2003 Ford F250 Towing Capacity [Charts + Payload Capacity]

Are you looking to tow something with your 2003 Ford F250 truck? You’ll need to make sure that it can handle the load by finding out the towing capacity first. The Ford F-250 Super Duty is a top-of-class heavy-duty truck known for its power, performance, and capability. 

For added protection and peace of mind, sophisticated safety features like ABS brakes, stability control, and driver/passenger side airbags were included as standard in all models of this tough vehicle. 

And with its Tire Pressure Monitor System helping to ensure that tires remain properly inflated, you can stay safe on the roads while conserving fuel too! Use this guide to find out your 2003 Ford F250’s exact limits for towing safely and without exceeding them.

2003 Ford F250 Powerful Gas, and Diesel Engines

The 2003 Ford F250 was available with 4 powerful engines including the Triton 5.4L V8, Triton 6.8L V10, 7.3L Power Stroke Turbo Diesel V8, and 6.0L Power Stroke Turbo Diesel V8.

ENGINE TYPEMAX. POWERMAX. TORQUE
5.4L SOHC V8260 hp350 lbs.-ft.
6.8L SOHC V10310 hp425 lbs.-ft.
7.3L V8 Turbo Diesel275 hp520 lbs.ft.
6.0L Power Stroke Turbo Diesel V8325 hp 560 lbs.-ft.

2003 Ford F250 Towing Capacity [Based on Engine Type]

ENGINE TYPEMAX. TOWING CAPACITY
(MANUAL TRANSMISSION)
MAX. TOWING CAPACITY
(AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION)
5.4L SOHC V89,300 lbs (Conventional)
9,300 lbs (5th-Wheel)
9,300 lbs (Conventional)
9,300 lbs (5th-Wheel)
6.8L SOHC V1012,500 lbs (Conventional)
14,100 lbs (5th-Wheel)
12,500 lbs (Conventional)
14,200 lbs (5th-Wheel)
7.3L V8 Turbo Diesel12,500 lbs (Conventional)
13,700 lbs (5th-Wheel)
12,500 lbs (Conventional)
13,700 lbs (5th-Wheel)
6.0L Power Stroke Turbo Diesel V812,500 lbs (Conventional)
13,000 lbs (5th-Wheel)
12,500 lbs (Conventional)
13,700 lbs (5th-Wheel)

The 2003 Ford F250 was available with both manual and automatic transmissions. With that, the pickup truck features distinctive towing capacities.

The following towing chart shows the 2003 Ford F250 Towing capacity (Conventional) with AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION.

2003 Ford F250 Towing Capacity Chart [Conventional Towing]

Regular Cab

ENGINE TYPEAXLE RATIOGCWRSRW 4×2 SRW 4×4
5.4L SOHC V83.7313,500 lbs7,800 lbs7,400 lbs
4.1015,000 lbs9,300 lbs8,900 lbs
6.8L SOHC V103.7317,000 lbs11,200 lbs10,800 lbs
4.3020,000 lbs12,500 lbs12,500 lbs
7.3L Turbo Diesel V83.7320,000 lbs12,500 lbs12,500 lbs
6.0L Power Stroke V8 Turbo Diesel3.7320,000 lbs12,500 lbs12,500 lbs

Super Cab

ENGINE TYPEAXLE RATIOGCWRSRW 4×2 SRW 4×4
5.4L SOHC V83.7313,500 lbs7,500 lbs7,100 lbs
4.1015,000 lbs9,000 lbs8,600 lbs
6.8L SOHC V103.7317,000 lbs10,800 lbs10,400 lbs
4.3020,000 lbs12,500 lbs12,500 lbs
7.3L Turbo Diesel V83.7320,000 lbs12,500 lbs12,500 lbs
6.0L Power Stroke V8 Turbo Diesel3.7320,000 lbs12,500 lbs12,500 lbs

Crew Cab

ENGINE TYPEAXLE RATIOGCWRSRW 4×2 SRW 4×4
5.4L SOHC V83.7313,500 lbs7,200 lbs6,900 lbs
4.1015,000 lbs8,700 lbs8,400 lbs
6.8L SOHC V103.7317,000 lbs10,600 lbs10,200 lbs
4.3020,000 lbs12,500 lbs12,500 lbs
7.3L Turbo Diesel V83.7320,000 lbs12,500 lbs12,500 lbs
6.0L Power Stroke V8 Turbo Diesel3.7320,000 lbs12,500 lbs12,500 lbs

The following towing chart shows the 2003 Ford F250 Towing capacity (Conventional) with MANUAL TRANSMISSION

