towing FORD SUPER DUTY 2023 Owner's Guide

CONNECTING A TRAILER
PRECAUTIONS
Do not tow a trailer until you drive yourvehicle at least 1,000 mi (1,600 km).
Consult your local motor vehicle laws fortowing a trailer.
See the instructions included with towingaccessories for the proper installation andadjustment specifications.
Service your vehicle more frequently if youtow a trailer. See Normal ScheduledMaintenance (page 600).
If you use a rental trailer, follow theinstructions the rental agency gives you.
When attaching the trailer wiring connectorto your vehicle, only use a proper fittingconnector that works with the vehicle andtrailer functions.
Account for the trailer coupler weight aspart of your vehicle load when calculatingthe total vehicle weight.
Do not exceed the load limits. SeeCalculating the Load Limit (page 353).
HITCHES
INSTALLING A HITCH
WARNING: You must use theheavy-duty drawbar pin supplied withyour vehicle when using the heavy-dutyhitch. Failure to follow this instructioncould result in the loss of control of yourvehicle, personal injury or death.
WARNING: You must use thedrawbar pin supplied with your vehicleor a pin that is designed to meet themaximum rating of your hitch. Failure tofollow this instruction could cause thetrailer to disconnect resulting in the lossof control of your vehicle, personal injuryor death.
Do not use a hitch that either clamps ontothe bumper or attaches to the axle.Distribute the load in your trailer so that10-15% for conventional towing or 15-25%for fifth wheel towing of the total weightof the trailer is on the tongue. Do notexceed the tongue load rating indicatedon the conventional hitch receiver.
Note:On pickup trucks, the trailer hitchprovided on the vehicle enhances crashprotection for the fuel system. Do notremove.
Hitch Components
The following components are required.Some are provided in certain vehicles.
•A trailer hitch with a 3 inch receiver anda 5/8 inch hitch pin. Check thestamped rating number on the pin todetermine the 21,200 lb (9,616 kg) or24,200 lb (10,976 kg) hitch pincapacity.
•A hitch pin sleeve stored in the glovecompartment to use when mountingthe 3 inch drawbar with the 3/4 inchpinhole.
•A cotter pin to help keep the hitch pinin place.
•A trailer hitch with a 3 inch receiver anda 5/8 inch hitch pin. Check thestamped rating number on the pin todetermine the 30,000 lb (13,607 kg)hitch pin capacity.
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Installing a 3 Inch Drawbar with3/4 Inch Pin Hole
Insert the pin sleeve in the 3/4 inch pinholeof the 3 inch drawbar.
Remove the reducers before inserting the3 inch drawbar. Insert the drawbar into thehitch receiver.
Put the 5/8 inch hitch pin through thepinhole. Place the cotter pin around theneck of the hitch pin.
HOOKING UP A TRAILER USING AWEIGHT-DISTRIBUTING HITCH
WARNING: Do not adjust the springbars so that your vehicle's rear bumperis higher than before attaching the trailer.Doing so will defeat the function of theweight-distributing hitch, which maycause unpredictable handling, and couldresult in serious personal injury.
A weight-distributing hitch helps distributetongue load to all towing vehicle and trailerwheels. For more information, visit the linksin the following table.
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WebsiteMarket
https://www.fleet.ford.com/towing-guides/
United States ofAmerica
https://www.fleet.ford.ca/towing-guides/
Canada
FIFTH-WHEEL TRAILER HITCH
Your vehicle has a fifth-wheel preppackage. This package enables yourvehicle to accept certain fifth-wheel trailerhitches and gooseneck ball hitches. Thefifth-wheel trailer hitch attaches to the fourmounting pads in the pick-up bed. A 7-pintrailer wiring connector could be in the bedas well. The gooseneck ball hitch is aseparate mounting pad from thefifth-wheel hitch in the center of the bed.
