1996 FORD F150 trailer

103
*
[SC08600( ALL)01/95]
If you drive up or down a steep hill, your
vehicle may momentarily slow down or speed
up, even though the speed control is on. This is
normal.
*
[SC08640( ALL)04/95]
NOTE: If your speed increases above your set
speed while driving inj(Overdrive)
on a downhill grade, you may want to
depress the transmission control switch
located on the shift lever to turn off
overdrive to reduce vehicle speed.
Speed control cannot reduce the vehicle
speed if it goes above your set speed
on a downhill grade. For the best fuel
economy during normal driving
conditions, leave the shift select inj
(Overdrive), or resume as soon as
practical.
*
[SC08700( ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
Do not use the speed control in heavy
traffic or on roads that are winding,
slippery, or unpaved.
*
[SC08801( ALL)03/91]
In mountainous areas, at higher elevations, or
when pulling a trailer, the speed control may
not be able to maintain the preset speed with
the transmission in overdrive.
*
[SC08850(B F )06/92]
If your vehicle comes with a 5-speed manual
transmission, you may prefer to drive in 4
(Fourth) gear, in mountainous areas or at high
altitudes, to improve speed control performance.
*
[SC09275(B F )12/91]
In order to downshift (with a manual
transmission) with the speed control operating,
you must press either the brake or clutch pedal
long enough to disengage the speed control.
Wait a second before depressing the clutch again
and making the shift so that the speed control
can fully return to the idle position.
File:ltscf.ex
Update:Thu May 9 15:25:14 1996

214
*
[DR28750( ALL)01/93]
Vehicle/Trailer Loads
*
[DR28801( ALL)06/92]
All vehicles may tow a Class I trailer provided
the Gross Combined Weight (GCW) is less than
or equal to the GVWR shown on the Safety
Compliance Certification Label. For heavier
trailer applications, refer to the towing
information found later in this chapter.
*
[DR28950(BEF )02/95]
Trailer Towing (may require trailer tow
option package)
*
[DR29001( ALL)03/91]
Towing a trailer puts additional loads on your
vehicle's engine, transmission, axle, brakes, tires
and suspension. For your safety and for the
good of your vehicle, use the right equipment
for the type of trailer you tow.
[DR29010(B F )05/95]
If your trailer is equipped with electric brakes,
auxiliary battery, or back-up lamps, the optional
7 wire trailer towing electrical hook-up will be
required on the vehicle.
*
[DR29025( ALL)09/92]
Your trailer towing capability will vary based on
the standard and optional equipment on your
vehicle. Refer to the followingVehicle
Loading/Towing Informationand the Trailer
Towing Tables to determine the specific towing
capability of your vehicle.
*
[DR29050( ALL)02/92]
q
Stay within the load limits when you tow.
*
[DR29101( ALL)01/95]
q
Carefully and thoroughly prepare your
vehicle for towing, making sure to use the
right equipment and to attach it properly.
(SeePreparing to Towin this chapter.)
*
[DR29151( ALL)01/95]
q
Use extra caution when driving your vehicle
while you tow. (SeeDriving while you towin
this chapter.)
*
[DR29201( ALL)01/95]
q
Service your vehicle more frequently if you
tow a trailer. (SeeServicing your vehicle if you
towin this chapter.)
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Update:Thu May 9 15:17:55 1996

