2027 Ford Super Duty Towing & Payload: Gas vs. Diesel
The 2027 Ford Super Duty reaches a maximum available tow rating of 40,000 lbs with the diesel engine properly configured. The gas-powered 7.3L V8 is standard on F-250 and F-350 models, while the diesel steps payload to a different ceiling. This page breaks down exactly what each engine delivers for towing and payload so you can match the right powertrain to your work. Browse available inventory at Fillback Ford serving Prairie du Chien, Highland, and Richland Center, WI.
What Makes Engine Choice the Central Towing Decision
On the 2027 Super Duty, the engine you select is the single most consequential spec decision you will make. No other option changes your tow rating or payload ceiling by as wide a margin. The difference between the standard 7.3L gas V8 and the available 6.7L High-Output Power Stroke diesel is not a minor upgrade, it is a fundamentally different capability tier that determines whether a specific load is feasible or not.
The 7.3L gas engine produces 420 hp and 445 lb-ft of torque. Those are legitimate heavy-duty numbers. For contractors hauling equipment trailers around Crawford County, farmers moving hay wagons near Richland Center, or landscapers pulling loaded tandem axle trailers from Prairie du Chien, the gas engine covers the majority of real-world work.
The 6.7L High-Output Power Stroke V8 Turbo Diesel raises output to 500 hp and 1,200 lb-ft of torque. That torque figure is what unlocks the headline 40,000 lb gooseneck rating. It also changes the character of every haul: peak diesel torque arrives at just 1,600 rpm, meaning the truck is pulling at full strength before you have barely left idle.
Both engines connect to a 10-speed automatic transmission. The gas engine pairs with the TorqShift-G 10-speed; the diesel pairs with the TorqShift 10-speed, which is built to handle the higher torque load. Both transmissions include selectable drive modes, including Tow/Haul with modified shift points and engine braking.
How the Ratings Work: Gas vs. Diesel, Series by Series
Tow ratings are not one number. They vary by engine, axle ratio, cab and bed configuration, and model series. The figures below reflect the maximum available ratings for each engine within each model family based on verified Ford specifications.
The gas engine is not a compromise for moderate-duty work. An 18,000 to 22,000+ lb gooseneck rating is sufficient for many enclosed equipment trailers, livestock trailers, and flatbed loads common across southwestern Wisconsin.
That 40,000 lb gooseneck rating requires the F-450 properly configured with the 40k Gooseneck Tow Package. The diesel is the only engine that reaches it.
Gas vs. Diesel Towing Ratings
7.3L Gas V8
| Hitch Type | Configuration | Max Towing | Required Axle Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| Conventional | F-250 SRW | Up to 18,200 lbs | 4.3 axle ratio |
| Conventional | F-350 SRW | Up to 19,500 lbs | 4.3 axle |
| Fifth-wheel | F-250 SRW | Up to 19,500 lbs | 4.3 axle |
| Fifth-wheel | F-350 SRW | Up to 22,200 lbs | 4.3 axle |
| Gooseneck | F-250 SRW | Up to 19,500 lbs | 4.3 axle |
| Gooseneck | F-350 SRW | Up to 22,400 lbs | 4.3 axle |
| Gooseneck | F-350 DRW | Up to 22,500 lbs | 4.3 axle |
6.7L High-Output Power Stroke Diesel
| Hitch Type | Configuration | Max Towing | Required Equipment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Conventional | F-250 SRW | Up to 22,000 lbs | High-Capacity Axle Upgrade Package |
| Conventional | F-350 SRW | Up to 25,000 lbs | |
| Conventional | F-350 DRW | Up to 28,000 lbs | 4.1 axle |
| Fifth-wheel | F-350 DRW | Up to 38,000 lbs | 4.1 axle |
| Gooseneck | F-350 DRW | Up to 38,000 lbs | 4.1 axle |
| Gooseneck | F-450 Regular Cab 4×2 | Up to 40,000 lbs | 40k Gooseneck Tow Package |
Payload: How the Two Engines Compare
Payload capacity is where the gas engine occasionally has an edge over the diesel in certain configurations, because the lighter gas engine contributes less to curb weight.
