2001 FORD F250 trailer

Hitches
Do not use hitches that clamp onto the vehicle’s bumper or attach to the
axle. You must distribute the load in your trailer so that 10%–15% of the
total weight of the trailer is on the tongue.
Load equalizing hitch
When hooking up a trailer using a load equalizing hitch, always use the
following procedure:
1. Park the unloaded vehicle on a level surface. With the ignition on and
all doors closed, allow the vehicle to stand for several minutes so that it
can level.
2. Measure the height of a reference point on the front and rear bumpers
at the center of the vehicle.
3. Attach the trailer to the vehicle and adjust the hitch equalizers so that
the front bumper height is within 0–13 mm (0.5 in) of the reference
point. After proper adjustment, the rear bumper should be no higher
than in Step 2.
Adjusting an equalizing hitch so the rear bumper of the vehicle
is higher than it was unloaded will defeat the function of the
load equalizing hitch and may cause unpredictable handling.
Safety chains
Always connect the trailer’s safety chains to the frame or hook retainers
of the vehicle hitch. To connect the trailer’s safety chains, cross the
chains under the trailer tongue and allow slack for turning corners.
If you use a rental trailer, follow the instructions that the rental agency
gives to you.
Do not attach safety chains to the bumper.
Trailer brakes
Electric brakes and manual, automatic or surge-type trailer brakes are safe
if installed properly and adjusted to the manufacturer’s specifications. The
trailer brakes must meet local and Federal regulations.
Driving
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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.
The braking system of the tow vehicle is rated for operation at the
GVWR not GCWR.
Trailer lamps
Trailer lamps are required on most towed vehicles. Make sure your
trailer lamps conform to local and Federal regulations. See your dealer or
trailer rental agency for proper instructions and equipment for hooking
up trailer lamps.
Using a step bumper (if equipped)
The rear bumper is equipped with an integral hitch and only requires a
ball with a 25.4 mm (one inch) shank diameter. The bumper has a
2 270 kg (5 000 lb.) trailer weight and 227 kg (500 lb.) tongue weight
capacity.
If it is necessary to relocate the trailer hitch ball position, a
frame-mounted trailer hitch must be installed.
Driving while you tow
When towing a trailer:
•Ensure that you turn off your speed control. The speed control may
shut off automatically when you are towing on long, steep grades.
•Consult your local motor vehicle speed regulations for towing a trailer.
•Use a lower gear when towing up or down steep hills. This will
eliminate excessive downshifting and upshifting for optimum fuel
economy and transmission cooling.
•Anticipate stops and brake gradually.
Exceeding the GCWR rating may cause internal transmission
damage and void your warranty coverage.
Servicing after towing
If you tow a trailer for long distances, your vehicle will require more
frequent service intervals. Refer to your scheduled maintenance guide for
more information.
Driving
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Trailer towing tips
•Practice turning, stopping and backing up before starting on a trip to
get the feel of the vehicle trailer combination. When turning, make
wider turns so the trailer wheels will clear curbs and other obstacles.
•Allow more distance for stopping with a trailer attached.
•The trailer tongue weight should be no more than 10–15% of the
loaded trailer weight.
•After you have traveled 80 km (50 miles), thoroughly check your
hitch, electrical connections and trailer wheel lug nuts.
•When stopped in traffic for long periods of time in hot weather, place
the gearshift in P (Park) (automatic transmissions) or N (Neutral)
(manual transmissions). This aids engine cooling and air conditioner
efficiency.
•Vehicles with trailers should not be parked on a grade. If you must
park on a grade, place wheel chocks under the trailer’s wheels.
Launching or retrieving a boat
When backing down a ramp during boat launching or retrieval,
•Do not allow the static water level to rise above the bottom edge of
the rear bumper and
•Do not allow waves to break higher than 15 cm (6 inches) above the
bottom edge of the rear bumper.
•Disconnect the trailer tow electrical connector to prevent blown fuses
caused by water entering into your trailer’s electrical wiring.
Exceeding these limits may allow water to enter critical vehicle
components, adversely affecting driveability, emissions and reliability.
Replace front and rear axle lubricants any time the axles have been
submerged in water. Axle lubricant quantities are not to be checked
unless a leak is suspected.
All Rear Wheel Drive (RWD) vehicles
This applies to all cars and 4x2 trucks/sport utilities with rear wheel
drive capability.
An example of recreational towing is towing your vehicle behind a
motorhome. The following recreational towing guidelines are designed to
ensure that your transmission is not damaged.
