trailer FORD E SERIES 2011 4.G User Guide

Example only:
Cargo Weight– includes all weight added to the Base Curb Weight,
including cargo and optional equipment. When towing, trailer tongue load
or king pin weight is also part of cargo weight.
GAW (Gross Axle Weight)– is the total weight placed on each axle
(front and rear) – including vehicle curb weight and all payload.
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GAWR (Gross Axle Weight Rating)– is the maximum allowable
weight that can be carried by a single axle (front or rear).These
numbers are shown on the Safety Compliance Certification Label
located on the B-Pillar or the edge of the driver’s door. The total
load on each axle must never exceed its GAWR.
Note:For trailer towing information refer toTrailer towingfound in
this chapter or theRV and Trailer Towing Guideprovided by your
authorized dealer.
GVW (Gross Vehicle Weight)– is the Vehicle Curb Weight + cargo +
passengers.
GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating)– is the maximum allowable
weight of the fully loaded vehicle (including all options, equipment,
passengers and cargo).The GVWR is shown on the Safety
Compliance Certification Label located on the B-Pillar or the
edge of the driver’s door. The GVW must never exceed the GVWR.
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GCW (Gross Combined Weight)– is the weight of the loaded vehicle
(GVW) plus the weight of the fully loaded trailer.
GCWR (Gross Combined Weight Rating)– is the maximum allowable
weight of the vehicle and the loaded trailer – including all cargo and
passengers – that the vehicle can handle without risking damage.
(Important: The towing vehicle’s braking system is rated for operation at
GVWR, not at GCWR.) Separate functional brakes should be used for
safe control of towed vehicles and for trailers where the GCW of the
towing vehicle plus the trailer exceed the GVWR of the towing vehicle.
The GCW must never exceed the GCWR.
Maximum Loaded Trailer Weight– is the highest possible weight of a
fully loaded trailer the vehicle can tow. It assumes a vehicle with only
mandatory options, no cargo (internal or external), a tongue load of
10–15% (conventional trailer) or king pin weight of 15–25% (fifth wheel
trailer), and driver only (150 lb. [68 kg]).Consult your authorized
dealer (or theRV and Trailer Towing Guideprovided by your
authorized dealer) for more detailed information.
Tongue Load or Fifth Wheel King Pin Weight– refers to the amount
of the weight that a trailer pushes down on a trailer hitch.
Examples:For a 5,000 lb. (2,268 kg) conventional trailer, multiply 5,000
by 0.10 and 0.15 to obtain a proper tongue load range of 500 to 750 lb.
(227 to 340 kg). For an 11,500 lb. (5,216 kg) fifth wheel trailer, multiply
by 0.15 and 0.25 to obtain a proper king pin load range of 1,725 to
2,875 lb. (782 to 1,304 kg)
WARNING:Do not exceed the GVWR or the GAWR specified on
the Safety Compliance Certification Label.
WARNING:Do not use replacement tires with lower load
carrying capacities than the original tires because they may
lower the vehicle’s GVWR and GAWR limitations. Replacement tires
with a higher limit than the original tires do not increase the GVWR
and GAWR limitations.
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WARNING:Exceeding any vehicle weight rating limitation could
result in serious damage to the vehicle and/or personal injury.
Steps for determining the correct load limit:
1. Locate the statement “The combined weight of occupants and cargo
should never exceed XXX kg or XXX lb.” on your vehicle’s placard.
2. Determine the combined weight of the driver and passengers that will
be riding in your vehicle.
3. Subtract the combined weight of the driver and passengers from XXX
kg or XXX lb.
4. The resulting figure equals the available amount of cargo and luggage
load capacity. For example, if the “XXX” amount equals 1,400 lb. and
there will be five 150 lb. passengers in your vehicle, the amount of
available cargo and luggage load capacity is 650 lb. (1400-750 (5 x 150)
= 650 lb.). In metric units (635-340 (5 x 68) = 295 kg.)
