The 2018 Ford F-450 Super Duty Pickup trucks were built to offer exceptional power, and towing capacity. The F-450 Pickup Trucks were also available with Chassis Cabs, and supplied powerful engines, and drivetrains to excel at conquering the toughest of jobs.
There were two engines available for the 2018 Ford F-450: a 6.7L V8 Turbo Diesel Engine, and a 6.8L SOHC V10 engine. The diesel engine offered more power, and towing capacity than the gas engine.
The 2018 F-450 powerful pickup truck is equipped with various towing features such as Standard Trailer Sway Control, Integrated Trailer Brake Controller, Tow/Haul Mode with Integrated Exhaust Brake, Ultimate Trailer Row Camera System, Towing Technology Bundle (available on Lariat, and King Ranch model), and Standard Hill Start Assist. The 2018 F-450 was also available with a 5th-wheel/Gooseneck Prep Package.
Let’s explore the 2018 Ford F-450 Towing Capacity with towing charts, engine configuration, towing features, and more.
2018 Ford F-450 Towing Capacity according to the Engine Type
A 6.7L V8 Turbo Diesel Engine, and a 6.8L SOHC V10 were two powerful engines available for the 2018 Ford F450 Pickup Truck.
| ENGINE TYPE | MAXIMUM TOWING CAPACITY |
| 6.7L V8 Turbo Diesel | 21,000 lbs (Conventional Towing) 34,000 lbs (5th-Wheel/Gooseneck) |
| 6.8L SOHC V10 | 17,500 lbs (Conventional Towing) 20,600 lbs (5th-Wheel/Gooseneck) |
The 6.8L V10 Gas Engine produces a peak power of 288 hp at 4,750 rpm, and a peak torque of 424 lb-ft at 3,000 rpm. The 2018 F450 powered by this gas engine offered a maximum conventional towing of up to 17,500 lbs, and 5th-wheel/Gooseneck towing of up to 20,600 lbs.
On the other hand, the powerful 6.7L Power Stroke Turbo Diesel V8 engine delivers a maximum power of 450 hp at 2,800 rpm, and a peak torque of 935 lb-ft at 1,800 rpm. The 2018 F450 offers a maximum conventional towing of up to 21,000 lbs, and 5th-wheel/Gooseneck towing of up to 34,000 lbs with the V8 Turbo Diesel engine.
The 2018 Ford F-450 Super Duty Pickup truck was only available in Crew Cab with 4×2, and 4×4 DRW configuration.
2018 Ford F-450 Towing Capacity Chart – Conventional Towing (Crew Cab)
| ENGINE TYPE | 4×2 DRW 176” WB 8’ Box | 4×4 DRW 176” WB 8’ Box |
| 6.7L V8 Turbo Diesel | 21,000 lbs (4.30 Axle Ratio) | 21,000 lbs (4.30 Axle Ratio) |
2018 Ford F-450 Towing Capacity Chart – 5th-Wheel/GooseneckTowing (Crew Cab)
| ENGINE TYPE | 4×2 DRW 176” WB 8’ Box | 4×4 DRW 176” WB 8’ Box |
| 6.7L V8 Turbo Diesel | 34,000 lbs (4.30 Axle Ratio) | 32,500 lbs (4.30 Axle Ratio) |
The Super Duty Chassis Cab version of the 2018 F-450 was available in Regular Chassis Cab, Super Chassis Cab, and Crew Chassis Cab along with two available engines (a 6.8L SOHC V10, and a 6.7L Turbo Diesel V8).
2018 Ford F-450 Towing Capacity Chart – Conventional Towing (Regular Chassis Cab)
| ENGINE TYPE | 4×2 DRW | 4×4 DRW |
| 6.8L SOHC V10 | 17,500 lbs (4.88 Axle Ratio) | 17,500 lbs (4.88 Axle Ratio) |
| 6.7L V8 Turbo Diesel | 17,500 lbs (4.10 Axle Ratio) 17,500 lbs (4.30 Axle Ratio) | 17,500 lbs (4.10 Axle Ratio) 17,500 lbs (4.30 Axle Ratio) |
2018 Ford F-450 Towing Capacity Chart – Conventional Towing (Super Chassis Cab)
| ENGINE TYPE | 4×2 DRW | 4×4 DRW |
| 6.8L SOHC V10 | 17,500 lbs (4.88 Axle Ratio) | 17,500 lbs (4.88 Axle Ratio) |
| 6.7L V8 Turbo Diesel | 17,500 lbs (4.10 Axle Ratio) 17,500 lbs (4.30 Axle Ratio) | 17,500 lbs (4.10 Axle Ratio) 17,500 lbs (4.30 Axle Ratio) |
2018 Ford F-450 Towing Capacity Chart – Conventional Towing (Crew Chassis Cab)
| ENGINE TYPE | 4×2 DRW | 4×4 DRW |
| 6.8L SOHC V10 | 17,500 lbs (4.88 Axle Ratio) | 17,500 lbs (4.88 Axle Ratio) |
| 6.7L V8 Turbo Diesel | 17,500 lbs (4.10 Axle Ratio) 17,500 lbs (4.30 Axle Ratio) | 17,500 lbs (4.10 Axle Ratio) 17,500 lbs (4.30 Axle Ratio) |
2018 Ford F-450 Towing Capacity Chart – 5th-Wheel Towing (Regular Chassis Cab)
| ENGINE TYPE | 4×2 DRW | 4×4 DRW |
| 6.8L SOHC V10 | 20,600 lbs (4.88 Axle Ratio) | 20,300 lbs (4.88 Axle Ratio) |
| 6.7L V8 Turbo Diesel | 23,900 lbs (4.10 Axle Ratio) 26,400 lbs (4.30 Axle Ratio) | 23,600 lbs (4.10 Axle Ratio) 26,100 lbs (4.30 Axle Ratio) |
2018 Ford F-450 Towing Capacity Chart – Cabs 5th-Wheel Towing (Super Chassis Cab)
| ENGINE TYPE | 4×2 DRW | 4×4 DRW |
