Getting the Job Done With the Ford Super Duty Lineup

When the going gets tough, the tough turn to Ford’s Super Duty lineup. The F-150 might be America’s best-selling vehicle thanks to its ability to seamlessly bridge the gap between a reliable daily driver and a trusted job site MVP, but it can’t match the pure muscle offered by its larger cousins, the F-250, F-350, and F-450. Offering an arsenal of advanced features designed with the working world in mind and potent powertrains that can tow up to 40,000 lbs, drivers browsing new and used trucks for sale will soon learn that there’s simply no substitute for the sort of performance the Ford Super Duty lineup can provide.

The 2023 model year marked the introduction of the fifth-generation Super Duty, with Ford treating the hardworking pickup to a host of upgrades that bring it firmly into the modern era. From new engine options, including the addition of a high-output version of the 6.7-liter Power Stroke V8 diesel, to a redesigned dashboard packed with advanced performance and infotainment tech and refreshed styling that brings the Super Duty models more in line with the current F-150 models, there’s a lot to discover when it comes to Ford’s heavy-duty pickups.

The unique advantages of the Super Duty lifestyle are apparent as soon as you step behind the wheel, but while you’re waiting to schedule a test drive here at Pearson Ford, why not take a little time to review some of the basics of Ford’s heavy-duty lineup? Join us as we explore the differences between the trio of Super Duty models and see how six diverse trims can transform the truck from a no-nonsense fleet vehicle into a luxurious and powerful king of the road.

Models

The decision to split the Super Duty lineup into the F-250, F-350, and F-450 isn’t some marketing ploy. The three trucks share a common structure and size. The most important difference comes down to Gross Vehicle Weight Rating, a figure that describes the maximum weight a vehicle can carry when fully loaded with passengers, cargo, and fuel. The Super Duty models range from a GVWR of 10,000 lbs all the way up to 14,000 lbs, which is why it’s so important to do some research and understand which model is the right choice for your particular needs or driving style. The Ford F-250, F-350, and F-450 also differ in terms of wheelbase, bed length, cab options, engine options, and more. Let’s take a moment to review some of these differences and touch on the maximum towing and payload capacity of each model.

F-250

Engines: The F-250 can be optioned with any of the four Super Duty engines, from the 6.8-liter V8 and 7.3-liter V8 gasoline engines to the 6.7-liter Power Stroke and 6.7-liter High-Output Power Stroke turbo-diesel engines.

Towing/Payload: Depending on which of the four engines you choose, the F-250 can provide up to 23,000 lbs of towing capacity and 4,268 lbs of payload.

Rear Wheels: The F-250 can only be had with the standard single rear wheels, which differs from the F-350 and F-450 models.

F-350

Engines: Like the F-250, the F-350 is available with the 6.8-liter V8 and 7.3-liter V8 gasoline engines, as well as the 6.7-liter Power Stroke and 6.7-liter High-Output Power Stroke turbo-diesel engines.

Towing/Payload: The F-350 delivers up to 32,900 lbs of towing capacity and 8,000 lbs of payload, depending on the engine.

Rear Wheels: The F-350 can be optioned with dual rear wheels, providing greater support and unlocking its maximum payload and towing capacity, in addition to its standard single rear wheel configuration.

F-450

Engines: The F-450 is a diesel-only affair that’s limited to the 6.7-liter Power Stroke and 6.7-liter High-Output Power Stroke turbo-diesel engines.

Towing/Payload: The F-450 is the brawniest Super Duty on offer, with a maximum towing capacity of 40,000 lbs and a max payload rating that reaches 6,457 lbs.

Rear Wheels: Dual rear wheels are standard on every F-450. This differs from the F-250, which can’t be had with dual rear wheels, and the F-350, which only offers the dual rear wheel setup as an optional add-on.

Trims

XL

The Super Duty XL trim might be one of the best values on today’s market. Ford has created a well-rounded base model by pairing the pickup with a 405 hp 6.8-liter gasoline V8, though drivers can also upgrade to a 7.3-liter gasoline V8 or 6.7-liter Power Stroke diesel in both its regular and high-output configurations. A 10-speed automatic transmission with SelectShift allows drivers to either embrace fully automatic shifting or try out a semi-automatic clutchless shifting mode that offers a little more control.

As of 2023, the XL is the only Super Duty trim that doesn’t come standard with 4WD, but the trim makes up for it with a full complement of work-ready features like a trailer brake controller, trailer sway control, hill start assist, heavy-duty shocks, and a 2.5-inch trailer hitch receiver. The XL might not offer some of the cutting-edge interior tech found on the upper trims, but it carries its weight with a 5G Wi-Fi hotspot, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, and an eight-inch infotainment touchscreen running Ford’s SYNC 4 software.

XLT

The XLT trim represents a major step up in terms of power and convenience while still keeping the starting price well within the range of most drivers. The base 6.8-liter V8 is replaced with a standard 7.3-liter model that not only offers a significant boost in terms of horsepower and torque but also comes with a memorable name: the Godzilla. Ford also introduces a little more style into the equation with a chrome grille and bumpers and 18-inch Sparkle Silver aluminum wheels, but it’s the truck’s convenience and safety features that really set the trim apart from the XL.

