2011 FORD F150 tow

WARNING:Exceeding any vehicle weight rating limitation could
result in serious damage to the vehicle and/or personal injury.
Steps for determining the correct load limit:
1. Locate the statement “The combined weight of occupants and cargo
should never exceed XXX kg or XXX lb.” on your vehicle’s placard.
2. Determine the combined weight of the driver and passengers that will
be riding in your vehicle.
3. Subtract the combined weight of the driver and passengers from XXX
kg or XXX lb.
4. The resulting figure equals the available amount of cargo and luggage
load capacity. For example, if the “XXX” amount equals 1,400 lb. and
there will be five 150 lb. passengers in your vehicle, the amount of
available cargo and luggage load capacity is 650 lb. (1400-750 (5 x 150)
= 650 lb.). In metric units (635-340 (5 x 68) = 295 kg.)
5. Determine the combined weight of luggage and cargo being loaded on
the vehicle. That weight may not safely exceed the available cargo and
luggage load capacity calculated in Step 4.
6. If your vehicle will be towing a trailer, load from your trailer will be
transferred to your vehicle. Consult this manual to determine how this
reduces the available cargo and luggage load capacity of your vehicle.
The following gives you a few examples on how to calculate the available
amount of cargo and luggage load capacity:
•Another example for your vehicle with 1,400 lb. (635 kg) of cargo and
luggage capacity. You decide to go golfing. Is there enough load
capacity to carry you, 4 of your friends and all the golf bags? You and
four friends average 220 lb. (99 kg) each and the golf bags weigh
approximately 30 lb. (13.5 kg) each. The calculation would be: 1400 -
(5 x 220) - (5 x 30) = 1400 - 1100 - 150 = 150 lb. Yes, you have
enough load capacity in your vehicle to transport four friends and
your golf bags. In metric units, the calculation would be: 635 kg - (5 x
99 kg) - (5 x 13.5 kg) = 635 - 495 - 67.5 = 72.5 kg.
•A final example for your vehicle with 1,400 lb. (635 kg) of cargo and
luggage capacity. You and one of your friends decide to pick up
cement from the local home improvement store to finish that patio
you have been planning for the past 2 years. Measuring the inside of
the vehicle with the rear seat folded down, you have room for
12-100 lb. (45 kg) bags of cement. Do you have enough load capacity
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to transport the cement to your home? If you and your friend each
weigh 220 lb. (99 kg), the calculation would be: 1400 - (2 x 220) - (12
x 100) = 1400 - 440 - 1200 = - 240 lb. No, you do not have enough
cargo capacity to carry that much weight. In metric units, the
calculation would be: 635 kg - (2 x 99 kg) - (12 x 45 kg) = 635 - 198 -
540 = -103 kg. You will need to reduce the load weight by at least
240 lb. (104 kg). If you remove 3-100 lb. (45 kg) cement bags, then
the load calculation would be:
1400 - (2 x 220) - (9 x 100) = 1400 - 440 - 900 = 60 lb. Now you have
the load capacity to transport the cement and your friend home. In
metric units, the calculation would be: 635 kg - (2 x 99 kg) - (9 x
45 kg) = 635 - 198 - 405 = 32 kg.
The above calculations also assume that the loads are positioned in your
vehicle in a manner that does not overload the Front or the Rear Gross
Axle Weight Rating specified for your vehicle on the Safety Compliance
Certification Label found on the edge of the driver’s door.
Special loading instructions for owners of pick-up trucks and
utility-type vehicles
WARNING:For important information regarding safe operation
of this type of vehicle, see thePreparing to drive your vehicle
section in theDrivingchapter of this owner’s guide.
WARNING: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, III or IV 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 charts.
If your vehicle is not equipped with a heavy-duty trailer towing package,
the maximum weight your vehicle can tow is limited to 5,000 lb
(2,268 kg).
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Note:Do not exceed trailer weight of 5,000 lb (2,268 kg) when towing
with bumper only.
Exceeding the maximum GCWR could result in extensive damage
to your vehicle and personal injury.
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.
Follow these guidelines to ensure safe towing:
•Do not tow a trailer until your vehicle has been driven at least
1,000 miles (1,600 km).
•Consult your local motor vehicle laws for towing a trailer.
•Refer to the instructions included with towing accessories for the
proper installation and adjustment specifications.
•Thoroughly prepare your vehicle for towing. Refer toPreparing to
towin this chapter.
•Stay within your vehicle’s load limits.
•Use extra caution when driving while trailer towing. Refer toDriving
while you towin this chapter.
•Service your vehicle more frequently if you tow a trailer. Refer to
Special operating conditionsin theScheduled Maintenance Guide
chapter.
