1997 FORD F SERIES MOTORHOME AND COMMERCIAL CHASSIS trailer

32
*
[CF33300( ALL)01/96]
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.
*
[CF33400( ALL)01/96]
RWARNING
Do not use the speed control in heavy
traffic or on roads that are winding,
slippery, or unpaved.
*
[CF33500( ALL)01/96]
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 inj(Overdrive).
*
[CF33800( ALL)01/96]
RWARNING
Do not shift the transmission into N
(Neutral) with the speed control on.
*
[CF33900( ALL)01/96]
To maintain a preset speed under the above
conditions, with electronically controlled
transmissions Ð press the Transmission Control
Switch. The indicator light will turn on and
illuminate the word ªOFF.º This will cancel
ªOverdriveº. You can press the Transmission
Control Switch on or off at any speed. For the
best fuel economy during normal driving
conditions, press the Transmission Control
Switch to turn off the light. This allows
overdrive operation. After the vehicle has been
stopped and the engine has been restarted, the
File:05ltcfm.ex
Update:Thu Dec 12 13:31:05 1996

56
*
[GF08550( ALL)01/96]
Forced Downshifts
*
[GF08575( ALL)01/96]
To gain extra acceleration injOverdrive or
Drive (O/D OFF), push the accelerator to the
floor. The transmission will automatically
downshift to the appropriate gear: third, second
or first.
*
[GF08600( ALL)01/96]
Power Braking
*
[GF08625( ALL)01/96]
Increasing the engine speed above idle without
vehicle movement (such as holding the brake) in
a forward or reverse gear causes transmission
stall.
*
[GF08650( ALL)01/96]
NOTE: Continued operation in the stall
condition can result in transmission
overheat, malfunction or fluid
expulsion.
%
*
[GF20765( M)01/96]
Trailer Towing
*
[GF20770( ALL)01/96]
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.
*
[GF20775( ALL)01/96]
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.
*
[GF20785( ALL)01/96]
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.
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Update:Fri Dec 13 11:22:54 1996

57
*
[GF20790( ALL)01/96]
q
Stay within the load limits when you tow.
*
[GF20795( ALL)01/96]
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.)
*
[GF20800( ALL)01/96]
q
Use extra caution when driving your vehicle
while you tow. (SeeDriving while you towin
this chapter.)
*
[GF20805( ALL)01/96]
q
Service your vehicle more frequently if you
tow a trailer. (SeeServicing your vehicle if you
towin this chapter.)
*
[GF20810( ALL)01/96]
Do not tow a trailer until your vehicle has been
driven at least 500 miles (800 km).
%
*
[GF20820( ALL)01/96]
Vehicle Loading/Towing
Information
[GF20830( M)01/96]
Your vehicle's load capacity is designed 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 on the Safety Compliance
Certification Label. A Safety Compliance
Certification Label was supplied by Ford Motor
Company to the Motorhome Manufacturer. The
manufacturer uses this information and supplies
a Compliance Certification Label which is
located inside the vehicle to the left of the
driver.
File:09ltgfm.ex
Update:Fri Dec 13 11:22:54 1996

59
*
[GF20905( ALL)01/96]
q
GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating)
*
[GF20910( ALL)01/96]
q
GAWR (Gross Axle Weight Rating)
*
[GF20915( ALL)01/96]
q
GCWR (Gross Combined Weight Rating)
*
[GF20920( ALL)01/96]
q
Maximum Trailer Weight Rating
*
[GF20930( ALL)01/96]
q
Maximum Trailer Weight
*
[GF20940( ALL)01/96]
q
Trailer Weight Range
*
[GF20950( ALL)01/96]
Base Curb Weight
*
[GF20960( ALL)01/96]
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.
*
[GF20970( ALL)01/96]
Payload
*
[GF20980( ALL)01/96]
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.
*
[GF20990( ALL)01/96]
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW)
*
[GF21000( ALL)01/96]
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).
*
[GF21010( ALL)01/96]
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.
File:09ltgfm.ex
Update:Fri Dec 13 11:22:54 1996

61
*
[GF21090( ALL)01/96]
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.
*
[GF21110( ALL)01/96]
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.
*
[GF21120( ALL)01/96]
GCWR (Gross Combined Weight Rating)
*
[GF21130( ALL)01/96]
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.
*
[GF21140( ALL)01/96]
Maximum Trailer Weight Rating
*
[GF21150( ALL)01/96]
The maximum trailer weight rating is the
maximum weight of a trailer the vehicle is
permitted to tow. It 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.
*
[GF21160( ALL)01/96]
Maximum Trailer Weight
*
[GF21170( ALL)01/96]
The maximum trailer weight is the maximum
weight of a trailer the loaded vehicle is
permitted to tow. It is determined by subtracting
the weight of the loaded towing
vehicle (including passengers and cargo) from
the GCWR for the towing vehicle.
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Update:Fri Dec 13 11:22:54 1996

62
*
[GF21180( ALL)01/96]
Trailer Weight Range
*
[GF21190( ALL)01/96]
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.
%*
[GF21210( ALL)01/96]
Calculating The Load
*
[GF21220( ALL)01/96]
To know how much weight your vehicle can
carry:
*
[GF21230( ALL)01/96]
q
Obtain ratings from your Safety Compliance
Certification Label, and the Trailer towing
specifications in the owner guide (refer to the
Index)
*
[GF21240( ALL)01/96]
Ð Refer to the following sample illustration
to locate the various ratings on your
Safety Compliance Certification Label.
*
[GF21250( ALL)01/96]
Ð If you do not plan on pulling a trailer, do
not include these ratings into your
calculations.
*
[GF21260( ALL)01/96]
q
Weigh your vehicle as you customarily
operate the vehicle (without cargo).
*
[GF21270( ALL)01/96]
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.
File:09ltgfm.ex
Update:Fri Dec 13 11:22:54 1996

63
*
[GF21280(B FM)01/96]
half page art:0020837-B
Sample label
*
[GF21300( ALL)01/96]
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.
File:09ltgfm.ex
Update:Fri Dec 13 11:22:54 1996

66
*
[GF21410( ALL)01/96]
Trailers
*
[GF21420( ALL)01/96]
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.
*
[GF21430( ALL)01/96]
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.
*
[GF21440( ALL)01/96]
RWARNING
Do not exceed the GVWR or the GAWR
specified on the Safety Compliance
Certification Label.
*
[GF21450( ALL)01/96]
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.
*
[GF21460( ALL)01/96]
Use the Safety Compliance Certification Label to
find the axle code number and the engine type
for your vehicle.
*
[GF21470( ALL)01/96]
Use the appropriate Maximum Gross Combined
Weight Rating (GCWR) chart to find the
Maximum GCWR for your type engine and rear
axle ratio.
*
[GF21480( ALL)01/96]
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:09ltgfm.ex
Update:Fri Dec 13 11:22:54 1996