The 2008 Ford F-250 can tow anywhere from 8,200 to 12,500 lbs. There are many factors that determine the exact towing capacity such as the cab size, bed size, axle ratio, engine type, and hitch.
Below you will find the specific towing capacity for your vehicle recommended by Ford for your Ford F-250.
Though I tried to make this information as accurate as possible, you should always check your manual or contact your local dealer to determine the appropriate towing capacity of your vehicle and necessary equipment.
What is the towing capacity of my Ford F250?
In order to know the towing capacity of your Ford F250, the most reliable way is to calculate your own towing capacity, which you can learn to do in this article: How is Towing Capacity Calculated?
This will give you the exact maximum towing capacity of your truck at any given time.
However, you need to remember that the value below is the maximum towing capacity of your truck (assuming there are no people or cargo in your truck).
If there is any weight in or on the vehicle such as passengers and cargo, this number will change.
To determine the towing capacity of your vehicle, you need to know the:
- engine type
- bed size
- cab size
- drivetrain
- axle ratio
If you know all of these items, then move on to the next section by engine to determine your towing capacity.
To get your VIN, check the Safety Compliance Certification Label on the inside of the driver’s side door on the hinge pillar, door-latch post, or door edge.
You will also find the GVWR, and Axle ratio here.
Related: What is GVWR?
If not:
- Start with the VIN decoder from Autozone to determine the engine in the vehicle
- Your cab style is either:
- Regular (2 door, 1 rows)
- SuperCab (4 door, 2 rows with only 2 full doors)
- SuperCrew (4 full doors, 2 rows)
- Drivetrain should be determined with the VIN as well
- The axle ratio is listed on the side of the driver’s door on the certification sticker
The axle ratio will be written in a key using the following two-digit code which corresponds to the rear axle ratio on the F250.
| Axle Ratio | Non-Limited Slip | Electronic Locking |
| 3.73 | 37 | 3L |
| 4.10 | 41 | 4N |
| 4.30 | 43 | 4L |
Now you will have all the necessary information to determine the towing capacity of your Ford F250.
Please be advised that the information presented in this article is taken from official ford documentation and is only to be used as a reference. You should always calculate your own towing capacity to ensure safe driving of your specific model.
Towing Packages
As Super Duty trucks are meant to be used as utility trucks, they come with more towing features in the basic models.
The standard features are:
- 7 wire harness
- 4/7 pin connector
- Hitch receiver
- Aux. Auto Trans. Oil Cooler
- Trailer Brake Wiring
Aside from the basic features of the F250, there are no other towing packages available in 2008. There is an option to get the Trailer Brake Controller (52B), however, added to this vehicle. This also adds tow mirrors to the F250.
You may be familiar with a TowBoss Package (53B), but this isn’t available in the 2008 F250, only the F350.
The only offering is the Camper Package which has an impact on the payload capacity of your vehicle.
Camper Package (471)
- Increased capacity front springs
- Rear stabilizer bar
- Rear auxiliary springs
Towing Capacity by Engine
The weights below for each engine list the towing capacities for conventional towing. For this type of towing, the load weight on the trailer tongue should be between 10-15% of the total trailer weight.
The absolute maximum trailer weight on a weight-carrying Ford F250 should not exceed 5,000 lbs (with 5.4 L engine) or 8,500 lbs (with 6.8 L and 6.4 L diesel engine).
5.4 L Triton V8
The 5.4 L Triton V8 gas engine is the weakest of the 2008 F250 series. It only supplies 300 hp and 365 lb.-ft. of torque.
As the smallest engine, the towing capacity is between 8,200 – 12,100 lbs for the 6.2 L.