Shorter pick-up boxes provide lessclearance between the cab and thefifth-wheel and gooseneck trailercompared to longer box pick-ups. Whenselecting a trailer and tow vehicle, it iscritical to check that this combinationprovides clearance between the front ofthe trailer and tow vehicle for turns up to90°. Failure to follow this recommendationcould result in the trailer contacting thecab of the tow vehicle during tight turnsthat are typical during low-speed parkingand turning maneuvers. This contact couldresult in damage to the trailer and towvehicle.
Note:Contact an authorized dealer topurchase gooseneck and fifth-wheel hitchesthat are compatible with your vehicle.
Note:The mounting pads in the bed arespecifically designed for certain fifth-wheeltrailer hitches and gooseneck ball hitches.Do not use these mounting pads for otherpurposes.
CONNECTING A TRAILER
Recognizing a Trailer
1.Attach the trailer and wiring connectorto your vehicle.
2.Switch on your vehicle.
3.Set up a profile for the trailer using theSYNC screen.
Note:If your vehicle does not recognize thetrailer, press and hold the brake pedal for afew seconds.
Note:Trailer profiles store trailer types,dimensions, preferences, trailer specificmileage and fuel economy.
Note:Disabling the trailer detectionnotification makes the default trailer profileactive when a connection is detected.
Note:Trailer profiles allows you to setupseveral trailer maintenance reminders andmaintenance intervals for multiple trailercomponents by specifying miles or monthsin service.
Note:Trailer maintenance reminder isdesigned to be an aid and does not relieveyou of your responsibility to follow the trailermanufacturers recommended maintenanceintervals. You are responsible for inputtingmaintenance intervals consistent with thetrailer manufacturer.
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Note:Never place more demand than 15amps of power on the trailer power feed,this may damage the trailer lighting.
TRAILER LIGHTING CHECK
WARNING: Never connect anytrailer lamp wiring to the vehicle's taillamp wiring; this may damage theelectrical system resulting in fire. Contactyour authorized dealer as soon aspossible for assistance in proper trailertow wiring installation. Additionalelectrical equipment may be required.
Trailer light check feature allows oneperson to confirm that all taillights arefunctioning.
Perform a trailer light illuminationsequence to confirm that all lights arefunctioning using the SYNC screen in thevehicle or the FordPass app.
Performing the Trailer Light Checkusing the SYNC screen in vehicle
1.Press Features on the touchscreen.
2.Press Towing.
3.Press Trailer Light Check.
4.Press Start.
5.Follow the instructions until the lightssequence completes.
Performing the Trailer Light Checkusing the FordPass app
1.Create or sign-in to the FordPass appand add the vehicle identificationnumber to your account.
2.Once you add the vehicle identificationnumber, follow the prompts in theFordPass app to complete the SyncConnect Authorization process.
3.After the authorization is complete,navigate to Vehicle Details screen andselect Trailer Light Check.
4.Press Start.
5.Follow the instructions until the lightssequence completes.
Note:Trailer light check feature is availableonly in vehicles with trailer capability andtrailer must be electrically connected forfeature to function.
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TOWING A TRAILER
PRECAUTIONS
WARNING: Do not exceedthe GVWR or the GAWRspecified on the certificationlabel.
WARNING: Towing trailersbeyond the maximumrecommended gross trailerweight exceeds the limit of yourvehicle and could result in enginedamage, transmission damage,structural damage, loss ofvehicle control, vehicle rolloverand personal injury.
WARNING: Do not exceedthe lowest rating capacity foryour vehicle or trailer hitch.Overloading your vehicle ortrailer hitch can impair yourvehicle stability and handling.Failure to follow this instructioncould result in the loss of controlof your vehicle, personal injury ordeath.
WARNING: Make sure thatthe vertical load on the tow ballis between the minimum andmaximum recommended weightat all times. Failure to follow thisinstruction could result in theloss of control of your vehicle,personal injury or death.
WARNING: Do not cut,drill, weld or modify the trailerhitch. Modifying the trailer hitchcould reduce the hitch rating.
WARNING: The anti-lockbrake system does not controlthe trailer brakes.