215
*
[DR29350( ALL)05/94]
Do not tow a trailer until your vehicle has been
driven at least 500 miles (800 km).
*
[DR29401( ALL)06/92]
Vehicle Loading/Towing
Information
*
[DR29450(BEF )03/91]
Your vehicle's load capacity is designated by
weight, not volume, so you cannot necessarily
use all available space with large or heavy loads.
Maximum safe vehicle weights as well as tire,
rim sizes and inflation pressures are specified for
your vehicle at the assembly plant on the Safety
Compliance Certification Label. The Certification
Label is located on the left front door lock facing
or the door latch post pillar.
*
[DR29501( ALL)12/91]
Trucks, unlike passenger cars, are basically
custom vehicles designed to carry a load. Most
owners start with a base vehicle and add
production and dealer installed and/or
aftermarket components to suit their tastes and
purposes. Even trucks that are purchased for
personal transportation only are likely to have
considerable optional equipment, such as step
bumpers and light bars, for example.
*
[DR29525( ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
Passengers should not be allowed to ride
in the cargo area. Persons not riding in a
seat with a fastened seat belt are much
more likely to suffer serious injury in a
collision. Cargo should always be secured
to prevent it from shifting and causing
damage to the vehicle or harm to
passengers.
*
[DR29551( ALL)03/91]
Each additional item of equipment affects how
much cargo a vehicle can carry. If a vehicle is
overloaded, performance will suffer and service
concerns may arise.
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Update:Thu May 9 15:17:55 1996

217
*
[DR30301( ALL)01/93]
q
GAWR (Gross Axle Weight Rating)
*
[DR30310( ALL)06/92]
q
GCWR (Gross Combined Weight Rating)
*
[DR30320( ALL)06/92]
q
Maximum Trailer Weight Rating
*
[DR30330( ALL)06/92]
q
Maximum Trailer Weight
*
[DR30340( ALL)06/92]
q
Trailer Weight Range
*
[DR30351( ALL)03/91]
Base Curb Weight
*
[DR30401( ALL)03/94]
The Base Curb Weight is the weight of the
vehicle including fuel, coolants, lubricants,
emergency tools, spare wheel and tire. It also
includes any equipment that isstandardon that
model. It does not include passengers, cargo or
optional equipment installed by factory, dealer,
aftermarket supplier or customer.
*
[DR30451( ALL)03/91]
Payload
*
[DR30501( ALL)03/91]
Payload is the combined, maximum allowable
weight of cargo, occupants and optional
equipment that the truck is designed to carry. It
is Gross Vehicle Weight Rating minus the base
curb weight.
*
[DR30550( ALL)03/91]
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW)
*
[DR30601( ALL)03/91]
If you add base curb weight and the weight of a
load (including passengers, cargo and optional
equipment) being carried at a particular time,
you get the Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW).
*
[DR30650( ALL)10/94]
It is important to remember that GVWis not a
limit or a specification.If an owner loads up a
vehicle and weighs it, that's the GVW at that
moment. If the owner piles on more of a load
and weighs it again, that becomes the
GVW...until such time as the vehicle is unloaded.
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Update:Thu May 9 15:17:55 1996

219
*
[DR31050( ALL)06/92]
Passenger car type tires when installed on light
trucks and multipurpose passenger vehicles are
rated at 10% lower load carrying capacity due to
the differences in vehicle usages.
*
[DR31101(BEF )07/92]
The vehicle must not be loaded to both the front
and rear GAWR because the GVWR will be
exceeded. The GAWR of the front and rear axles
exceed the GVWR when added together to allow
flexibility in fore and aft loading of cargo.
*
[DR31110( ALL)06/92]
With the tires inflated to the specified pressure
the total weight of your vehicle must not exceed
the GVWR and GAWR specified on the Safety
Compliance Certification Label. This includes full
fuel tank(s), vehicle equipment, and occupants as
well as the cargo load.
*
[DR31120( ALL)06/92]
GCWR (Gross Combined Weight Rating)
*
[DR31130( ALL)06/92]
GCWR is the maximum combined weight of the
towing vehicle (including passengers and cargo)
and the loaded trailer. The GCWR is specified
by the manufacturer to indicate the combined
maximum loaded weight that the vehicle is
designed to tow.
*
[DR31140( ALL)06/92]
Maximum Trailer Weight Rating
*
[DR31150( ALL)06/92]
The maximum weight of a trailer the vehicle is
permitted to tow. The maximum trailer weight
rating is specified by the manufacturer and is
determined by subtracting the vehicle curb
weight for each engine/transmission
combination, any required option weight for
trailer towing and the weight of the driver from
the GCWR for the towing vehicle.
*
[DR31160( ALL)06/92]
Maximum Trailer Weight
*
[DR31170( ALL)06/92]
The maximum weight of a trailer the loaded
vehicle is permitted to tow. The maximum
weight of the trailer is determined by subtracting
the weight of the loaded towing
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Update:Thu May 9 15:17:55 1996

