Selecting the best model flatbed truck for your business requires gathering some critical bits of information. This is especially important if the vehicle needs to be carrying heavy loads of cargo to and from your business. Among the specs you'll need to know is how much weight you can safely transport atop the vehicle's frame. Should you be considering the Ford F-550, we've thoroughly researched this popular flatbed truck and can give you a definitive answer on how much weight this model can carry.
The amount of weight a Ford F-550 can safely carry will vary depending on the cab size, GVWR, and the selected wheelbase. The maximum amount ranges from 9,940 pounds to 12,750 pounds.
Now that we know the maximum amount of weight a Ford F-550 can safely carry, we'll look further into each variable and how they impact the weight. You might also be wondering what class of truck the Ford F-3-550 belongs to or if you need a CDL to drive this model flatbed truck. For the answers to these questions and more, read ahead in this post to see what we've discovered.
The Ford F-550 and its payload capacity
The amount of weight any vehicle can safely carry on board its frame is referred to as its payload capacity. This weight includes ALL weight added to an empty vehicle, which would mean cargo in the bed as well as the weight of passengers in the cab.
Adhering to the manufacturer's payload capacity is essential for personal safety reasons and protecting your vehicle. Exceeding the payload capacity increases the risk of a tire blowout, which can lead to serious accidents. It will also make the vehicle more difficult to control, even under the best of driving conditions.
Too much weight will place undue strain on the engine, transmission, and cooling system. This will cause irreversible damage over time and lead to costly repairs and replacements. Excess weight is also hard on the vehicle's axles, tires, and suspension systems.
As we noted earlier in the post, the Ford F-550's payload capacity has quite the range. Here, we'll break down that range by cab style so that you can have an exact number based on the truck you are considering.
Ford F-550 Regular Cab 4x2
- 17,500 GVWR 145" wheel base: 10,850lbs
- 17,500 GVWR 169" wheel base: 10,790lbs
- 17,500 GVWR 193" wheel base: 10,610lbs
- 17,500 GVWR 205" wheel base: 10,550lbs
- 18,000 GVWR 145" wheel base: 11,350lbs
- 18,000 GVWR 169" wheel base: 11,290lbs
- 18,000 GVWR 193" wheel base: 11,110lbs
- 18,000 GVWR 205" wheel base 11,050lbs
- 19,000 GVWR 145" wheel base: 12,310lbs
- 19,500 GVWR 145" wheel base: 12,070lbs
- 19,500 GVWR 169" wheel base: 12,750lbs
- 19,500 GVWR 193" wheel base: 12,570lbs
- 19,500 GVWR 205" wheel base: 12,510lbs
Ford F-550 Regular Cab 4x4
- 17,500 GVWR 145" wheel base: 10,540lbs
- 17,500 GVWR 169" wheel base: 10,450lbs
- 17,500 GVWR 193" wheel base: 10,300lbs
- 17,500 GVWR 205" wheel base: 10,230lbs
- 18,000 GVWR 145" wheel base: 11,040lbs
- 18,000 GVWR 169" wheel base: 10,950lbs
- 18,000 GVWR 193" wheel base: 10,800lbs
- 18,000 GVWR 205" wheel base: 10,730lbs
- 19,000 GVWR 145" wheel base: 12,000lbs
- 19,500 GVWR 145" wheel base: 11,750lbs
- 19,500 GVWR 169" wheel base: 12,410lbs
- 19,500 GVWR 193" wheel base: 12,260lbs
- 19,500 GVWR 205" wheel base: 12,190lbs
Ford F-550 Crew Cab 4x2
- 17,500 GVWR 179.4" wheel base: 10,380lbs
- 17,500 GVWR 203.4" wheel base: 10,230lbs
- 18,000 GVWR 179.4" wheel base: 10,880lbs
- 18,000 GVWR 203.4" wheel base: 10,730lbs
- 19,500 GVWR 179.4" wheel base: 12,340lbs
- 19,500 GVWR 203.4" wheel base: 12,190lbs
Ford F-550 Crew Cab 4x4
- 17,500 GVWR 179.4" wheel base: 10,070lbs
- 17,500 GVWR 203.4" wheel base: 9,940lbs
- 18,000 GVWR 179.4" wheel base: 10,570lbs