Regular Cab

ENGINE TYPEAXLE RATIOGCWRSRW 4×2 SRW 4×4
5.4L SOHC V83.7313,500 lbs7,800 lbs7,400 lbs
4.1015,000 lbs9,300 lbs8,900 lbs
6.8L SOHC V103.7316,500 lbs10,600 lbs10,200 lbs
4.3020,000 lbs12,500 lbs12,500 lbs
7.3L Turbo Diesel V83.7320,000 lbs12,500 lbs12,500 lbs
6.0L Power Stroke V8 Turbo Diesel3.7320,000 lbs12,500 lbs12,500 lbs

Super Cab

ENGINE TYPEAXLE RATIOGCWRSRW 4×2 SRW 4×4
5.4L SOHC V83.7313,500 lbs7,400 lbs7,100 lbs
4.1015,000 lbs8,900 lbs8,600 lbs
6.8L SOHC V103.7316,500 lbs10,300 lbs9,900 lbs
4.3020,000 lbs12,500 lbs12,500 lbs
7.3L Turbo Diesel V83.7320,000 lbs12,500 lbs12,500 lbs
6.0L Power Stroke V8 Turbo Diesel3.7320,000 lbs12,500 lbs12,500 lbs

Crew Cab

ENGINE TYPEAXLE RATIOGCWRSRW 4×2 SRW 4×4
5.4L SOHC V83.7313,500 lbs7,200 lbs6,800 lbs
4.1015,000 lbs8,700 lbs8,300 lbs
6.8L SOHC V103.7316,500 lbs10,100 lbs9,700 lbs
4.3020,000 lbs12,500 lbs12,500 lbs
7.3L Turbo Diesel V83.7320,000 lbs12,500 lbs12,500 lbs
6.0L Power Stroke V8 Turbo Diesel3.7320,000 lbs12,500 lbs12,500 lbs

Now, let’s explore the 5th-wheel towing capacity chart.

The following chart shows the 5th-Wheel towing capacity of the 2003 Ford F250 equipped with AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION.

Regular Cab

ENGINE TYPEAXLE RATIOGCWRSRW 4×2 SRW 4×4
5.4L SOHC V83.7313,500 lbs7,800 lbs7,400 lbs
4.1015,000 lbs9,300 lbs8,900 lbs
6.8L SOHC V103.7317,000 lbs11,200 lbs10,800 lbs
4.3020,000 lbs14,200 lbs13,800 lbs
7.3L Turbo Diesel V83.7320,000 lbs13,700 lbs13,300 lbs
6.0L Power Stroke V8 Turbo Diesel3.7320,000 lbs13,700 lbs13,300 lbs

Super Cab

ENGINE TYPEAXLE RATIOGCWRSRW 4×2 SRW 4×4
5.4L SOHC V83.7313,500 lbs7,500 lbs7,100 lbs
4.1015,000 lbs9,000 lbs8,600 lbs
6.8L SOHC V103.7317,000 lbs10,800 lbs10,400 lbs
4.3020,000 lbs13,800 lbs13,400 lbs
7.3L Turbo Diesel V83.7320,000 lbs13,400 lbs13,300 lbs
6.0L Power Stroke V8 Turbo Diesel3.7320,000 lbs13,300 lbs13,000 lbs

Crew Cab

ENGINE TYPEAXLE RATIOGCWRSRW 4×2 SRW 4×4
5.4L SOHC V83.7313,500 lbs7,200 lbs6,900 lbs
4.1015,000 lbs8,700 lbs8,400 lbs
6.8L SOHC V103.7317,000 lbs10,600 lbs10,200 lbs
4.3020,000 lbs13,600 lbs13,200 lbs
7.3L Turbo Diesel V83.7320,000 lbs13,100 lbs12,800 lbs
6.0L Power Stroke V8 Turbo Diesel3.7320,000 lbs13,100 lbs12,700 lbs

The following chart shows the 5th-Wheel towing capacity of the 2003 Ford F250 equipped with an MANUAL TRANSMISSION.

Regular Cab

ENGINE TYPEAXLE RATIOGCWRSRW 4×2 SRW 4×4
5.4L SOHC V83.7313,500 lbs7,800 lbs7,400 lbs
4.1015,000 lbs9,300 lbs8,900 lbs
6.8L SOHC V103.7316,500 lbs10,600 lbs10,200 lbs
4.3020,000 lbs14,100 lbs13,700 lbs
7.3L Turbo Diesel V83.7320,000 lbs13,700 lbs13,300 lbs
6.0L Power Stroke V8 Turbo Diesel3.7320,000 lbs13,600 lbs13,300 lbs