220vehicle (including passengers and cargo) from
the GCWR for the towing vehicle.
*
[DR31180( ALL)06/92]
Trailer Weight Range
*
[DR31190( ALL)06/92]
The trailer weight range is a specified range by
weight, which the trailer must fall within,
ranging from zero to the maximum trailer
weight rating.
*
[DR31201( F )03/91]
Refer to the truck camper loading sheet in your
vehicle glove box or to the Consumer
Information dealer folder on truck camper
loading for recommendations on slide-in camper
carrying capability with your specific vehicle.
*
[DR31301( ALL)03/91]
Calculating The Load
*
[DR31350( ALL)03/91]
To know how much weight your vehicle can
carry:
*
[DR31401( ALL)12/91]
q
Obtain ratings from your Safety Compliance
Certification Label, and the Trailer towing
specifications in the owner guide (refer to the
Index)
*
[DR31450( ALL)09/93]
Ð Refer to the following sample illustration
to locate the various ratings on your
Safety Compliance Certification Label.
*
[DR31501( ALL)03/91]
Ð If you do not plan on pulling a trailer, do
not include these ratings into your
calculations.
*
[DR31550( ALL)03/91]
q
Weigh your vehicle as you customarily
operate the vehicle without cargo.
*
[DR31601( ALL)03/91]
q
Subtract the total weight of passengers, driver
and optional equipment added by the factory,
dealer or aftermarket supplier to determine
how much cargo weight you can carry.
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221
*
[DR31650(B FM)03/94]
half page art:0020837-B
Sample label
*
[DR31702( ALL)03/91]
If you suspect that your payload is excessive,
have your vehicle weighed at a highway weigh
station or appropriate commercial facility. Weigh
the total vehicle and trailer (if applicable), then
separately weigh the vehicle at the front and
rear wheels. And finally, weigh the trailer
separately if applicable.
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Update:Thu May 9 15:17:55 1996

224
*
[DR32201( ALL)01/93]
Trailers
*
[DR32251( ALL)10/94]
Towing a trailer safely means having the proper
weight on the tongue (usually 10% of the trailer
weight). Load-equalizing hitches on large rigs
may transfer weight to each of the vehicle's
axles. This weight must be included in capacity
calculations when determining if the vehicle is
loaded within safe limits.
*
[DR32301( ALL)01/95]
If your vehicle exceeds the GVWR, remove cargo
from your vehicle accordingly. If your vehicle
exceeds the GAWR for either axle, shift the load
or remove cargo accordingly.
*
[DR32350( ALL)02/95]
RWARNING
If the GVWR or the GAWR specified on
the Safety Compliance Certification Label
is exceeded, your vehicle may be damaged
or you may lose control and injure
someone.
*
[DR32401( ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
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.
*
[DR32450( ALL)03/91]
Using the Safety Compliance Certification Label
find the axle code number and the engine type
for your vehicle.
*
[DR32500( ALL)03/91]
Use the appropriate Maximum Gross Combined
Weight Rating (GCWR) chart to find the
Maximum GCWR for your type engine and rear
axle ratio.
*
[DR32551( ALL)03/91]
Subtract your Loaded Vehicle Weight from the
Maximum GCWR found in the chart. This is the
maximum trailer weight your vehicle can tow
and must fall below the maximum shown under
Trailer Weight on the chart.
File:ltdrf.ex
Update:Thu May 9 15:17:55 1996