergency maneuvers.
These packages and features are designed to improve the towing capacity, safety, and overall performance of the 2018 F-250.
Each feature contributes to making towing a more controlled, efficient, and safe towing experience for the driver.
2018 Ford F250 Engine And Drivetrain
There are two engine options available on the 2018 F250: a 6.2L V8 engine, and a 6.7L High Output Turbo Diesel engine.
6.2L V8 Engine
This engine is the base option for the 2018 Ford F-250 and provides a good balance of power and efficiency for general towing and hauling needs, producing 385 horsepower and 430 lb-ft of torque.
2018 Ford F250 6.8L V8 Engine Towing Capacity: 15,700 pounds
- 2018 F250 6.2L V8 Conventional Max Tow 15,000 lbs
- 2018 F250 6.2L V8 5th Wheel Max Tow 15,700 lbs
- 2018 F250 6.2L V8 Gooseneck Max Tow 15,700 lbs
6.7L V8 Power Stroke Turbo Diesel Engine
The 2018 F250 6.7L V8 Powerstroke diesel engine produces 475 horsepower and 935 pound-feet of torque.
2018 Ford F250 6.7L V8 Turbo Diesel Engine Tow Capacity: 22,800 pounds
- 2018 F250 Diesel Conventional Max Tow 18,000 lbs
- 2018 F250 Diesel 5th Wheel Max Tow 18,500 lbs
- 2018 F250 Diesel 5th Gooseneck Max Tow 18,500 lbs
Here’s a fun video showing a towing test being performed on the 2018 Ford F-250:
2018 Ford F250 Payload Capacity
The 2018 Ford F250 max payload capacity ranges from 3,130 pounds to 4,270 pounds, depending on the drivetrain, cab style, and box length.
The 2018 F250 Regular Cab 4×2 Max Payload is 4,250 lbs
The 2018 F250 Regular Cab 4×4 Max Payload is 3,830 lbs
The 2018 F250 SuperCab Cab 4×2 Max Payload is 3,970 lbs
The 2018 F250 SuperCab 4×4 Max Payload is 3,560 lbs
The 2018 F250 Crew Cab 4×2 Max Payload is 3,870 lbs
The 2018 F250 Crew Cab 4×4 Max Payload is 3,470 lbs
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.
2018 Ford F-250 Towing Capacity Vs Competitors
The 2018 Ford F250 has a maximum tow rating of 18,500 pounds which makes it capable of doing some heavy duty trailer towing. This number is similar to its main competitors, the 2018 Silverado 2500 and the 2018 Ram 2500.
Here are some similar vehicles to the Ford F250 and their towing capacities below:
2018 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD Towing Capacity: 18,100 pounds
2018 Ram 2500 Towing Capacity: 17,980 pounds
2018 Ford Trucks Towing Capacity Chart
| Model | Towing Capacity |
| 2018 Ford F350 | 21,500 lbs |
| 2018 Ford F250 | 18,500 lbs |
| 2018 Ford F150 | 13,200 lbs |
Data Accuracy
We’ve gathered all data represented here from the official 2018 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.