Owner`s manual

Weight Distribution
– For optimum handling and braking, the load
must be properly distributed
– Keep center of gravity low for best handling
– Approximately 60% of the allowable cargo
weight should be in the front half of the trailer
and 40% in the rear (within limits of tongue load
or king pin weight)
– Load should be balanced from side-to-side to
optimize handling and tire wear
– Load must be firmly secured to prevent shifting
during cornering or braking, which could result in
a sudden loss of control
Before Starting
– Before setting out on a trip, practice turning,
stopping and backing up your trailer in an area
away from heavy traffic
– Know clearance required for trailer roof
– Check equipment (make a checklist)
Backing
– Back up slowly, with someone spotting near the
rear of the trailer to guide you
– Place one hand at bottom of steering wheel and
move it in the direction you want the trailer to go
– Make small steering inputs – slight movement of
steering wheel results in much greater movement
in rear of trailer
Turning
When turning, be sure to swing wide enough to
allow trailer to avoid curbs and other obstructions.
Braking (Also see page 22)
– Allow considerably more distance for stopping
with trailer attached
– Remember, the braking system of the tow vehicle
is rated for operation at the GVWR, not GCWR
– If your tow vehicle is a F-150, F-Series Super
Duty
®
, E-Series or Expedition and your trailer
has electric brakes, the optional Integrated
Trailer Brake Controller (TBC) will help assure
smooth, effective trailer braking by automatically
proportioning the trailer braking to that of the
towing vehicle
– If your trailer starts to sway, apply brake pedal
gradually. The sliding lever on the TBC should
be used only for manual activation of trailer
brakes when adjusting the gain. Misuse, such
as application during trailer sway, could cause
instability of trailer and/or tow vehicle
Towing On Hills
– Downshift the transmission to assist braking on
steep downgrades and to increase power (reduce
lugging) when climbing hills
– With TorqShift
®
transmission, select Tow/Haul
Mode to automatically eliminate unwanted gear
search when going uphill and help control vehicle
speed when going downhill
Parking With A Trailer
Whenever possible, vehicles with trailers should not
be parked on a grade. However, if it is necessary,
place wheel chocks under the trailer’s wheels,
following the instructions below.
– Apply the foot service brakes and hold
– Have another person place the wheel chocks
under the trailer wheels on the downgrade side
– Once the chocks are in place, release brake
pedal, making sure the chocks will hold the
vehicle and trailer
– Apply the parking brake
– Shift automatic transmission into park, or manual
transmission into reverse
– With 4-wheel drive, make sure the transfer case is
not in neutral (if applicable)
Starting Out Parked On A Grade
– Apply the foot service brake and hold
– Start the engine with transmission in park
(automatic) or neutral (manual)
– Shift the transmission into gear and release the
parking brake
– Release the brake pedal and move the vehicle
uphill to free the chocks
– Apply the brake pedal while another person
retrieves the chocks
Acceleration And Passing
The added weight of the trailer can dramatically
decrease the acceleration of the towing vehicle –
exercise caution.
– When passing a slower vehicle, be sure to allow
extra distance. Remember, the added length of the
trailer must clear the other vehicle before you can
pull back in
– Signal and make your pass on level terrain with
plenty of clearance
– If necessary, downshift for improved acceleration
Driving With An Automatic
Overdrive Transmission
With certain automatic overdrive transmissions,
towing – especially in hilly areas – may cause
excessive shifting between overdrive and the next
lower gear.
– To eliminate this condition and achieve steadier
performance, overdrive can be locked out (see
vehicle Owner’s Manual)
– If excessive shifting does not occur, use overdrive
to optimize fuel economy
– Overdrive may also be locked out to obtain
engine braking on downgrades
– When available, select Tow/Haul Mode to
automatically eliminate unwanted gear search
and help control vehicle speed when going
downhill
Driving With Speed Control
When driving uphill with a heavy load,
significant speed drops may occur.
– An 8-14 mph speed drop will automatically
cancel speed control
– Temporarily resume manual control through
the vehicle’s accelerator pedal until the terrain
levels off
Tire Pressure
– Underinflated tires get hot and may fail, leading
to possible loss of vehicle control
– Overinflated tires may wear unevenly
– Tires should be checked often for conformance to
recommended cold inflation pressures
Spare Tire Use
A conventional full-size spare tire is required for trailer
towing (mini spare tires should not be used; always
replace the spare tire with the road tire as soon as
possible).
On The Road
After about 50 miles, stop in a protected location
and double-check:
– Trailer hitch attachment
– Lights and electrical connections
– Trailer wheel lug nuts for tightness
– Engine oil – check regularly throughout trip
High Altitude Operation
Gasoline engines lose power by 3-4% per 1,000 ft.
elevation. To maintain performance, reduce GVWs
and GCWs by 2% per 1,000 ft. elevation.
Powertrain/Frontal Area
Considerations
The charts in this Guide show the minimum engine
size needed to move the GCW of tow vehicle
and trailer.
– Under certain conditions, however, (e.g., when
the trailer has a large frontal area that adds
substantial air drag or when trailering in hilly
or mountainous terrain) it is wise to choose a
larger engine
– Selecting a trailer with a low-drag, rounded
front design will help optimize performance and
fuel economy
Note: For additional trailering information pertaining to your
vehicle, refer to the vehicle Owner’s Manual.
For the latest RV/Towing information,
check out www.fleet.ford.com/showroom
or for Ford Dealers go to esourcebook.
dealerconnection.com and for Lincoln
Dealers go to lincoln.productportfolio.
dealerconnection.com.
Photography, illustrations and information presented
herein were correct when approved for printing. Ford Motor
Company reserves the right to discontinue or change at any
time the specifications or designs without incurring obligation.
Some features shown or described are optional at extra
cost. Some options are required in combination with other
options. Consult your dealer for the latest, most complete
information on models, features, prices and availability.
Many of the recreational vehicles shown in this brochure
are modified or manufactured by companies other than
Ford Motor Company. Ford assumes no responsibility for
such modifications or manufacturing.
RV-VER9005-0912
Metric Conversion – To obtain information in
centimeters, multiply feet by 30.48; to obtain
information in kilometers, multiply miles by 1.6.
Tips on towing.
Towing a trailer is demanding on your vehicle, your trailer and your personal driving skills.
Follow some basic rules and you’ll tow more safely and have a lot more fun.