1997 FORD E SERIES tow

Trailer Towing Table
GCWR (Gross Combined Weight Rating)/Trailer Weights
EngineRear axle
ratioMaximum
GCWR kg
(lb)Trailer weight
range kg (lb)
(0-Maximum)Maximum
Frontal Area Of
Trailer Ft
2
6.8L 3.736,804
(15,000)3,901
(8,600)60
6.8L 4.108,392
(18,500)4,536
(10,000)60
E-350 RV Cutaway (single rear wheel)
7.3L
(Diesel)4.109,072
(20,000)4,717
(10,400)60
E-350 RV Cutaway (dual rear wheel)
5.4L 4.105,897
(13,000)1,134
(2,500)60
6.8L 4.108,392
(18,500)3,629
(8,000)60
7.3L
(Diesel)4.109,072
(20,000)4,309
(9,500)60
E-350 Commercial Cutaway (single rear wheel)
7.3L
(Diesel)4.109,072
(20,000)4,717
(10,400)60
E-350 Commercial Cutaway (dual rear wheel)
5.4L 4.105,897
(13,000)1,225
(2,700)60
6.8L 4.108,392
(18,500)3,720
(8,200)60
7.3L
(Diesel)4.109,072
(20,000)4,400
(9,700)60
E-Super Duty
6.8L 4.639,072
(20,000)4,536
(10,000)60
7.3L
(Diesel)4.639,072
(20,000)4,536
(10,000)60
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Trailer Towing Table
GCWR (Gross Combined Weight Rating)/Trailer Weights
EngineRear axle
ratioMaximum
GCWR kg
(lb)Trailer weight
range kg (lb)
(0-Maximum)Maximum
Frontal Area Of
Trailer Ft
2
E-250/350 Stripped Chassis (single rear wheel)
5.4L 4.105,897
(13,000)1,542
(3,400)60
6.8L 3.736,804
(15,000)2,540
(5,600)60
E-250/350 Stripped Chassis (dual rear wheel)
5.4L 4.105,897
(13,000)1,361
(3,000)60
6.8L 4.108,392
(18,500)3,856
(8,500)60
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 section Calculating the load your
vehicle can tow/carryearlier in this chapter.
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 above
charts.
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
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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.
Step bumper (if equipped)
Step bumpers have a built-in hitch
and only require a ball with a 2.5
cm (1 in.) shank diameter. Step
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bumpers have a Class III capability
(2,270 kg [5,000 lb] trailer weight
and 227 kg [500 lb] tongue weight.
Safety chains
Always use safety chains between
your vehicle and trailer. Cross
chains under the trailer tongue and
allow slack for turning corners.
Connect safety chains to the
vehicle frame or hook retainers.
Never attach chains to the bumper.
Trailer brakes
Trailer brakes are required on
most towed vehicles weighing over
680 kg (1,500 lbs)
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 Federal
and local regulations. See your
dealer or trailer rental agency for
the proper instructions and
equipment for hooking up trailer
lamps.
Driving while you tow
Do not drive faster than 88 km/h
(55 mph) while towing a trailer. Do
not drive faster than 72 km/h (45
mph) with a trailer while towing in
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hilly country or on hot days.
Speed control may shut off if you
are towing on very long, steep
grades.
When towing a trailer
If towing a trailer and your vehicle
is not equipped with the Ford
trailer tow package, an auxiliary
transmission fluid cooler is
recommended.
²Use D (Drive) rather than
D(Overdrive) while 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.
²Allow more room for stopping
with a trailer attached.
²Practice turning, stopping and
backing in an area before
starting on a trip to get the feel
of the vehicle/trailer
combination.
²When turning, drive slightly
beyond the normal turning point
so the trailer wheels will clear
curbs and other obstacles.
²When stopped in traffic for long
periods of time in hot weather,
place the gearshift in P (Park)
to increase idle speed. This aids
engine cooling and air
conditioner efficiency.
²Vehicles with trailers should not
be parked on a grade. If you
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must park on a grade, place
wheel chocks under the trailer's
wheels.
²After you have travelled about
80 km (50 miles), thoroughly
check your hitch, electrical
connections and trailer wheel
lug nuts.
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.
Servicing when towing
If you tow a trailer for long
distances, your vehicle will require
more frequent service intervals.
Follow the severe duty
maintenance schedule outlined in
the ªService Guide.º
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Number Fuse amperage
ratingCircuits protected
8 30 amp Noise supression
capacitor, ignition coil
positive feed, PCM
relay diode/PCM
power relay, fuel
heater (diesel), glow
plug relay (diesel)
9 30 amp Wiper control module,
wiper motor
10 20 amp Headlamp switch
(exterior lamps),
Multi-function switch
(flash-to-pass)
11 15 amp Stoplight switch, brake
pressure switch,
multi-function switch
12 15 amp Digital transmission
range sensor (backup
lamps), auxiliary
battery relay
13 15 amp A/C mode switch,
blend door actuator
14 5 amp Instrument cluster (air
bag and charge
indicator lamps)
15 5 amp Trailer tow battery
charge relay (coil)
16 30 amp Power seats
17 - Not used
18 - Not used
19 10 amp Air bag module
20 5 amp Overdrive cancel
switch
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Number Fuse amperage
ratingCircuits protected
4 5 amp PCM keep alive
memory
5 10 amp Right trailer turn
signal
6 10 amp Left trailer turn signal
7 - Not used
8 60 amp Instrument panel
fuses
9 30 amp PCM power relay
10 60 amp Auxiliary battery
11 - Not used
12 60 amp Misc.
13 50 amp Blower motor relay
14 30 amp Trailer running lamps,
trailer backup lamps
15 40 amp Headlamp switch
16 50 amp Auxiliary A/C, remote
keyless entry module
17 30 amp Fuel pump relay
(gasoline), injector
driver module relay
(diesel)
18 60 amp Modified vehicle
power
19 60 amp Anti-lock brake
system (4WABS)
20 20 amp Electric brake
controller (trailer tow)
21 50 amp Modified vehicle
power
22 40 amp Trailer battery charge
(relay)
Roadside emergencies
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