2003 Ford F-250 Towing Capacity

Find out how much the 2003 Ford F-250 can pull, across 28 different trims.

In this article, we'll give you important data and details about the 2003 Ford F-250, including the towing capacity, engine size, gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR), curb weight, payload capacity, horsepower, torque, axle ratio, drive type, transmission type, and more.

Select a trim from the list below to view the towing capacity data. All trims for the 2003 Ford F-250 have the same towing capacity of 12,500 lbs.

If you need any help explaining the terms used in the tables below, you can find a glossary of terms at the bottom of this article.

XL 4x4 SD Crew Cab 172 in. WB HD
Maximum Towing Capacity (lbs) 12,500
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) (lbs) 8,800
Curb Weight (lbs) 6,410
Payload Capacity (lbs) 2,390
Horsepower (hp) 260
Torque (lb-ft) 350
Axle Ratio 3.73
Drive Type
Transmission Type
Turbocharger
Wheelbase 172.00
Front Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) (lbs) 4,400
Rear Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) (lbs) 6,084
XLT 4x4 SD Super Cab 158 in. WB HD
Maximum Towing Capacity (lbs) 12,500
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) (lbs) 8,800
Curb Weight (lbs) 6,267
Payload Capacity (lbs) 2,533
Horsepower (hp) 260
Torque (lb-ft) 350
Axle Ratio 3.73
Drive Type
Transmission Type
Turbocharger
Wheelbase 158.00
Front Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) (lbs) 4,800
Rear Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) (lbs) 6,084
XLT 4x4 SD Super Cab 142 in. WB HD
Maximum Towing Capacity (lbs) 12,500
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) (lbs) 8,800
Curb Weight (lbs) 6,103
Payload Capacity (lbs) 2,697
Horsepower (hp) 260
Torque (lb-ft) 350
Axle Ratio 3.73
Drive Type
Transmission Type
Turbocharger
Wheelbase 142.00
Front Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) (lbs) 4,400
Rear Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) (lbs) 6,084
XLT 4x4 SD Regular Cab 137 in. WB HD
Maximum Towing Capacity (lbs) 12,500
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) (lbs) 8,800
Curb Weight (lbs) 5,930
Payload Capacity (lbs) 2,870
Horsepower (hp) 260
Torque (lb-ft) 350
Axle Ratio 3.73
Drive Type
Transmission Type
Turbocharger
Wheelbase 137.00
Front Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) (lbs) 4,400
Rear Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) (lbs) 6,084
XLT 4x4 SD Crew Cab 172 in. WB HD
Maximum Towing Capacity (lbs) 12,500
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) (lbs) 8,800
Curb Weight (lbs) 6,503
Payload Capacity (lbs) 2,297
Horsepower (hp) 260
Torque (lb-ft) 350
Axle Ratio 3.73
Drive Type
Transmission Type
Turbocharger
Wheelbase 172.00
Front Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) (lbs) 4,400
Rear Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) (lbs) 6,084
XLT 4x4 SD Crew Cab 156 in. WB HD
Maximum Towing Capacity (lbs) 12,500
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) (lbs) 8,800
Curb Weight (lbs) 6,364
Payload Capacity (lbs) 2,436
Horsepower (hp) 260
Torque (lb-ft) 350
Axle Ratio 3.73
Drive Type
Transmission Type
Turbocharger
Wheelbase 156.00
Front Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) (lbs) 4,800
Rear Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) (lbs) 6,084
XLT 4x2 SD Super Cab 158 in. WB HD
Maximum Towing Capacity (lbs) 12,500
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) (lbs) 8,800
Curb Weight (lbs) 5,856
Payload Capacity (lbs) 2,944
Horsepower (hp) 260
Torque (lb-ft) 350
Axle Ratio 3.73
Drive Type
Transmission Type
Turbocharger
Wheelbase 158.00
Front Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) (lbs) 4,250
Rear Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) (lbs) 6,084
XLT 4x2 SD Super Cab 142 in. WB HD
Maximum Towing Capacity (lbs) 12,500
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) (lbs) 8,800
Curb Weight (lbs) 5,694
Payload Capacity (lbs) 3,106
Horsepower (hp) 260
Torque (lb-ft) 350
Axle Ratio 3.73
Drive Type
Transmission Type
Turbocharger
Wheelbase 142.00
Front Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) (lbs) 4,100
Rear Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) (lbs) 6,084
XLT 4x2 SD Regular Cab 137 in. WB HD
Maximum Towing Capacity (lbs) 12,500
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) (lbs) 8,800
