2010 FORD F150 Owners Manual

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 periodically during, and after any towing operation.
Exceeding the maximum GCWR could result in extensive damage
to your vehicle and personal injury.
WARNING:Do not exceed the GVWR or the GAWR specified on
the certification label.
WARNING:Towing trailers beyond the maximum recommended
gross trailer weight exceeds the limit of the vehicle and could
result in engine damage, transmission damage, structural damage, loss
of vehicle control, vehicle rollover and personal injury.
Regular Cab 4x2 (126” wheelbase)
Engine Rear axle ratio Maximum
GCWR-lb. (kg)Maximum
trailer
weight-lb. (kg)
4.6L 2V3.55 10400 (4717) 5400 (2449)
3.73 10900 (4944) 5900 (2676)
Regular Cab 4x4 (126” wheelbase)
Engine Rear axle ratio Maximum
GCWR-lb. (kg)Maximum
trailer
weight-lb. (kg)
4.6L 2V 3.73 10900 (4944) 5700 (2585)
4.6L 3V3.55 12900 (5851) 7700 (3493)
3.73 13300 (6033) 8000 (3629)
5.4L3.31 13000 (5897) 7700 (3493)
3.55 13900 (6305) 8600 (3901)
3.73 13900 (6305) 8600 (3901)
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Regular Cab 4x2 (145” wheelbase)
Engine Rear axle ratio Maximum
GCWR-lb. (kg)Maximum
trailer
weight-lb. (kg)
4.6L 2V3.55 10600 (4808) 5500 (2495)
3.73 11100 (5035) 6000 (2722)
4.6L 3V3.31 13100 (5942) 8000 (3629)
3.55 13600 (6169) 8400 (3810)
5.4L3.15 13200 (5987) 8000 (3629)
3.55 15000 (6804) 9800 (4445)
5.4L (Heavy
Duty)3.73 16700 (7575) 11300 (5126)
Regular Cab 4x4 (145” wheelbase)
Engine Rear axle ratio Maximum
GCWR-lb. (kg)Maximum
trailer
weight-lb. (kg)
4.6L 2V 3.73 11100 (5035) 5800 (2631)
4.6L 3V3.55 13100 (5942) 7700 (3493)
3.73 13600 (6169) 8200 (3719)
5.4L3.31 13200 (5987) 7700 (3493)
3.55 15000 (6804) 9500 (4309)
3.73 15000 (6804) 9500 (4309)
5.4L (Heavy
Duty)3.73 17000 (7711) 11300 (5126)
SuperCab 4x2 (145” wheelbase)
Engine Rear axle ratio Maximum
GCWR-lb. (kg)Maximum
trailer
weight-lb. (kg)
4.6L 2V3.55 10600 (4808) 5300 (2404)
3.73 11100 (5035) 5800 (2631)
4.6L 3V3.31 13500 (6123) 8100 (3674)
3.55 14900 (6759) 9500 (4309)
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SuperCab 4x2 (145” wheelbase)
Engine Rear axle ratio Maximum
GCWR-lb. (kg)Maximum
trailer
weight-lb. (kg)
5.4L3.15 14000 (6350) 8600 (3900)
3.55 15200 (6895) 9800 (4445)
3.73 16900 (7666) 11300 (5126)
SuperCab 4x4 (145” wheelbase)
Engine Rear axle ratio Maximum
GCWR-lb. (kg)Maximum
trailer
weight-lb. (kg)
4.6L 2V 3.73 11100 (5035) 5500 (2495)
4.6L 3V3.55 13500 (6123) 7900 (3583)
3.73 15100 (6849) 9400 (4264)
5.4L3.31 14000 (6350) 8300 (3765)
3.55 15400 (6985) 9700 (4400)
3.73 15400 (6985)
17100 (7756)*9700 (4400)
11200 (5080)*
*Maximum GCWR and trailer weight when equipped with Max Trailer
Tow package.
SuperCab 4x2 (163” wheelbase)
Engine Rear axle ratio Maximum
GCWR-kg (lb.)Maximum
trailer
weight-kg (lb.)
5.4L (Heavy
Duty)3.73 17100 (7756) 11300 (5126)
SuperCab 4x4 (163” wheelbase)
Engine Rear axle ratio Maximum
GCWR-lb. (kg)Maximum
trailer
weight-lb. (kg)
5.4L (Heavy
Duty)3.73 17100 (7756) 11100 (5035)
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SuperCrew 4x2 (145” wheelbase)
Engine Rear axle ratio Maximum
GCWR-lb. (kg)Maximum
trailer
weight-lb. (kg)
4.6L 2V3.55 10600 (4808) 5200 (2359)
3.73 11100 (5035) 5700 (2585)
4.6L 3V3.15 13000 (5897) 7500 (3402)
3.31 13500 (6123) 8100 (3674)
3.55 14900 (6759) 9400 (4264)
5.4L3.15 14000 (6350) 8500 (3856)
3.55 15300 (6940) 9800 (4445)
3.73 16900 (7666) 11300 (5126)
SuperCrew 4x2 (145” wheelbase) Harley-Davidson Version
Engine Rear axle ratio Maximum
GCWR-lb. (kg)Maximum
trailer
weight-lb. (kg)
5.4L 3.73 11200 (5080) 5300 (2404)
SuperCrew 4x4 (145” wheelbase)
Engine Rear axle ratio Maximum
GCWR-lb. (kg)Maximum
trailer
weight-lb. (kg)
4.6L 3V3.55 13500 (6123) 7700 (3493)
3.73 15100 (6849) 9300 (4218)
5.4L3.31 14000 (6350) 8100 (3674)
3.55 15500 (7031) 9600 (4355)
3.73 15500 (7031)
17100 (7756)*9600 (4355)
11200 (5080)*
*Maximum GCWR and trailer weight when equipped with Max Trailer
Tow package.
