Ford F-250 vs F-350 vs F-450 (2027): Towing, Payload, Price & Which Super Duty You Should Buy
Updated October 14, 2026 from Ford’s 2027 Super Duty order guide (09/17/26), 2027 price lists, and Ford’s 2027 product and towing guides.
The Short Version
Same cabs, same trims, same two engines — the three Super Duty pickups differ in how much they’re rated to carry and pull, and what that costs. The F-250 ($46,125+) is the daily-drivable heavy duty: 10,000-lb GVWR, 4,175-lb payload, towing to 22,000 lbs. The F-350 SRW ($47,430+) is the same truck with more axle and spring: 4,857-lb payload, 25,000 conventional / 27,600 gooseneck, for about $1,300 more. The F-350 DRW ($49,215+) adds dual rear wheels for 7,900 lbs of payload and 38,000-lb gooseneck towing. The F-450 ($63,990+) is the max-tow pickup with the 500-hp diesel standard: 30,000 conventional, 40,000 gooseneck. Pick by your heaviest regular load — or tell us and we’ll pick with you.
Tell Us What You Haul. We’ll Tell You Which Truck.
Trailer weight, camper, bed loads, how often, where you park it. A Super Duty specialist replies with a recommended series, cab, and engine — with the Ford rating for that exact build and an order price that doesn’t move at delivery.
- Recommendation from Ford’s 2027 selector charts
- Believable Pricing — one number, no markup
- Reply by text, call, or email — your choice
Which Super Duty Is for You?
Start with your heaviest regular load, then your parking spot. These four answers cover most buyers.
Pick the F-250 if…
Your trailer is under about 18,000 lbs (any cab, 7.3L gas, 4.30 axle) or under 22,000 lbs with the diesel and axle upgrade; you want every cab and box option; you drive it daily; or a fixed 10,000-lb GVWR matters for how you register and insure it. Most popular, lowest entry price, Tremor-eligible.
Pick the F-350 SRW if…
You tow a fifth-wheel or gooseneck between 22,000 and 27,600 lbs, carry 4,500+ lbs in the bed, or want more spring under a slide-in camper — but still want single rear wheels and a truck that fits a normal parking space. About $1,300 over an F-250 at every trim, with the same cabs and packages, including Tremor.
Pick the F-350 DRW if…
Payload is the job: 7,900 lbs with the 7.3L gas (the highest in the lineup), 14,000-lb GVWR, slide-in camper certification, and gooseneck towing to 38,000 lbs — at $14,775 less than an F-450 XL Regular Cab, with a gas option the F-450 doesn’t offer. Regular Cab and Crew Cab 8-ft box only; 105.9” wide.
Pick the F-450 if…
Your trailer starts with a 3 or a 4: 30,000 lbs conventional on every Crew Cab, 40,000 gooseneck on the XL Regular Cab 4x2 with the High-Capacity Gooseneck Tow Package. The 500-hp H.O. diesel, 19.5” wheels, 74.8” front track, and hitch prep are all standard. Once you’ve added the diesel to an F-350 DRW, the F-450 Crew Cab is only about $4,500 more.
Between two of these? That’s where a 10-minute conversation saves you a $1,300–$15,000 mistake in either direction. Tell us the load; we’ll run both trucks against it.
2027 F-250 vs F-350 vs F-450: Side-by-Side
Ford maximums, properly equipped (SAE J2807), and 2027 suggested retail. Diesel figures unless noted; gas figures in parentheses.