Curb Weight (lbs) 5,513
Payload Capacity (lbs) 3,287
Horsepower (hp) 260
Torque (lb-ft) 350
Axle Ratio 3.73
Drive Type
Transmission Type
Turbocharger
Wheelbase 137.00
Front Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) (lbs) 3,800
Rear Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) (lbs) 6,084
XLT 4x2 SD Crew Cab 172 in. WB HD
Maximum Towing Capacity (lbs) 12,500
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) (lbs) 8,800
Curb Weight (lbs) 6,079
Payload Capacity (lbs) 2,721
Horsepower (hp) 260
Torque (lb-ft) 350
Axle Ratio 3.73
Drive Type
Transmission Type
Turbocharger
Wheelbase 172.00
Front Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) (lbs) 4,400
Rear Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) (lbs) 6,084
XLT 4x2 SD Crew Cab 156 in. WB HD
Maximum Towing Capacity (lbs) 12,500
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) (lbs) 8,800
Curb Weight (lbs) 5,934
Payload Capacity (lbs) 2,866
Horsepower (hp) 260
Torque (lb-ft) 350
Axle Ratio 3.73
Drive Type
Transmission Type
Turbocharger
Wheelbase 156.00
Front Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) (lbs) 4,250
Rear Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) (lbs) 6,084
XL 4x4 SD Super Cab 158 in. WB HD
Maximum Towing Capacity (lbs) 12,500
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) (lbs) 8,800
Curb Weight (lbs) 6,174
Payload Capacity (lbs) 2,626
Horsepower (hp) 260
Torque (lb-ft) 350
Axle Ratio 3.73
Drive Type
Transmission Type
Turbocharger
Wheelbase 158.00
Front Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) (lbs) 4,800
Rear Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) (lbs) 6,084
XL 4x4 SD Super Cab 142 in. WB HD
Maximum Towing Capacity (lbs) 12,500
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) (lbs) 8,800
Curb Weight (lbs) 6,010
Payload Capacity (lbs) 2,790
Horsepower (hp) 260
Torque (lb-ft) 350
Axle Ratio 3.73
Drive Type
Transmission Type
Turbocharger
Wheelbase 142.00
Front Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) (lbs) 4,400
Rear Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) (lbs) 6,084
XL 4x4 SD Regular Cab 137 in. WB HD
Maximum Towing Capacity (lbs) 12,500
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) (lbs) 8,800
Curb Weight (lbs) 5,837
Payload Capacity (lbs) 2,963
Horsepower (hp) 260
Torque (lb-ft) 350
Axle Ratio 3.73
Drive Type
Transmission Type
Turbocharger
Wheelbase 137.00
Front Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) (lbs) 4,400
Rear Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) (lbs) 6,084
Lariat 4x2 SD Crew Cab 156 in. WB HD
Maximum Towing Capacity (lbs) 12,500
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) (lbs) 8,800
Curb Weight (lbs) 5,977
Payload Capacity (lbs) 2,823
Horsepower (hp) 260
Torque (lb-ft) 350
Axle Ratio 3.73
Drive Type
Transmission Type
Turbocharger
Wheelbase 156.00
Front Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) (lbs) 4,250
Rear Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) (lbs) 6,084
XL 4x4 SD Crew Cab 156 in. WB HD
Maximum Towing Capacity (lbs) 12,500
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) (lbs) 8,800
Curb Weight (lbs) 6,271
Payload Capacity (lbs) 2,529
Horsepower (hp) 260
Torque (lb-ft) 350
Axle Ratio 3.73
Drive Type
Transmission Type
Turbocharger
Wheelbase 156.00
Front Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) (lbs) 4,800
Rear Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) (lbs) 6,084
XL 4x2 SD Super Cab 158 in. WB HD
Maximum Towing Capacity (lbs) 12,500
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) (lbs) 8,800
Curb Weight (lbs) 5,763
Payload Capacity (lbs) 3,037
Horsepower (hp) 260
Torque (lb-ft) 350
Axle Ratio 3.73
Drive Type
Transmission Type
Turbocharger
Wheelbase 158.00
Front Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) (lbs) 4,250
Rear Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) (lbs) 6,084
XL 4x2 SD Super Cab 142 in. WB HD
Maximum Towing Capacity (lbs) 12,500
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) (lbs) 8,800
Curb Weight (lbs) 5,601
Payload Capacity (lbs) 3,199
Horsepower (hp) 260
Torque (lb-ft) 350
Axle Ratio 3.73
Drive Type
Transmission Type
Turbocharger
Wheelbase 142.00
Front Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) (lbs) 4,100
Rear Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) (lbs) 6,084
XL 4x2 SD Regular Cab 137 in. WB HD
Maximum Towing Capacity (lbs) 12,500
