2011-2014 Ford 6.7L Powerstroke Towing Parts

Towing on the 2011-2014 Ford 6.7L Powerstroke

Ford set these trucks up to tow from the factory. The 2011-2014 pickup rating for the 6.7L is 400 hp at 2,800 rpm and 800 lb-ft at 1,600 rpm, backed by the 6R140 TorqShift six-speed, the only transmission offered with it. Trailer sway control, hill start assist and Tow/Haul with an integrated exhaust brake are standard, and dually trucks get a trailer brake controller as standard. For 2011 Ford added a 5th-wheel and gooseneck prep option, code 53W, with four bed pucks and a center gooseneck hole. Ratings depend on cab, wheelbase, axle ratio and SRW vs DRW. Per Ford's 2014 guide, conventional towing with a weight distribution hitch tops out at 14,000 lb on SRW SuperCab and Crew Cab trucks with 3.31 or 3.55 gears, 12,500 lb on a Regular Cab, and 18,500 lb on an F-350 DRW crew cab or F-450. Fifth-wheel ratings run from about 16,400 lb on an SRW 4x4 up to 24,700 lb on the F-450 pickup.

What goes wrong and why

The most common towing problem on these trucks is not a broken part. It is an overloaded receiver. The factory receiver is 2.5 in, and Ford supplied a 2.5-to-2.0 in adapter with it. Using that adapter cuts the conventional rating to 12,500 lb with a 1,250 lb tongue, and many owners slide a 2 in ball mount into it without knowing the number dropped. The second trap is weight-carrying vs weight-distributing. On an SRW truck with the 6.7L, the receiver is rated 8,500 lb weight-carrying. The 14,000 lb figure needs a weight distribution hitch and applies only to the 156, 158 and 172 in wheelbase trucks. In the bed, the traps are fitment: short beds need a slider hitch for sharp turns, and bed length and SRW/DRW change hitch and air-spring part numbers.

Stock replacement vs. upgrade

For bumper towing, the upgrade is a ball mount that matches your 2.5 in receiver and your trailer height, plus a weight distribution hitch once the trailer outgrows the weight-carrying rating. For in-bed towing on a truck with factory pucks, a Ford-puck-compatible 5th wheel such as the B&W Companion mounts in the factory prep; GM and Ram puck hitches will not fit. Trucks without factory pucks need an aftermarket rail kit or a complete hitch system. For load support, Air Lift offers LoadLifter 5000, 5000 Ultimate and 7500 XL helper air springs for these trucks, and an onboard compressor lets you adjust them from the cab. Ford's factory alternative was the Camper Package, which added rear auxiliary springs on the F-250 and a rear stabilizer bar on SRW trucks.

What we carry

B&W Trailer Hitches supplies most of this collection: Tow & Stow adjustable ball mounts in 2, 2.5 and 3 in shanks in standard, pintle and MultiPro/MultiFlex versions, a triple tow ball mount, heavy duty ball mounts, hitch balls, reducer sleeves, the WDHK4500 weight distribution hitch, the RVK3300 Companion 5th wheel for Ford's OEM puck system, and the GNRK1111 Turnoverball gooseneck. Big Hitch Products adds a 2.5 in receiver hitch for the stock bumper, a hidden 2.5 in receiver that sits behind a roll pan, and adjustable pulling hitches in 2 and 2.5 in. Air Lift covers load support with WirelessONE and WirelessAIR compressor systems, tank kits, single and dual load controllers, a replacement compressor, air spring spacers and a LoadLifter 5000 Ultimate Plus stainless upgrade. You will also find a Bilstein B6 4600 rear shock listed for 2WD trucks and Lucas Oil 5th Wheel & Slider Lube. See every hitch we stock on the hitches page, and the rest of this truck at the Powerstroke hub.

Fitment notes

Match the shank to your receiver. The factory receiver is 2.5 in, so a 3 in shank needs a 3 in receiver, and a 2 in shank means the adapter and the lower rating. Ratings follow cab and axle: an F-250 XL Regular Cab is rated 12,500 lb conventional, while an F-250 King Ranch Crew Cab with 3.31 or 3.55 gears is rated 14,000 lb with weight distribution. Before choosing a 5th wheel or gooseneck, look in the bed for the 53W prep: four pucks in a rectangle about 30 in wide by 13 in deep around a center hole. The 2011-2016 prep package, Ford part BC3Z-5F057-A, is specific to this body, and 2017-up pucks differ. Tailgate clearance for an in-bed trailer is 56-57 in on the F-250, 59-60 in on the F-350 SRW, and 56-57 in on the F-350 DRW and F-450. Air spring kits are SRW/DRW specific. Verify by VIN with the fitment checker before you order.

Frequently asked questions

How much can a 2011-2014 F-250 with the 6.7L tow?

Per Ford's 2014 towing guide, an F-250 SRW diesel SuperCab or Crew Cab with 3.31 or 3.55 gears is rated 14,000 lb conventional with a weight distribution hitch, and a Regular Cab is rated 12,500 lb. Fifth-wheel ratings run roughly 16,400 to 16,800 lb depending on drivetrain. Confirm the number for your exact cab, axle and drivetrain.

Does the 2 in receiver adapter change my rating?

Yes. Running a 2 in mount through the 2.5-to-2.0 in adapter cuts the conventional rating to 12,500 lb and the tongue limit to 1,250 lb. If you tow heavy, use a ball mount with a 2.5 in shank so the adapter stays in the toolbox.

Will a GM or Ram puck hitch fit my Ford's factory pucks?

No. Ford's puck system needs a Ford-puck-specific hitch, such as the B&W Companion built for Ford's OEM pucks. GM and Ram puck hitches will not fit.

What is the difference between weight-carrying and weight-distributing?

Weight-carrying means the tongue sits straight on the ball; on an SRW 6.7L the factory receiver is rated 8,500 lb that way. Add a weight distribution hitch, such as the B&W WDHK4500, and the rating goes to 14,000 lb on the 156, 158 and 172 in wheelbase trucks. Check the hitch's own rating against your trailer too.

Do air springs raise my towing capacity?

No. Helper air springs help the truck sit level under tongue or pin weight, but Ford's ratings for your cab, axle and drivetrain still apply. Air Lift kits for these trucks are SRW/DRW specific, so confirm which you have before ordering.

Not sure what fits? Call the shop at the number in the header, or use the fitment checker on any product page. We install everything we sell.