TRAILER BRAKE
PRECAUTIONS
WARNING: Do not connect atrailer's hydraulic brake system directlyto your vehicle's brake system. Yourvehicle may not have enough brakingpower and your chances of having acollision greatly increase.
WARNING: Do not tow a trailerfitted with electric trailer brakes unlessyour vehicle is fitted with a compatibleaftermarket electronic trailer brakecontroller. Failure to follow thisinstruction could result in the loss ofcontrol of your vehicle, personal injury ordeath. For additional information andassistance, we recommend that youcontact an authorized dealer.
Electric brakes and manual, automatic orsurge-type trailer brakes are safe if youinstall them properly and adjust them tothe manufacturer's specifications. Thetrailer brakes must meet local and federalregulations.
The rating for the tow vehicle's brakingsystem operation is at the gross vehicleweight rating, not the gross combinedweight rating.
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Certain states require functioning trailerbrakes for trailers over a specified weight.Be sure to check state regulations for thisspecified weight.
Ford Motor Company recommendsseparate functioning brake systems fortrailers weighing more than 1,500 lb(680 kg) when loaded.
TOWING A TRAILER
LIMITATIONS
The vehicle's load capacitydesignation is by weight, not byvolume, so you cannot necessarilyuse all available space whenloading a vehicle or trailer.
Note:Your vehicle could havereduced performance whenoperating at high altitudes andwhen heavily loaded or towing a
trailer. When driving at elevation,to match driving performance asperceived at sea level, reduce grossvehicle weight and grosscombination weight by 2% per1,000 ft (300 m) elevation.
LOADING YOUR TRAILER
To help minimize how trailermovement affects your vehiclewhen driving:
•Load the heaviest items closestto the trailer floor.
•Load the heaviest itemscentered between theleft-hand and right-hand sidetrailer tires.
•Load the heaviest items abovethe trailer axles or just slightlyforward toward the trailertongue. Do not allow the finaltrailer tongue weight to goabove or below 10-15% of theloaded trailer weight. Thetrailer tongue weight shouldnever exceed 10% of themaximum towing capacitywhen towing a conventionaltrailer, and should neverexceed 15% of the maximumtowing capacity when towinga fifth-wheel or goosenecktrailer.
•Select a ball mount with thecorrect rise or drop. When youconnect both the loadedvehicle and trailer, the trailerframe should be level, or
slightly angled down towardyour vehicle, when viewed fromthe side.
TRAILER TOWING HINTS
Towing a trailer places an extra load onyour vehicle's engine, transmission, axle,brakes, tires and suspension. Periodicallyinspect these components during and afterany towing operation.
When driving with a trailer or payload, aslight takeoff vibration or shudder may bepresent due to the increased payloadweight.
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Your vehicle may have a temporary orconventional spare tire. A temporary sparetire is different in diameter or width,tread-type, or is from a differentmanufacturer than the road tires on yourvehicle. Consult information on the tirelabel or Safety Compliance label forlimitations when using.
When towing a trailer:
•Obey country specific regulations fortowing a trailer.
•Do not drive faster than 70 mph(113 km/h) during the first 500 mi(800 km).
•Do not make full-throttle starts.
•Check your hitch, electrical connectionsand trailer wheel lug nuts thoroughlyafter you have traveled 50 mi (80 km).
•When stopped in congested or heavytraffic during hot weather, place thetransmission in park (P) to aid engineand transmission cooling and to helpA/C performance.
•Turn off the speed control with heavyloads or in hilly terrain. The speedcontrol may turn off when you aretowing on long, steep slopes.
•Shift to a lower gear when driving downa long or steep hill. Do not continuouslyapply the brakes, as they may overheatand become less effective.
•If your transmission has Grade Assistor Tow/Haul, use this feature whentowing. This provides engine brakingand helps eliminate excessivetransmission shifting for optimum fueleconomy and transmission cooling.
•If your vehicle has AdvanceTrac withroll stability control, this system mayturn on during typical corneringmaneuvers with a heavily loaded trailer.This is normal. Turning the corner at aslower speed when towing may reducethis tendency.
