The 2018 Super Duty Chassis Cab includes the Ford F-350, F-450, and F-550. All these models are built to offer powerful performance as they reinforce the tradition of Built Ford Tough.
Particularly talking about 2018 F-550, it can handle the toughest towing jobs, and aggressive payloads. The power-packed performance of this truck is supported by the purpose-built Ford powertrains.
If you’re considering buying the F550, this article provides you with detailed towing charts, guidelines, and other essential information to help you make an informed decision.
Table of Contents
2018 Ford F550 Engine Options
The 2018 F550 Super Duty Pickup is offered with two engine options including the 6.8L V10 Power Stroke Diesel engine, and a 6.7L V8 Turbo Diesel engine.
2018 Ford F550 Towing Capacity according to the engine type
Super Duty Chassis Cabs
| ENGINE TYPE | CONVENTIONAL TOWING | 5TH-WHEEL TOWING |
| 6.8L V10 Turbo Diesel | 18,500 lbs | 20,600 lbs |
| 6.7L V8 Turbo Diesel | 18,500 lbs | 31,900 lbs |
The 6.8L Power Stroke Diesel V8 3V SOHC V10 engine has proven to be a reliable powerhouse, capable of churning out a maximum power output of 288 hp, and a maximum torque of 424 lb.-ft. When paired with this engine, the F550 offers a maximum conventional towing capacity of 18,500 lbs, and a maximum 5th-wheel towing of 20,600 lbs.
On the other hand, the 6.7L V8 Gas engine offers an impressive performance, producing a maximum power output of 450 hp and a maximum torque of 935 lb.-ft. With this engine option, the 2018 Ford F550 can haul a maximum of 18,500 lbs for conventional towing, and 31,900 lbs for 5th-wheel towing.
Now, it’s time to explore the 2018 Ford F550 Towing Charts.
The 2018 F550 is available both on Super Duty Chassis Cabs. DRW Regular Cab Chassis, DRW Supercab Chassis, and DRW Crew Cab Chassis are the configurations for the F550.
CONVENTIONAL TOWING CHART
2018 Ford F550 Towing Capacity Chart–Regular Cab Chassis (DRW Conventional Towing)
| CONFIGURATION | ENGINE | AXLE RATIO | GCWR | TOWING CAPACITY |
| 4×2 DRW | 6.8L SOHC V10 | 4.88 | 28,000 lbs | 18,500 lbs |
| 4×4 DRW | 6.8L SOHC V10 | 4.88 | 28,000 lbs | 18,500 lbs |
| 4×2 DRW | 6.7L V8 Turbo Diesel | 4.10 | 32,000 lbs | 18,500 lbs |
| 4×4 DRW | 6.7L V8 Turbo Diesel | 4.30 | 35,000 lbs | 18,500 lbs |
| 4×2 DRW | 6.7L V8 Turbo Diesel | 4.88 | 32,000 lbs | 18,500 lbs |
| 4×4 DRW | 6.7L V8 Turbo Diesel | 4.88 | 40,000 lbs | 18,500 lbs |
| 4×2 DRW | 6.7L V8 Turbo Diesel | 4.10 | 32,000 lbs | 18,500 lbs |
| 4×4 DRW | 6.7L V8 Turbo Diesel | 4.30 | 35,000 lbs | 18,500 lbs |
| 4×2 DRW | 6.7L V8 Turbo Diesel | 4.88 | 32,000 lbs | 18,500 lbs |
