Fifth-Wheel and Gooseneck Towing with a Ford Super Duty
Ford Super Duty · Towing · 2027
Fifth-wheel and gooseneck towing with a Ford Super Duty
The factory hitch prep, the hitch kits, pin weight, ratings for each model and the trailer tech that helps, from Ford's 2027 Super Duty towing guide. For campers, livestock, hay and equipment trailers around Barron.
Short answer
The short answer
- Order the 5th Wheel/Gooseneck Hitch Prep (53W) from the factory: $750 on F-250 and F-350, standard on F-450. It adds an under-bed crossmember, factory mounting points for both hitch types and a 7-pin plug in the bed.[3][4]
- Plan for 15% pin weight. Ford's towing guide uses about 15% of the loaded trailer weight on the truck for fifth-wheel and gooseneck trailers.[1]
- Payload runs out first. Most fifth-wheel camper buyers end up in an F-350; heavy goosenecks go to an F-350 dually or F-450.
Ford 2027 ratings
Fifth-wheel and gooseneck ratings by model
| Model | 7.3L gas, 5th-wheel | 7.3L gas, gooseneck | 6.7L HO diesel, 5th-wheel | 6.7L HO diesel, gooseneck |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| F-250 | 19,500 lb | 19,500 lb | 22,100 lb | 23,000 lb |
| F-350 SRW | 22,200 lb | 22,400 lb | 27,400 lb | 27,600 lb |
| F-350 DRW | 22,500 lb | 22,500 lb | 38,000 lb | 38,000 lb |
| F-450 | Not offered | Not offered | 40,000 lb* | 40,000 lb* |
Maximum loaded trailer weights from ford.com; each needs a specific cab, axle ratio and GCWR.[2] *With the 40k Gooseneck Tow Package. F-250 diesel tops require the High-Capacity Axle Upgrade. Axle ratios explained
Factory hitch prep
What the 5th Wheel/Gooseneck Hitch Prep includes
Under-bed crossmember
A frame crossmember with inner and outer frame brackets carries the load to the frame, not the bed floor.[4]
Factory mounting points
Attachment points in the bed for a fifth-wheel hitch, plus a center gooseneck ball location, capped with plugs when you aren't towing. The bed stays flat and open.
7-pin plug in the bed
A bed-mounted 7-pin trailer connector, so the cord reaches the pin box without running over the tailgate.[4]
The prep doesn't include a hitch. Ford offers a factory gooseneck hitch kit (15J, $250) and two fifth-wheel hitch kits (15L, $1,345; 15K, $1,745) that drop into the factory points.[3] Many aftermarket fifth-wheel hitches fit the Ford mounting points too, or use an adapter.
Pin weight and payload
Will your fifth-wheel fit your payload?
Example: 16,000-lb fifth-wheel camper
Pin weight at 15%: 2,400 lb. Add the hitch (about 200 lb), two people (350 lb) and gear (250 lb): 3,200 lb of payload. A 2027 F-250 is rated up to 4,175 lb with gas and 3,903 lb with diesel; a heavily optioned crew cab will be well under that. An F-350 SRW goes up to about 4,850 lb, and a dually up to 7,900 lb.[2]
1. Use the loaded trailer weight
Use the trailer's GVWR or a loaded scale weight, not the brochure dry weight.
2. Check the door-jamb label
The payload on the truck's Tire and Loading label covers pin weight, hitch, people and gear. How to read the labels
3. Check rear axle and GCWR
Pin weight sits over the rear axle; the truck plus loaded trailer must stay under the GCWR on the sticker.
4. Mind the trailer's size
Ford limits trailer frontal area to 75 sq. ft. for fifth-wheel and gooseneck. Tall campers into a headwind need the extra margin.{sup(1)}
Trailer tech
Features that help with a fifth-wheel or gooseneck
| Feature (code) | Why it helps | Availability |
|---|---|---|
| 360-Degree Camera Package (874) | Cargo (CHMSL) camera looks down at the hitch and pin; BLIS covers the trailer's length | $1,150 on XL/XLT; std Lariat and up |
| Integrated trailer brake controller (52B) | Required for a trailer with electric brakes | Std XLT and up; option on XL |
| On-Board Scales & Smart Hitch (91D) | Estimates the weight in the bed so you can see how much payload the pin is using | $650, all trims |
| Snowplow/Camper or Camper Package | Heavier springs for a heavy hitch load | See packages |
Ford 2027 order guide and price list.[3] Pro Trailer Hitch Assist is designed for conventional hitches, so the cargo camera is the hitching aid for fifth-wheels.[5]
Real trucks in Barron
Super Duties with hitch prep on our lot
| Truck | Engine | Towing equipment |
|---|---|---|
| 2027 F-250 Lariat | 7.3L gas | 5th Wheel Hitch Prep ($750 on the sticker) |
| 2026 F-250 Lariat | 6.7L HO diesel | 5th wheel/gooseneck prep, High-Capacity Trailer Tow, High-Capacity Axle Upgrade |
| 2027 F-350 SRW XL (STX) | 6.7L HO diesel | Gooseneck hitch prep, snow plow prep |
| 2027 F-350 SRW Lariat | 6.7L HO diesel | 5th wheel/gooseneck prep |
| 2027 F-450 DRW Lariat | 6.7L HO diesel | Prep standard on F-450 |
Swant Graber Ford new inventory and window stickers, October 2026. See current inventory.
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.
More towing questions
What is the Super Duty’s maximum towing capacity?
Ford.com (2027): up to 40,000 lb gooseneck, 35,000 lb fifth-wheel and 30,000 lb conventional, diesel, properly equipped (the 40,000 lb figure is with the High-Capacity Gooseneck Tow Package on F-450). Gas 7.3L tops out at 22,500 lb. Ford calls these best-in-class under its own definitions.
