2005 FORD F250 SUPER DUTY tow bar

Using the manual lumbar support
For more lumbar support, turn the
lumbar support control toward the
front of vehicle.
For less lumbar support, turn the
lumbar support control toward the
rear of vehicle.
Heated seats (if equipped)
To operate the heated seats, do the following:
• Push control to activate.
• Push again to deactivate.
The indicator light on the control will illuminate when activated.
The system will not automatically shutoff unless control is pushed to
deactivate. If system is not manually terminated at last use, then system
will remain active at next ignition key cycle.
2005 F250/350/450/550 (f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA_English (fus)Seating and Safety Restraints
94

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% for
conventional towing or 15%-25% fifth-wheel towing of the total weight of
the trailer is on the tongue.
Integrated hitch rating
The standard integrated hitch has two ratings depending on mode of
operation:
• Weight carrying - requires a draw bar and hitch ball. The draw bar
supports all the vertical tongue load of the trailer.
• Weight distributing - requires an aftermarket weight distributing
system which includes draw bar, hitch ball, spring bars and snap-up
brackets. The vertical tongue load of the trailer is distributed between
the truck and the trailer by this system.
Hitch Type Maximum
Gross Trailer
Weight — lb.
(kg) Maximum
Tongue Weight
— lb. (kg)
6.8L DRW
Pickup
2.5” ID without
adapter
(requires 2.5”
drawbar) Weight carrying 6000 (2721) 600 (272)
Weight
distributing 15000 (6804) 1500 (680)
6.8L DRW
Pickup
2.5” ID with
adapter
(requires 2”
drawbar) Weight carrying 5000 (2268) 500 (227)
Weight
distributing 12500 (5670) 1250 (567)
All SRW Pickups
and 5.4L DRW
Pickups
2” receiver Weight carrying 5000 (2268) 500 (227)
Weight
distributing 12500 (5670) 1250 (567)
2005 F250/350/450/550 (f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA_English (fus) Tires, Wheels and Loading
169

The braking system of the tow vehicle is rated for operation at the
GVWR not GCWR.
Integrated trailer brake controller (if equipped)
Your vehicle may be equipped with a fully integrated electronic Trailer
Brake Controller (TBC). When used properly, the TBC helps assure
smooth and effective trailer braking by powering the trailer’s electric
brakes with a proportional output based on the towing vehicle’s brake
pressure.
The Ford TBC can only be used with trailers having
electric-actuated drum brakes (one to four axles) and not
hydraulic surge or electric-over-hydraulic types. It is the responsibility
of the customer to ensure that the trailer brakes are adjusted
appropriately, functioning normally and all electric connections are
properly made.
The TBC user interface consists of
the following:
1. +/- (GAIN adjustment
buttons): Pressing these buttons
will adjust the TBC’s power output
to the trailer brakes (in 0.5
increments). The GAIN setting can
be increased to a maximum of 10.0
or decreased to a minimum of 0 (no
trailer braking). Pressing and
holding a button will raise or lower
the setting continuously.
2. Trailer connection indicator: This lamp indicates trailer electrical
connection status.
• When a successful trailer connection is detected, the indicator will be
green.
• If the electrical connection is lost, the indicator will flash red. If the
connection is lost while the vehicle is stationary, the indicator will turn
off after 30 seconds. If the connection is lost while the vehicle is
moving, the indicator will flash until the ignition is turned off, then on
again.
• If no electrical connection is detected after the ignition is turned on,
pressing a GAIN adjustment button will display the GAIN setting.
Sliding the manual control will display the GAIN setting, OUTPUT bar
graph and light the trailer indicator red.
2005 F250/350/450/550 (f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA_English (fus) Tires, Wheels and Loading
171

3. GAIN setting display: Shows the current GAIN setting. This will
illuminate when a trailer is connected, flash if the trailer becomes
disconnected, or remain off if no trailer is connected.
4. OUTPUT bar graph: When the vehicle’s brake pedal is pushed, or
when the manual control is activated, green bar indicators will illuminate
to indicate the amount of power going to the trailer brakes relative to
the brake pedal or manual control input.
5. Manual control lever: Slide the control lever to the left to activate
power to the trailer’s electric brakes independent of the tow vehicle’s
brakes (see the following Procedure for adjusting GAIN section for
instructions on proper use of this feature). If the manual control is
activated while the brake is also applied the greater of the two inputs
determines the power sent to the trailer brakes.
• Stop Lamps: Activating the TBC manual control lever will illuminate
both the trailer brake lamps and the tow vehicle brake lamps
(presuming proper trailer electrical connection). Pressing the vehicle
brake pedal will also illuminate both trailer and vehicle brake lamps.
GAIN
The GAIN setting is used to set the TBC for the specific towing
condition and should be changed as towing conditions change. Changes
to towing conditions include trailer load, vehicle load, road conditions
and weather.
The GAIN should be set to provide the maximum trailer braking
assistance while ensuring the trailer wheels do not lock when braking.
Locked trailer wheels may lead to trailer instability.
Procedure for adjusting GAIN:
Note: This should only be performed in a traffic free environment at
speeds of approximately 20 – 25 mph (30 – 40 km/h).
1. Make sure the trailer brakes are in good working condition,
functioning normally, and properly adjusted. See your trailer dealer if
necessary.
2. Hook-up the trailer and make the electrical connections according to
the trailer manufacturer’s instructions.
3. When a trailer with electric brakes is plugged in, the trailer connection
indicator will illuminate green on the TBC and the GAIN setting display
will illuminate.
4. Use the GAIN adjustment (+/-) buttons to increase or decrease the
GAIN setting to the desired starting point. (A GAIN setting of 6.0 is a
good starting point for heavier loads.)
2005 F250/350/450/550 (f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA_English (fus)Tires, Wheels and Loading
172