| 4×4 DRW | 6.7L V8 Turbo Diesel | 4.88 | 40,000 lbs | 18,500 lbs |
2018 Ford F550 Towing Capacity Chart–Supercab Chassis (DRW Conventional Towing)
| CONFIGURATION | ENGINE | AXLE RATIO | GCWR | TOWING CAPACITY |
| 4×2 DRW | 6.8L SOHC V10 | 4.88 | 28,000 lbs | 18,500 lbs |
| 4×4 DRW | 6.8L SOHC V10 | 4.88 | 28,000 lbs | 18,500 lbs |
| 4×2 DRW | 6.7L V8 Turbo Diesel | 4.10 | 32,000 lbs | 18,500 lbs |
| 4×4 DRW | 6.7L V8 Turbo Diesel | 4.30 | 35,000 lbs | 18,500 lbs |
| 4×2 DRW | 6.7L V8 Turbo Diesel | 4.88 | 32,000 lbs | 18,500 lbs |
| 4×4 DRW | 6.7L V8 Turbo Diesel | 4.88 | 40,000 lbs | 18,500 lbs |
| 4×2 DRW | 6.7L V8 Turbo Diesel | 4.10 | 32,000 lbs | 18,500 lbs |
| 4×4 DRW | 6.7L V8 Turbo Diesel | 4.30 | 35,000 lbs | 18,500 lbs |
| 4×2 DRW | 6.7L V8 Turbo Diesel | 4.88 | 32,000 lbs | 18,500 lbs |
| 4×4 DRW | 6.7L V8 Turbo Diesel | 4.88 | 40,000 lbs | 18,500 lbs |
2018 Ford F550 Towing Capacity Chart–Crew Cab Chassis (DRW Conventional Towing)
| CONFIGURATION | ENGINE | AXLE RATIO | GCWR | TOWING CAPACITY |
| 4×2 DRW | 6.8L SOHC V10 | 4.88 | 28,000 lbs | 18,500 lbs |
| 4×4 DRW | 6.8L SOHC V10 | 4.88 | 28,000 lbs | 18,500 lbs |
| 4×2 DRW | 6.7L V8 Turbo Diesel | 4.10 | 32,000 lbs | 18,500 lbs |
| 4×4 DRW | 6.7L V8 Turbo Diesel | 4.30 | 35,000 lbs | 18,500 lbs |
| 4×2 DRW | 6.7L V8 Turbo Diesel | 4.88 | 32,000 lbs | 18,500 lbs |
| 4×4 DRW | 6.7L V8 Turbo Diesel | 4.88 | 40,000 lbs | 18,500 lbs |
| 4×2 DRW | 6.7L V8 Turbo Diesel | 4.10 | 32,000 lbs | 18,500 lbs |
| 4×4 DRW | 6.7L V8 Turbo Diesel | 4.30 | 35,000 lbs | 18,500 lbs |
| 4×2 DRW | 6.7L V8 Turbo Diesel | 4.88 | 32,000 lbs | 18,500 lbs |
| 4×4 DRW | 6.7L V8 Turbo Diesel | 4.88 | 40,000 lbs | 18,500 lbs |
5TH-WHEEL TOWING CHART
2018 Ford F550 Towing Capacity Chart–Regular Cab Chassis (DRW 5th-Wheel Towing)
| CONFIGURATION | ENGINE | AXLE RATIO | GCWR | TOWING CAPACITY |
| 4×2 DRW | 6.8L SOHC V10 | 4.88 | 28,000 lbs | 20,600 lbs |
| 4×4 DRW | 6.8L SOHC V10 | 4.88 | 28,000 lbs | 20,300 lbs |
| 4×2 DRW | 6.7L V8 Turbo Diesel | 4.10 | 32,000 lbs | 23,900 lbs |
| 4×2 DRW | 6.7L V8 Turbo Diesel | 4.30 | 35,000 lbs | 23,600 lbs |
| 4×2 DRW | 6.7L V8 Turbo Diesel | 4.88 | 32,000 lbs | 26,900 lbs |
| 4×2 DRW | 6.7L V8 Turbo Diesel | 4.88 | 40,000 lbs | 26,600 lbs |
| 4×4 DRW | 6.7L V8 Turbo Diesel | 4.10 | 32,000 lbs | 23,900 lbs |
| 4×4 DRW | 6.7L V8 Turbo Diesel | 4.30 | 35,000 lbs | 23,500 lbs |
| 4×4 DRW | 6.7L V8 Turbo Diesel | 4.88 | 32,000 lbs | 31,900 lbs |
| 4×4 DRW | 6.7L V8 Turbo Diesel | 4.88 | 40,000 lbs | 31,500 lbs |
2018 Ford F550 Towing Capacity Chart–Supercab Chassis (DRW 5th-Wheel Towing)
