2007 FORD F SERIES MOTORHOME AND COMMERCIAL CHASSIS tires

Loaded vehicles may handle differently than unloaded vehicles.
Extra precautions, such as slower speeds and increased stopping
distance, should be taken when driving a heavily loaded vehicle.
Your vehicle can haul more cargo and people than most passenger cars.
Depending upon the type and placement of the load, hauling cargo and
people may raise the center of gravity of the vehicle.
TRAILER TOWING
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 following chart:
GCWR (Gross Combined Weight Rating)/Trailer Weights
EngineRear
axle
ratioMaximum
GCWR - lb.
(kg)Trailer weight
range - lb. (kg)
(0-Maximum)Maximum
Frontal Area of
Trailer - ft
2(m2)
6.8L 5.3826000
(11794)0–10000
(0-4536)60 (5.6)
For high altitude operation reduce GCW by 2% per 1,000 ft.
(300 meters) elevation. To determine the maximum trailer weight
designed for your particular vehicle as equipped, follow the section
Calculating the load your vehicle can carry/towearlier in this
chapter.
Preparing to tow
Use the proper equipment for towing a trailer and make sure it is
properly attached to your vehicle. See your authorized dealer or a
reliable trailer dealer if you require assistance.
Hitches
You must distribute the load in your trailer so that 10–15% of the total
weight of the trailer is on the tongue.
Weight distributing 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.
2007 Motorhome(mot)
Supplement
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Tires, Wheels and Loading
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3. Attach the trailer to the vehicle and adjust the hitch equalizers so that
the front bumper height is within12” (13 mm) of the reference point. After
proper adjustment, the rear bumper should be no higher than in Step 2.
Note:Adjusting a weight distributing hitch so the rear bumper of the
vehicle is higher than it was unloaded will defeat the function of the
weight distributing 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 brakes are safe if
installed properly and adjusted to the manufacturer’s specifications. The
trailer brakes must meet local and Federal regulations.
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 towing vehicle braking system is rated for operation at the
GVWR, not the GCWR.
Separate functioning brake systems are required for safe control of
towed vehicles and trailers weighing more than 1500 lb. (680 kg)
when loaded.
Trailer lamps
Trailer lamps are required on most towed vehicles. Make sure all running
lights, brake lights, turn signals and hazard lights are working. See your
authorized dealer or trailer rental agency for proper instructions and
equipment for hooking up trailer lamps.
Driving while you tow
When towing a trailer:
•Keep your speed no faster than 70 mph (112 km/h) during the first
500 miles (800 km) of towing a trailer, and don’t make full throttle
starts.
2007 Motorhome(mot)
Supplement
USA(fus)
Tires, Wheels and Loading
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•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 shifting, use a lower gear. This will also assist
in transmission cooling.
•Anticipate stops and brake gradually.
Servicing after towing
If you tow a trailer for long distances, your vehicle will require more
frequent service intervals. Refer to yourscheduled maintenance
informationfor more information.
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.
•If you are driving down a long or steep hill, shift to a lower gear. Do
not apply the brakes continuously, as they may overheat and become
less effective.
•The trailer tongue weight should be 10–15% of the loaded trailer
weight.
•If you will be towing a trailer frequently in hot weather, hilly
conditions, at GCWR, or any combination of these factors, consider
refilling your rear axle with synthetic gear lube if not already so
equipped. Refer to theMaintenance and Specificationschapter for
the lubricant specification. Remember that regardless of the rear axle
lube used, do not tow a trailer for the first 500 miles (800 km) of a
new vehicle, and that the first 500 miles (800 km) of towing be done
at no faster than 70 mph (112 km/h) with no full throttle starts.
•After you have traveled 50 miles (80 km), thoroughly check your
hitch, electrical connections and trailer wheel lug nuts.
•To aid in engine/transmission cooling and A/C efficiency during hot
weather while stopped in traffic, place the gearshift lever in P (Park).
•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.
2007 Motorhome(mot)
Supplement
USA(fus)
Tires, Wheels and Loading
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Forced downshifts
•Allowed in D (Overdrive) with the Tow/Haul feature on or off.
•Depress the accelerator to the floor.
•Allows transmission to select an appropriate gear.