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) (lbs) 8,800
Curb Weight (lbs) 5,420
Payload Capacity (lbs) 3,380
Horsepower (hp) 260
Torque (lb-ft) 350
Axle Ratio 3.73
Drive Type
Transmission Type
Turbocharger
Wheelbase 137.00
Front Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) (lbs) 3,800
Rear Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) (lbs) 6,084
XL 4x2 SD Crew Cab 172 in. WB HD
Maximum Towing Capacity (lbs) 12,500
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) (lbs) 8,800
Curb Weight (lbs) 5,986
Payload Capacity (lbs) 2,814
Horsepower (hp) 260
Torque (lb-ft) 350
Axle Ratio 3.73
Drive Type
Transmission Type
Turbocharger
Wheelbase 172.00
Front Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) (lbs) 4,400
Rear Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) (lbs) 6,084
XL 4x2 SD Crew Cab 156 in. WB HD
Maximum Towing Capacity (lbs) 12,500
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) (lbs) 8,800
Curb Weight (lbs) 5,841
Payload Capacity (lbs) 2,959
Horsepower (hp) 260
Torque (lb-ft) 350
Axle Ratio 3.73
Drive Type
Transmission Type
Turbocharger
Wheelbase 156.00
Front Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) (lbs) 4,250
Rear Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) (lbs) 6,084
Lariat 4x4 SD Super Cab 158 in. WB HD
Maximum Towing Capacity (lbs) 12,500
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) (lbs) 8,800
Curb Weight (lbs) 6,310
Payload Capacity (lbs) 2,490
Horsepower (hp) 260
Torque (lb-ft) 350
Axle Ratio 3.73
Drive Type
Transmission Type
Turbocharger
Wheelbase 158.00
Front Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) (lbs) 4,800
Rear Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) (lbs) 6,084
Lariat 4x4 SD Super Cab 142 in. WB HD
Maximum Towing Capacity (lbs) 12,500
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) (lbs) 8,800
Curb Weight (lbs) 6,146
Payload Capacity (lbs) 2,654
Horsepower (hp) 260
Torque (lb-ft) 350
Axle Ratio 3.73
Drive Type
Transmission Type
Turbocharger
Wheelbase 142.00
Front Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) (lbs) 4,400
Rear Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) (lbs) 6,084
Lariat 4x4 SD Crew Cab 172 in. WB HD
Maximum Towing Capacity (lbs) 12,500
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) (lbs) 8,800
Curb Weight (lbs) 6,546
Payload Capacity (lbs) 2,254
Horsepower (hp) 260
Torque (lb-ft) 350
Axle Ratio 3.73
Drive Type
Transmission Type
Turbocharger
Wheelbase 172.00
Front Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) (lbs) 4,400
Rear Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) (lbs) 6,084
Lariat 4x4 SD Crew Cab 156 in. WB HD
Maximum Towing Capacity (lbs) 12,500
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) (lbs) 8,800
Curb Weight (lbs) 6,407
Payload Capacity (lbs) 2,393
Horsepower (hp) 260
Torque (lb-ft) 350
Axle Ratio 3.73
Drive Type
Transmission Type
Turbocharger
Wheelbase 156.00
Front Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) (lbs) 4,800
Rear Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) (lbs) 6,084
Lariat 4x2 SD Super Cab 158 in. WB HD
Maximum Towing Capacity (lbs) 12,500
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) (lbs) 8,800
Curb Weight (lbs) 5,899
Payload Capacity (lbs) 2,901
Horsepower (hp) 260
Torque (lb-ft) 350
Axle Ratio 3.73
Drive Type
Transmission Type
Turbocharger
Wheelbase 158.00
Front Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) (lbs) 4,250
Rear Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) (lbs) 6,084
Lariat 4x2 SD Super Cab 142 in. WB HD
Maximum Towing Capacity (lbs) 12,500
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) (lbs) 8,800
Curb Weight (lbs) 5,737
Payload Capacity (lbs) 3,063
Horsepower (hp) 260
Torque (lb-ft) 350
Axle Ratio 3.73
Drive Type
Transmission Type
Turbocharger
Wheelbase 142.00
Front Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) (lbs) 4,100
Rear Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) (lbs) 6,084
Lariat 4x2 SD Crew Cab 172 in. WB HD
Maximum Towing Capacity (lbs) 12,500
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) (lbs) 8,800
Curb Weight (lbs) 6,122
Payload Capacity (lbs) 2,678
Horsepower (hp) 260
Torque (lb-ft) 350
Axle Ratio 3.73
Drive Type
Transmission Type
Turbocharger
Wheelbase 172.00
Front Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) (lbs) 4,400
Rear Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) (lbs) 6,084

