tow FORD E-450 1999 Owner's Manual

Trailer Towing Table
GCWR (Gross Combined Weight Rating)/Trailer Weights
EngineRear
axle
ratioMaximum
GCWR-kg
(lbs.)Trailer weight
range-kg
(lbs.)
(0-Maximum)Maximum
Frontal Area
Of Trailer-m
2
(ft2)
6.8L 4.108 392
(18 500)4 536 (10 000) 5.52 (60)
7.3L
(Diesel)3.557 258
(16 000)4 173 (9 200) 5.52 (60)
7.3L
(Diesel)4.109 072
(20 000)4 536 (10 000) 5.52 (60)
E-350 RV Cutaway (single rear wheel-4 355 kg [9 600 lb] GVW)
7.3L
(Diesel)4.109 072
(20 000)4 717
(10 400)*5.52 (60)
E-350 RV Cutaway (dual rear wheel)
5.4L 4.105 897
(13 000)1 134 (2 500) 5.52 (60)
6.8L 4.108 392
(18 500)3 629 (8 000) 5.52 (60)
7.3L
(Diesel)4.109 072
(20 000)4 309 (9 500) 5.52 (60)
E-350 Commercial Cutaway (single rear wheel)
7.3L
(Diesel)4.109 072
(20 000)4 717 (10
400)*5.52 (60)
E-350 Commercial Cutaway (dual rear wheel)
5.4L 4.105 897
(13 000)1 225 (2 700) 5.52 (60)
6.8L 4.108 392
(18 500)3 720 (8 200) 5.52 (60)
7.3L
(Diesel)4.109 072
(20 000)4 400 (9 700) 5.52 (60)
Driving
117
ProCarManuals.com

Trailer Towing Table
GCWR (Gross Combined Weight Rating)/Trailer Weights
EngineRear
axle
ratioMaximum
GCWR-kg
(lbs.)Trailer weight
range-kg
(lbs.)
(0-Maximum)Maximum
Frontal Area
Of Trailer-m
2
(ft2)
E-Super Duty
6.8L 4.639 072
(20 000)4 536 (10 000) 5.52 (60)
7.3L
(Diesel)4.109 072
(20 000)4 536 (10 000) 5.52 (60)
E-250/350 Stripped Chassis (single rear wheel-124(wheelbase
for E-250 only)
4.2L 4.094 990
(11 000)1 090 (2 400) 5.52 (60)
5.4L 4.105 897
(13 000)1 542 (3 400) 5.52 (60)
6.8L 3.736 804
(15 000)2 540 (5 600) 5.52 (60)
E-350 Stripped Chassis (dual rear wheel)
5.4L 4.105 897
(13 000)1 361 (3 000) 5.52 (60)
6.8L 4.108 392
(18 500)3 856 (8 500) 5.52 (60)
Maximum loaded trailer weight of 4 717 kg (10 400 lbs.) on 7.3L E350
RV and commercial cutaways (single rear wheel) applicable to fifth
wheel trailer usage only. Otherwise, maximum trailer weight is 4 536 kg
(10 000 lbs.).
For high altitude operation reduce GCWR by 2% per 300 meters
(1 000 ft) elevation.
To determine the maximum trailer weight designed for you particular
vehicle as equipped, follow the sectionCalculating the load your
vehicle can tow/carryearlier in this chapter.
Driving
118
ProCarManuals.com

Your vehicle's load capacity is designated by weight, not by volume, so
you cannot necessarily use all available space when loading a vehicle.
Distribute the load so that only 10 to 15% of the total is on the tongue.
Tie down the load so that it does not shift and change the weight on the
hitch.
Towing a trailer places an additional load on your vehicle's engine,
transmission, axle, brakes, tires and suspension. Inspect these
components carefully after any towing operation.
Do not exceed the GVWR or the GAWR specified on the Safety
Compliance Certification Label.
Towing trailers beyond the maximum recommended gross trailer
weight could result in engine damage, transmission/axle damage,
structural damage, loss of control, and personal injury.
Preparing to tow
Use the proper equipment for towing a trailer, and make sure it is
properly attached to your vehicle. See your dealer or a reliable trailer
dealer if you require assistance.
Hitches
Do not use or install hitches that clamp onto the bumper or to the axle.
Underbody hitches are acceptable if installed properly.
Safety chains
Always connect the trailer's safety chains to the vehicle. To connect the
trailer's safety chains, cross the chains under the trailer tongue and allow
slack for turning corners.
If you use a rental trailer, follow the instructions that the rental agency
gives to you.
Do not attach safety chains to the bumper.
Driving
119
ProCarManuals.com

