Ford F-250 vs F-350 vs F-450
Ford Super Duty · Model comparison · 2027
F-250 vs F-350 vs F-450: which Super Duty do you need?
Payload, towing, engines, price and Wisconsin plates for each 2027 Super Duty, side by side, from Ford's own specs. Then real trucks on our lot in Barron to compare.
Short answer
The short answer
- F-250: the right truck for most plowing, bumper-pull trailers and daily driving. Up to 4,175 lb payload and 23,000 lb gooseneck.[1]
- F-350 single rear wheel: the same size truck with more payload and towing headroom for campers and fifth-wheels. Up to 4,857 lb payload and 27,600 lb gooseneck.[2]
- F-350 dually: the most payload of any Super Duty, up to 7,900 lb, and up to 38,000 lb gooseneck.[2]
- F-450: diesel-only, built to tow up to 40,000 lb gooseneck with a wider front axle and bigger brakes.[3]
Quick pick
Match the truck to the job
Plow, haul and commute: F-250
A 7.3L gas F-250 4x4 with the Snow Plow Prep Package handles most Wisconsin plow setups, boat and utility trailers and everyday driving.
Fifth-wheel or slide-in camper: F-350 SRW
Camper pin weight and slide-in weight eat payload fast. The F-350 SRW adds headroom for about $1,300 more at the same trim.
Heavy gooseneck or big camper: F-350 DRW
Dual rear wheels carry up to 7,900 lb and stay stable under a heavy hitch load. Gas or diesel.
Maximum towing: F-450
Livestock, equipment and large toy haulers. The 6.7L High Output diesel and gooseneck prep are standard.
Ford 2027 specs
F-250 vs F-350 vs F-450 side by side
| Spec | F-250 | F-350 SRW | F-350 DRW | F-450 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rear wheels | Single | Single | Dual | Dual |
| Standard engine | 7.3L gas V8 | 7.3L gas V8 | 7.3L gas V8 | 6.7L HO diesel |
| Diesel option | 6.7L HO, $12,495 | 6.7L HO, $12,495 | 6.7L HO, $12,495 | Standard |
| Max payload, gas | 4,175 lb | 4,857 lb | 7,900 lb* | Not offered |
| Max payload, diesel | 3,903 lb | 4,843 lb | 6,935 lb | 6,482 lb |
| Conventional towing, gas | 18,200 lb | 19,500 lb | 22,000 lb | Not offered |
| Conventional towing, diesel | 22,000 lb | 25,000 lb | 28,000 lb | 30,000 lb |
| Gooseneck towing, gas | 19,500 lb | 22,400 lb | 22,500 lb | Not offered |
| Gooseneck towing, diesel | 23,000 lb | 27,600 lb | 38,000 lb | 40,000 lb** |
| GVWR | 10,000–11,400 lb | Higher than F-250; varies | 14,000 lb | 14,000 lb |
| Starting MSRP (XL Regular Cab 4x2) | $46,125 | $47,430 | $49,215 | $63,990 |
Maximums from ford.com 2027 Super Duty specs; each needs a specific cab, axle ratio and package, and payload drops with trim, options and passengers.[1][2][3] *With the F-350 Gas Heavy-Duty Payload Package. **With the 40k Gooseneck Tow Package. Prices from Ford's 2027 price list (09/17/26), before $2,795 destination; confirm on the window sticker.[5]
Same cab, different chassis
What actually changes between them
Payload and GVWR
From the F-250 to the F-350, Ford raises the weight ratings, so the same-looking truck can carry more. That's what matters for a slide-in camper, a fifth-wheel pin or a bed full of firewood.
Towing headroom
Each step up raises the towing ratings, most of all with the diesel. A fifth-wheel or gooseneck lets you use the higher numbers.
F-450 hardware
Wider front track (74.8 in vs 69.1 in on the F-350 DRW), 19.5-inch wheels with 10 lugs, and larger front and rear brake rotors.[3]
What stays the same
Cabs, beds, trims (XL, XLT, Lariat, King Ranch, Platinum), interiors and most packages are shared. You don't give up comfort by moving up.
Real trucks in Barron
Super Duties on our lot right now
| Truck | Engine | MSRP |
|---|---|---|
| 2027 F-250 Lariat | 7.3L gas | $76,645 |
| 2026 F-250 Lariat | 6.7L HO diesel | $93,955 |
| 2027 F-350 SRW XLT | 7.3L gas | $72,840 |
| 2027 F-350 SRW XL (STX) | 6.7L HO diesel | $76,045 |
| 2027 F-350 SRW Lariat | 6.7L HO diesel | $91,005 |
| 2027 F-450 DRW Lariat | 6.7L HO diesel | $99,445 |
Swant Graber Ford new inventory on October 30, 2026. Inventory changes daily: see what's in stock now, or we can order or locate the exact truck.
