What size truck is an F-550?
The Ford F-550 is a medium‑duty work truck in Ford’s Super Duty family. It’s a chassis‑cab vehicle designed for upfits such as dumps, service bodies, and heavy equipment carriers, and it falls into the Class 6 category with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) around 19,500 pounds, with some configurations rated up to about 22,000 pounds. In everyday terms, it sits between the heavier, commercial Class 7 trucks and the lighter heavy‑duty pickups that are common for personal use.
Where it fits in Ford's lineup
Within Ford’s current lineup, the F-550 sits above the F-450 in payload capacity and under the larger F-650/F-750 used for even heavier work. It’s primarily marketed as a fleet and commercial vehicle rather than a personal‑use pickup, and it shares the Super Duty platform with the rest of the line but is optimized for upfit versatility and durability under load.
Key specifications and options
GVWR and class
The F-550’s GVWR generally starts at about 19,500 pounds and can approach 22,000 pounds depending on the specific upfit and configuration. This places it squarely in Class 6 on the standard vehicle classification scale.
Engines and transmissions
Engine options typically include Ford’s 6.7‑liter Power Stroke diesel and a 7.3‑liter gasoline V8, both paired with a heavy‑duty automatic transmission designed for robust payloads and confidence under load. Exact drivetrain details vary by model year and configuration.
Cab configurations and upfits
The F-550 is offered with Regular Cab, SuperCab, and Crew Cab layouts. It’s commonly found as a stripped‑down chassis cab for upfits like dumps, flatbeds, utility bodies, or service bodies, but factory‑upgraded versions with various cargo or body configurations are also available. Wheelbase choices and rear‑axle setups are tuned to maximize payload and handling for specific jobs.
Usage and practicality
fleets use F‑550s for municipal and commercial work—construction, landscaping, utility maintenance, waste services, and emergency response—because the truck combines substantial payload capacity with a relatively more maneuverable footprint than larger Class 7 or 8 trucks. The upfit readiness is a key selling point for operators who need a dependable, serviceable base vehicle.
Summary
The F‑550 is a medium‑duty, Class 6 truck with a typical GVWR around 19,500 pounds and up to about 22,000 pounds in certain configurations. It’s designed as a versatile chassis cab for upfits, offering substantial payload capacity while remaining more maneuverable than larger heavy‑duty trucks. For fleets that require robust utility and upfit flexibility, the F‑550 remains a common, workhorse choice within Ford’s Super Duty lineup.
What type of truck is a Ford F550?
A Ford F-550 is classified as a Class 5 medium-duty truck because its Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) typically ranges from 16,001 to 19,500 pounds. This classification places it between the light-duty F-Series Super Duty pickups and the heavier F-650 and F-750 trucks. The classification is determined by its weight and is used for regulatory and tax purposes, with common uses including service trucks, box trucks, and small dump trucks.
- Class 5 Classification: The F-550 falls into the Class 5 category, which has a GVWR of 16,001–19,500 pounds.
- Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR): This is the maximum operating weight of the F-550, including all its features, passengers, and cargo.
- Medium-Duty Truck: This label indicates it is a heavy-duty vehicle, but not as large or heavy as the Class 6, 7, or 8 "heavy-duty" trucks.
- Common Uses: Its classification is suitable for applications such as service trucks, chassis-cab trucks, and small dump trucks, making it a popular choice for commercial and municipal uses.
What is a F-550 classified as?
A Ford F-550 is classified as a Class 5 medium-duty truck, based on its high Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR), which ranges from 16,001 to 19,500 pounds. This puts it in the medium-duty category, above the heavy-duty pickup trucks like the F-350 and F-450, and it is often referred to as a "1.51.51.5-ton truck".
- Class 5: This is the official classification based on GVWR.
- Medium-Duty: This is the broad category that Class 5 trucks fall into.
- "1.5-ton" truck: This is a common and informal way to refer to it, especially when distinguishing it from the heavier-duty "one-ton" trucks.
- Commercial application: Due to its capabilities and weight, the F-550 is a powerful workhorse designed for commercial and fleet applications, such as larger delivery trucks, bucket trucks, and tow trucks.
Is a F-550 a CDL truck?
How Does “Under CDL” Differ? Under CDL allows the driver to drive a commercial vehicle with a gross weight of less than 26,000 pounds. The most common vehicles that are under CDL are as follows: SUVs, cars, vans. Dodge Ram and Ford F550 are recognized as under CDL.
Is a Ford F550 a 2 ton truck?
No, a Ford F-550 is not a 2-ton truck; it is a Class 5 medium-duty truck that can be referred to as a "1.5-ton" vehicle. Its gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) can be up to 19,500 lbs, which is far more than the 4,000 lbs capacity of a 2-ton rating.
- Class 5 classification: The F-550 is classified as a Class 5 truck, with a GVWR ranging from 16,001 to 19,500 lbs.
- Capacity: A 2-ton truck has a payload capacity of only 4,000 lbs, while a Ford F-550's maximum payload is over 12,000 lbs.
- Official ratings: The term "ton" rating for older trucks is not an official measure of weight. It is best to refer to the specific truck's GVWR and other specifications for accurate information about its capabilities.