Super Cab

ENGINE TYPEAXLE RATIOGCWRSRW 4×2 SRW 4×4
5.4L SOHC V83.7313,500 lbs7,400 lbs7,100 lbs
4.1015,000 lbs8,900 lbs8,600 lbs
6.8L SOHC V103.7316,500 lbs10,300 lbs9,900 lbs
4.3020,000 lbs13,800 lbs13,400 lbs
7.3L Turbo Diesel V83.7320,000 lbs13,300 lbs13,000 lbs
6.0L Power Stroke V8 Turbo Diesel3.7320,000 lbs13,300 lbs12,900 lbs

Crew Cab

ENGINE TYPEAXLE RATIOGCWRSRW 4×2 SRW 4×4
5.4L SOHC V83.7313,500 lbs7,200 lbs6,800 lbs
4.1015,000 lbs8,700 lbs8,300 lbs
6.8L SOHC V103.7316,500 lbs10,100 lbs9,700 lbs
4.3020,000 lbs13,600 lbs13,200 lbs
7.3L Turbo Diesel V83.7320,000 lbs13,100 lbs12,800 lbs
6.0L Power Stroke V8 Turbo Diesel3.7320,000 lbs13,100 lbs12,700 lbs

2003 Ford F250 Payload Capacity

                                                                  (F-250 SRW 4×2)
CAB CONFIGURATIONMAX. GVWRWHEELBASEMAX. PAYLOAD
REGULAR CAB8,800 lbs137.0”3,380 lbs
SUPERCAB8,800 lbs141.1”3,195 lbs
8,800 lbs158.0”3,035 lbs
CREW CAB8,800 lbs156.2”2,955 lbs
8,800 lbs172.4”2,810 lbs
                                                                  (F-250 SRW 4×4)
REGULAR CAB8,800 lbs137.0”2,960 lbs
SUPERCAB8,800 lbs141.1”2,790 lbs
8,800 lbs158.0”2,625 lbs
CREW CAB8,800 lbs156.2”2,525 lbs
8,800 lbs172.4”2,390 lbs

2003 Ford F250 Maximum Cargo Weight Capacity with Slide-in Camper

Gas Engine

CAB CONFIGURATIONWheelbaseGVWR Payload Capacity
4×2 Regular Cab137.0”8,800 lbs2,950 lbs
4×4 Regular Cab137.0”8,800 lbs2,530 lbs
4×2 Super Cab141.8”8,800 lbs2,320 lbs
4×2 Super Cab158.0”8,800 lbs2,160 lbs
4×4 Super Cab141.8”8,800 lbs1,910 lbs
4×4 Super Cab158.0”8,800 lbs1,750 lbs
4×2 Crew Cab156.2”8,800 lbs2,080 lbs
4×2 Crew Cab172.4”8,800 lbs1,930 lbs
4×4 Crew Cab156.2”8,800 lbs1,650 lbs
4×4 Crew Cab172.4”8,800 lbs1,510 lbs

Diesel Engine

CAB CONFIGURATIONWheelbaseGVWR Payload Capacity
4×2 Regular Cab137.0”8,800 lbs2,270 lbs
4×4 Regular Cab137.0”8,800 lbs1,840 lbs
4×2 Super Cab141.8”8,800 lbs1,640 lbs
4×2 Super Cab158.0”8,800 lbs1,480 lbs
4×4 Super Cab141.8”8,800 lbs1,230 lbs
4×4 Super Cab158.0”8,800 lbs1,070 lbs
4×2 Crew Cab156.2”8,800 lbs1,500 lbs
4×2 Crew Cab172.4”8,800 lbs1,250 lbs
4×4 Crew Cab156.2”8,800 lbs960 lbs
4×4 Crew Cab172.4”8,800 lbs810 lbs

2003 F250 Hitch Receiver Weight Capacity

F250 ModelWt. Carrying Max. Trailer Capacity (*)Max. Tongue LoadWt. Carrying Max. Trailer Capacity (**)Max. Tongue Load
F-250 Super Duty5,000 lbs500 lbs12,500 lbs1,250 lbs
(*) Ford rear step bumpers and hitch receivers do not include a hitch ball. The vehicle owner is responsible for obtaining the proper hitch ball, ball mounting, and other appropriate equipment to tow both the trailer and its cargo load.
(**) Ford hitch receivers do not include a hitch ball or ball mounting. The vehicle owner is responsible for obtaining the proper hitch ball, ball mounting, weight distributing equipment (i.e., equalizing arms and snap-up brackets, sway control system), and other appropriate equipment to tow both the trailer and its cargo load.