| Configuration | Powertrain | Maximum Payload | Required Configuration or Package |
|---|---|---|---|
| F-250 SRW | Gas | Up to 4,175 lbs | 4×2 Regular Cab, base GVWR |
| F-250 SRW | Diesel | Up to 3,903 lbs | Comparable configuration; upgraded GVWR packages can reach beyond that |
| F-350 DRW | Gas | Up to 7,900 lbs | F-350 Gas Heavy-Duty Payload Package, 4×2 Regular Cab |
| F-350 DRW | Diesel | Up to 6,935 lbs | Base 4×2 Regular Cab configuration |
| F-450 DRW | Diesel | Up to 6,482 lbs | Select configurations with the High-Capacity Gooseneck Tow Package |
The 7,900 lb maximum available payload figure is the best-in-class benchmark, and it belongs to the F-350 DRW with the gas engine in a specific configuration. If raw payload is the primary requirement and you are not chasing the highest gooseneck numbers, the gas engine deserves serious consideration.
Feature Integration: What Helps You Tow More Safely
Neither engine rating matters much without the systems that help you manage the load. The 2027 Super Duty includes technology across the lineup that directly supports towing and payload decisions.
Ford Co-Pilot360 2.0: is standard and includes forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot warning with rear cross-traffic warning, rear automatic braking, and a surround-view camera system. Every one of those features becomes more valuable when you are managing 20,000 lbs behind you.
Tow/Haul Mode: is built into both transmissions. It modifies shift points to keep the engine in a stronger torque range on grades, and enables engine braking on descents. This is not a comfort feature, it measurably reduces brake wear and gives the driver more control on long mountain grades or on Wisconsin’s rolling terrain heading from Highland toward Richland Center.
Trail Turn Assist and Trail Control: are available on off-road packages and help in situations where a loaded trailer needs to be repositioned on a tight job site or a farm lane.
Onboard Scales with Smart Hitch: available, lets you read tongue weight and payload directly from the center display. That matters for anyone who loads a truck bed and hitches a trailer the same day, it removes the guesswork on whether you are still within rating.
Pro Trailer Hitch Assist: standard on King Ranch and above, optional on Lariat, steers, accelerates, and brakes automatically to guide the truck to the hitch point. No spotter needed. No repeated trips in and out of the cab.
SYNC 4 infotainment: on a 12-inch display keeps navigation, connectivity, and trailer management information in one place. The included unlimited Wi-Fi hotspot and Alexa Built-in are particularly useful for contractors who run job-site logistics from the cab.
Which Trim Gets Which Towing-Relevant Features
Not all capability technology is standard across the lineup. Here is how towing-support tech distributes across the 2027 Super Duty trim structure:
XL
Surround-view camera available. Tow/Haul mode standard through transmission. Pro Trailer Backup Assist available. Ergonomic interior work surface available as an option. Forward collision warning and AEB standard.
XLT
Adds automatic high-beam headlamps standard. Remote start available. Customer-placed trailer camera and individual trailer TPMS available.
Lariat
Adds PowerScope trailer tow mirrors standard, BLIS standard, Pro Trailer Hitch Assist available, standard with Lariat Premium Package, Trailer Reverse Guidance available. B&O 8-speaker sound system standard. Ergonomic work surface available.
King Ranch
Pro Trailer Hitch Assist standard. Pro Trailer Backup Assist standard. Lane centering system standard. Power tailgate with retractable step standard. Power-deployable running boards standard. B&O 14-speaker sound system standard.
Platinum
Same towing technology suite as King Ranch. Adds Platinum-specific interior including multi-contour seats with massage option on the Platinum Plus Package. Max Recline Front Seats available.
Real-World Benefit: Matching Your Engine to Your Actual Loads
For most users across the Richland Center, Prairie du Chien, and Highland areas, the choice comes down to one question: what is the heaviest trailer you will pull, and how often?