Before you buy
How to choose in four steps
1. Weigh your heaviest trailer
Use the loaded weight, not the empty weight, and note the hitch type: bumper-pull, fifth-wheel or gooseneck. Gooseneck and fifth-wheel ratings are higher.
2. Check payload, not just towing
Hitch or pin weight, passengers, a bed cover and a plow all count against payload. Payload usually runs out before towing does. How to read payload labels
3. Plan for the plow
If you plow, order 4x4 with the Snow Plow Prep Package (473) or the Snowplow/Camper Package (47B). Ford plow rules explained
4. Pick the engine, then the trim
The engine choice moves payload and towing more than the trim. 7.3L gas vs 6.7L diesel
Wisconsin
Plates, weight and licenses in Wisconsin
Wisconsin registers trucks by gross weight including load, so a heavier Super Duty can cost more to plate each year.[4]
| Registered gross weight | Annual fee |
|---|---|
| Up to 8,000 lb | $116.60 |
| Up to 10,000 lb | $170.50 |
| Up to 12,000 lb | $229.90 |
| Up to 16,000 lb | $311.30 |
Wisconsin DMV truck fee chart for registrations effective on or after October 1, 2025. Local wheel taxes apply only to trucks registered at 8,000 lb or less. Business towing can bring CDL and federal rules: CDL rules for pickups and goosenecks.
Tow and payload figures are Ford maximums for a properly equipped truck. Your truck’s actual limits depend on cab, bed, axle, engine and options — confirm with Ford’s 2027 Super Duty towing guide and the door-jamb label before you hitch up.
Model, cab and wheel questions
F-250 vs F-350: what’s different underneath?
Same cab, beds, engines and trims. The F-350 gets higher GVWR, firmer rear springs and higher-rated axle content, which is where its extra payload and tow ratings come from. Full comparison.
What is the F-250 GVWR downgrade (under 10,000 lb)?
Ford offers F-250 configurations with GVWR held under 10,000 lb for buyers who want to stay below commercial thresholds (the federal commercial-vehicle definition starts above 10,000 lb for interstate business use). It lowers payload. Wisconsin registration and your own business use decide whether it matters — ask us before you order.
SRW or dually?
Ford.com sums it up: single rear wheel for light-to-moderate towing and everyday driving; dual rear wheel for heavy towing and hauling with more stability and capacity. Around Barron, most plow and weekend-camper buyers pick SRW; big fifth-wheels and stock trailers lean DRW.
Regular Cab, SuperCab or Crew Cab?
Regular Cab is two doors with an 8’ bed. SuperCab has smaller rear-hinged doors and a 6.75’ or 8’ bed. Crew Cab has four full doors and adult rear seating with a 6.75’ or 8’ bed (ford.com).
What bed lengths are offered?
6.75 ft and 8 ft. Regular Cab is 8 ft only (ford.com).
Will an F-250 or F-350 fit in my garage?
Often not easily. Super Duty pickups are long (Crew Cab long-bed is roughly 20+ feet) and tall, and ford.com lists 85.3 inches wide with mirrors folded. Measure your door height and depth and compare to the exact cab/bed spec; most Crew Cab long beds want a deep or shop-style garage.
Frequently asked questions
What is the F-250 GVWR downgrade (under 10,000 lb)?
Ford offers F-250 configurations with GVWR held under 10,000 lb for buyers who want to stay below commercial thresholds (the federal commercial-vehicle definition starts above 10,000 lb for interstate business use). It lowers payload. Wisconsin registration and your own business use decide whether it matters — ask us before you order.
SRW or dually?
Ford.com sums it up: single rear wheel for light-to-moderate towing and everyday driving; dual rear wheel for heavy towing and hauling with more stability and capacity. Around Barron, most plow and weekend-camper buyers pick SRW; big fifth-wheels and stock trailers lean DRW.
Will an F-250 or F-350 fit in my garage?
Often not easily. Super Duty pickups are long (Crew Cab long-bed is roughly 20+ feet) and tall, and ford.com lists 85.3 inches wide with mirrors folded. Measure your door height and depth and compare to the exact cab/bed spec; most Crew Cab long beds want a deep or shop-style garage.
What is the difference between an F-250 and an F-350?
