The Ford F-250 Super Duty was a heavy-duty truck that offered drivers a reliable, powerful, and efficient option for hauling needs. It sits at the top of its class for power, performance, and capability. With a strong engine, 4X4 drivetrain, and multiple cab styles, it’s the perfect choice for the heavy hauler or weekend adventurer!
Explore 2004 Ford F250 Towing Capacity with Charts & Towing Guidelines
The 2004 Ford F-250 Super Duty offers some of the best safety and reliability ratings in its class with top marks for occupant protection. The truck is equipped with ABS brakes, stability control and driver/passenger side airbags for added occupant protection. Additionally, Ford has also included a Tire Pressure Monitor System that helps ensure your tires remain properly inflated which increases safety and fuel economy.
If you’re looking to tow something with your 2004 Ford F250 truck, you first should find out its towing capacity. With this guide, you’ll learn how to determine your truck’s exact limits to tow safely and without exceeding them.
Table of Contents
2004 Ford F250 Powerful Gas, and Diesel Engines
The three powerful engines available for the 2004 F250 were a 5.4L V8 Gas Engine, a 6.8L Triton V10 Engine, and a 6.0L Power Stroke V8 Engine.
| ENGINE TYPE | MAX. POWER | MAX. TORQUE |
| 5.4L SEFI V8 | 260 hp | 350 lbs.-ft. |
| 6.8L SEFI V10 | 310 hp | 425 lbs.-ft. |
| 6.0L Power Stroke Turbo Diesel V8 | 325 hp | 560 lbs.-ft. |
2004 Ford F250 Towing Capacity [Based on Engine Type]
| ENGINE TYPE | MAX. TOW CAPACITY (MANUAL TRANSMISSION) | MAX. TOW CAPACITY (AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION) |
| 5.4L SEFI V8 | 9,300 lbs (Conventional Towing) 9,300 lbs (5th-Wheel Towing) | 9,300 lbs (Conventional Towing) 9,300 lbs (5th-Wheel Towing) |
| 6.8L SEFI V10 | 12,500 lbs (Conventional Towing) 14,100 lbs (5th-Wheel Towing) | 12,500 lbs (Conventional Towing) 14,200 lbs (5th-Wheel Towing) |
| 6.0L Power Stroke V8 Turbo Diesel | 12,500 lbs (Conventional Towing) 13,600 lbs (5th-Wheel Towing) | 12,500 lbs (Conventional Towing) 13,700 lbs (5th-Wheel Towing) |
The 2004 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 2004 Ford F250 Towing capacity (Conventional) with MANUAL TRANSMISSION
2004 Ford F250 Towing Capacity Chart [Conventional Towing]
Regular Cab
| ENGINE TYPE | AXLE RATIO | GCWR | SRW 4×2 | SRW 4×4 |
| 5.4L SEFI V8 | 3.73 | 13,500 lbs | 7,800 lbs | 7,400 lbs |
| 4.10 | 15,000 lbs | 9,300 lbs | 8,900 lbs | |
| 6.8L SEFI V10 | 3.73 | 16,500 lbs | 10,600 lbs | 10,200 lbs |
| 4.30 | 20,000 lbs | 12,500 lbs | 12,500 lbs | |
| 6.0L Power Stroke V8 Turbo Diesel | 3.73 | 20,000 lbs | 12,500 lbs | 12,500 lbs |
Super Cab
| ENGINE TYPE | AXLE RATIO | GCWR | SRW 4×2 | SRW 4×4 |
| 5.4L SEFI V8 | 3.73 | 13,500 lbs | 7,400 lbs | 7,000 lbs |
| 4.10 | 15,000 lbs | 8,900 lbs | 8,500 lbs | |
| 6.8L SEFI V10 | 3.73 | 16,500 lbs | 10,300 lbs | 9,900 lbs |
| 4.30 | 20,000 lbs | 12,500 lbs | 12,500 lbs | |
| 6.0L Power Stroke V8 Turbo Diesel | 3.73 | 20,000 lbs | 12,500 lbs | 12,500 lbs |
Crew Cab
| ENGINE TYPE | AXLE RATIO | GCWR | SRW 4×2 | SRW 4×4 |
| 5.4L SEFI V8 | 3.73 | 13,500 lbs | 7,200 lbs | 6,800 lbs |
| 4.10 | 15,000 lbs | 8,700 lbs | 8,300 lbs | |
| 6.8L SEFI V10 | 3.73 | 16,500 lbs | 10,100 lbs | 9,700 lbs |
| 4.30 | 20,000 lbs | 12,500 lbs | 12,500 lbs | |
| 6.0L Power Stroke V8 Turbo Diesel | 3.73 | 20,000 lbs | 12,500 lbs | 12,500 lbs |
The following towing chart shows the 2004 Ford F250 Towing capacity (Conventional) with AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION.
