1997 FORD F250 Owners Manual

209 [GF21852(F )05/96]
twenty-two pica chart:0021603-A
[GF21870(F )04/96]
Required equipment
[GF21880(F )04/96]
q
Super Cooling is required with trailers over
2,000 lb (907 kg).
[GF21890(F )04/96]
q
Super Cooling and Handling/Suspension
Package or trailer towing package is required
with trailers over 3,500 lb (1587 kg).
*
[GF21900(FM)05/96]
Preparing to Tow
*
[GF21910(FM)05/96]
For your safety and for the good of your
vehicle, use the right equipment for the type of
trailer you tow. Also, make sure that all towing
equipment is properly attached to your vehicle.
If you are not certain that you are using the
right equipment in the proper manner, see your
Ford or Lincoln-Mercury dealer.
File:09ltgff.ex
Update:Thu May 30 15:25:49 1996
ProCarManuals.com

210 %
*
[GF21920(FM)01/96]
Hitches
*
[GF21940(F )01/96]
Do not install a single or multi-clamp type
bumper hitch, or a hitch which attaches to the
axle. Underbody mounted hitches are acceptable
if installed properly. Follow towing instructions
of a reputable rental agency.
*
[GF21960(FM)01/96]
Whenever a trailer hitch and hardware are
removed, make sure all mounting holes in the
underbody are properly sealed to prevent
noxious gases or water from entering.
*
[GF22000(F )01/96]
Step bumper (If equipped)
*
[GF22010(F )01/96]
The optional step bumpers have a built-in hitch
and only requires a ball with a one inch shank
diameter. This step bumper has a Class III
capability (5000 lb/2,270 kg trailer weight and
500 lb/680 kg tongue weight).
*
[GF22060(FM)01/96]
Safety chains
*
[GF22070(FM)01/96]
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.
[GF22090(FM)01/96]
Trailer Brakes
*
[GF22100(FM)01/96]
Separate trailer brakes are required on most
towed vehicles weighing over 1,500 lb (680 kg).
*
[GF22110(FM)05/96]
RWARNING
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.
File:09ltgff.ex
Update:Thu May 30 15:25:49 1996
ProCarManuals.com

211 [GF22120(FM)01/96]
Trailer lamps
*
[GF22130(FM)01/96]
Make sure your trailer lamps conform to Federal
and local regulations.
[GF22150(F )01/96]
Your vehicle has been equipped for use with a
4-wire trailer tow electrical system (running
lamps, right hand stop/turn, left hand
stop/turn, and ground).
*
[GF22160(F )01/96]
Class I and Class II Trailer Tow electrical wiring
provides two circuits (right hand and left hand)
to operate trailer stop/turn tail lamps. Each
stop/turn circuit will operate one combination
stop/turn light bulb (# 1157, 3157, 2357, or 3357)
on the trailer. Never add more than one trailer
light bulb to one circuit.
[GF22170(F )01/96]
A wire harness (Ford part number
F5TB-13A576-A) has been provided that connects
to the frame wire harness at the rear of the
vehicle and is compatible with most 4-wire
trailer tow electrical systems.
[GF22180(F )01/96]
Always check trailer and vehicle functions (i.e.,
stop/turn signal, and running lights) before
operating your vehicle and trailer.
[GF22190(F )01/96]
If your vehicle fails to function properly, do not
operate your vehicle and trailer until corrections
are made.
*
[GF22200(FM)01/96]
RWARNING
Always replace a fuse with one that has
the specified amperage rating. Using a
fuse with a higher amperage rating can
cause severe wire damage and could start
a fire.
File:09ltgff.ex
Update:Thu May 30 15:25:49 1996
ProCarManuals.com