| 6.8L SOHC V10 | 20,300 lbs (4.88 Axle Ratio) | 20,000 lbs (4.88 Axle Ratio) |
| 6.7L V8 Turbo Diesel | 23,600 lbs (4.10 Axle Ratio) 26,100 lbs (4.30 Axle Ratio) | 23,200 lbs (4.10 Axle Ratio) 25,700 lbs (4.30 Axle Ratio) |
2018 Ford F-450 Towing Capacity Chart – 5th-Wheel Towing (Crew Chassis Cab)
| ENGINE TYPE | 4×2 DRW | 4×4 DRW |
| 6.8L SOCH V10 | 20,200 lbs (4.88 Axle Ratio) | 19,900 lbs (4.88 Axle Ratio) |
| 6.7L V8 Turbo Diesel | 23,400 lbs (4.10 Axle Ratio) 25,900 lbs (4.30 Axle Ratio) | 23,100 lbs (4.10 Axle Ratio) 25,600 lbs (4.30 Axle Ratio) |
Explore More 2015 Ford F-450 Towing Capacity with Chart 2016 Ford F-450 Towing Capacity with Chart 2017 Ford F-450 Towing Capacity with Chart
Towing Features on Ford F450
The 2018 Ford F450 was available with various towing features such as Standard Trailer Sway Control, Trailer Brake Controller, Standard Hill Start Assist, and 5th-Wheel/Gooseneck Prep Package.
Standard Trailer Sway Control
The Trailer Sway Control was available for the 2018 Ford F450 trucks. It works in conjunction with AdvanceTrac to detect trailer sway, and reduce it as necessary. The AdvanceTrac works with the Roll Stability Control (RSC) system.
The AdvanceTrac feature comes with additional software that monitors the vehicle’s performance while towing. The yaw motion of the vehicle is measured by the software, and then the sway condition is reduced after the software determines it.
Integrated 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.
When the ABS module senses the towing vehicle’s brakes are approaching lockup, the controller’s trailer braking strategy changes to compensate for traction conditions, reducing the risk of trailer brake lockup.
TBC is fully integrated into the truck’s brake system, and provides instant visual, and audible warnings in case of accidental trailer disconnect.
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 2018 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.
Tow/Haul Mode with Integrated Exhaust Brake
- Tow/Haul Mode and Tow/Haul Mode with integrated engine brake (6.7L diesel only) give drivers even greater control when traveling downhill.
- Helps eliminate the unwanted frequency of gear shifting on steep uphill grades and allows engine braking to maintain or reduce vehicle speed and assists the driver in controlling the vehicle when descending a steep grade.
- Provides additional braking and control on downhill grades when used in combination with the engine brake feature on the 6.7L V8 turbo diesel engine.
- When the engine braking switch is selected, the engine brake adjusts the vanes on the exhaust side of the turbocharger to generate engine backpressure.
- Extra braking power requires less manual brake application from the driver, especially on downhill grades.
- Using the engine brake to slow the vehicle, rather than applying the brakes, helps reduce brake fade and brake lining wear
Conclusion on 2018 Ford F-450 Towing Capacity
The maximum conventional towing capacity of the 2018 Ford F-450 is 21,000 lbs which is achievable with the 6.7L V8 Turbo Diesel engine. Likewise, the maximum 5th-wheel/Gooseneck towing capacity is 34,000 lbs when properly equipped.
Some Important Information on 2018 Ford F-450 Towing Capacity
- The trailer tongue (trailer king pin for 5th-wheel towing) load weight should be 10% (15% for 5th-wheel towing) of the total loaded trailer weight.
- Maximum Loaded Trailer Weight requires a weight-distributing hitch.
- Super Duty Chassis Cab does not offer a conventional hitch receiver as a factory-installed option.
- The trailer tongue load weight should be 10% of the total loaded trailer weight for conventional towing.
- The combined weight of the vehicle and trailer must not exceed the GCWR (Gross Combined Weight Rating) mentioned in the vehicle manual.
- F450 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 2018 F450 is equipped with a powerful engine (6.7L Turbo Diesel V8), Max Trailer Tow Package, required tires, wheels, and genuine/approved towing accessories.
- The towing capacity varies according to the vehicle configuration, cargo, the weight of passengers, addition of trailer tongue, availability of towing accessories, and other customizations.
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.