Tow and payload ratings depend on model, cab, bed, engine, axle ratio, 4x2/4x4, SRW/DRW and packages. Use the rating on the door-jamb label and Ford’s RV & Trailer Towing Guide for the exact truck. “Best-in-class” wording is Ford’s own advertising claim with Ford’s class definitions, not ours.
Why does a gas Super Duty carry more payload than a diesel?
The diesel and its hardware weigh more. Payload is GVWR minus curb weight, so a heavier engine leaves less for the bed. That’s why ford.com’s gas max (7,900 lb) beats its diesel max (6,935 lb).
What’s in the 5th-wheel/gooseneck prep package?
Factory under-bed crossmember and puck mounts plus an in-bed 7-pin connector, so a puck-style hitch drops in without drilling the frame. Hitch heads are separate. Code and pricing: fifth-wheel and gooseneck guide and order codes.
What does the High-Capacity Trailer Tow Package do on an F-250?
It raises F-250 ratings with heavier rear-axle and suspension content; exact contents and availability are in Ford’s order guide, and some contents changed between 2026 and 2027. Ask us to check the order guide for the build you want.
Tow and payload ratings depend on model, cab, bed, engine, axle ratio, 4x2/4x4, SRW/DRW and packages. Use the rating on the door-jamb label and Ford’s RV & Trailer Towing Guide for the exact truck. “Best-in-class” wording is Ford’s own advertising claim with Ford’s class definitions, not ours.
Frequently asked questions
Why does a gas Super Duty carry more payload than a diesel?
The diesel and its hardware weigh more. Payload is GVWR minus curb weight, so a heavier engine leaves less for the bed. That’s why ford.com’s gas max (7,900 lb) beats its diesel max (6,935 lb).
What’s in the 5th-wheel/gooseneck prep package?
Factory under-bed crossmember and puck mounts plus an in-bed 7-pin connector, so a puck-style hitch drops in without drilling the frame. Hitch heads are separate. Code and pricing: fifth-wheel and gooseneck guide and order codes.
What does the Ford 5th Wheel/Gooseneck Hitch Prep Package include?
An under-bed frame crossmember with frame brackets, factory attachment points in the bed for a fifth-wheel hitch and a center gooseneck ball (capped with plugs when not in use), and a 7-pin trailer connector in the bed. It doesn't include the hitch itself. It's a $750 factory option on F-250 and F-350 and standard on the F-450.
Can I add fifth-wheel prep after I buy the truck?
Yes. Ford sells the same prep as a dealer-installed accessory, but the part alone lists for more than the factory option, before installation. If you might ever tow a fifth-wheel or gooseneck, order it from the factory.
How much pin weight does a fifth-wheel put on my truck?
Ford's towing guide uses about 15% of the loaded trailer weight for fifth-wheel and gooseneck king pin load, versus about 10% tongue weight for a conventional trailer. A 16,000-lb fifth-wheel puts about 2,400 lb on the truck.
Can an F-250 pull a fifth-wheel camper?
Many can. The 2027 F-250 is rated up to 19,500 lb fifth-wheel with the 7.3L gas and up to 22,100 lb with the diesel, properly equipped. Pin weight usually runs out of payload first, so check the door-jamb label. For most big fifth-wheels, an F-350 gives more room.
Gooseneck or fifth-wheel: which hitch do I need?
It depends on the trailer. Campers almost always use a fifth-wheel; livestock, flatbed and equipment trailers usually use a gooseneck ball. The Ford prep package handles both, so you can switch hitches without drilling the bed.
Can I use a drop-in bedliner with a gooseneck or fifth-wheel hitch?
No. Ford says its fifth-wheel and gooseneck hitches can't be used with drop-in bedliners or bed mats. A spray-in liner like Ford's Tough Bed works.
Does Pro Trailer Hitch Assist work with a fifth-wheel?
No. Ford describes Pro Trailer Hitch Assist as lining the truck up with a conventional hitch. For a fifth-wheel or gooseneck, the cargo (CHMSL) camera that comes with the 360-Degree Camera Package shows the hitch and pin from above.
Do I need a CDL to pull a big fifth-wheel or gooseneck in Wisconsin?
For personal use, usually not. Business use with a heavy gooseneck can require one. See our CDL rules guide before you buy the truck and trailer.
Two stores, one street
Talk with a Super Duty specialist in Barron
Bring your trailer's GVWR and pin weight, and we will match the truck, axle and hitch 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)
- F-250 vs F-350 vs F-450: which one do you need?
- 7.3L gas vs 6.7L High Output diesel
- Super Duty order codes explained (600A–773A)
- 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 your fifth-wheel or gooseneck truck
Shop Super Duty with hitch prep in stock, or order one built for your trailer. We work with national and local lenders.
Sources
- Ford, 2027 Super Duty Pickup Towing Guide: pin weight, frontal area, receiver ratings: ford.com
- Ford, 2027 Super Duty F-250, F-350 and F-450 towing specifications: F-250, F-350, F-450 (ford.com)
- Ford, 2027 Super Duty Pickup Order Guide and 2027 price list (09/17/26): 53W, 15J/15L/15K, 52B, 91D; public order guide copy: ford-trucks.com
- Ford Accessories, Super Duty 2023–2027 5th Wheel/Gooseneck Hitch Prep Package (PC3Z-5F057-A): contents and drop-in liner note: ford.com
- Ford, 2027 Super Duty features: Pro Trailer Hitch Assist: ford.com
- Window sticker, 2027 F-250 Lariat, VIN 1FT8W2BN4VEC45447: windowsticker.forddirect.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.