212 %
*
[GF22210(FM)05/96]
Driving While You Tow
*
[GF22220(FM)05/96]
Be especially careful when driving while you
tow a trailer. Never drive faster than 45 mph
(70 km/h) when you tow in hilly country on
hot days. Also, anticipate stops so that you can
brake gradually.
%*
[GF22230(FM)05/96]
If you use the speed control while you are
towing on very long, steep grades, the speed
control may shut off.
[GF22240(F )05/96]
If your vehicle is equipped with an Electronic
4-Speed Automatic (E4OD) transmission, operate
in Overdrive. Refer to the automatic
transmission operation earlier in this chapter.
*
[GF22270(FM)03/96]
When descending a steep grade with a trailer,
operate in Drive rather than Overdrive. If
additional braking is needed, shift the automatic
transmission gearshift into the 2 (Second) or 1
(Low) position.
[GF22280(F )01/96]
If your vehicle is equipped with a manual
5-speed transmission, operate in 4th gear.
Overdrive (5th) gear should not be used when
towing.
[GF22290(F )01/96]
If additional braking is needed when descending
a steep grade with a trailer, downshift the
transmission into 3rd gear.
[GF22291(FM)05/96]
Launching or Retrieving a Boat
[GF22292(FM)05/96]
When backing down a ramp during boat
launching or retrieval,
[GF22293(FM)05/96]
q
Do not allow the static water level to rise
above the bottom edge of the rear bumper,
and
[GF22294(FM)05/96]
q
Do not allow waves to break higher than 15
cm (six inches) above the bottom edge of the
rear bumper.
File:09ltgff.ex
Update:Thu May 30 15:25:49 1996
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213 [GF22295(FM)05/96]
Exceeding these limits may allow water to enter
critical vehicle components, adversely affecting
driveability, emissions, and reliability.
[GF22300(FM)01/96]
Servicing your vehicle if you tow
*
[GF22310(FM)05/96]
If you tow a trailer for a long distance, your
vehicle will need to be serviced more frequently
than usual. Refer to theMaintenance Schedule
booklet for additional information.
[GF22320(FM)01/96]
Trailer towing tips
*
[GF22330(FM)01/96]
Before starting on a trip, practice turning,
stopping and backing in an area away from
heavy traffic. Get to know the ªfeelº of the
vehicle/trailer combination.
*
[GF22340(FM)01/96]
Practice backing up. Back up very slowly, with
someone outside at the rear of your trailer to
guide you. Place your hand at the bottom of the
steering wheel and move it in the direction you
want the rear of the trailer to swing. Slight
movement of the steering wheel results in a
much larger movement of the rear of the trailer.
*
[GF22350(FM)01/96]
Allow more room for stopping with a trailer
attached. Trailer brakes should be applied first,
whether manually or automatically controlled,
when approaching a stop.
*
[GF22360(FM)01/96]
For a good handling truck-trailer combination,
the trailer tongue load should be approximately
10-15% of the loaded trailer weight.
*
[GF22370(FM)01/96]
Make a thorough check of your equipment
before starting out on the road. After you have
traveled about 50 miles (80 km) stop in a
protected area and double-check your hitch and
electrical connections. Also check trailer wheel
lug nuts for tightness.
File:09ltgff.ex
Update:Thu May 30 15:25:49 1996
ProCarManuals.com