| CONFIGURATION | ENGINE | AXLE RATIO | GCWR | TOWING CAPACITY |
| 4×2 DRW | 6.8L SOHC V10 | 4.88 | 28,000 lbs | 20,300 lbs |
| 4×4 DRW | 6.8L SOHC V10 | 4.88 | 28,000 lbs | 20,000 lbs |
| 4×2 DRW | 6.7L V8 Turbo Diesel | 4.10 | 32,000 lbs | 23,600 lbs |
| 4×2 DRW | 6.7L V8 Turbo Diesel | 4.30 | 35,000 lbs | 23,200 lbs |
| 4×2 DRW | 6.7L V8 Turbo Diesel | 4.88 | 32,000 lbs | 26,600 lbs |
| 4×2 DRW | 6.7L V8 Turbo Diesel | 4.88 | 40,000 lbs | 26,200 lbs |
| 4×4 DRW | 6.7L V8 Turbo Diesel | 4.10 | 32,000 lbs | 23,500 lbs |
| 4×4 DRW | 6.7L V8 Turbo Diesel | 4.30 | 35,000 lbs | 23,200 lbs |
| 4×4 DRW | 6.7L V8 Turbo Diesel | 4.88 | 32,000 lbs | 31,500 lbs |
| 4×4 DRW | 6.7L V8 Turbo Diesel | 4.88 | 40,000 lbs | 31,200 lbs |
2018 Ford F550 Towing Capacity Chart–Crew Cab Chassis (DRW 5th-Wheel Towing)
| CONFIGURATION | ENGINE | AXLE RATIO | GCWR | TOWING CAPACITY |
| 4×2 DRW | 6.8L SOHC V10 | 4.88 | 28,000 lbs | 20,200 lbs |
| 4×4 DRW | 6.8L SOHC V10 | 4.88 | 28,000 lbs | 19,900 lbs |
| 4×2 DRW | 6.7L V8 Turbo Diesel | 4.10 | 32,000 lbs | 23,400 lbs |
| 4×2 DRW | 6.7L V8 Turbo Diesel | 4.30 | 35,000 lbs | 23,100 lbs |
| 4×2 DRW | 6.7L V8 Turbo Diesel | 4.88 | 32,000 lbs | 26,400 lbs |
| 4×2 DRW | 6.7L V8 Turbo Diesel | 4.88 | 40,000 lbs | 26,100 lbs |
| 4×4 DRW | 6.7L V8 Turbo Diesel | 4.10 | 32,000 lbs | 23,600 lbs |
| 4×4 DRW | 6.7L V8 Turbo Diesel | 4.30 | 35,000 lbs | 23,100 lbs |
| 4×4 DRW | 6.7L V8 Turbo Diesel | 4.88 | 32,000 lbs | 31,400 lbs |
| 4×4 DRW | 6.7L V8 Turbo Diesel | 4.88 | 40,000 lbs | 31,100 lbs |
Explore More: 2023 Ford F550 Towing Capacity 2022 Ford F550 Towing Capacity 2021 Ford F550 Towing Capacity 2020 Ford F550 Towing Capacity 2019 Ford F550 Towing Capacity 2017 Ford F550 Towing Capacity
2018 Ford F550 Towing Features
The 2018 Ford F550 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 F550 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 F550 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 F550 Towing Capacity
As we come to the end of the blog, we discovered the towing capacity of the 2018 F550 which is one of the powerful super duty chassis cabs.
With 2018 F550, you can tow up to 31,900 lbs but remember your truck must be equipped with a powerful engine (6.7L V8 Turbo Diesel), and essential towing features.
Some Important Information on the 2018 Ford F-350 Towing Capacity
- Trailer tongue load weight should be 15% of the total loaded trailer weight for 5th-wheel/Gooseneck towing.
- 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.
- F350 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 F350 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.