If your heaviest regular load is a loaded livestock trailer at 15,000 to 18,000 lbs, a skid steer on a gooseneck in the low 20,000 lb range, or a fifth-wheel camper, the 7.3L gas engine in an F-250 or F-350 covers the work. You gain a lighter truck that may carry more payload in certain configurations, and you avoid the added weight of the diesel powertrain.
If you are running a gooseneck consistently above 22,000 lbs, operating commercial equipment, or need the 40,000 lb maximum on an F-450, the 6.7L diesel is the correct choice. The 1,200 lb-ft of torque at 1,600 rpm means the truck is never searching for pulling strength on an on-ramp or a long grade. Diesel engine exhaust braking also reduces overall brake wear on trucks that tow frequently, lowering long-term operating cost for commercial users.
Both powertrains connect through proven 10-speed transmissions, both are backed by a 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty with a 5-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty, 5-year/100,000-mile for diesel, and both are available across multiple body styles to match your specific use case.
How It Compares to the Competition
No other heavy-duty truck currently offers a higher maximum gooseneck tow rating than 40,000 lbs. The Super Duty’s 7,900 lb maximum payload benchmark also leads the class. These figures are cited as best-in-class by Ford. Ford Super Duty best-in-class claims Rival trucks in the heavy-duty segment offer competitive ratings in the mid-30,000 lb range on their diesel configurations, but neither matches the ceiling the F-450 diesel achieves in gooseneck trim. The gas engine comparison is similarly favorable: the 7.3L’s 420 hp and 445 lb-ft are among the strongest gas V8 figures in the segment, and its 7,900 lb payload potential on the F-350 DRW is unmatched by any competitor’s gas engine in class.
See the 2027 Super Duty at Fillback Ford Across Southwest Wisconsin
If you are trying to decide between the 7.3L gas and the 6.7L High-Output diesel, the right answer depends on your specific trailer weights and how you load the bed. Fillback Ford carries Super Duty inventory across Prairie du Chien, Highland, and Richland Center, WI, and the team can walk through actual GVWR labels, towing guides, and configuration options to match you to the correct truck. Do not estimate your way into the wrong powertrain choice when the specs are this specific.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the 2027 Ford Super Duty gas engine have enough power for serious towing?
Yes. The 7.3L gas V8 produces 420 hp and 445 lb-ft of torque, with maximum gooseneck ratings reaching 22,500 lbs on the F-350 DRW. That covers a wide range of farm, construction, and recreational towing applications without requiring the diesel.
What is the maximum towing capacity of the 2027 Ford Super Duty?
40,000 lbs. That figure is achieved on the F-450 with the 6.7L High-Output Power Stroke diesel and the 40k Gooseneck Tow Package in the proper configuration.
Which engine gives the highest payload on the 2027 Super Duty?
The 7.3L gas engine on the F-350 DRW, properly configured with the F-350 Gas Heavy-Duty Payload Package, reaches a maximum available payload of 7,900 lbs. This is the best-in-class figure and belongs specifically to the gas engine in that configuration.
Is the diesel engine standard on all 2027 Super Duty models?
No. The 7.3L V8 gas engine is standard on F-250 and F-350 models. The 6.7L High-Output Power Stroke diesel is standard on the F-450 and available on F-250 and F-350 models.
What transmission does the 2027 Super Duty use?
Both engines pair with a 10-speed automatic. The gas engine uses the TorqShift-G 10-speed; the diesel uses the TorqShift 10-speed, which is built to handle the higher torque load. Both include selectable drive modes including Tow/Haul.
Does the 2027 Super Duty have trailer backup assist?
Yes. Pro Trailer Backup Assist is available across the lineup and is standard on King Ranch and Platinum models. Pro Trailer Hitch Assist, which automatically steers the truck to the trailer hitch point, is standard on King Ranch and above and available on Lariat.
Can Fillback Ford help me find a Super Duty with a specific engine and configuration?
Yes. Fillback Ford serves the area across Prairie du Chien, Highland, and Richland Center, WI, with Super Duty inventory across the lineup. The team can help you identify the specific cab, bed, engine, and axle combination that hits your target tow and payload ratings.
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