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SuperCrew 4x4 (145” wheelbase) Harley-Davidson Version
Engine Rear axle ratio Maximum
GCWR-lb. (kg)Maximum
trailer
weight-lb. (kg)
5.4L 3.73 11200 (5080) 5100 (2313)
SuperCrew4x2 (157” wheelbase)
Engine Rear axle ratio Maximum
GCWR-lb. (kg)Maximum
trailer
weight-lb. (kg)
4.6L 2V3.55 10600 (4808) 5100 (2313)
3.73 11100 (5035) 5600 (2540)
4.6L 3V3.31 13500 (6123) 8000 (3629)
3.55 14900 (6759) 9300 (4218)
5.4L3.15 14000 (6350) 8400 (3810)
3.55 15300 (6940) 9700 (4400)
3.73 17000 (7711) 11300 (5126)
SuperCrew 4x4 (157” wheelbase)
Engine Rear axle ratio Maximum
GCWR-lb. (kg)Maximum
trailer
weight-lb. (kg)
4.6L 3V3.55 13500 (6123) 7600 (3448)
3.73 15100 (6849) 9200 (4173)
5.4L3.31 14000 (6350) 8000 (3629)
3.55 15500 (7031) 9500 (4309)
3.73 15500 (7031)
17100 (7756)*9500 (4309)
11100 (5035)*
*Maximum GCWR and trailer weight when equipped with Max Trailer
Tow package.
Trailer frontal area considerations:
•Not to exceed towing vehicle frontal area 36 square feet (3.4 square
meters) without the Class IV trailer towing package.
•Not to exceed 60 square feet (5.52 square meters) with the Class IV
trailer towing package–excluding vehicles with 3.15 rear axle ratio.
•Not to exceed 45 square feet (4.18 square meters) with the Class IV
trailer towing package for vehicles with 3.15 rear axle ratio only.
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Note:Do not exceed trailer weight of 5,000 lb. (2,268 kg) when towing
with bumper only.
Preparing to tow
Use the proper equipment for towing a trailer and make sure it is
properly attached to your vehicle. Contact your authorized dealer or a
reliable trailer dealer as soon as possible if you require assistance.
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.
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.
3. Attach the trailer to the vehicle and adjust the hitch equalizers so that
the front bumper height is within
12inch (13 mm) of the reference
point. After proper adjustment, the rear bumper should be no higher
than in Step 2.
WARNING:Do not adjust a weight distributing hitch to any
position where the rear bumper of the vehicle is higher than it
was before attaching the trailer. Doing so will defeat the function of
the weight distributing hitch, which may cause unpredictable handling,
and could result in serious personal injury.
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.
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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.
WARNING: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.
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 ensure
smooth and effective trailer braking by powering the trailer’s electric
brakes with a proportional output based on the towing vehicle’s brake
pressure.
WARNING:The Ford TBC has only been verified to be
compatible 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. The gain setting will display in the message
center as follows: TBC GAIN = XX.X.
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The trailer brake controller (TBC) is designed to display three items of
information in the instrument cluster message center. These are: gain
setting, output bar graph, and trailer connectivity status. They will
appear as follows in the message center.
•TBC GAIN = XX.X NO TRAILER: The instrument cluster message
center will display the current gain setting during a given ignition
cycle and when adjusting the gain. This message is also displayed
during manual activation without a trailer connected or when gain
adjustments are made with no trailer connected.
•TBC GAIN = XX.X OUTPUT = //////: When the vehicle’s brake pedal
is pushed, or when the manual control is activated, bar indicators will
illuminate in the instrument cluster message center to indicate the
amount of power going to the trailer brakes relative to the brake pedal
or manual control input. One bar indicates the least amount of output
with six bars indicating maximum output.
•TRAILER CONNECTED:This message is displayed when a correct
trailer wiring connection (a trailer with electric trailer brakes) has
been sensed during a given ignition cycle.
•TRAILER DISCONNECTED:This message is displayed and
accompanied by a single chime, when a trailer connection was
determined and then a disconnection, either intentionally or
unintentionally, has been sensed during a given ignition cycle. It is also
displayed if a truck or trailer wiring fault occurs causing the trailer to
appear disconnected. This message is also displayed during manual
activation without a trailer connected.
2.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 followingProcedure for adjusting GAINsection 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 except
the Center High-Mount Stop Lamp (presuming proper trailer electrical
connection). Pressing the vehicle brake pedal will also illuminate both
trailer and vehicle brake lamps.
Procedure for adjusting 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.
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