Towing Accessories for 2003 Ford F250

  • Factory-Installed Trailer Hitch Receiver Options
  • Fifth-Wheel Hitch
  • Trailer Wiring Harness
  • Weight-Carrying (Non-Weight-Distributing) Hitch
  • Weight-Distributing Hitch

Towing Features on 2003 Ford F250

Hard-Working Image 

A dominant grille opening and large cooling capacity help cool the big, powerful engines, which are designed to satisfy one of this truck’s primary work uses – trailer towing! 

Four Powerful Engines 

Triton™ 5.4L V8 (260 hp/350 lb-ft torque)

Triton™ 6.8L V10 (310 hp/425 lb-ft torque) 

7.3L Power Stroke® Turbo Diesel V8 (275 hp/520 lb-ft with manual transmission; 250 hp/525 lb-ft with automatic transmission)

6.0L Power Stroke® Turbo Diesel V8 (325 hp/560 lb-ft) offers best-in-class torque and Diesel horsepower

Safety Features 

Among their many safety features, Ford F-Series Super Duty Pickups offer standard 4-wheel ABS on all models. In addition, available telescoping trailer tow mirrors provide excellent visibility

5th-Wheel/Gooseneck Prep Package 

All models of the 2003 Ford F250 Pickup truck were available with the 5th-wheel/Gooseneck Prep Package which provides the necessary under-the-bed hardware to allow mounting of a 5th-wheel/gooseneck hitch in the pickup bed to put more of the trailer weight over the tow vehicle.

Explore the towing capacity of various Ford F250 model years.
2004 Ford F250 Towing Capacity
2005 Ford F250 Towing Capacity
2006 Ford F250 Towing Capacity
2007 Ford F250 Towing Capacity
2008 Ford F250 Towing Capacity
2009 Ford F250 Towing Capacity
2010 Ford F250 Towing Capacity
2011 Ford F250 Towing Capacity
2012 Ford F250 Towing Capacity
2013 Ford F250 Towing Capacity
2014 Ford F250 Towing Capacity
2015 Ford F250 Towing Capacity
2016 Ford F250 Towing Capacity
2017 Ford F250 Towing Capacity
2018 Ford F250 Towing Capacity
2019 Ford F250 Towing Capacity
2020 Ford F250 Towing Capacity
2021 Ford F250 Towing Capacity

Conclusion on 2003 Ford F250 Towing Capacity

The maximum conventional towing capacity of the 2003 Ford F250 is 12,500 lbs achievable with the 6.8L SOHC V10, 6.0L Turbo Diesel V8 Engine, or 7.3L Turbo Diesel V8 Engine.

The maximum 5th-wheel/Gooseneck towing capacity is 14,200 lbs when powered by a 6.8L SEFI V10 engine, and equipped with max trailer tow packages.

ford-f250-towing-guidelines-thecartowing

How to calculate the load your vehicle can carry/tow? 

1. Use the appropriate maximum GCWR chart (in the Trailer Towing section in this chapter) for your type of engine and rear axle ratio. 

2. Weigh your vehicle without cargo. To obtain the correct weights, take your vehicle to a shipping company or an inspection station for trucks. 

3. Subtract your loaded weight from the maximum GCWR in the chart. This is the maximum trailer weight your vehicle can tow. It must be below the maximum trailer weight shown in the chart.

Some Important Information on 2003 Ford F250 Towing Capacity

  • You should not exceed a trailer weight of 5,000 lbs. when towing with bumper only. 
  • The trailer tongue load weight should be 10%-15% of the total loaded trailer weight. 
  • The combined weight of the vehicle, and trailer must not exceed the GCWR (Gross Combined Weight Rating) mentioned in the vehicle manual.
  • F250 owners must carefully read, and review the owner’s manual before buying or using their pickup truck for towing purposes.
  • The maximum towing capacity may only be achieved when the 2003 F250 is equipped with a powerful engine, Max Trailer Tow Package, required tires, wheels, and genuine/approved towing accessories.
  • The towing capacity varies according to the vehicle configuration, cargo, weight of passengers, addition of trailer tongue, availability of towing accessories, and other customizations.
  • Your vehicle may tow a class I, II, or III trailer provided the maximum trailer weight is less than or equal to the maximum trailer weight listed for your engine and rear axle ratio on the following charts. 
  • Your vehicle’s load capacity is designated by weight, not by volume, so you cannot necessarily use all available space when loading a vehicle. 
  • Towing a trailer places an additional load on your vehicle’s engine, transmission, axle, brakes, tires, and suspension. Inspect these components carefully periodically during, and after any towing operation.
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Stellan Carter is an accomplished writer, entrepreneur, and avid Ford Raptor owner. As a co-founder and content contributor for this renowned blog website, Stellan brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the automotive industry. When he's not behind the wheel of his beloved Ford Raptor, Stellan can be found exploring new terrains, capturing the essence of his automotive adventures through his camera lens.

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