5. Determine the combined weight of luggage and cargo being loaded on
the vehicle. That weight may not safely exceed the available cargo and
luggage load capacity calculated in Step 4.
6. If your vehicle will be towing a trailer, load from your trailer will be
transferred to your vehicle. Consult this manual to determine how this
reduces the available cargo and luggage load capacity of your vehicle.
The following gives you a few examples on how to calculate the available
amount of cargo and luggage load capacity:
•Another example for your vehicle with 1,400 lb. (635 kg) of cargo and
luggage capacity. You decide to go golfing. Is there enough load
capacity to carry you, 4 of your friends and all the golf bags? You and
four friends average 220 lb. (99 kg) each and the golf bags weigh
approximately 30 lb. (13.5 kg) each. The calculation would be: 1400 -
(5 x 220) - (5 x 30) = 1400 - 1100 - 150 = 150 lb. Yes, you have
enough load capacity in your vehicle to transport four friends and
your golf bags. In metric units, the calculation would be: 635 kg - (5 x
99 kg) - (5 x 13.5 kg) = 635 - 495 - 67.5 = 72.5 kg.
•A final example for your vehicle with 1,400 lb. (635 kg) of cargo and
luggage capacity. You and one of your friends decide to pick up
cement from the local home improvement store to finish that patio
you have been planning for the past 2 years. Measuring the inside of
the vehicle with the rear seat folded down, you have room for
12-100 lb. (45 kg) bags of cement. Do you have enough load capacity
to transport the cement to your home? If you and your friend each
weigh 220 lb. (99 kg), the calculation would be: 1400 - (2 x 220) - (12
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x 100) = 1400 - 440 - 1200 = - 240 lb. No, you do not have enough
cargo capacity to carry that much weight. In metric units, the
calculation would be: 635 kg - (2 x 99 kg) - (12 x 45 kg) = 635 - 198 -
540 = -103 kg. You will need to reduce the load weight by at least
240 lb. (104 kg). If you remove 3-100 lb. (45 kg) cement bags, then
the load calculation would be:
1400 - (2 x 220) - (9 x 100) = 1400 - 440 - 900 = 60 lb. Now you have
the load capacity to transport the cement and your friend home. In
metric units, the calculation would be: 635 kg - (2 x 99 kg) - (9 x
45 kg) = 635 - 198 - 405 = 32 kg.
The above calculations also assume that the loads are positioned in your
vehicle in a manner that does not overload the Front or the Rear Gross
Axle Weight Rating specified for your vehicle on the Safety Compliance
Certification Label found on the edge of the driver’s door.
Special loading instructions for owners of pick-up trucks and
utility-type vehicles
WARNING:For important information regarding safe operation
of this type of vehicle, see thePreparing to drive your vehicle
section in theDrivingchapter of this owner’s guide.
WARNING:Loaded vehicles may handle differently than
unloaded vehicles. Extra precautions, such as slower speeds and
increased stopping distance, should be taken when driving a heavily
loaded vehicle.
Your vehicle can haul more cargo and people than most passenger cars.
Depending upon the type and placement of the load, hauling cargo and
people may raise the center of gravity of the vehicle.
TRAILER TOWING
Your vehicle may tow a class I, II or III trailer, provided the maximum
trailer weight is less than or equal to the maximum trailer weight listed
for your engine and rear axle ratio on the following charts.
Do not exceed trailer weight of 5,000 lb (2,268 kg) when towing with
bumper only.
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 10–15% of the total is on the tongue. Tie
down the load so that it does not shift and change the weight on the hitch.
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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.