Regular Cab
| ENGINE TYPE | AXLE RATIO | GCWR | SRW 4×2 | SRW 4×4 |
| 5.4L SEFI V8 | 3.73 | 13,500 lbs | 7,800 lbs | 7,400 lbs |
| 4.10 | 15,000 lbs | 9,300 lbs | 8,900 lbs | |
| 6.8L SEFI V10 | 3.73 | 17,000 lbs | 11,200 lbs | 10,800 lbs |
| 4.30 | 20,000 lbs | 12,500 lbs | 12,500 lbs | |
| 6.0L Power Stroke V8 Turbo Diesel | 3.73 | 20,000 lbs | 12,500 lbs | 12,500 lbs |
Super Cab
| ENGINE TYPE | AXLE RATIO | GCWR | SRW 4×2 | SRW 4×4 |
| 5.4L SEFI V8 | 3.73 | 13,500 lbs | 7,500 lbs | 7,100 lbs |
| 4.10 | 15,000 lbs | 9,000 lbs | 8,600 lbs | |
| 6.8L SEFI V10 | 3.73 | 17,000 lbs | 10,800 lbs | 10,400 lbs |
| 4.30 | 20,000 lbs | 12,500 lbs | 12,500 lbs | |
| 6.0L Power Stroke V8 Turbo Diesel | 3.73 | 20,000 lbs | 12,500 lbs | 12,500 lbs |
Crew Cab
| ENGINE TYPE | AXLE RATIO | GCWR | SRW 4×2 | SRW 4×4 |
| 5.4L SEFI V8 | 3.73 | 13,500 lbs | 7,200 lbs | 6,900 lbs |
| 4.10 | 15,000 lbs | 8,700 lbs | 8,400 lbs | |
| 6.8L SEFI V10 | 3.73 | 17,000 lbs | 10,600 lbs | 10,200 lbs |
| 4.30 | 20,000 lbs | 12,500 lbs | 12,500 lbs | |
| 6.0L Power Stroke V8 Turbo Diesel | 3.73 | 20,000 lbs | 12,500 lbs | 12,500 lbs |
Now, let’s explore the 5th-wheel towing capacity chart.
The following chart shows the 5th-Wheel towing capacity of the 2004 Ford F250 equipped with MANUAL TRANSMISSION.