•Allow more distance for stopping witha trailer attached. Anticipate stops andgradually brake.
•Avoid parking on a slope. However, ifyou must park on a slope, turn thesteering wheel to point your vehicletires away from traffic flow, set theparking brake, place the transmissionin park (P) and place wheel chocks infront and back of the trailer wheels.
Note:Chocks are not included with yourvehicle.
LAUNCHING OR RETRIEVING
A BOAT OR PERSONAL
WATERCRAFT
When backing down a ramp during boatlaunching or retrieval:
•Do not allow the static water level torise above the bottom edge of the rearbumper.
•Do not allow waves to break higherthan 6 in (15 cm) above the bottomedge of the rear bumper.
Exceeding 6 in (15 cm) could allow waterto enter vehicle components, causinginternal damage to the components andaffecting driveability, emissions andreliability.
Note:Replace the rear axle lubricantanytime the rear axle has been submergedin water.
Note:Disconnect the trailer wiringconnector before backing the trailer into thewater.
Note:Reconnect the trailer wiringconnector after removing the trailer fromthe water.
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TOWING WEIGHTS AND DIMENSIONS
RECOMMENDED TOWING WEIGHTS
WebsiteMarket
https://www.fleet.ford.com/towing-guides/United States of America
https://www.fleet.ford.ca/towing-guides/Canada
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WHAT IS THE MAXIMUM LOADEDTRAILER WEIGHT
The maximum loaded trailerweight is the highest possibleweight of a fully loaded trailer thevehicle can tow.
CALCULATING THE MAXIMUMLOADED TRAILER WEIGHT FORYOUR VEHICLE
1.Start with the gross combinedweight rating for your vehiclemodel and axle ratio.
2.Subtract all of the followingthat apply to your vehicle:
•Vehicle curb weight.
•Hitch hardware weight, forexample a draw bar, ball, locksor weight distributing hardware.
•Driver weight.
•Passenger weight.
•Payload, cargo and luggageweight.
•Aftermarket equipment weight.
This equals the maximum loadedtrailer weight for this combination.
Note:The trailer tongue load isconsidered part of the payload foryour vehicle. Reduce the totalpayload by the final trailer tongueweight.
Note:Consult an authorized dealerto determine the maximum trailerweight allowed for your vehicle ifyou are not sure.
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TOWING A TRAILER – TROUBLESHOOTING
TOWING A TRAILER – INFORMATION MESSAGES
DetailsMessage
The left-hand trailer turn lamp requiresservice.Trailer Left Turn Lamps Fault Check Lamps
The right-hand trailer turn lamp requiresservice.Trailer Right Turn Lamps Fault CheckLamps
The vehicle's battery voltage is low or thereis a fault with your trailer's battery. Yourtrailer's battery voltage is below 8 volts orit is connected in reverse polarity.
Trailer Battery Not Charging See Manual
The system detects a short created by thetrailer lamps. Inspect and repair the trailerwiring, or have the system checked as soonas possible.
Trailer Lighting Module Fault See Manual
The trailer stoplamps require service.Trailer Stop Lamps Fault Check Lamps
The trailer sway control detects trailersway. Reduce the vehicle's speed.Trailer Sway Reduce Speed
Displays when one or more tires on thetrailer is above the recommended temper-ature.
Trailer Tire Over Temperature
One or more tires on your trailer is belowthe specified tire pressure.Trailer Tire Low Specified:
A trailer tire pressure sensor requiresservice. If the warning stays on or continuesto come on, have the system checked assoon as possible.
Trailer Tire Pressure Sensor Fault
The trailer tire pressure monitoring systemrequires service. If the warning stays on orcontinues to come on, have the systemchecked as soon as possible.
Trailer Tire Pressure Monitor Fault
The system cannot detect the trailer tirepressure monitoring system.Trailer Tire Pressure Monitor Capability NotDetected
The trailer tire pressure monitoring systemis not setup.Trailer Tire Pressure Indication Not SetupSee Manual
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