For load specification terms found on the label and instructions on
calculating your vehicle’s load, refer toVehicle loading - with and
without a trailerin this chapter. Remember to figure in the tongue load
of your loaded vehicle when figuring the total weight.
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.
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SuperCab
Engine Rear axle
ratioMaximum
GCWR - lb (kg)Maximum Trailer
Weight - lb (kg)
2WD 145” wheelbase
3.5L 3.15 14000 (6350) 8600 (3901)
3.55 15200 (6895) 9800 (4445)
3.5L (Max Trailer
Tow Package)3.73 16900 (7666) 11300 (5126)
3.7L 3.73 11100 (5035) 5800 (2630)
5.0L3.31 13500 (6123) 8100 (3674)
3.55 14900 (6759) 9500 (4309)
4WD 145” wheelbase
3.5L3.31 14000 (6350) 8400 (3810)
3.55/3.73 15400 (6985) 9800 (4445)
3.5L (Max Trailer
Tow Package)3.73 17100 (7756) 11300 (5126)
3.7L 3.73 11100 (5035) 5500 (2495)
5.0L3.55 13500 (6123) 7800 (3538)
3.73 15100 (6849) 9400 (4264)
2WD 163” wheelbase
3.5L (Heavy
Payload Package)3.73 17100 (7756) 11300 (5126)
5.0L (Heavy
Payload Package)3.73 15300 (6940) 9600 (4355)
4WD 163” wheelbase
3.5L (Heavy
Payload Package)3.73 17100 (7756) 11200 (5080)
5.0L (Heavy
Payload Package)3.73 15300 (6940) 9300 (4218)
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SuperCrew
Engine Rear axle
ratioMaximum
GCWR - lb (kg)Maximum Trailer
Weight - lb (kg)
2WD 145” wheelbase
3.5L 3.15 14000 (6350) 8500 (3856)
3.55 15300 (6940) 9800 (4445)
3.5L (Max Trailer
Tow Package)3.73 16900 (7666) 11300 (5126)
3.7L 3.73 11100 (5035) 5700 (2585)
5.0L3.55 13500 (6123) 8000 (3629)
3.73 14900 (6759) 9400 (4264)
6.2L
(Harley-Davidson™
and Lariat
Limited)3.73 13500 (6123) 7500 (3402)
6.2L (Max Trailer
Tow Package)3.73 17100 (7756) 11300 (5126)
4WD 145” wheelbase
3.5L3.31 14000 (6350) 8200 (3719)
3.55/3.73 15500 (7031) 9700 (4400)
3.5L (Max Trailer
Tow Package)3.73 17100 (7756) 11300 (5126)
5.0L3.55 13500 (6123) 7700 (3493)
3.73 15100 (6849) 9300 (4218)
6.2L
(Harley-Davidson™
and Lariat
Limited)3.73 13500 (6123) 7200 (3266)
6.2L (Max Trailer
Tow Package)3.73 17100 (7756) 11100 (5035)
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SuperCrew
Engine Rear axle
ratioMaximum
GCWR - lb (kg)Maximum Trailer
Weight - lb (kg)
2WD 157” wheelbase
3.5L3.15 14000 (6350) 8400 (3810)
3.55 15300 (6940) 9700 (4400)
3.5L (Max Trailer
Tow Package)3.73 17000 (7711) 11300 (5126)
5.0L3.55 13500 (6123) 7900 (3583)
3.73 14900 (6759) 9300 (4218)
4WD 157” wheelbase
3.5L3.31 14000 (6350) 8000 (3629)
3.55/3.73 15500 (7031) 9600 (4354)
3.5L (Max Trailer
Tow Package)3.73 17100 (7756) 11200 (5080)
5.0L3.55 13500 (6123) 7500 (3402)
3.73 15100 (6849) 9100 (4128)
Note:When taking into consideration trailer frontal area, ensure not to
exceed:
•45 ft
2(4.18 m2) without the Trailer Tow Package or the Heavy
Payload Package.
•60 ft
2(5.52 m2) with the Trailer Tow Package or the Heavy Payload
Package.
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 a hitch that clamps onto the vehicle’s bumper or attaches 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.
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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. Failure to do so may result in loss of
vehicle control, crash or serious injury.
The TBC user interface consists of
the following:
1.+/- (GAIN adjustment
buttons):Pressing these buttons
adjusts 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 raises or lowers the setting continuously. The gain
setting displays in the message center as follows: TBC GAIN = XX.X.
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 appear in
the message center as follows:
•TBC GAIN = XX.X NO TRAILER:The instrument cluster message
center displays the current gain setting during a given ignition cycle
and when adjusting the gain. This message is also displayed during
12
TRAILER BRAKE
-+
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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
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 illuminates 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 also illuminates 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.
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.
Note:This should only be performed in a traffic-free environment at
speeds of approximately 20–25 mph (30–40 km/h).
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