When considering heavy-duty pickup trucks, the Ford F-250 and F-250 Super Duty stand out as two formidable contenders. These trucks share a sturdy foundation, but offer distinct capabilities and attributes to meet different requirements. Delving into their key differences will help you make an informed decision when selecting the perfect truck for your needs.
Towing and Payload Capacity: A Battle of Strength
The most striking difference between the F-250 and F-250 Super Duty lies in their towing and payload capacities. The F-250 boasts an impressive towing capacity of up to 14,000 lbs. and a payload capacity of 3,940 lbs., making it a capable workhorse for heavy-duty tasks. However, the F-250 Super Duty takes this to another level with an astonishing towing capacity of up to 23,500 lbs. and a payload capacity of 7,690 lbs. This exceptional strength makes it ideal for hauling massive loads and tackling the most demanding towing applications.
Engine Options: Power to Suit Your Needs
Under the hood, both the F-250 and F-250 Super Duty offer a range of engine options to cater to diverse performance needs. The F-250 comes standard with a robust 7.3L V8 gasoline engine delivering 430 horsepower and 475 lb-ft of torque. The F-250 Super Duty expands this range with the addition of a 6.2L V8 gasoline engine, offering 385 horsepower and 430 lb-ft of torque, and a powerful 6.7L Power Stroke V8 diesel engine, generating an impressive 475 horsepower and 1,050 lb-ft of torque. This diverse offering ensures you can choose the engine that best aligns with your power requirements.
Frame and Suspension: Rugged Foundations
To support their heavy-duty capabilities, the F-250 and F-250 Super Duty employ robust frames and suspensions. The F-250 utilizes a high-strength steel frame with a leaf spring rear suspension, providing a solid foundation for handling heavy loads and rough terrain. The F-250 Super Duty goes a step further with a fully boxed high-strength steel frame and a coil spring rear suspension. This enhanced construction offers superior rigidity and stability, making it even more capable of withstanding the rigors of heavy-duty work.
The F-250 and F-250 Super Duty differ in their exterior dimensions, reflecting their respective capabilities. The F-250 features a shorter wheelbase and overall length, making it more maneuverable in urban environments or tight construction sites. In contrast, the F-250 Super Duty boasts a longer wheelbase and overall length, providing ample space for larger loads and extended cab configurations.
Payload and Towing Features: Equipped for the Task
Both the F-250 and F-250 Super Duty come well-equipped with features specifically designed for payload and towing applications. The F-250 offers essential features such as a receiver hitch and trailer sway control to enhance towing stability. The F-250 Super Duty takes this a step further with an enhanced payload and towing package, gooseneck hitch prep, and an integrated trailer brake controller, providing unparalleled support for the most demanding towing scenarios.
Other Key Differences: Beyond the Basics
Beyond the core capabilities, the F-250 and F-250 Super Duty offer additional distinctions to cater to specific preferences and requirements. The F-250 is available in five trim levels: XL, XLT, Lariat, King Ranch, and Platinum. The F-250 Super Duty expands this to six trim levels, adding the Limited trim, providing a wider range of options to suit different levels of luxury and convenience. Furthermore, the F-250 Super Duty offers additional interior space and a wider variety of cargo configurations, ensuring it can adapt to diverse hauling and storage needs.
What is the difference between the towing and payload capacity of the F-250 and F-250 Super Duty?
The F-250 has a towing capacity of up to 14,000 lbs. and a payload capacity of up to 3,940 lbs. The F-250 Super Duty has a towing capacity of up to 23,500 lbs. and a payload capacity of up to 7,690 lbs.
What engine options are available in the F-250 and F-250 Super Duty?
The F-250 offers a 7.3L V8 gasoline engine. The F-250 Super Duty offers a 6.2L V8 gasoline engine, a 7.3L V8 gasoline engine, and a 6.7L Power Stroke V8 diesel engine.
What are the differences in the frame and suspension of the F-250 and F-250 Super Duty?
The F-250 has a high-strength steel frame with leaf spring rear suspension. The F-250 Super Duty has a fully boxed high-strength steel frame with coil spring rear suspension.
What are the exterior dimension differences between the F-250 and F-250 Super Duty?
The F-250 has a shorter wheelbase and overall length than the F-250 Super Duty.
What are the payload and towing features of the F-250 and F-250 Super Duty?
The F-250 offers payload and towing-specific features such as a receiver hitch and trailer sway control. The F-250 Super Duty offers enhanced payload and towing features such as a heavy-duty towing package, gooseneck hitch prep, and integrated trailer brake controller.
What other key differences are there between the F-250 and F-250 Super Duty?
The F-250 is available in XL, XLT, Lariat, King Ranch, and Platinum trims. The F-250 Super Duty is available in XL, XLT, Lariat, King Ranch, Platinum, and Limited trims. The F-250 Super Duty offers additional interior space and a wider range of cargo configurations.