Trailer brakes
Electric brakes and manual, automatic or surge-type brakes are safe if
installed properly and adjusted to the manufacturer's specifications. The
trailer brakes must meet local and Federal regulations.
Do not connect a trailer's hydraulic brake system directly to your
vehicle's brake system. Your vehicle may not have enough
braking power and your chances of having a collision greatly increase.
The braking system of the tow vehicle is rated for operation at the
GVWR not GCWR.
Trailer lamps
Trailer lamps are required on most towed vehicles. Make sure your
trailer lamps conform to local and Federal regulations. See your dealer or
trailer rental agency for proper instructions and equipment for hooking
up trailer lamps.
Using a step bumper
The rear bumper is equipped with an integral hitch and requires only a
ball with a 25.4 mm (one inch) shank diameter. The bumper has a
2 270 kg (5 000 lb.) trailer weight and 227 kg (500 lb.) tongue weight
capability.
If it is necessary to relocate the trailer hitch ball position, a
frame-mounted trailer hitch must be installed.
Driving while you tow
Do not drive faster than 88 km/h (55 mph) when towing a trailer. Do not
drive faster than 72 km/h (45 mph) with any weight on the trailer while
towing on a hot day or in hilly country.
Speed control may shut off if you are towing on long, steep grades.
When towing a trailer:
²Use D (Drive) or a lower gear when towing up or down steep hills.
This will eliminate excessive downshifting and upshifting for optimum
fuel economy and transmission cooling.
²Anticipate stops and brake gradually.
When descending long, steep downhill grades, always use a lower gear to
provide engine braking to save wear on brakes. Use Drive (Overdrive
Driving
120
ProCarManuals.com

OFF) on moderately steep hills, Second (2) on steep hills, and First (1)
on very steep hills.
Servicing after towing
If you tow a trailer for long distances, your vehicle will require more
frequent service intervals. Refer to your maintenance guide and or
service guide for more information.
Trailer towing tips
²Practice turning, stopping and backing up in an area before starting on
a trip to get the feel of the vehicle trailer combination. When turning,
make wider turns so the trailer wheels will clear curbs and other
obstacles.
²Allow more distance for stopping with a trailer attached.
²The trailer tongue weight should be 10±15% of the loaded trailer
weight.
²If you will be towing a trailer frequently in hot weather, hilly
conditions, at GCW, or any combination of these factors, consider
refilling your rear axle with synthetic gear lube. Refer to the
Capacities and specificationschapter for the lubricant specification.
²After you have traveled 80 km (50 miles), thoroughly check your
hitch, electrical connections and trailer wheel lug nuts.
²When stopped in traffic for long periods of time in hot weather, place
the gearshift in P (Park) and increase idle speed. This aids engine
cooling and air conditioner efficiency.
²Vehicles with trailers should not be parked on a grade. If you must
park on a grade, place wheel chocks under the trailer's wheels.
Launching or retrieving a boat
When backing down a ramp during boat launching or retrieval,
²Do not allow the static water level to rise above the bottom edge of
the rear bumper and
²Do not allow waves to break higher than 15 cm (six inches) above the
bottom edge of the rear bumper.
Exceeding these limits may allow water to enter critical vehicle
components, adversely affecting driveability, emissions, reliability and
causing internal transmission damage.
Driving
121
ProCarManuals.com