2004 Ford F250 Towing Capacity Chart [5th Wheel/Gooseneck Towing]
Regular Cab
| ENGINE TYPE | AXLE RATIO | GCWR | SRW 4×2 | SRW 4×4 |
| 5.4L SEFI V8 | 3.73 | 13,500 lbs | 7,800 lbs | 7,400 lbs |
| 4.10 | 15,000 lbs | 9,300 lbs | 8,900 lbs | |
| 6.8L SEFI V10 | 3.73 | 17,000 lbs | 10,600 lbs | 10,200 lbs |
| 4.30 | 20,000 lbs | 14,100 lbs | 13,700 lbs | |
| 6.0L Power Stroke V8 Turbo Diesel | 3.73 | 20,000 lbs | 13,600 lbs | 13,300 lbs |
Super Cab
| ENGINE TYPE | AXLE RATIO | GCWR | SRW 4×2 | SRW 4×4 |
| 5.4L SEFI V8 | 3.73 | 13,500 lbs | 7,400 lbs | 7,000 lbs |
| 4.10 | 15,000 lbs | 8,900 lbs | 8,500 lbs | |
| 6.8L SEFI V10 | 3.73 | 17,000 lbs | 10,300 lbs | 9,900 lbs |
| 4.30 | 20,000 lbs | 13,800 lbs | 13,400 lbs | |
| 6.0L Power Stroke V8 Turbo Diesel | 3.73 | 20,000 lbs | 13,800 lbs | 12,900 lbs |
Crew Cab
| ENGINE TYPE | AXLE RATIO | GCWR | SRW 4×2 | SRW 4×4 |
| 5.4L SEFI V8 | 3.73 | 13,500 lbs | 7,200 lbs | 6,800 lbs |
| 4.10 | 15,000 lbs | 8,700 lbs | 8,300 lbs | |
| 6.8L SEFI V10 | 3.73 | 17,000 lbs | 10,100 lbs | 9,700 lbs |
| 4.30 | 20,000 lbs | 13,600 lbs | 13,200 lbs | |
| 6.0L Power Stroke V8 Turbo Diesel | 3.73 | 20,000 lbs | 12,900 lbs | 12,700 lbs |
The following chart shows the 5th-Wheel towing capacity of the 2004 Ford F250 equipped with an AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION.
Regular Cab
| ENGINE TYPE | AXLE RATIO | GCWR | SRW 4×2 | SRW 4×4 |
| 5.4L SEFI V8 | 3.73 | 13,500 lbs | 7,800 lbs | 7,400 lbs |
| 4.10 | 15,000 lbs | 9,300 lbs | 8,900 lbs | |
| 6.8L SEFI V10 | 3.73 | 17,000 lbs | 11,200 lbs | 10,800 lbs |
| 4.30 | 20,000 lbs | 14,200 lbs | 13,800 lbs | |
| 6.0L Power Stroke V8 Turbo Diesel | 3.73 | 20,000 lbs | 13,700 lbs | 13,300 lbs |
Super Cab
| ENGINE TYPE | AXLE RATIO | GCWR | SRW 4×2 | SRW 4×4 |
| 5.4L SEFI V8 | 3.73 | 13,500 lbs | 7,500 lbs | 7,100 lbs |
| 4.10 | 15,000 lbs | 9,000 lbs | 8,600 lbs | |
| 6.8L SEFI V10 | 3.73 | 17,000 lbs | 10,800 lbs | 10,400 lbs |
| 4.30 | 20,000 lbs | 13,800 lbs | 13,400 lbs | |
| 6.0L Power Stroke V8 Turbo Diesel | 3.73 | 20,000 lbs | 13,300 lbs | 13,000 lbs |
Crew Cab
| ENGINE TYPE | AXLE RATIO | GCWR | SRW 4×2 | SRW 4×4 |
| 5.4L SEFI V8 | 3.73 | 13,500 lbs | 7,200 lbs | 6,900 lbs |
| 4.10 | 15,000 lbs | 8,700 lbs | 8,400 lbs | |
| 6.8L SEFI V10 | 3.73 | 17,000 lbs | 10,600 lbs | 10,200 lbs |
| 4.30 | 20,000 lbs | 13,600 lbs | 13,200 lbs | |
| 6.0L Power Stroke V8 Turbo Diesel | 3.73 | 20,000 lbs | 13,100 lbs | 12,700 lbs |
2004 Ford F250 Payload Capacity with Slide-in Camper
The following chart lists GVWRs and Maximum Cargo Weights (with minimum equipment) by Gas Engine (5.4L SEFI V8 & 6.8L SEFI V10), and Diesel Engine (6.0L Power Stroke V8).