| Spec | F-250 SRW | F-350 SRW | F-350 DRW | F-450 DRW |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting MSRP (XL Regular Cab 4x2) | $46,125 | $47,430 | $49,215 | $63,990 |
| XLT Crew Cab 4x4 | $57,050 (6¾-ft) | $58,355 (6¾-ft) | $60,340 (8-ft) | $74,485 (8-ft) |
| Lariat Crew Cab 4x4 | $65,925 | $67,230 | $69,215 | $83,955 |
| Platinum Crew Cab 4x4 | $79,615 | $80,920 | $83,460 | $97,985 |
| Standard engine | 7.3L gas V8, 420 hp | 7.3L gas V8, 420 hp | 7.3L gas V8, 420 hp | 6.7L H.O. diesel, 500 hp |
| 6.7L H.O. Power Stroke (500 hp / 1,200 lb-ft) | $12,495 option | $12,495 option | $12,495 option | Standard |
| Max GVWR | 10,000 fixed (11,400 w/ 535) | 12,400 | 14,000 | 14,000 |
| Max payload | 4,175 (4,437 box delete) | 4,857 | 7,900 | 6,482 |
| Max conventional towing | 22,000 (18,200 gas) | 25,000 (19,500 gas) | 28,000 (22,000 gas) | 30,000 |
| Max 5th-wheel towing | 22,100 (19,500 gas) | 27,400 (22,200 gas) | 35,000 (22,400 gas) | 35,000 |
| Max gooseneck towing | 23,000 (19,500 gas) | 27,600 (22,400 gas) | 38,000 (22,500 gas) | 40,000 |
| Max GCWR | 31,000 (26,000 gas) | 35,200 (29,000 gas) | 45,600 (29,500 gas) | 48,000 |
| Factory hitch receiver rating | 22,000 | 25,000 | 28,000 | 30,000 |
| Cabs & boxes | Regular, SuperCab, Crew • 6¾ or 8-ft | Regular, SuperCab, Crew • 6¾ or 8-ft | Regular (XL/XLT), Crew • 8-ft only | Regular (XL/XLT), Crew • 8-ft only |
| Rear wheels • wheel size | Single • 17” / 18” / 20” | Single • 17” / 18” / 20” | Dual • 17” | Dual • 19.5” |
| Width • front track | 85.3” (mirrors folded) • 68.3” | 85.3” (mirrors folded) • 68.3” | 105.9” (std. mirrors) • 69.1” | 105.9” (std. mirrors) • 74.8” |
| Trims | XL, XLT, Lariat, King Ranch, Platinum | Same five | Same five | Same five |
| 4x2 offered | XL–Lariat | XL–Lariat | XL–Lariat | XL–Lariat |
| Tremor Off-Road Package | Yes (Crew 4x4) | Yes (Crew 4x4) | No | No |
| Series-exclusive options | Pickup Box Delete, High-Capacity Axle Upgrade, SuperCab rear-seat delete | — | Gas Heavy-Duty Payload Package (7,900-lb payload) | 40K gooseneck package, hitch prep standard, Gooseneck Dual Hitch Kit, 3” receiver on diesel Crew Cabs |
Pricing is Ford suggested retail from the 2027 price lists (level 720); add $2,795 destination and tax, title, license, and a $200 doc fee. Capability maximums per Ford’s 2027 product and towing guides; each applies to a specific cab, axle, and tire combination — see the configuration-level towing and payload tables. King Ranch and Platinum are 4x4-only on all series.
F-250 vs F-350: The $1,300 Question
Walk the lot and you can’t tell them apart — same cabs, boxes, trims, engines, wheels, and packages. The F-350 SRW carries heavier rear springs and a higher-rated axle, which is where every difference comes from: a variable GVWR of 10,100–12,400 lbs instead of a fixed 10,000, about 700 lbs more payload (4,857 vs 4,175 at best), 3,000 lbs more conventional towing (25,000 vs 22,000), and 4,600 lbs more gooseneck (27,600 vs 23,000). The F-350 also opens the door to dual rear wheels; the F-250 never does.
The F-250’s advantages are subtler. Its fixed 10,000-lb GVWR is the reason it’s the volume truck: in some states that number sits under registration, insurance, or licensing thresholds the F-350 crosses — ask us how it works where you live. It’s the only series with the Pickup Box Delete for upfits and the High-Capacity Axle Upgrade, and the F-250 diesel with that package reaches 22,000 lbs — 3,000 under the F-350 but far more than most travel trailers need.
Our rule of thumb: under 18,000 lbs, F-250 gas. 18,000–22,000, F-250 diesel with the axle upgrade or an F-350 gas/diesel. Over 22,000, F-350.