Drive | Tranmission | Axle Ratio | Cab Size | GCWR | Towing Capacity |
4x2 | Automatic | 3.73 | Regular | 16,000 | 10,100 |
4x2 | Manual | 3.73 | Regular | 15,000 | 9,100 |
4x4 | Automatic | 3.73 | Regular | 16,000 | 9,600 |
4x4 | Manual | 3.73 | Regular | 15,000 | 8,600 |
4x2 | Automatic | 4.10 | Regular | 18,000 | 12,100 |
4x2 | Manual | 4.10 | Regular | 17,000 | 11,100 |
4x4 | Automatic | 4.10 | Regular | 18,000 | 11,600 |
4x4 | Manual | 4.10 | Regular | 17,000 | 10,600 |
4x2 | Automatic | 3.73 | Super | 16,000 | 9,900 |
4x2 | Manual | 3.73 | Super | 15,000 | 8,900 |
4x4 | Automatic | 3.73 | Super | 16,000 | 9,400 |
4x4 | Manual | 3.73 | Super | 15,000 | 8,400 |
4x2 | Automatic | 4.10 | Super | 18,000 | 11,900 |
4x2 | Manual | 4.10 | Super | 17,000 | 10,900 |
4x4 | Automatic | 4.10 | Super | 18,000 | 11,400 |
4x4 | Manual | 4.10 | Super | 17,000 | 10,400 |
4x2 | Automatic | 3.73 | Crew | 16,000 | 9,700 |
4x2 | Manual | 3.73 | Crew | 15,000 | 8,700 |
4x4 | Automatic | 3.73 | Crew | 16,000 | 9,200 |
4x4 | Manual | 3.73 | Crew | 15,000 | 8,200 |
4x2 | Automatic | 4.10 | Crew | 18,000 | 11,700 |
4x2 | Manual | 4.10 | Crew | 17,000 | 10,700 |
4x4 | Automatic | 4.10 | Crew | 18,000 | 11,200 |
4x4 | Manual | 4.10 | Crew | 17,000 | 10,200 |
6.4 L Power Stroke V8 Turbo Diesel
The 6.4 L Power Stroke V8 Turbo Diesel is the only diesel engine offered in the 2008 F250 family. It has a whopping 650 lb.-ft of torque and 350 hp.
The turbo diesel engine has a towing capacity of 12,500 lbs for all variations
Drive | Transmission | Axle Ratio | Cab Size | GCWR | Towing Capacity |
4x2 | Automatic | 3.73 | Regular | 23,000 | 12,500 |
4x4 | Automatic | 3.73 | Regular | 23,000 | 12,500 |
4x2 | Manual | 3.73 | Regular | 23,000 | 12,500 |
4x4 | Manual | 3.73 | Regular | 23,000 | 12,500 |
4x2 | Automatic | 3.73 | Super | 23,000 | 12,500 |
4x4 | Automatic | 3.73 | Super | 23,000 | 12,500 |
4x2 | Manual | 3.73 | Super | 23,000 | 12,500 |
4x4 | Manual | 3.73 | Super | 23,000 | 12,500 |
4x2 | Automatic | 3.73 | Crew | 23,000 | 12,500 |
4x4 | Automatic | 3.73 | Crew | 23,000 | 12,500 |
4x2 | Manual | 3.73 | Crew | 23,000 | 12,500 |
4x4 | Manual | 3.73 | Crew | 23,000 | 12,500 |
6.8 L Triton V10
The 6.8 L Triton V10 is the middle engine offered in the 2008 F250 family. It has 457 lb.-ft of torque and 362 hp.
The 6.8 L engine has a towing capacity of 12,500 lbs for all variations.
Drive | Transmission | Axle Ratio | Cab Size | GCWR | Towing Capacity |
4x2 | Automatic | 4.10 | Regular | 21,000 | 12,500 |
4x2 | Manual | 4.10 | Regular | 20,000 | 12,500 |
4x4 | Automatic | 4.10 | Regular | 21,000 | 12,500 |
4x4 | Manual | 4.10 | Regular | 20,000 | 12,500 |
4x2 | Automatic | 4.30 | Regular | 22,500 | 12,500 |
4x2 | Manual | 4.30 | Regular | 22,000 | 12,500 |
4x4 | Automatic | 4.30 | Regular | 22,500 | 12,500 |
4x4 | Manual | 4.30 | Regular | 22,000 | 12,500 |
4x2 | Automatic | 4.10 | Super | 21,000 | 12,500 |
4x4 | Automatic | 4.10 | Super | 21,000 | 12,500 |
4x2 | Manual | 4.10 | Super | 20,000 | 12,500 |
4x4 | Manual | 4.10 | Super | 20,000 | 12,500 |
4x2 | Automatic | 4.30 | Super | 22,500 | 12,500 |
4x4 | Automatic | 4.30 | Super | 22,500 | 12,500 |
4x2 | Manual | 4.30 | Super | 22,000 | 12,500 |
4x4 | Manual | 4.30 | Super | 22,000 | 12,500 |
4x2 | Automatic | 4.10 | Crew | 21,000 | 12,500 |
4x4 | Automatic | 4.10 | Crew | 21,000 | 12,500 |
4x2 | Manual | 4.10 | Crew | 20,000 | 12,500 |
4x4 | Manual | 4.10 | Crew | 20,000 | 12,500 |
4x2 | Automatic | 4.30 | Crew | 22,500 | 12,500 |
4x4 | Automatic | 4.30 | Crew | 22,500 | 12,500 |
4x2 | Manual | 4.30 | Crew | 22,000 | 12,500 |
4x4 | Manual | 4.30 | Crew | 22,000 | 12,500 |
2008 F250 Towing Capacity Chart
5th Wheel/Gooseneck Towing Capacities
Payload Capacity of F250
Payload Capacity vs Towing Capacity
Payload capacity refers to the maximum amount of weight that can be put on a truck and carried.