Gas Engine
| CAB CONFIGURATION | Wheelbase | GVWR | Payload Capacity |
| 4×2 Regular Cab | 137.0” | 8,800 lbs | 2,960 lbs |
| 4×4 Regular Cab | 137.0” | 8,800 lbs | 2,545 lbs |
| 4×2 Super Cab | 141.8” | 8,800 lbs | 2,320 lbs |
| 4×2 Super Cab | 158.0” | 8,800 lbs | 2,160 lbs |
| 4×4 Super Cab | 141.8” | 8,800 lbs | 1,910 lbs |
| 4×4 Super Cab | 158.0” | 8,800 lbs | 1,745 lbs |
| 4×2 Crew Cab | 156.2” | 8,800 lbs | 2,085 lbs |
| 4×2 Crew Cab | 172.4” | 8,800 lbs | 1,940 lbs |
| 4×4 Crew Cab | 156.2” | 8,800 lbs | 1,655 lbs |
| 4×4 Crew Cab | 172.4” | 8,800 lbs | 1,515 lbs |
Diesel Engine
| CAB CONFIGURATION | Wheelbase | GVWR | Payload Capacity |
| 4×2 Regular Cab | 137.0” | 8,800 lbs | 2,280 lbs |
| 4×4 Regular Cab | 137.0” | 8,800 lbs | 1,855 lbs |
| 4×2 Super Cab | 141.8” | 8,800 lbs | 1,640 lbs |
| 4×2 Super Cab | 158.0” | 8,800 lbs | 1,480 lbs |
| 4×4 Super Cab | 141.8” | 8,800 lbs | 1,230 lbs |
| 4×4 Super Cab | 158.0” | 8,800 lbs | 1,065 lbs |
| 4×2 Crew Cab | 156.2” | 8,800 lbs | 1,505 lbs |
| 4×2 Crew Cab | 172.4” | 8,800 lbs | 1,260 lbs |
| 4×4 Crew Cab | 156.2” | 8,800 lbs | 965 lbs |
| 4×4 Crew Cab | 172.4” | 8,800 lbs | 815 lbs |
Towing Accessories for 2004 Ford F250
- Trailer Hitch Receiver Cover: Keeps dirt, mud, and snow from clogging the hitch receiver.
- Trailer Hitch Balls: Forged, one-piece construction and chrome finish for maximum strength and corrosion resistance.
- Trailer Hitch Assembly – Class II, III, IV: Bolt directly to the vehicle using existing holes – no drilling or welding required.
- Swivel-Mount Hitch Drawbar: Swivels for easy hookup, then locks into towing position.
- Telescoping Trailer Tow Mirrors – Manual, Power, and Power Heated: When towing, pull the mirror out to extend the range of vision; when not towing, push the mirror in for normal range.
- 5th-Wheel Hitch Kits – The 5th-Wheel Hitch Kits have a Gross Trailer Weight Rating of 18,000 and 26,500 lbs. and a pin weight rating of 6,250 lbs.
| F250 Configuration | Weight-Carrying Max. Trailer Capacity (*) | Max. Tongue Load | Weight-Carrying Max. Trailer Capacity (**) | Max. Tongue Load |
| F-250 Super Duty SRW | 5,000 lbs | 500 lbs | 12,500 lbs | 1,250 lbs |
| F-250 Super Duty DRW | 6,000 lbs | 600 lbs | 15,000 lbs | 1,500 lbs |
(**) 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 Features on 2004 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!
Three Powerful Engines
- Triton™ 5.4L V8 (260 hp/350 lb-ft torque)
- Triton™ 6.8L V10 (310 hp/425 lb-ft torque)
- 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 2004 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. 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 2004 Ford F250 Towing Capacity
The maximum conventional towing capacity of the 2004 Ford F250 is 12,500 lbs achievable with the 6.8L SEFI V10, or a 6.0L Turbo Diesel V8 Engine.
Likewise, 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.
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 2004 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 2004 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.
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.