- 18,000 GVWR 203.4" wheel base: 10,440lbs
- 19,500 GVWR 179.4" wheel base: 12,030lbs
- 19,500 GVWR 203.4" wheel base: 11,900lbs
Ford F-550 Super Cab 4x2
- 17,500 GVWR 167.5" wheel base: 10,550lbs
- 17,500 GVWR 191.5" wheel base: 10,360lbs
- 18,000 GVWR 167.5" wheel base: 11,050lbs
- 18,000 GVWR 191.5" wheel base: 10,860lbs
- 19,500 GVWR 167.5" wheel base: 12,510lbs
- 19,500 GVWR 191.5" wheel base: 12,320lbs
Ford F-550 Super Cab 4x4
- 17,500 GVWR 167.5" wheel base: 10,190lbs
- 17,500 GVWR 191.5" wheel base: 10,030lbs
- 18,000 GVWR 167.5" wheel base: 10,690lbs
- 18,000 GVWR 191.5" wheel base: 10,530lbs
- 19,500 GVWR 167.5" wheel base: 12,150lbs
- 19,500 GVWR 191.5 wheel base: 11,990lbs
Do you need a CDL to drive a F-550?
If you're considering purchasing the medium-duty Ford F-550, you might be wondering if you'll need a CDL to operate it legally. Under most circumstances, you can drive this truck with an ordinary driver's license. Since the gross vehicle weight is under 26,000lbs, there isn't any requirement for a CDL. There are, however, specific conditions that would require additional licensure.
If you're hauling a trailer with a gross weight of over 10,000lbs, you'd need to apply and receive a Class A license. Also, should you be transporting hazardous material, a Class C with HAZMAT would most likely be required to drive this vehicle legally.
How much does a Ford F-550 flatbed weigh?
The weight of this flatbed truck will depend on trim level, GVWR, and other factors. The heaviest curb weight for this model truck is the 4x4, which weighs in at 19,500lbs.
Is a Ford F-550 a 1-ton?
The Ford F-550 is not considered a 1-ton truck. This classification is not based on the curb weight, as you might be lead to believe. Instead, it is based on an old classification system that uses the payload capacity to separate trucks by ranges of how much weight they can carry.
For example, the F-150 is Ford's half-ton truck, the F-250 is the three-quarter-ton truck, and the F-350 is the one-ton truck.
The F-550 is classified as a Class 5 Medium Duty Truck. While years ago, it might be considered a one-ton vehicle, the payload capacity far exceeds this classification.
You can read the full specs of the Ford F-550 on Ford's official website.
What class of truck is a Ford F-550?
As noted earlier in this post, the Ford F-550 is considered a Class 5 Medium Duty Truck.
Trucks are separated into eight classes. The higher the class, the greater the gross vehicle weight rating. Class 1-3 trucks are light-duty, class 4-6 are medium-duty, and class 7 and 8 are heavy-duty.
A class 5 medium-duty truck has a gross vehicle weight rating of between 13,200 pounds and 17,995 pounds. While a few options might put the F-550 Ford truck over this amount, the vast majority of this model's options are well within the range of Class 5 GVWR, and all are considered as such.
In Closing
Medium duty trucks are capable of carrying a lot of weight on their frames. But every vehicle has a limit. Exceeding that limit can lead to pretty dire consequences, including serious injury, death, and irreversible damage to the vehicle.
Before hauling anything, it's important to know all of the truck's limitations that you are operating and follow the manufacturer's recommendations to the letter. For additional information about the Ford F-550 flatbed truck, consult your owner's manual or visit your local Ford dealership.
If you found this post on the Ford F-550 to be helpful, we recommend reading the following posts on Ford trucks:
How Much Legroom In A Ford F150 SuperCab (Inc. Rear Legroom)?
How Long Is A Ford F150 Truck (and will it fit in my garage?)
How Much Can You Tow With a Ford Ranger? [With or without a towing package]