Same truck, at every trim
| Crew Cab 4x4 6¾-ft | F-250 | F-350 SRW | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| XL | $53,140 | $54,445 | +$1,305 |
| XLT | $57,050 | $58,355 | +$1,305 |
| Lariat | $65,925 | $67,230 | +$1,305 |
| King Ranch | $78,725 | $80,030 | +$1,305 |
| Platinum | $79,615 | $80,920 | +$1,305 |
2027 price lists, Ford suggested retail. The F-350 premium is the same $1,305 on every trim and cab.
F-350 vs F-450: When the Dually Isn’t Enough
Both are dual-rear-wheel trucks with the same cab choices (Regular Cab on XL and XLT, Crew Cab 8-ft on everything) and a 14,000-lb GVWR. The F-450 trades payload for towing: a wider 74.8” front track, 19.5” forged aluminum wheels with commercial 225/70R19.5 tires, the 5th Wheel/Gooseneck Hitch Prep Package standard, a 30,000-lb hitch receiver, and the H.O. diesel as the only engine. Ratings: 30,000 conventional (every Crew Cab), 35,000 fifth-wheel, and 40,000 gooseneck on the XL Regular Cab 4x2 with the High-Capacity Gooseneck Tow Package.
The F-350 DRW answers with payload — 7,900 lbs with the 7.3L gas and the Gas Heavy-Duty Payload Package, 6,935 with the diesel — a 4.10-axle diesel that tows 28,000 conventional and 38,000 gooseneck, and the option to skip the $12,495 diesel entirely. For a lot of gooseneck buyers, that 38,000 covers the trailer and saves money.
Our rule of thumb: under 28,000 conventional or 38,000 gooseneck, the F-350 DRW diesel does it. Over that, or if you want the stability of the wide-track front end and 19.5” tires under a 35,000-lb fifth-wheel, it’s the F-450.
The real price gap (both as diesels)
| Crew Cab 8-ft | F-350 DRW + diesel | F-450 | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| XL 4x2 | $65,125 | $69,575 | +$4,450 |
| XL 4x4 | $68,925 | $72,375 | +$3,450 |
| XLT 4x4 | $72,835 | $74,485 | +$1,650 |
| Lariat 4x4 | $81,710 | $83,955 | +$2,245 |
| King Ranch 4x4 | $94,510 | $96,540 | +$2,030 |
| Platinum 4x4 | $95,955 | $97,985 | +$2,030 |
F-350 DRW figures are the 2027 base price plus the $12,495 6.7L H.O. diesel; the F-450 includes it. Gas F-350 DRW crew cabs start at $52,630 (4x2) and $56,430 (4x4).
Gooseneck between 30,000 and 40,000 lbs? You’re in F-450 territory, and the configuration matters more than the badge — the 40,000 number is one specific XL Regular Cab build. We’ll spec it against your trailer.
2027 Price by Trim, All Four Trucks
Ford suggested retail for the configurations shoppers compare most. The hub page lists every cab, box, and drive combination.
| Configuration | F-250 | F-350 SRW | F-350 DRW | F-450 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| XL Regular Cab 4x2 | $46,125 | $47,430 | $49,215 | $63,990 |
| XL Regular Cab 4x4 | $48,925 | $50,230 | $52,015 | $66,790 |
| XLT Regular Cab 4x4 | $52,225 | $53,530 | $55,315 | $70,720 |
| XL Crew Cab 4x4 8-ft | $53,340 | $54,645 | $56,430 | $72,375 |
| XLT Crew Cab 4x4 8-ft | $57,250 | $58,555 | $60,340 | $74,485 |
| Lariat Crew Cab 4x4 8-ft | $66,125 | $67,430 | $69,215 | $83,955 |
| King Ranch Crew Cab 4x4 8-ft | $78,925 | $80,230 | $82,015 | $96,540 |
| Platinum Crew Cab 4x4 8-ft | $79,815 | $81,120 | $83,460 | $97,985 |
Plus $2,795 destination; the 6.7L H.O. diesel is $12,495 on F-250 and F-350 and included on F-450. Excludes tax, title, license, and a $200 doc fee. 2027 price lists, level 720.
