trailer FORD F250 1998 User Guide

Engine Rear axle
ratioMaximum
GCWR-kg
(lbs.)Maximum
trailer
weight-kg
(lbs.)Maximum
frontal area
of trailer-m
(ft)
SuperCab F-250
4.6L 3.31 3 261 (7 200) 952 (2 100) 5.52 (60)
4.6L 3.73 3 533 (7 800) 1 224 (2 700) 5.52 (60)
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 hitches that clamp onto
the vehicle's bumper or attach to
the axle. You must distribute the
load in your trailer so that 10 to
15% of the total weight of the
trailer is on the tongue.
Load equalizing hitch
When hooking up a trailer using a
load equalizing hitch, always use
the following procedure:
1. Park the unloaded vehicle on a
level surface. With the ignition on
and all doors closed, allow the
vehicle to stand for several
minutes so that it can level.
2. Turn the air suspension (if
equipped) control to OFF.
Driving
118
ProCarManuals.com

3. Measure the height of a
reference point on the front and
rear bumpers at the center of the
vehicle.
4. Attach the trailer to the vehicle
and adjust the hitch equalizers so
that the front bumper height is
within 0±13 mm (0.5 in) of the
reference point. After proper
adjustment, the rear bumper
should be no higher than in Step 3.
5. Turn the air suspension (if
equipped) control to ON.
Adjusting an equalizing
hitch so the rear bumper
of the vehicle is lower or higher
than it was unloaded will defeat
the function of the load
equalizing hitch and may cause
unpredictable handling.
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.
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
Driving
119
ProCarManuals.com

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.
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.
Speed control may shut off if you
are towing on long, steep grades.
When towing a trailer:
Driving
120
ProCarManuals.com

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.
Servicing after towing
If you tow a trailer for long
distances, your vehicle will require
more frequent service intervals.
Refer to the Severe Duty Schedule
in your ªService Guideº 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.
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)
Driving
121
ProCarManuals.com

(automatic transmissions) or 1
(First) (manual transmissions)
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 and
reliability.
If the rear axle is submerged in
water, the rear axle lubricant
should be checked and changed, if
necessary. The rear axle is filled
with a synthetic lubricant and does
not normally require a lubricant
change for the life of the vehicle.
Rear axle lubricant quantities
should not need to be checked
unless a leak is suspected.
Driving
122
ProCarManuals.com

Fuse/Relay Location Fuse Amp Rating Description
14 15A Battery Saver Relay,
Interior Lamp Relay
15 5A Generic Electronic
Module (GEM)
16 20A Instrument Cluster
(W/O DRL), Daytime
Running Lamps (DRL)
Module, Hi-Beam
Headlamps (Power
supplied through
Multi-Function
Switch)
17 Ð Not Used
18 5A Park Lamp Relay,
Trailer Electronic
Brake Controller, Main
Light Switch, Trailer
Tow Run Relay, Front
Park/Turn Lamps,
License Lamps,
Stop/Park/Turn Lamps,
Tail/Side Marker
Lamps (Power
supplied through Main
Light Switch)
19 10A Instrument Cluster,
Air Bag Diagnostic
Monitor
20 5A Powertrain Control
Module (PCM),
Generic Electronic
Module (GEM)/Central
Timer Module (CTM)
Roadside emergencies
136
ProCarManuals.com

Fuse/Relay Location Fuse Amp Rating Description
21 15A Clutch Pedal Position
(CPP) Switch (W/O
RAP), Starter
Interrupt Relay
(W/RAP)
22 10A Air Bag Diagnostic
Monitor, Passive
De-Activation (PAD)
Module
23 10A Trailer tow Battery
Charge Relay, 4X4
Hub Solenoid, 4X2
Hub Solenoid, Flasher
Relay, Shift on the Fly
Relay
24 10A Blower Relay
25 5A 4 Wheel Anti-Lock
Brake System
(4WABS) Module,
4WABS Relay
26 10A Daytime Running
Lamps (DRL) Module,
Right Headlamp
27 5A Main Light Switch,
Fog Lamp Relay
28 10A Left Headlamp
29 5A Autolamp Module,
Instrument Cluster,
Transmission Control
Switch (TCS), Brake
Warning
Resistor/Diode
Assembly (W/RABS)
Roadside emergencies
137
ProCarManuals.com

The high-current fuses are coded
as follows.
Fuse/Relay Location Fuse Amp Rating Description
1 20A * Trailer Tow Running
Lamp Relay, Trailer
Tow Backup Lamp
Relay
2 10A* Air Bag Diagnostic
Monitor
3 15A* All Unlock Relay, All
Lock Relay, Driver
Unlock Relay, LH
Power Door Lock
Switch, RH Power
Door Lock Switch
19 29
18 28EEC
POWER
RELAY
FUEL
PUMP
RELAY
WASHER
PUMP HORN
RELAY 17 27
16 26
15 25
14 24
13
11 12
910
77
88
55
66
33
44
11
22 23
22
21
20
W/S/W
RUN/
PARKW/S/W
HI/LO
Roadside emergencies
139
ProCarManuals.com

Fuse/Relay Location Fuse Amp Rating Description
4 15A* Rear Air Suspension
(RAS)
5 20A* Horn Relay
6 15A* Radio, Premium Sound
Amplifier, CD Changer
7 15A* Main Light Switch,
Park Lamp Relay
8 30A* Main Light Switch,
Headlamp Relay,
Multi-Function Switch
9 15A* Daytime Running
Lamps (DRL) Module,
Fog Lamp Relay
10 25A* Auxiliary Power
Socket
11 Ð Not Used
12 Ð Not Used
13 Ð Not Used
14 60A**/20A** 4 Wheel Anti-Lock
Brake System
(4WABS)
Module/Ignition Switch
(W/RABS Only)
15 50A** Rear Air Suspension
Compressor
16 40A** Trailer Tow Battery
Charge Relay, Engine
Fuse Module (Fuse 2)
17 30A** Shift on the Fly Relay,
Transfer Case Shift
Relay
18 30A** Power Seat Control
Switch
19 20A** Fuel Pump Relay
Roadside emergencies
140
ProCarManuals.com

Fuse/Relay Location Fuse Amp Rating Description
20 50A** Ignition Switch
21 50A** Ignition Switch
22 50A** Junction Box
Fuse/Relay Panel
Battery Feed
23 40A** Blower Relay
24 30A** PCM Power Relay,
Engine Fuse Module
(Fuse 1)
25 30A** Junction Box
Fuse/Relay Panel, ACC
Delay Relay
26 Ð Not Used
27 Ð Not Used
28 30A** Trailer Electronic
Brake Controller
29 Ð Not Used
*Mini fuses **Maxi
fuses
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
Your vehicle is equipped with a
spare tire that may be used as a
spare or a regular tire. The spare
tire is not equipped with wheel
trim. The wheel trim from the
original wheel/tire may be used on
the spare.
Roadside emergencies
141
ProCarManuals.com