2026 Ford Super Duty Power Stroke Diesel Engine, Towing & Payload Explained
The 2026 Ford Super Duty's 6.7L High Output Power Stroke diesel produces 500 hp and 1,200 lb-ft of torque. That torque peak arrives at just 1,600 rpm, making it the engine built for serious work. This page covers how the Power Stroke system works, which trims carry it, and what it means on a real jobsite, view current inventory at Koons Ford in Annapolis.
Feature Overview: Four Engines, One Clear Leader for Towing
The 2026 Super Duty lineup offers four engine choices, and each one is built for a specific level of demand.
The standard 6.8L V8 gas engine produces 405 hp and 445 lb-ft of torque. The available 7.3L V8 gas engine steps that up to 430 hp and 485 lb-ft. Both are paired to the TorqShift-G 10-speed SelectShift automatic.
The two diesel options are where the numbers become job-site serious. The 6.7L Power Stroke V8 Turbo Diesel generates 475 hp and 1,050 lb-ft of torque. The 6.7L High Output Power Stroke V8 Turbo Diesel reaches 500 hp and 1,200 lb-ft of torque, both power peaks delivered through the TorqShift 10-speed SelectShift automatic.
Three towing modes define the capability spread across the lineup:
- Conventional towing: Up to 40,000 lbs on properly configured F-350/F-450 DRW models
- 5th-wheel towing: Up to 35,000 lbs on F-350/F-450 DRW configurations
- Gooseneck towing: Up to 40,000 lbs on F-450 DRW with the 40k Gooseneck Tow Package
Payload reaches 8,000 lbs on the F-350 DRW Regular Cab 4x2 with the Gas Heavy-Duty Payload Package.
These figures are not theoretical. They reflect the maximum available ratings across specific configurations, and choosing the right engine, axle ratio, cab style, and tire size determines exactly where your truck lands in those ranges.
2026 Super Duty trim breakdown
How It Works: Power Stroke Diesel Engineering
The 6.7L Power Stroke is a 90-degree diesel V8 with overhead valves and a single variable geometry turbocharger paired to a charge air cooler. The block is compacted graphite iron, a material significantly stiffer and more thermally stable than cast iron, which allows the engine to handle the combustion pressures required to produce 1,200 lb-ft of torque.
Fuel delivery uses a high-pressure common-rail injection system. Injection pressure is far higher than port-injected gas engines, allowing finer fuel atomization and more complete combustion. This is what lets the engine reach its torque peak at only 1,600 rpm instead of needing to spin up to 4,000 rpm the way the gas V8s do.
The variable geometry turbocharger adjusts the turbine vane angle based on engine load and speed, maintaining boost pressure across a wider rpm range. That behavior eliminates the lag associated with older fixed-geometry turbos and is directly responsible for the deep, immediate torque curve diesel tow drivers rely on.
Both diesel versions use dual 12V 750CCA batteries and a 250-amp alternator on XL, XLT, and Lariat trims. King Ranch and Platinum diesel trucks receive a dual 410-amp alternator, which matters for trucks running hydraulic equipment, refrigeration units, or other high-draw work accessories.
The diesel's Intelligent Oil Life Monitor tracks combustion conditions and driving cycles rather than simply counting miles. For buyers in Annapolis and surrounding areas who do mixed commercial and highway driving, that system adapts service intervals to real usage instead of a fixed schedule.
Ford Power Stroke diesel specifications
Across the Trims: Which Configurations Unlock Maximum Capability
The Power Stroke diesel is available across the F-250, F-350, and F-450 lineup, but the capability ceiling rises substantially as you move to heavier configurations.
F-250 SRW with 6.7L HO Diesel
Maximum conventional towing reaches 22,000 lbs on SuperCab and Crew Cab 4x4 configurations with the High-Capacity Axle Upgrade Package (GCWR 31,000 lbs). Without that package, towing tops out around 16,600 lbs.
F-350 SRW with 6.7L HO Diesel
Conventional towing climbs to 25,000 lbs on select configurations with the right axle and tire package. The GCWR reaches 35,200 lbs on the highest-spec setup.
F-350 DRW with 6.7L HO Diesel
Conventional towing reaches 28,000 lbs with the 4.1 axle ratio and GCWR of 45,600 lbs. Fifth-wheel ratings hit 35,000 lbs. Gooseneck ratings reach 38,000 lbs.
F-450 DRW with 6.7L HO Diesel
This is where the 40,000 lb gooseneck number lives. The 40k Gooseneck Tow Package unlocks that ceiling, with a GCWR of 48,000 lbs on the F-450 Regular Cab 4x2. Fifth-wheel ratings reach 35,000 lbs on F-450 configurations. Maximum payload on the F-450 4x2 Regular Cab with diesel reaches 6,482 lbs with the High Capacity Gooseneck Tow Package.
On payload, the F-350 DRW 4x2 Regular Cab with the 6.8L Gas Heavy-Duty Payload Package reaches 8,000 lbs GVWR, the highest single-truck payload number in the Super Duty lineup. F-350 SRW trucks with 18-inch all-terrain tires reach payload ratings approaching 5,137 lbs depending on configuration.