Towing capacity refers to the maximum amount of weight that can be pulled from behind a truck.
For a more detailed explanation of these two, check out the GVWR vs GCWR article.
5.4 L Triton V8 Payload
The 5.4 L Triton V8 payload capacity in the 2008 F250 is 1,910 – 2,625 lbs.
Drive | Package | Cab Size | GVWR | Payload Capacity |
4x2 | Camper | Regular | 8,800 | 2,625 |
4x4 | Camper | Regular | 9,000 | 2,385 |
4x2 | Camper | Super | 9,000 | 2,155 |
4x4 | Camper | Super | 9,200 | 1,915 |
4x2 | Camper | Super | 9,200 | 2,200 |
4x4 | Camper | Super | 9,400 | 1,960 |
4x2 | Camper | Crew | 9,200 | 2,150 |
4x4 | Camper | Crew | 9,400 | 1,910 |
4x2 | Camper | Crew | 9,400 | 2,225 |
4x4 | Camper | Crew | 9,600 | 1,985 |
6.4 L Power Stroke V8 Turbo Diesel Payload
The 6.4 L Turbo diesel payload capacity in the 2008 F250 is 1,465 – 2,325 lbs.
Drive | Package | Cab Size | GVWR | Payload Capacity |
4x2 | Camper | Regular | 9,400 | 2,325 |
4x4 | Camper | Regular | 9,600 | 2,065 |
4x2 | Camper | Super | 9,600 | 1,825 |
4x4 | Camper | Super | 9,800 | 1,565 |
4x2 | Camper | Super | 9,800 | 1,900 |
4x4 | Camper | Super | 10,000 | 1,640 |
4x2 | Camper | Crew | 9,800 | 1,850 |
4x4 | Camper | Crew | 10,000 | 1,590 |
4x2 | Camper | Crew | 10,000 | 1,925 |
4x4 | Camper | Crew | 10,000 | 1,465 |
6.8 L Triton V10 Payload
The 6.8 L Triton V10 payload capacity in the 2008 F250 is 1,975 – 2,690 lbs.
Drive | Package | Cab Size | GVWR | Payload Capacity |
4x2 | Camper | Regular | 9,000 | 2,690 |
4x4 | Camper | Regular | 9,200 | 2,450 |
4x2 | Camper | Super | 9,200 | 2,220 |
4x4 | Camper | Super | 9,400 | 1,980 |
4x2 | Camper | Super | 9,400 | 2,265 |
4x4 | Camper | Super | 9,600 | 2,025 |
4x2 | Camper | Crew | 9,400 | 2,215 |
4x4 | Camper | Crew | 9,600 | 1,975 |
4x2 | Camper | Crew | 9,600 | 2,290 |
4x4 | Camper | Crew | 9,800 | 2,050 |
Conclusion
The 2008 Ford F250 has a towing capacity ranging from 8,200 – 12,500 lbs.
The engine type, drive, cab size, and bed size can all impact the towing capacity.
You should always do your own towing capacity calculations before you ever tow anything, especially those that are close to these limits.
If you need help calculating your towing capacity, I wrote an entire article that walks you through the steps to calculate your towing capacity along with other considerations you need to make when towing.
The resources used for this information were taken from the 2008 Ford RV/Trailer Towing Guide ebrochure.