EngineRear axle
ratioMaximum
GCWR - lb (kg)Maximum Trailer
Weight - lb (kg)
E-150 Regular/Rec/Crew Van
4.6L 3.73 11500 (5216) 6000 (2722)
4.6L 4.10 12000 (5443) 6500 (2948)
5.4L 3.73/4.10 13000 (5897) 7500 (3402)
E-150 Extended Van
4.6L 3.73 11500 (5216) 5900 (2676)
4.6L 4.10 12000 (5443) 6400 (2903)
5.4L 3.73/4.10 13000 (5897) 7300 (3311)
E-150 Regular Wagon (7/8 Passenger)
4.6L 3.73 11500 (5216) 5600 (2540)
4.6L 4.10 12000 (5443) 6100 (2767)
5.4L 3.73/4.10 13000 (5897) 7000 (3175)
E-250 Regular/Rec/Crew Van
4.6L 3.73 11500 (5216) 6000 (2722)
4.6L 4.10 12000 (5443) 6500 (2948)
5.4L 3.73/4.10 13000 (5897) 7400 (3357)
E-250 Extended/Rec/Crew Van
4.6L 3.73 11500 (5216) 5900 (2540)
4.6L 4.10 12000 (5443) 6400 (2903)
5.4L 3.73/4.10 13000 (5897) 7300 (3311)
E-350 Regular/Rec/Crew Van
5.4L 3.73/4.10 13000 (5897) 7400 (3357)
6.8L 3.73 15000 (6804) 9100 (4128)
6.8L 4.10 18500 (8391) 10000 (4536)
E-350 Extended/Rec/Crew Van
5.4L 3.73 13000 (5897) 7200 (3266)
6.8L 3.73 15000 (6804) 9000 (4082)
6.8L 4.10 18500 (8391) 10000 (4536)
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EngineRear axle
ratioMaximum
GCWR - lb (kg)Maximum Trailer
Weight - lb (kg)
E-350 Regular Wagon (11/12 Passenger)
5.4L 3.73/4.10 13000 (5896) 6700 (3039)
6.8L 3.73 15000 (6804) 8500 (3856)
6.8L 4.10 18500 (8391) 10000 (4536)
E-350 Extended Wagon (11 Passenger)
5.4L 3.73/4.10 13000 (5896) 6500 (2948)
6.8L 3.73 15000 (6804) 8300 (3765)
6.8L 4.10 18500 (8391) 10000 (4536)
E-350 Extended Wagon (14/15 Passenger)
5.4L 3.73/4.10 13000 (5896) 6300 (2858)
6.8L 3.73 15000 (6804) 8100 (3674)
6.8L 4.10 18500 (8391) 10000 (4536)
E-250 Cutaway Single Rear Wheel (SRW)
4.6L 4.10 12000 (5443) 7500 (3402)
E-350 Extended Cutaway Single Rear Wheel (SRW)
5.4L 4.10 10600 (4808) 5700 (2585)
E-350 Cutaway Single Rear Wheel (SRW) 138” Wheelbase
5.4L 3.73 9600 (4354) 4700 (2132)
5.4L 4.10 13000 (5896) 8000 (3629)
6.8L 4.10 18500 (8391) 10000 (4536)
E-350 Cutaway Dual Rear Wheel (DRW) 138” Wheelbase
5.4L 3.73 10050 (4763) 4900 (2223)
5.4L 4.10 13000 (5897) 7700 (3493)
6.8L 4.10 18500 (8391) 10000 (4536)
E-350 Cutaway Single Rear Wheel (SRW) 158” Wheelbase
5.4L 3.73 9600 (4354) 4600 (2087)
5.4L 4.10 13000 (5896) 8000 (3629)
6.8L 4.10 18500 (8391) 10000 (4536)
E-350 Cutaway Dual Rear Wheel (DRW) 158”/176” Wheelbase
5.4L 3.73 10050 (4763) 4800 (2177)
5.4L 4.10 13000 (5897) 7700 (3493)
6.8L 4.10 18500 (8391) 10000 (4536)
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EngineRear axle
ratioMaximum
GCWR - lb (kg)Maximum Trailer
Weight - lb (kg)
E-350 Stripped Chassis Single Rear Wheel (SRW) 138” Wheelbase
5.4L 3.73/4.10 13000 (5897) 8700 (3946)
E-350 Stripped Chassis Single Rear Wheel (SRW) 158” Wheelbase
5.4L 3.73/4.10 13000 (5897) 8600 (3901)
E-350 Stripped Chassis Dual Rear Wheel (DRW) 138” Wheelbase
5.4L 4.10 13000 (5897) 8400 (3810)
6.8L 4.10 18500 (8391) 10000 (4536)
E-350 Stripped Chassis Dual Rear Wheel (DRW) 158”/176”
Wheelbase
5.4L 4.10 13000 (5897) 8300 (3765)
6.8L 4.10 18500 (8391) 10000 (4536)
E-450 Cutaway
5.4L 4.56 14050 (6373) 8500 (3856)
6.8L 4.56 20000 (9072) 10000 (4536)
E-450 Stripped Chassis
5.4L 4.56 14050 (6373) 9200 (4173)
6.8L 4.56 20000 (9072) 10000 (4536)
– Maximum trailer weight for all cutaway vehicles must be calculated
by subtracting the weight of the vehicle (including incomplete vehicle
weight and payload which includes second unit body weight, cargo and
passengers) from the GCW; otherwise, maximum trailer weight is
10000 lb (4536 kg).