The F-350 is built to carry and tow more. A 2027 F-250 tops out at 4,175 lb of payload and 23,000 lb gooseneck towing; a single-rear-wheel F-350 reaches 4,857 lb and 27,600 lb, and the dual-rear-wheel F-350 reaches 7,900 lb and 38,000 lb. The cab, bed, trims and engines are the same, and from the driver's seat they feel almost identical.
Is an F-350 single rear wheel worth it over an F-250?
For most buyers the price difference is small, about $1,300 at the same trim on Ford's 2027 price list, and the F-350 SRW adds payload and towing headroom. That matters for a slide-in camper or a heavy fifth-wheel. The F-350 SRW is very popular around Barron for that reason.
What does an F-450 have that an F-350 dually doesn't?
The 2027 F-450 comes standard with the 6.7L High Output diesel and the 5th wheel/gooseneck prep package, has a wider front track (74.8 in vs. 69.1 in), 19.5-inch wheels with 10 lugs and larger brakes, and is rated up to 40,000 lb gooseneck with the 40k Gooseneck Tow Package.
Do I need a dually?
Choose dual rear wheels if you tow a heavy fifth-wheel or gooseneck, carry a big slide-in camper or need more than about 5,000 lb of payload. The trade-off is width: a dually is wider at the rear fenders, which matters in garages, drive-throughs and car washes.
Can an F-250 pull a fifth-wheel camper?
Many, yes. A 2027 F-250 is rated up to 19,500 lb fifth-wheel with the 7.3L gas engine and up to 22,100 lb with the diesel, when properly equipped. Pin weight usually runs out first, so check the payload on the door-jamb label before you buy the camper.
How does Wisconsin register a 3/4-ton or 1-ton pickup?
Wisconsin registers trucks by gross weight, including load. As of the October 1, 2025 fee chart, the annual fee is $116.60 up to 8,000 lb, $170.50 up to 10,000 lb, $229.90 up to 12,000 lb and $311.30 up to 16,000 lb. We handle the plates when you buy and can help you pick the right weight class.
Do I need a CDL to tow with an F-350 or F-450?
For personal use, usually not. For business use, a combination over 26,000 lb with a trailer over 10,000 lb can require a CDL. See our guide to CDL rules for pickups and goosenecks in Wisconsin before you buy.
Can I plow with an F-250 or F-350?
Yes. Ford offers a Snow Plow Prep Package (473) on 4x4 models and a Snowplow/Camper Package (47B). Ford limits plow weight by configuration, so tell us the plow before you order or buy.
Two stores, one street
Talk with a Super Duty specialist in Barron
Tell us what you tow or haul, and we will match the model, engine and axle to it. Call ahead and we will have the vehicle pulled up, warmed up and priced out the door.
Swant Graber Ford
1697 East Division Avenue, Barron, WI 54812
715-537-9500
Swant Graber Motors
Chevrolet · Dodge · Ram
1690 East Division Avenue, Barron, WI 54812
715-537-5657
More Super Duty guides
- Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (2026–2027)
- 7.3L gas vs 6.7L High Output diesel
- Super Duty order codes explained (600A–773A)
- Fifth-wheel and gooseneck towing setup
- Axle ratios and the High-Capacity Axle
- 2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package
- Super Duty trims and packages, explained
- 360° camera, XL Driver Assist and XLT Premium
- Ford towing and work packages: worth it?
- Camper and snowplow/camper packages
- Super Duty appearance packages
- Tremor Off-Road Package explained
- Super Duty maintenance schedule
- Used Super Duty recalls by year
- Super Duty Chassis Cab guide
- Shop new Super Duty in Barron
Find the right Super Duty
Shop in stock, or we will order or locate the exact F-250, F-350 or F-450 you need. We work with national and local lenders.
Sources
- Ford, 2027 Super Duty F-250 specifications, towing and payload: ford.com
- Ford, 2027 Super Duty F-350 specifications, towing and payload: ford.com
- Ford, 2027 Super Duty F-450 specifications: ford.com
- Wisconsin DMV, vehicle registration fee chart (effective Oct. 1, 2025): wisconsindot.gov
- Ford, 2027 Super Duty price list (price level 720, 09/17/26) and 2027 Super Duty Pickup Order Guide; public order guide copy: ford-trucks.com. Build and confirm current pricing at ford.com.
Updated October 30, 2026. Specs, package content and prices are subject to change by Ford. The window sticker and door-jamb labels on the vehicle are final. Not affiliated with or endorsed by Ford Motor Company.