Explore the 2008 Ford F450 Towing Capacity with Full Charts

The 2008 Ford F450 FX4 Off-Road variant is fittingly adapted for off-road cruising, owing to its 4-wheel drive, limited-slip differential, Rancho dampers, and armor plating that shields crucial parts during navigation of demanding landscapes. Moreover, besides its remarkable off-road proficiency, the FX4 variant also furnishes exceptional comfort, rendering it ideal for extended voyages.

If you’re examining the prospect of procuring a 2008 F450 or have already obtained one, this comprehensive manual will offer you intricate details concerning the vehicle’s towing capacity, depending on its engine arrangement, along with diagrams for traditional towing and 5th-wheel towing.

You’ll also discover practical towing protocols to assist you in maximizing your F450’s towing potential. Furthermore, the 2008 F450’s towing capacity was reinforced by potent engine preferences and diverse towing features, such as an Integrated Trailer Brake Controller (TBC), Torqshift 5-speed automatic transmission, and the availability of class-exclusive power scope trailer tow mirrors.

2008 Ford F450 Super Duty Strength Features

THICK C CHANNEL FRAME of up to 6.7-mm steel is one reason Super Duty delivers best-in-class payload and towing. 

REAR SPRINGS measure more than 66″ to deliver enhanced ride characteristics and provide more windup stiffness to manage torque without compromising ride comfort.

HOTCHKISS REAR SUSPENSION allow model-specific spring and axle ratings for a wide range of capacities. 

OUTSTANDING BRAKING POWER is what you get from the standard 4-wheel power disc Anti-lock Brake System (ABS). Huge vented rotors and dual-piston calipers provide strong, consistent stops, even when moving the biggest loads. 

BODY-TO-FRAME MOUNTING BOLTS are driven from the bottom up, a feature many aftermarket builders find desirable. 

TIGHT TURNS are easy with the F-450 wide-track monobeam front suspension and more wheel-well space, delivering an outstanding turning diameter for better maneuverability

2008 Ford F450 Towing Capacity according to the Engine Type

A 6.4L V8 Turbo Diesel Engine, and a 6.8L SOHC V10 were two powerful engines available for the 2008 Ford F450 Pickup Truck.

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

ENGINE TYPE MAXIMUM TOWING CAPACITY
(SUPER DUTY PICKUPS)
MAXIMUM TOWING CAPACITY
(SUPER DUTY CHASSIS CABS)
6.4L V8 Turbo Diesel16,000 lbs (Conventional Towing)
24,500 lbs (5th-Wheel Towing)
16,000 lbs (Conventional Towing)
21,500 lbs (5th-Wheel Towing)
6.8L SOHC V10N/A16,000 lbs (Conventional Towing)
18,300 lbs (5th-Wheel Towing)

MANUAL TRANSMISSION

ENGINE TYPE MAXIMUM TOWING CAPACITY
(SUPER DUTY PICKUPS)
MAXIMUM TOWING CAPACITY
(SUPER DUTY CHASSIS CABS)
6.4L V8 Turbo Diesel16,000 lbs (Conventional Towing)
19,500 lbs (5th-Wheel Towing)
16,000 lbs (Conventional Towing)
19,500 lbs (5th-Wheel Towing)
6.8L SOHC V10N/A16,000 lbs (Conventional Towing)
18,200 lbs (5th-Wheel Towing)

The 2008 Ford F450 Superduty Pickup was equipped with the 6.4L Power Stroke Turbo Diesel V8 engine that delivers a maximum power of 350 hp and a peak torque of 650 lb-ft. With this engine, the 2008 F450 can tow a maximum conventional weight of up to 16,000 lbs and a 5th-wheel weight of up to 24,500 lbs.

On the other hand, the 6.8L 10 Gas Engine (available on F450 Super Duty Chassis Cabs) generates 362 hp of peak power, and 457 lb-ft of peak torque. When equipped with this gas engine, the 2008 F450 can tow a maximum conventional weight of 16,000 lbs, and a 5th-wheel weight of up to 18,300 lbs. 

Features of the 6.8L V10 Gas Engine

The only V10 gas powerplant in its class gets your heavy loads moving with up to 457 lb.-ft. of torque and 362 horsepower on F-450 and F-550

It’s paired with a TorqShift ® 5-speed automatic transmission featuring a massive torque converter, beefy gear sets, and a selectable Tow/Haul Mode

The optional new CNG/LPG Prep Package includes hardened valves and valve seats to help ready your Super Duty for alternative-fuel upfits

The 2008 Ford F450 Super Duty Pickup truck was only available in Crew Cab with 4×2 DRW, and 4×4 DRW configuration.