214
*
[GF22380(FM)01/96]
When turning, drive slightly beyond the normal
turning point so the trailer wheels will clear
curbs or other obstructions.
*
[GF22400(F )01/96]
When stopped in traffic for long periods of time
in hot weather, place the gearshift selector lever
in P (PARK) to increase the engine idle speed.
This aids in engine cooling and air conditioner
efficiency. If the engine overheats, move the
function selector knob to VENT to stop the
compressor and increase the engine speed for a
short time.
*
[GF22410(FM)01/96]
Vehicles with trailers should not be parked on a
grade. However, if you must park on a grade,
place wheel chocks under the trailer's wheels as
follows:
*
[GF22420(FM)01/96]
q
Apply the brake pedal and hold.
*
[GF22430(FM)01/96]
q
Have another person place the wheel chocks
under the trailer wheels.
*
[GF22440(FM)01/96]
q
With the chocks in place, release the brake
pedal, making sure the chocks are holding.
*
[GF22450(F )01/96]
q
For automatic transmissions Ð apply the
parking brake by pressing the service brake
pedal down firmly with your right foot while
applying the parking brake pedal with your
left foot.
*
[GF22470(F )01/96]
For manual transmissions Ð apply the
service brake and shift into N (NEUTRAL)
while still maintaining pressure on the service
brake pedal. Set the parking brake fully.
*
[GF22480(F )01/96]
q
Shift an automatic transmission into Park (P).
Put the gearshift of a manual transmission in
Reverse. If your vehicle is equipped with
four-wheel drive make sure the transfer case
is not in Neutral.
File:09ltgff.ex
Update:Thu May 30 15:25:49 1996
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215
*
[GF22500(FM)01/96]
To start, after being parked on a grade:
*
[GF22510(FM)01/96]
q
Apply the brake pedal and hold.
*
[GF22520(FM)01/96]
q
Start the engine.
*
[GF22530(FM)01/96]
q
Shift transmission into gear and release the
parking brake.
*
[GF22540(FM)01/96]
q
Release the brake pedal and move the vehicle
uphill to free the wheel chocks.
*
[GF22550(FM)01/96]
q
Apply the brake pedal and hold while
another person retrieves the chocks.
%
*
[GF22560(F )01/96]
Snowplowing
[GF22610(F )04/96]
Commercial snow removal applications should
utilize F-350 Regular Cab 4x4 vehicles which are
much more conducive to the rigors of long
hours of plow operation.
% [GF22660(F )04/96]
Snowplowing and the Heavy Duty Front
Suspension Package
[GF22670(F )04/96]
If you plan to use your vehicle for plowing
snow, it should be equipped with the Heavy
Duty Front Suspension option. After adding the
snowplowing equipment, check the front-end
alignment and if necessary reset to prevent
uneven tire wear. If the snowplowing equipment
is later removed, check the front-end alignment
again.
[GF22680(F )04/96]
If you add equipment to your vehicle, which
will not ordinarily be removed when not in use,
such as heavy-duty winches, snowplow
components, brush guards, etc, then the
following index cannot be exceeded.
[GF22690(F )04/96]
NOTE: Diesel equipped vehicles not
recommended for snow plowing.
[GF22700(F )04/96]
q
Front axle curb weight must not exceed 63%
of the total vehicle curb weight.
File:09ltgff.ex
Update:Thu May 30 15:25:49 1996
ProCarManuals.com

216 [GF22710(F )04/96]q
If necessary, add weight to the rear of the
vehicle or bed to obtain the above and to
comply with U.S. Federal Hydraulic Brake
Requirements, when aftermarket equipment is
added.
[GF22720(F )04/96]
q
The Front Axle Accessory Reserve Capacity
and the Total Accessory Reserve Capacity
listed on the Safety Compliance Certification
Label will help you to determine if the
addition of a snowplow will overload the
vehicle. The total of the weights of all
permanently installed accessories including
the snowplow mount, but not the snowplow
or any other easily removable accessories
must not exceed the Total Accessory Reserve
Capacity. Additionally, the portion of these
weights distributed to the front axles must
not exceed the Front Axle Accessory Reserve
Capacity.
[GF22730(F )04/96]
q
The weight of the snowplow and related
equipment should be properly matched to the
load capacity of your vehicle. The weight of
the installed equipment must not load the
vehicle beyond the GAWR and GVWR listed
on the Safety Compliance Certification Label.
[GF22750(F )04/96]
Equip your vehicle with lights that conform to
Federal and local regulations for snowplowing.
See your dealer for the correct type of wiring.
[GF22760(F )04/96]
Do not plow snow until your vehicle has been
driven 500 miles (800 km). Maintain the vehicle
and snowplow equipment in accordance with
their respective manufacturer's recommendations.
Refer to the notes under Scheduled Maintenance
Services when plowing snow for extended
periods.
File:09ltgff.ex
Update:Thu May 30 15:25:49 1996
ProCarManuals.com