– For high altitude operation reduce GCWR by 2% per 1000 ft (300 m)
elevation.
– To determine the maximum trailer weight designed for your
particular vehicle as equipped, follow the sectionVehicle loading -
with and without a trailerearlier in this chapter.
WARNING:Do not exceed the GVWR or the GAWR specified on
the certification label.
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WARNING:Towing trailers beyond the maximum recommended
gross trailer weight exceeds the limit of the vehicle and could
result in engine damage, transmission damage, structural damage, loss
of vehicle control, vehicle rollover and personal injury.
Preparing to tow
Use the proper equipment for towing a trailer and make sure it is
properly attached to your vehicle. Contact your authorized dealer or a
reliable trailer dealer as soon as possible 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.
Using a step bumper (if equipped)
The rear bumper is equipped with an integral hitch and only requires a
ball with a one inch (25.4 mm) shank diameter. The bumper has a
5,000 lb (2,270 kg) trailer weight and 500 lb (227 kg) tongue weight
capacity.
If it is necessary to relocate the trailer hitch ball position, a
frame-mounted trailer hitch must be installed.
Safety chains
Always connect the trailer’s safety chains to the frame or hook retainers
of the vehicle hitch. 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.
Trailer brakes
Electric brakes and manual, automatic or surge-type trailer brakes are
safe if installed properly and adjusted to the manufacturer’s
specifications. The trailer brakes must meet local and Federal
regulations.
WARNING: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.
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The braking system of the tow vehicle is rated for operation at the
GVWR not GCWR.
Integrated trailer brake controller (if equipped)
Your vehicle may be equipped with a fully integrated electronic Trailer
Brake Controller (TBC). When used properly, the TBC helps ensure
smooth and effective trailer braking by powering the trailer’s electric
brakes with a proportional output based on the towing vehicle’s brake
pressure.
WARNING:The Ford TBC has only been verified to be
compatible with trailers having electric-actuated drum brakes
(one to four axles) and not hydraulic surge or electric-over-hydraulic
types. It is the responsibility of the customer to ensure that the trailer
brakes are adjusted appropriately, functioning normally and all electric
connections are properly made.
The TBC user interface consists of
the following:
1.+/- (GAIN adjustment
buttons):Pressing these buttons
will adjust the TBC’s power output
to the trailer brakes (in
0.5 increments). The GAIN setting
can be increased to a maximum of
10.0 or decreased to a minimum of 0 (no trailer braking). Pressing and
holding a button will raise or lower the setting continuously. The gain
setting will display in the message center as follows: TBC GAIN = XX.X.
The trailer brake controller (TBC) is designed to display three items of
information in the instrument cluster message center. These are: gain
setting, output bar graph, and trailer connectivity status. They will
appear as follows in the message center.
•TBC GAIN = XX.X NO TRAILER: The instrument cluster message
center will display the current gain setting during a given ignition
cycle and when adjusting the gain. This message is also displayed
during manual activation without a trailer connected or when gain
adjustments are made with no trailer connected.
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