2008 Ford F450 Towing Capacity Chart – Conventional Towing (Crew Cab)

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

ENGINE TYPE4×2 DRW4×4 DRW
6.4L V8 Turbo Diesel16,000 lbs (4.30LS Axle Ratio)
16,000 lbs (4.88LS Axle Ratio)
16,000 lbs (4.30LS Axle Ratio)
16,000 lbs (4.88LS Axle Ratio)

MANUAL TRANSMISSION

ENGINE TYPE4×2 DRW4×4 DRW
6.4L V8 Turbo Diesel16,000 lbs (4.30LS Axle Ratio)
16,000 lbs (4.88LS Axle Ratio)
16,000 lbs (4.30LS Axle Ratio)
16,000 lbs (4.88LS Axle Ratio)

Now, let’s explore the 5th-Wheel Towing Capacity.

2008 Ford F450 Towing Capacity Chart – 5th Wheel Towing (Crew Cab)

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

ENGINE TYPE4×2 DRW4×4 DRW
6.4L V8 Turbo Diesel20,500 lbs (4.30LS Axle Ratio)
24,500 lbs (4.88LS Axle Ratio)
20,100 lbs (4.30LS Axle Ratio)
24,100 lbs (4.88LS Axle Ratio)

MANUAL TRANSMISSION

ENGINE TYPE4×2 DRW4×4 DRW
6.4L V8 Turbo Diesel18,500 lbs (4.30LS Axle Ratio)
19,500 lbs (4.88LS Axle Ratio)
18,100 lbs (4.30LS Axle Ratio)
19,100 lbs (4.88LS Axle Ratio)

The Super Duty Chassis Cab version of the 2008 F450 was available on Regular Chassis Cab, Super Chassis Cab, and Crew Chassis Cab along with two available engines (a 6.8L SOHC V10, and a 6.4L Turbo Diesel V8).

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

2008 Ford F450 Towing Capacity Chart – Conventional Towing (Regular Chassis Cab)

ENGINE TYPE4×2 DRW4×4 DRW
6.8L SOHC V1016,000 lbs (4.88 Axle Ratio)
16,000 lbs (5.38 Axle Ratio)
16,000 lbs (4.88 Axle Ratio)
16,000 lbs (5.38 Axle Ratio)
6.4L V8 Turbo Diesel16,000 lbs (4.30 Axle Ratio)
16,000 lbs (4.88 Axle Ratio)
16,000 lbs (4.30 Axle Ratio)
16,000 lbs (4.88 Axle Ratio)

2008 Ford F450 Towing Capacity Chart – Conventional Towing (Super Chassis Cab)

ENGINE TYPE4×2 DRW4×4 DRW
6.8L SOHC V10 16,000 lbs (4.88 Axle Ratio)
16,000 lbs (5.38 Axle Ratio)
16,000 lbs (4.88 Axle Ratio)
16,000 lbs (5.38 Axle Ratio)
6.4L V8 Turbo Diesel16,000 lbs (4.30 Axle Ratio)
16,000 lbs (4.88 Axle Ratio)
16,000 lbs (4.30 Axle Ratio)
16,000 lbs (4.88 Axle Ratio)

2008 Ford F450 Towing Capacity Chart – Conventional Towing (Crew Chassis Cab)

ENGINE TYPE4×2 DRW4×4 DRW
6.8L SOHC V1016,000 lbs (4.88 Axle Ratio)
16,000 lbs (5.38 Axle Ratio)
16,000 lbs (4.88 Axle Ratio)
16,000 lbs (5.38 Axle Ratio)
6.4L V8 Turbo Diesel16,000 lbs (4.30 Axle Ratio)
16,000 lbs (4.88 Axle Ratio)
16,000 lbs (4.30 Axle Ratio)
16,000 lbs (4.88 Axle Ratio)

MANUAL TRANSMISSION

2008 Ford F450 Towing Capacity Chart – Conventional Towing (Regular Chassis Cab)

ENGINE TYPE4×2 DRW4×4 DRW
6.8L SOHC V1016,000 lbs (4.88 Axle Ratio)
16,000 lbs (5.38 Axle Ratio)
16,000 lbs (4.88 Axle Ratio)
16,000 lbs (5.38 Axle Ratio)
6.4L V8 Turbo Diesel16,000 lbs (4.30 Axle Ratio)
16,000 lbs (4.88 Axle Ratio)
16,000 lbs (4.30 Axle Ratio)
16,000 lbs (4.88 Axle Ratio)