Trim series affects the alternator spec and available packages. XL and XLT buyers can add the Power Stroke diesel, but King Ranch and Platinum trims include the dual 410-amp alternator as standard, which is a meaningful upgrade for commercial operators running auxiliary equipment.
2026 Super Duty F-350 vs F-450 comparison
Real-World Benefit: What 1,200 lb-ft Means on the Job
Torque at low rpm means a loaded trailer moves from a standstill without the engine straining to build speed. Contractors hauling steel, equipment dealers moving machinery, and marine operators launching large vessels all rely on the same thing: the engine pulling hard before the tachometer climbs past idle.
The 1,200 lb-ft figure on the HO diesel arrives at 1,600 rpm. That means when the Super Duty launches from a stoplight or a boat ramp under full trailer load, maximum torque is already available. A gas engine making 445 lb-ft needs to rev significantly higher to reach its peak.
For buyers in Annapolis and the broader Maryland market, the combination of deep water access points and long highway runs to commercial worksites means a diesel's low-rpm torque and higher towing ratings matter throughout the week, not just on dedicated haul days.
The integrated trailer brake controller is standard on all Super Duty trims, and the available Onboard Scales with Smart Hitch let operators know the actual tongue weight and payload before they leave the yard. Pro Trailer Backup Assist is available to reduce the effort of backing a large trailer, and Pro Trailer Hitch Assist simplifies the hitch connection process. Ford Co-Pilot360 Assist 2.0 is available to add driver assistance features during towing.
The diesel powertrain warranty covers 5 years or 100,000 miles, longer than the 5-year/60,000-mile gas powertrain coverage. That extended diesel warranty reflects the durability expectation of the Power Stroke engine for buyers planning heavy commercial use.
2026 Super Duty safety and tech features
How It Compares: Context Against Class Rivals
The 2026 Super Duty's 1,200 lb-ft of torque on the HO diesel and 40,000-lb maximum gooseneck towing rating represent the top of the heavy-duty class by the spec sheet. Ram HD and GM HD trucks offer competitive diesel torque figures and towing ratings, but the specific configurations that reach those ceilings differ across brands. Buyers comparing trucks should verify that each competitor's maximum figure applies to the same cab, box, axle, and tire configuration they actually intend to purchase.
The Super Duty's four-engine lineup is broader than most rivals, giving buyers a clear gas-to-diesel progression. The 6.8L gas engine handles moderate commercial work without the upfront cost of the diesel option. The 7.3L gas engine covers heavier applications where diesel fuel costs or equipment access are a factor. The two Power Stroke variants handle the highest towing and payload demands.
SYNC 4 with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto is standard on all Super Duty trims. Upper trims add a 12-inch touchscreen and embedded 5G. Pre-Collision Assist with Automatic Emergency Braking and Pedestrian Detection, Rear View Camera, and Trailer Sway Damping are all standard, which means even the entry XL towing a loaded trailer has active safety involvement. Rivals do not uniformly include trailer-specific safety systems at the base trim level.
See the 2026 Super Duty's Power Stroke Diesel at Koons Ford in Annapolis
The 2026 Super Duty's diesel engine lineup, and the HO Power Stroke in particular, is built for buyers who need the truck to perform at its rated numbers every day. Koons Ford serves buyers throughout Annapolis and the surrounding Maryland area. The current inventory includes F-250, F-350, and F-450 models in multiple cab and bed configurations. Contact Koons Ford to confirm Power Stroke diesel availability and schedule time behind the wheel.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much torque does the 2026 Ford Super Duty diesel make?
The 2026 Super Duty offers two diesel options. The 6.7L Power Stroke makes 1,050 lb-ft of torque at 1,600 rpm. The 6.7L High Output Power Stroke makes 1,200 lb-ft of torque at 1,600 rpm.
What is the maximum towing capacity of the 2026 Ford Super Duty?
The maximum is 40,000 lbs for conventional towing on properly configured F-350 DRW and F-450 DRW models. The 40k Gooseneck Tow Package on the F-450 also supports 40,000 lbs gooseneck. Specific towing capacity depends on engine, axle ratio, cab style, box length, and tire selection.
What is the maximum payload on the 2026 Ford Super Duty?
Up to 8,000 lbs on the F-350 DRW Regular Cab 4x2 with the Gas Heavy-Duty Payload Package. Payload varies by configuration; check the door jamb label on the specific vehicle.
Which trims can get the Power Stroke diesel?
The 6.7L Power Stroke diesel and the 6.7L HO Power Stroke diesel are available on F-250, F-350, and F-450 trims including XL, XLT, Lariat, King Ranch, and Platinum. Specific packages may be required for maximum towing configurations.
How long is the diesel powertrain warranty on the 2026 Super Duty?
The diesel powertrain is covered for 5 years or 100,000 miles. The gas powertrain is covered for 5 years or 60,000 miles. Bumper-to-bumper coverage is 3 years or 36,000 miles for both.
Does the 2026 Super Duty diesel come with a standard trailer brake controller?
Yes. An integrated trailer brake controller is standard on all 2026 Super Duty trims.
What tech features are standard on all 2026 Super Duty trims?
All trims include SYNC 4, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, an 8-inch touchscreen (XL and XLT) or 12-inch (upper trims), and embedded 5G. Pre-Collision Assist with Automatic Emergency Braking and Trailer Sway Damping are also standard.