Automatic high beams will keep you from blinding other drivers at night, an eight-way power driver’s seat ups the comfort factor, and 120-volt interior outlets let you keep all your vital tools, equipment, and other electronics topped up as you journey to the job site. Ford has also upped the model’s suite of standard advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) to include such life-saving technology as Pre-Collision Assist with Automatic Emergency Braking and Forward Collision Warning.

Lariat

The Ford Super Duty lineup was made to work, but that doesn’t mean drivers should have to rough it as they go about their day. The Lariat is Ford’s entry-level luxury trim, improving the truck both inside and out to deliver an opulent ride that isn’t afraid to get down and dirty. We’ll start in the cabin where leather upholstery, a heated leather-wrapped steering wheel, heated and ventilated eight-way power front seats with power lumbar, and dual-zone automatic temperature control go a long way towards upping the comfort factor. The Lariat also offers convenience on tap with a power-sliding rear window, rain-sensing windshield wipers, a universal garage door opener, and a built-in remote start system.

Attaching even the most unwieldy trailer is a breeze thanks to the Trailer Reverse Guidance system, but it’s the Lariat’s PowerScope power telescoping and folding mirrors with integrated spotlights that rank as the most impressive towing-related accessory. These clever mirrors provide a wide-angle field of view from the driver’s seat, allowing you to keep an eye on your trailer as you cruise down the road, and can even be extended further out for larger rigs. When things get a little tight, these mirrors can be folded away at the touch of a button, allowing you to squeeze into a narrow parking spot or cramped garage.

King Ranch

A king deserves an ample throne, and Ford delivers in the King Ranch, with Multicontour front seats, a leather steering wheel, and leather upholstery that sets itself apart with an exclusive Kingsville antique effect. The rest of the cabin is just as royal, from woodgrain interior trim and a heads-up display to the 14-speaker Bang & Olufsen Unleashed sound system and 12-inch infotainment touchscreen. The trim is also ranch-ready with a full roster of industrious features that’ll keep you checking tasks off your to-do list until the cows come home.

Dual alternators, a power take-off, all-terrain tires, and advanced trailering tech like Pro Trailer Hitch Assist and Pro Trailer Backup Assist give the deluxe trim an edge over the XL, XLT, and Lariat options, as does the addition of Ford’s Pro Power Onboard system that essentially turns the truck into a mobile generator. The King Ranch’s most intriguing features would have to be the Onboard Scales and Smart Hitch, which give drivers the ability to track the tonnage being loaded into the cargo bed in real-time. The Smart Hitch pulls off the same trick out in the back, monitoring tongue weight and ensuring you never exceed the maximum recommended load.

Platinum

The Platinum trim might not offer many performance-related advancements over the King Ranch, but it does lend the Super Duty models a distinctive look that’s sure to turn some heads. The 20-inch bright machined and matte black aluminum wheels, body-color bumpers, and chrome exterior accents send a clear message about the truck’s luxury resume, while unique Black Onyx leather seats with heating and ventilation and soft-touch interior trim work their magic on the cabin. The Platinum excels in the lighting department, with LED headlamps and taillamps and exterior mirror-integrated high-intensity LED security approach lights providing plenty of illumination while improving safety and deterring unwanted visitors.

Limited

If you’re looking to rule the road in terms of both power and luxury, look no further than the Ford Super Duty Limited. The range-topping trim is outfitted with the lineup’s most powerful engine in the form of the 6.7-liter high-output Power Stroke turbo-diesel V8. Boasting 500 hp and a monstrous 1,200 lb-ft of torque, this high-output diesel allows the Super Duty to tow up to 40,000 lbs in the F-450. To put that in perspective, a 40,000-pound capacity means that the F-450 could tow 10 F-150s without breaking a sweat.

In order to help drivers take full advantage of all that power, Ford has adorned the Limited with a variety of features, including a standard Fifth Wheel/Gooseneck Hitch Prep Package that includes the hardware and wiring needed to tow the heaviest trailers. The interior keeps up its end of the bargain with exclusive two-tone leather seat upholstery, a Miko suede headliner, Max Recline front seats with 10-way power adjustment, and a twin-panel power moonroof. The Limited is also treated to Ford’s full lineup of ADAS.

A Force to be Reckoned With

Pickups are a force to be reckoned with in the modern automotive market, but the half-ton segment has become a bit watered down in an attempt to cater to a wider range of drivers. That’s certainly not the case when it comes to Ford’s Super Duty lineup, a tireless team of performance-minded trucks that don’t cut any corners in terms of pure muscle. Heavy-duty construction, specialized equipment, and a range of powerful engines allow the Super Duty pickups to offer the sort of towing and payload capacity that can make all the difference when it comes to getting a job done on time and on budget.

This is why the Super Duty name has become so revered amongst tradesmen, contractors, and those who make the world turn. The F-250, F-350, and F-450 aren’t the only members of the Super Duty family, as Ford also produces the F-550 and F-600 chassis cab trucks, but outside of some very specific industrial applications, they are the most practical members of the Super Duty family. If you want to learn more about the Super Duty lineup or experience what a truck with a 40,000-pound towing capacity feels like for yourself, stop by and visit the team here at Pearson Ford.