2008 Ford F450 Towing Capacity Chart – Conventional Towing (Super Chassis Cab)

ENGINE TYPE4×2 DRW4×4 DRW
6.8L SOHC V10 16,000 lbs (4.88 Axle Ratio)
16,000 lbs (5.38 Axle Ratio)
16,000 lbs (4.88 Axle Ratio)
16,000 lbs (5.38 Axle Ratio)
6.4L V8 Turbo Diesel16,000 lbs (4.30 Axle Ratio)
16,000 lbs (4.88 Axle Ratio)
16,000 lbs (4.30 Axle Ratio)
16,000 lbs (4.88 Axle Ratio)

2008 Ford F450 Towing Capacity Chart – Conventional Towing (Crew Chassis Cab)

ENGINE TYPE4×2 DRW4×4 DRW
6.8L SOHC V1016,000 lbs (4.88 Axle Ratio)
16,000 lbs (5.38 Axle Ratio)
16,000 lbs (4.88 Axle Ratio)
16,000 lbs (5.38 Axle Ratio)
6.4L V8 Turbo Diesel16,000 lbs (4.10 Axle Ratio)
16,000 lbs (4.30 Axle Ratio)
16,000 lbs (4.10 Axle Ratio)
16,000 lbs (4.30 Axle Ratio)

Now, let’s explore the towing chart of 2008 F450 Super Duty Chassis Cabs with 5th-Wheel Towing.

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

2008 Ford F450 Towing Capacity Chart 5th-Wheel Towing (Regular Chassis Cab)

ENGINE TYPE4×2 DRW4×4 DRW
6.8L SOHC V1018,300 lbs (4.88 Axle Ratio)
18,300 lbs (5.38 Axle Ratio)
17,900 lbs (4.88 Axle Ratio)
17,900 lbs (5.38 Axle Ratio)
6.4L V8 Turbo Diesel17,500 lbs (4.30/4.88 Axle Ratio)
21,500 lbs (4.88 Axle Ratio)
17,100 lbs (4.30/4.88 Axle Ratio)
21,100 lbs (4.88 Axle Ratio)

2008 Ford F450 Towing Capacity Chart 5th-Wheel Towing (Super Chassis Cab)

ENGINE TYPE4×2 DRW4×4 DRW
6.8L SOHC V1017,900 lbs (4.88 Axle Ratio)
17,900 lbs (5.38 Axle Ratio)
17,500 lbs (4.88 Axle Ratio)
17,500 lbs (5.38 Axle Ratio)
6.4L V8 Turbo Diesel17,100 lbs (4.30/4.88 Axle Ratio)
21,100 lbs (4.88 Axle Ratio)
16,700 lbs (4.30/4.88 Axle Ratio)
20,700 lbs (4.88 Axle Ratio)

2008 Ford F450 Towing Capacity Chart 5th-Wheel Towing (Crew Chassis Cab)

ENGINE TYPE4×2 DRW4×4 DRW
6.8L SOCH V1017,700 lbs (4.88 Axle Ratio)
17,700 lbs (5.38 Axle Ratio)
17,400 lbs (4.88 Axle Ratio)
17,400 lbs (5.38 Axle Ratio)
6.4L V8 Turbo Diesel16,900 lbs (4.30/4.88 Axle Ratio)
20,900 lbs (4.88 Axle Ratio)
16,500 lbs (4.30/4.88 Axle Ratio)
20,500 lbs (4.88 Axle Ratio)

MANUAL TRANSMISSION

2008 Ford F450 Towing Capacity Chart 5th-Wheel Towing (Regular Chassis Cab)

ENGINE TYPE4×2 DRW4×4 DRW
6.8L SOHC V1018,200 lbs (4.88 Axle Ratio)
18,200 lbs (5.38 Axle Ratio)
18,100 lbs (4.88 Axle Ratio)
18,100 lbs (5.38 Axle Ratio)
6.4L V8 Turbo Diesel17,500 lbs (4.30/4.88 Axle Ratio)
19,500 lbs (4.88 Axle Ratio)
17,100 lbs (4.30/4.88 Axle Ratio)
19,100 lbs (4.88 Axle Ratio)

2008 Ford F450 Towing Capacity Chart 5th-Wheel Towing (Super Chassis Cab)

ENGINE TYPE4×2 DRW4×4 DRW
6.8L SOHC V1017,900 lbs (4.88 Axle Ratio)
17,900 lbs (5.38 Axle Ratio)
17,500 lbs (4.88 Axle Ratio)
17,500 lbs (5.38 Axle Ratio)
6.4L V8 Turbo Diesel17,100 lbs (4.30/4.88 Axle Ratio)
19,100 lbs (4.88 Axle Ratio)
16,700 lbs (4.30/4.88 Axle Ratio)
18,700 lbs (4.88 Axle Ratio)