F-150 vs F-250: When to Step Up to a Super Duty
The F-150 is a light-duty half-ton built around daily comfort and efficiency; the F-250 is the heavy-duty platform — a 10,000-lb GVWR, heavier frame and axles, a standard 7.3L gas V8, an available 500-hp diesel, and tow ratings to 22,000 lbs. Step up when you tow a large travel trailer or any fifth-wheel regularly, carry heavy loads in the bed, plow, or run the truck for work. Stay with the F-150 when it’s mostly a daily driver with occasional light towing — it rides better, costs less, and is easier on fuel.
A good tell: if you’re pricing a 2027 F-150 and your trailer makes you nervous about the payload sticker, you’re an F-250 buyer. If you’re pricing an F-250 and never tow more than a boat or a utility trailer, you may be an F-150 buyer.
Compare the half-ton
Our 2027 F-150 page covers that truck’s changes, pricing, and ordering.
F-250 vs F-350 vs F-450 FAQ
What’s the difference between the F-250 and F-350?
Same cabs, trims, and engines; the F-350 has heavier springs and a higher-rated axle. F-250: 10,000-lb GVWR, 4,175 payload, 22,000 tow. F-350 SRW: up to 12,400 GVWR, 4,857 payload, 25,000 tow, plus a dually option — for $1,305 more.
What’s the difference between the F-350 and F-450?
F-450: diesel standard, 19.5” wheels, 74.8” front track, hitch prep included, 30,000 conventional / 40,000 gooseneck. F-350 DRW: 28,000 / 38,000, more payload (7,900 gas), gas available. From $49,215 vs $63,990; about $4,500 apart as diesels.
Is the F-350 worth it over the F-250?
For $1,305: +700 lbs payload, +3,000 conventional towing, +4,600 gooseneck, and the DRW option. Worth it over 22,000 lbs or with a camper; not needed under 18,000 lbs, where the F-250’s fixed 10,000-lb GVWR can be the better fit for registration.
Single or dual rear wheels?
DRW for campers and heavy goosenecks: 14,000 GVWR, 7,900 payload. The price is 105.9” of width, Regular or Crew 8-ft cabs only, no Tremor, and tighter parking. Under 25,000 lbs with no camper, SRW is easier to live with.
Which tows the most?
F-450: 40,000 gooseneck (XL Regular Cab 4x2 with the gooseneck package), 35,000 fifth-wheel, 30,000 conventional. Then F-350 DRW at 38,000 / 28,000, F-350 SRW at 27,600 / 25,000, F-250 at 23,000 / 22,000.
Which is cheapest?
F-250 XL Regular Cab 4x2, $46,125 plus $2,795 destination. F-350 SRW from $47,430, F-350 DRW $49,215, F-450 $63,990 with the diesel included.
Do they share engines, cabs, and trims?
Mostly: all five trims on all three; 7.3L gas standard on F-250/F-350 with the diesel optional, F-450 diesel-only. DRW trucks are Regular (XL/XLT) or Crew 8-ft only; King Ranch and Platinum are 4x4-only; Tremor is F-250/F-350 SRW crew cabs only.
F-150 vs F-250 — when do I step up?
When you tow a big travel trailer or any fifth-wheel regularly, haul heavy in the bed, plow, or work the truck. The F-250 brings a 10,000-lb GVWR, the 7.3L gas standard, an available 500-hp diesel, and 22,000 lbs of towing.
Decided? Or Still Deciding? Either Way, Start Here.
Order banks are open on all three. Tell us the truck — or the trailer — and we’ll confirm the build against Ford’s order guide, flag the package discounts you qualify for, and lock the price. More than 550 factory pre-orders delivered; Ford Pro Commercial Vehicle Center for fleets.
Serving Kent, Seattle, Tacoma, and all of South King County — including Auburn and Federal Way. Chassis cab or upfit? Ford Pro work trucks.