CHANGING THE TIRES
If you get a flat tire while driving, do not apply the brake heavily.
Instead, gradually decrease your speed. Hold the steering wheel firmly
and slowly move to a safe place on the side of the road.
Spare tire information
The spare tire for your vehicle is stowed under the rear of your vehicle
(except cutaway and stripped chassis models).
To remove the spare tire:
1. Open both rear doors and remove
thumb screw and anti-theft bracket.
If finger pressure will not remove
the thumb screw, use the lug
wrench to loosen the screw.
2. Remove the access cover from
the rubber strip behind the left
door.
3. Remove the lug wrench from the
right side compartment and insert
the tapered end of the lug wrench
or the tip of the jack handle through
the access hole and into the tube.
4. Turn the wrench
counterclockwise until the cable is
slack and the tire can be slid
rearward from under the vehicle.
5. Remove the retainer from the spare tire.
To stow the cable retainer with the spare removed, turn the jack handle
wrench clockwise until all slack is removed.
To stow the spare tire:
1. Lay the tire on the ground under the rear of the vehicle with the valve
stem facing up.
Stow aluminum wheels with valve stem facing down.
2. Install the retainer through the wheel center.
Roadside emergencies
132
ProCarManuals.com

3. Raise the tire by turning the
wrench or handle clockwise.
Continue until the lift mechanism
ªclicks.º
4. Check that the tire is tightly
seated under the vehicle by pushing
against the tire. Retighten as
necessary.
5. Replace the access cover,
anti-theft bracket and thumb screw. Use finger pressure only to secure
the thumb screw.
Make sure the spare tire and jacking equipment are stowed and
secured in the proper storage location.
Never run the engine with one wheel off the ground.
Tire change procedure
Preparing to change the tire
To prevent the vehicle from moving when you change a tire, be
sure the parking brake is set, then block (in both directions) the
wheel that is diagonally opposite (other side and end of the vehicle) to
the tire being changed.
1. Park on a level surface.
2. Activate the warning flashers.
3. Place the gearshift in P (Park)(automatic transmission).
Roadside emergencies
133
ProCarManuals.com

Front axle jacking points:
²All models
Place the jack under the pin on the
front axle.
3. Turn the jack handle clockwise until the wheel is completely off the
ground.
4. Remove the lug nuts with the lug nut wrench.
5. Replace the flat tire with the spare tire.
If your vehicle has single rear wheels, thread the lug nuts on the studs
with the beveled face toward the wheel.
If your vehicle has dual rear wheels, thread the two element swiveling
lug nuts on the studs with the flange facing toward the wheel.
6. Use the lug nut wrench to screw the lug nut snugly against the wheel.
7. Lower the vehicle by turning the jack handle counterclockwise.
8. Remove the jack and fully tighten the lug nuts in the following
pattern:
²5 lug wheel
1
4 3
52
Roadside emergencies
137
ProCarManuals.com

²8 lug wheel
Never use wheels or lug
nuts different than the
original equipment as this could
damage the wheel or mounting
system. This damage could allow
the wheels to come off while the
vehicle is being driven.
9. Replace any wheel covers,
ornaments or hub caps. Make sure they are screwed or snapped in place.
10. Stow the jack, handle and lug wrench.
11. Unblock the wheels.
On vehicles equipped with dual rear wheels, retighten the wheel lug nuts
to the specified torque at 160 km (100 miles), and again at 800 km
(500 miles) of new vehicle operation and at intervals specified in the
ªService Guide.º
On vehicles equipped with single rear wheels, retighten the lug nuts to
the specified torque at 800 km (500 miles) of operation after any wheel
change or any time the lug nuts are loosened.
Model Bolt Size Wheel Lug nut Torque*
N²M Ft-Lb
E-150 1/2-20 135 100
E-250, E-350
and E-Super
Duty9/16-18 190 140
* Torque specifications are for nut and bolt threads free of dirt and
rust. Do not use oil or grease on threads. Use only Ford recommended
replacement fasteners.
1
3 4
27 6
5 8
Roadside emergencies
138
ProCarManuals.com

WRECKER TOWING
If you need to have your vehicle towed, contact a professional towing
service or, if you are a member, your roadside assistance center.
It is recommended that your vehicle be towed with a wheel lift or flatbed
equipment.
A towing manual is available from Ford Motor Company for all authorized
tow truck operators. Have your tow truck driver refer to this manual for
proper hook-up and towing procedures for your vehicle.
Roadside emergencies
144
ProCarManuals.com