Driving while you tow
When towing a trailer:
• Turn off the 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.
• To eliminate excessive transmission shifting, activate the Tow/Haul
feature. This will also assist in transmission cooling. (For additional
information, refer to the Understanding the positions of the 5–speed
automatic transmission section in this chapter.
• Anticipate stops and brake gradually.
• Do not exceed the GCWR rating or transmission damage may occur.
• Your vehicle may be equipped with a temporary or conventional spare
tire. If the spare tire is different in size (diameter and/or width), tread
type (All-Season or All-Terrain) or is from a different manufacturer
other than the road tires on your vehicle, your spare tire is considered
“temporary”. Consult information on the spare tire label for limitations
when using.
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.
Trailer towing safety tips
General
• Ensure that the trailer, safety chains and 7 pin electrical connectors
are securely fastened.
• Make sure the truck receiver, draw bar, and coupler are properly
connected and adjusted.
• Check rear view and side mirrors for proper visibility especially when
towing trailer wider than the truck.
• When towing, operate the vehicle at lower speeds than you would
when not towing a trailer. The likelihood of trailer sway is greater at
higher speeds.
• When turning make wide turns to allow trailer tires to properly clear
any obstacles.
• Be prepared for trailer sway due to buffeting when larger vehicles
pass in either direction.
2005 F250/350/450/550 (f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA_English (fus) Tires, Wheels and Loading
175

Maintenance
• Keep tires properly inflated and use only recommended size.
• Operating a vehicle with the wheels out of alignment will reduce fuel
economy.
• Use recommended engine oil. Refer to Lubricant specifications in
this chapter.
• Perform all regularly scheduled maintenance items. Follow the
recommended maintenance schedule and owner maintenance checks
found in your vehicle scheduled maintenance guide .
Conditions
• Heavily loading a vehicle or towing a trailer may reduce fuel economy
at any speed.
• Carrying unnecessary weight may reduce fuel economy (approximately
1 mpg [0.4 km/L] is lost for every 400 lb [180 kg] of weight carried).
• Adding certain accessories to your vehicle (for example bug
deflectors, rollbars/light bars, running boards, ski/luggage racks) may
reduce fuel economy.
• Using fuel blended with alcohol may lower fuel economy.
• Fuel economy may decrease with lower temperatures during the first
8–10 miles (12–16 km) of driving.
• Driving on flat terrain offers improved fuel economy as compared to
driving on hilly terrain.
• Transmissions give their best fuel economy when operated in the top
cruise gear and with steady pressure on the gas pedal.
• Four-wheel-drive operation (if equipped) is less fuel efficient than
two-wheel-drive operation.
• Close windows for high speed driving.
EPA window sticker
Every new vehicle should have the EPA window sticker. Contact your
dealer if the window sticker is not supplied with your vehicle. The EPA
window sticker should be your guide for the fuel economy comparisons
with other vehicles.
It is important to note the box in the lower left corner of the window
sticker. These numbers represent the Range of MPG (L/100 km)
expected on the vehicle under optimum conditions. Your fuel economy
may vary depending upon the method of operation and conditions.
2005 F250/350/450/550 (f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA_English (fus)Maintenance and Specifications
270

Sliding rear windows - manual and power
Splash guards
Step bars
Tonneau covers
Wheels
Interior style
Consoles
Electrochromatic compass/temperature interior mirrors
Floor mats
Leather wrapped steering wheels
Scuff plates
Speed control
Lifestyle
Bedliners and bedmats
Bed tents
Bike racks
Cargo organization and management
Diamond plate accessories
Rear seat entertainment systems
Toolboxes
Towing mirrors
TracRac and accessories
Trailer hitches, wiring harnesses and accessories
Peace of mind
First aid and highway safety kits
Full vehicle covers
Locking gas cap
Navigation systems
Remote start
Vehicle security systems
2005 F250/350/450/550 (f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA_English (fus)Accessories
300