If your vehicle gets stuck in mud or snow
If your vehicle gets stuck in mud or snow, it may be rocked out by
shifting between forward and reverse gears, stopping between shifts in a
steady pattern. Press lightly on the accelerator in each gear.
Do not rock the vehicle if the engine is not at normal operating
temperature or damage to the transmission may occur.
Do not rock the vehicle for more than a minute or damage to the
transmission and tires may occur, or the engine may overheat.
DRIVING THROUGH WATER
If driving through deep or standing
water is unavoidable, proceed very
slowly especially when the depth is
not known. Never drive through
water that is higher than the bottom
of the wheel rims (for cars) or the
bottom of the hubs (for trucks).
When driving through water, traction or brake capability may be limited.
Also, water may enter your engine’s air intake and severely damage your
engine or your vehicle may stall.Driving through deep water where
the transmission vent tube is submerged may allow water into the
transmission and cause internal transmission damage.
Once through the water, always dry the brakes by moving your
vehicle slowly while applying light pressure on the brake pedal.
Wet brakes do not stop the vehicle as quickly as dry brakes.
2007 Motorhome(mot)
Supplement
USA(fus)
Driving
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Diode/Relay module
The module box is located by the power distribution box in front of the
radiator in the engine compartment.
The components are coded as follows:
Relay location Description
1 One touch integrated start (ATO diode)
2 Not used
3 Not used
4 DRL power (relay)
5 Not used
6 Starter ground (relay)
7 Reverse lamps (relay)
8 Trailer tow parking lamps (relay)
CHANGING A FLAT TIRE
If you get a flat tire while driving:
•do not brake heavily.
•gradually decrease the vehicle’s speed.
•hold the steering wheel firmly.
•slowly move to a safe place on the side of the road.
The use of tire sealants may damage your tires.
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•You may want to turn off the speed control in hilly terrain if
unnecessary shifting between the top gears occurs. Unnecessary
shifting of this type could result in reduced fuel economy.
•Warming up a vehicle on cold mornings is not required and may
reduce fuel economy.
•Resting your foot on the brake pedal while driving may reduce fuel
economy.
•Combine errands and minimize stop-and-go driving.
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 toMaintenance product
specifications and capacitiesin this chapter.
•Perform all regularly scheduled maintenance items. Follow the
recommended maintenance schedule and owner maintenance checks
found inscheduled maintenance information.
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.
•Close windows for high speed driving.
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Supplement
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Maintenance and Specifications
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headlamps, flash to pass ..........16
instrument panel, dimming .....16
Lane change indicator
(see Turn signal) ........................16
Lights, warning and indicator ......8 anti-lock brakes (ABS) ............51
Load limits ...................................38
Loading instructions ...................42
Lubricant specifications ...........117
Lug nuts ......................................71
M
Message center ...........................10
Motorcraft parts ..................97, 116
O
Octane rating ............................100
Oil (see Engine oil) ....................87
Overdrive .....................................18
P
Parking brake ..............................52
Parts (see Motorcraft parts) ....116
Power distribution box
(see Fuses) .................................63
Power steering fluid, checking and adding ....108
fluid, refill capacity ................117
fluid, specifications .................117
R
Relays ....................................60, 67
Roadside assistance ....................58
S
Safety defects, reporting ......82–83
Servicing your vehicle ................85 Spark plugs,
specifications .....................116, 120
Special notice ................................4
Specification chart,
lubricants ...................................117
Speed control ..............................18
Starting your vehicle ............46–48
jump starting ............................72
Steering wheel tilting .........................................17
T
Tilt steering wheel ......................17
Tires .......................................21–22 alignment ..................................31
care ............................................27
changing ....................................68
checking the pressure ..............26
inflating .....................................23
replacing ..............................29, 69
rotating ......................................32
safety practices .........................30
sidewall information .................33
snow tires and chains ..............37
terminology ...............................22
tire grades .................................22
treadwear ............................21, 28
Towing .........................................43 trailer towing ............................43
wrecker ......................................76
Transmission ...............................53 automatic operation .................18
brake-shift interlock (BSI) ......53
fluid, checking and adding
(automatic) .............................111
fluid, refill capacities ..............117
lubricant specifications ..........117
Turn signal ..................................16
2007 Motorhome (mot)
Supplement
USA (fus)
Index
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