2003 Ford F-250 Towing Capacity Terms

In the tables above, you'll see a lot of terms that you may not be familiar with. Here's a quick rundown of what they each mean and why each of them is important when it comes to towing capacity.

Maximum Towing Capacity

This is the maximum weight that the 2003 Ford F-250 can tow.

If you are driving at altitudes above 3,280ft (or 1,000m) of sea level, the weight you can tow needs to be reduced by about 10% for every additional 3,280ft (or 1,000m) of altitude. This is because the air is thinner at higher altitudes, which means that the engine has to work harder to pull the same weight.

Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR)

The GVWR the maximum weight of the 2003 Ford F-250 when fully loaded. This includes the weight of the vehicle, passengers, cargo, and any accessories or equipment that you have added to the vehicle.

You can find this number in the vehicle owner's manual, or on a sticker on the driver's side door jamb.

Curb Weight

The curb weight of the Ford F-250 is the weight of the vehicle with a full tank of gas, but with no passengers or cargo and the standard options that come with the vehicle.

Payload Capacity

The term "payload" is the weight of all the things that you put in the vehicle, including passengers, cargo, and any accessories or equipment that you have added. It can be increased by upgrading certain options, for example:

  • Better suspension springs
  • Coil-over shock absorbers
  • A longer truck bed
  • Attached a trailer to the vehicle
  • Adding bed rails

Horsepower

Horsepower is a measure of the power of the engine. It is the amount of work that the engine can do in a given amount of time.

In simple terms, the more horsepower a vehicle has, the more weight it can pull.

Torque

Measured in lb-ft, torque is the amount of force that the engine can apply to the wheels. This is an important metric for towing because better torque means you can pull weight at lower RPMs, which is better for the engine.

Axle Ratio

The axle ratio is the ratio of the number of turns of the drive shaft for every one turn of the wheels. The higher the axle ratio, the more torque is applied to the wheels.

Drive Type

The drive type is the type of transmission that the 2003 Ford F-250 has. There are three main types:

  • Front-wheel drive (FWD)
  • Rear-wheel drive (RWD)
  • All-wheel drive (AWD)

All-wheel drive is the best type of drive type for towing because it distributes the weight of the vehicle evenly across all four wheels. Rear-wheel drive is also acceptable, but front-wheel drive is not recommended because they aren't able to pull as much weight.

Transmission Type

Transmission usually means manual or automatic. Some vehicles have a towing mode that will protect the transmission from damage when towing heavy loads - which can cause overheating and failure.

Turbocharger

A turbocharger is a device that forces more air into the engine, which increases the amount of fuel that can be burned. This increases the amount of power that the engine can produce.

If your vehicle has a turbocharger, it will be able to tow more weight than a vehicle without one.

Wheelbase

The wheelbase is the distance between the front and rear wheels. The longer the wheelbase, the more weight the vehicle can tow.

Front Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR)

The front GAWR is the maximum weight that the front axle can support. This is usually a number that is stamped on the axle itself.

Rear Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR)

The rear GAWR is the maximum weight that the rear axle can support. This is usually a number that is stamped on the axle itself.

More Ford F-250 Vehicles by Year

The list below will let you compare the 2003 Ford F-250 towing capacity to previous years.