1997 FORD F150 tow

Trailer towing table (F-250 4x2 manual transmission)
4.6L 3.31 3,261 (7,200) 1,133 (2,500) 5.52 (60)
4.6L 3.73 3,533 (7,800) 1,406 (3,100) 5.52 (60)
Trailer towing table (F-250 4x4 automatic transmission)
Engine Rear axle
ratioMaximum
GCWR kg (lb)Maximum
trailer weight
kg (lb)Maximum
frontal area of
trailer m
2(ft2)
Regular Cab F-250
4.6L 3.31 4,756 (10,500) 2,449
(5,400)5.52 (60)
4.6L 3.73 5,436 (12,000) 3,129
(6,900)5.52 (60)
5.4L 3.31 5,436 (12,000) 3,084
(6,800)5.52 (60)
5.4L 3.73 6,115 (13,500) 3,764
(8,300)5.52 (60)
SuperCab F-250
4.6L 3.31 4,756 (10,500) 2,449
(5,400)5.52 (60)
4.6L 3.73 5,436 (12,000) 3,129
(6,900)5.52 (60)
5.4L 3.31 5,436 (12,000) 3,084
(6,800)5.52 (60)
5.4L 3.73 6,115 (13,500) 3,764
(8,300)5.52 (60)
Trailer towing table (F-250 4x4 manual transmission)
Engine Rear axle
ratioMaximum
GCWR kg (lb)Maximum
trailer weight
kg (lb)Maximum
frontal area of
trailer m
2(ft2)
Regular Cab F-250
4.6L 3.31 3,261 (7,200) 952 (2,100) 5.52 (60)
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Trailer towing table (F-250 4x4 manual transmission)
4.6L 3.73 3,533 (7,800) 1,224
(2,700)5.52 (60)
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)
TOWING A TRAILER
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.
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.
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123

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:
²clamp onto the vehicle bumper
²attach to the axle.
Underbody hitches are acceptable
if installed properly.
Distribute the load so that only 10
to 15% of the total is on the
tongue. Tie down the load so that
it does not shift and change the
weight on the hitch.
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124

If it is necessary to relocate the
trailer hitch ball position, a
frame-mounted trailer hitch must
be installed.
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
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126

mph) with a trailer while towing in
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 equipped with an automatic
transmission, use 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.
If equipped with a manual
transmission, use 4 (Fourth) rather
than
D(Overdrive).
²Anticipate stops and brake
gradually.
OVERDRIVE OFF
1
24R3D
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127

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.
Refer to the ªService Guideº for
more information.
SNOWPLOWING
Ford recommends the following
specifications for low speed,
personal use snow removal:
²F-150 4WD long wheelbase or
F-250 4WD Regular Cab
²4.6L or 5.4L engine
²Super engine cooling
²Heavy duty front suspension
package
²Automatic transmission with
auxiliary automatic transmission
fluid cooling
²All-terrain tires
Do not install a snowplow and
plow with your vehicle until it has
been driven at least 800 km (500
miles).
Installing snowplow
Read the following instructions
before installing a snowplow:
²Front GAWR must not exceed
63% of the GVW. Add ballast
weight to the back of the
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129

Position Amps Description
9 - Not used
10 - Not used
11 30 Wiper system
12 5 On-board diagnostic (OBD II) data link
connector
13 15 Brake ON/OFF switch, rear anti-lock brake
module and brake pressure switch
14 15 Interior lamps and accessory delay relay
15 5 GEM module/CTM module
16 20 High beam headlamps
17 - Not used
18 5 Instrument illumination
19 10 Air bag diagnostic monitor, instrument cluster
20 5 GEM module/CTM module and powertrain
control module (PCM)
21 15 Starter relay
22 10 Air bag diagnostic monitor and passenger air
bag deactivate switch
23 10 4WD clutch relay, electronic flasher, 4WD/2WD
vacuum solenoids and trailer tow battery charge
relay
24 10 I/P blower relay
25 5 4WABS module and relay
26 10 Right low beam headlamp and DRL module
27 5 Foglamp relay
28 10 Left low beam headlamp
29 5 Autolamp, instrument cluster, transmission
control indicator lamp and switch
30 30 Ignition coils and PCM relay
31 - Not used
Roadside emergencies
138

Relays
Position Description
1 Interior lamps relay
2 Battery saver relay
3 Not used
4 One touch down relay
5 Accessory delay relay
Power distribution box
Lift cover towards left of vehicle to
access the power distribution box.
Always disconnect the
battery before servicing
high current fuses.
Always replace the cover
to the Power Distribution
Box before reconnecting the
battery or refilling fluid
reservoirs.
Fuses
Position Amps Description
1 20 Trailer tow back-up and tail lamps
2 10 Air bag diagnostic monitor
3 15 Power locks
4 15 Air suspension
5 20 Horn
6 15 Audio system
29
6
5
4
3
2
1 28
27
26
25
24
2319
18
17
16
15
14
13
22
21
20
12
1197531
12108642
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Roadside emergencies
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