2008 Ford F450 Towing Capacity Chart 5th-Wheel Towing (Crew Chassis Cab)

ENGINE TYPE4×2 DRW4×4 DRW
6.8L SOCH V1017,700 lbs (4.88 Axle Ratio)
17,700 lbs (5.38 Axle Ratio)
17,400 lbs (4.88 Axle Ratio)
17,400 lbs (5.38 Axle Ratio)
6.4L V8 Turbo Diesel16,900 lbs (4.30/4.88 Axle Ratio)
18,000 lbs (4.88 Axle Ratio)
16,500 lbs (4.30/4.88 Axle Ratio)
18,500 lbs (4.88 Axle Ratio)
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2008 Ford F450 Towing Features

The 2008 Ford F450 was equipped with various towing features including Standard Trailer Sway Control, Trailer Brake Controller, Standard Hill Start Assist, and 5th-Wheel/Gooseneck Prep Package. 

Standard Trailer Sway Control

The Standard Trailer Sway Control was available for Single-rear-wheel (SRW) models. This control feature works with AdvanceTrac, and RSC (Roll Stability Control) using a yaw motion sensor to monitor the motions of the truck for detecting trailer sway. The system applies selected brakes and reduces engine power to help the driver regain control in the case of trailer swaying. 

Though the Dual-rear-wheel (DRW) models were not equipped with AdvanceTrac technology, they operated with a similar yaw motion sensor to detect and control trailer sway.

Integrated Exhaust Brake

This feature automatically increases engine exhaust back pressure when needed to help slow the vehicle and trailer while in Tow/Haul Mode.

A single touch of the brake pedal in Tow/Haul Mode activates the system to improve control with less wear and tear on the transmission.

Trailer Brake Controller (TBC)

TBC uses braking input, vehicle speed, and ABS logic to balance the performance of the truck brakes and electric trailer brakes. The trailer brake controller output, gain levels, and trailer connection status is displayed in the instrument cluster.

TBC also offers enhanced braking with greater control due to the integration of Tow/Haul Mode with the engine brake (available on 6.4L Diesel V8 engine only). Besides, TBC eliminates the unwanted frequency of gear shifting on steep uphill grades and allows engine braking to maintain or reduce vehicle speed.

Additional braking and control are available on downhill grades when the TBC feature is used in combination with the engine brake feature on the 6.4L V8 turbo diesel engine.

New Standard Hill Start Assist

Hill Start Assist helps to prevent rolling back on a grade by momentarily maintaining brake pressure until the engine delivers enough torque to move the truck up the hill. You’re always covered while heading up, or in reverse mode.

5th-Wheel/Gooseneck Prep Package 

All models of the 2008 Ford F450 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.

Conclusion on 2008 Ford F450 Towing Capacity

The 2008 Ford F450 pickup truck is an exceptional automobile that endows impressive towing potential. With sturdy engine preferences and an array of towing features, the F450 is capable of accommodating the most arduous towing requirements. Whether you’re an elated owner of this truck or planning to purchase one in the near future, it’s essential to comprehend the towing capacity, engine arrangements, and towing protocols.

By analyzing data and charts, you can get an understanding of your F450’s towing capabilities, thereby ensuring a secure and maximum towing ability.

The 2008 Ford F450 towing capacity bears testimony to Ford’s dedication to producing top-tier and trustworthy vehicles that cater to the needs of its clientele.

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 2008 Ford F450 Towing Capacity

  • Maximum trailer weight for bumper towing is 5,000 lbs.
  • Trailer tongue load weight should be 10-15% of the total loaded trailer weight.
  • The combined weight of the vehicle and trailer cannot exceed the GCWR in the vehicle manual.
  • F450 owners must read and review the owner’s manual before towing.
  • The 2008 F450’s maximum towing capacity requires a powerful engine, Max Trailer Tow Package, specific tires, and wheels, and approved towing accessories.
  • Towing capacity depends on the vehicle configuration, cargo, passenger weight, trailer tongue weight, towing accessories, and customizations.
  • Your vehicle can tow class I, II, or III trailers if the maximum weight is within the limits listed for your engine and rear axle ratio on the provided charts.
  • Load capacity is determined by weight, not volume, so not all available space may be used when loading.
  • Towing puts extra load on the vehicle’s engine, transmission, axle, brakes, tires, and suspension, so these components should be inspected regularly during and after towing.
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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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