Driving
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Fuse/Relay
LocationFuse Amp
RatingPassenger Compartment Fuse Panel
Description
11 30A Wiper Motor, Wiper Run/Park Relay Coil,
Wiper Hi/LO Relay Coil, Washer Pump
Relay Coil
12 15A Horn
13 20A Stop Lamps, Center High-mount Stop
Lamp, Trailer Tow Stop Lamp, Speed
Control
14 10A Dome Lamp, Cargo Lamp, Courtesy
Lamps, Running Board Lamps
15 5A Stop Lamp Switch (Logic): Generic
Electronic Module (GEM), Powertrain
Control Module (PCM), Four Wheel
Anti-lock Brake System (4WABS) Module,
Brake Shift Interlock, Cluster and PCM
Keep Alive Memory
16 15A Instrument Cluster, Hi-beam Headlamps
17 — Not Used
18 5A Audio
19 10A Auxiliary Powertrain Control Module
(APCM) (Diesel only), Instrument Cluster,
GEM Module, Overdrive Cancel Switch,
Idle Validation Switch (Diesel only),
Overhead Console, Diesel PCM via Clutch
20 15A Starter Motor Relay Coil, Clutch Switch
21 — Not Used
22 10A Passenger Air Bag Activation/Deactivation
Switch, Blower Motor Relay Coil
23 10A Air Bag Module
24 10A A/C Clutch, Blend Door Actuator, Trailer
Tow Battery Charge Relay Coil, Four
Wheel Anti-Lock Brake System (4WABS),
Turn Signal
25 — Not Used
Roadside emergencies
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Fuse/Relay
LocationFuse Amp
RatingPassenger Compartment Fuse Panel
Description
26 — Not Used
27 10A Ignition Run Power Feed (Customer
Access)
28 15A Brake Shift Interlock, DRL Relay Coil,
Speed Control Module, Backup Lamps,
Trailer Tow Backup Lamp Relay Coil,
Electronic Shift On The Fly Hub Lock
Solenoid, Vacuum Pump Motor
29 5A Instrument Cluster (Charge and Airbag
Warning Lamps)
30 30A PCM Relay Coil, Ignition Coil (Gasoline
only), Fuel Heater (Diesel only),
Wastegate Solenoid (Diesel only), Injector
Driver Module Relay Coil (Diesel only)
31 5A Fog Lamp Switch
Relay 1 — Interior Lamp Relay
Relay 2 — Not Used
Relay 3 — Horn
Relay 4 — Power Window One Touch Down Relay
Relay 5 — Accessory Delay Relay
Roadside emergencies
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Power distribution box
The power distribution box, trailer
tow and electronic shift on the fly
relay blocks are located in the
engine compartment near the brake
master cylinder.
The power distribution box contains high-current fuses that protect your
vehicle’s main electrical systems from overloads.
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.
If the battery has been disconnected and reconnected, refer to the
Batterysection of theMaintenance and carechapter.
Roadside emergencies
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The high-current fuses and relays are coded as follows.
Fuse/Relay
LocationFuse Amp
RatingPower Distribution Box Description
1 7.5A * Trailer Tow Left Stop/Turn Lamp
2 10A* Washer Pump
3 7.5A* Trailer Tow Right Stop/Turn Lamp
4 20A* Trailer Tow Backup Lamps, Trailer Tow
Park Lamps
5 20A*
(Gasoline only)
5A*
(Diesel only)
Gasoline only-PCM, Fuel Pump Relay
Coil, Mass Air Flow Sensor, Fuel Injectors
Diesel only-Dual AlternatorAField
6 10A* Gasoline only-A/C (CASS)
Diesel only-Single or Dual AlternatorA
Field, Regulator
19 29
18 2830
31
32
33
34
35
37 36 17 27
16 26
15 25
14 24
13
11 12
910
78
56
34
1223
22
21
20
Roadside emergencies
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Fuse/Relay
LocationFuse Amp
RatingPower Distribution Box Description
7 20A*
(Gasoline only)
5A*
(Diesel only)
Gasoline only-Vapor Management Valve,
HEGO Sensors, Intake Manifold
Communication Control, EVR Solenoid,
PCM, Canister Vent Solenoid
Diesel only-Dual AlternatorAField
8 15A* Trailer Tow Electronic Brake Illumination,
Park Lamps, Trailer Tow Park Lamp
Relay Coil
9 10A* Left Headlamp (Low Beam)
10 20A* Power Point
11 10A* Right Headlamp (Low Beam)
12 15A* Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) Resistor,
Fog Lamps
13 30A** Multi-function Switch, Headlamps
14 60A** Anti-Lock Brake System
15 30A** Heated Seats
16 30A** Trailer Tow Battery Charge
17 30A** Electronic Shift On The Fly Relay,
Transfer Case Shift Motor
18 30A** Power Seat, Adjustable Pedals
19 20A** Fuel Pump Motor, PCM
20 50A** Ignition Switch (B4 & B5)
21 50A** Ignition Switch (B1 & B3)
22 50A** Junction Box Battery Feed
23 40A** Blower Motor
24 30A**
(Gasoline only)
20A**
(Diesel only)
PCM Power
25 30A*** Power Windows
Roadside emergencies
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