2012 FORD F150 trailer

Note:The suspension insulation and bumpers will help prevent vehicle
damage. Do not remove these components from your vehicle when using
snow tires and chains.
Note:Do not place chains on the following tires sizes: P265/60R18,
P275/65R18, LT275/65R18, LT315/70R17, P275/55R20, and P275/45R22.
Follow these guidelines when using snow tires and chains:
•If possible, avoid fully loading your vehicle.
•Use only SAE Class S chains.
•Install chains securely, verifying that the chains do not touch any
wiring, brake lines or fuel lines.
•Drive cautiously. If you hear the chains rub or bang against your
vehicle, stop and retighten the chains. If this does not work, remove
the chains to prevent damage to your vehicle.
•Remove the tire chains when they are no longer needed. Do not use
tire chains on dry roads.
VEHICLE LOADING – WITH AND WITHOUT A TRAILER
This section will guide you in the proper loading of your vehicle and/or
trailer, to keep your loaded vehicle weight within its design rating
capability, with or without a trailer. Properly loading your vehicle will
provide maximum return of vehicle design performance. Before loading
your vehicle, familiarize yourself with the following terms for determining
your vehicle’s weight ratings, with or without a trailer, from the vehicle’s
Tire Label or Safety Compliance Certification Label:
Base Curb Weight– is the weight of the vehicle including a full tank of
fuel and all standard equipment. It does not include passengers, cargo, or
optional equipment.
Vehicle Curb Weight– is the weight of your new vehicle when you
picked it up from your authorized dealer plus any aftermarket
equipment.
Tires, Wheels and Loading
255
2012 F-150(f12)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

Example only:
Cargo Weight– includes all weight added to the Base Curb Weight,
including cargo and optional equipment. When towing, trailer tongue load
or king pin weight is also part of cargo weight.
Tires, Wheels and Loading
257
2012 F-150(f12)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

GAW (Gross Axle Weight)– is the total weight placed on each axle
(front and rear) – including vehicle curb weight and all payload.
GAWR (Gross Axle Weight Rating)– is the maximum allowable
weight that can be carried by a single axle (front or rear).These
numbers are shown on the Safety Compliance Certification Label
located on the B-Pillar or the edge of the driver’s door. The total
load on each axle must never exceed its GAWR.
Note:For trailer towing information refer toTrailer towingfound in
this chapter or theRV and Trailer Towing Guideprovided by your
authorized dealer.
GVW (Gross Vehicle Weight)– is the Vehicle Curb Weight + cargo +
passengers.
GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating)– is the maximum allowable
weight of the fully loaded vehicle (including all options, equipment,
passengers and cargo).The GVWR is shown on the Safety
Compliance Certification Label located on the B-Pillar or the
edge of the driver’s door. The GVW must never exceed the GVWR.
Tires, Wheels and Loading
258
2012 F-150(f12)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

GCW (Gross Combined Weight)– is the weight of the loaded vehicle
(GVW) plus the weight of the fully loaded trailer.
GCWR (Gross Combined Weight Rating)– is the maximum allowable
weight of the vehicle and the loaded trailer – including all cargo and
passengers – that the vehicle can handle without risking damage.
(Important: The towing vehicle’s braking system is rated for operation at
GVWR, not at GCWR.) Separate functional brakes should be used for
safe control of towed vehicles and for trailers where the GCW of the
towing vehicle plus the trailer exceed the GVWR of the towing vehicle.
The GCW must never exceed the GCWR.
Maximum Loaded Trailer Weight– is the highest possible weight of a
fully loaded trailer the vehicle can tow. It assumes a vehicle with only
mandatory options, no cargo (internal or external), a tongue load of
10–15% (conventional trailer) or king pin weight of 15–25% (fifth wheel
trailer), and driver only (150 lb. [68 kg]).Consult your authorized
dealer (or theRV and Trailer Towing Guideprovided by your
authorized dealer) for more detailed information.
Tongue Load or Fifth Wheel King Pin Weight– refers to the amount
of the weight that a trailer pushes down on a trailer hitch.
Examples:For a 5,000 lb. (2,268 kg) conventional trailer, multiply 5,000
by 0.10 and 0.15 to obtain a proper tongue load range of 500 to 750 lb.
(227 to 340 kg). For an 11,500 lb. (5,216 kg) fifth wheel trailer, multiply
by 0.15 and 0.25 to obtain a proper king pin load range of 1,725 to
2,875 lb. (782 to 1,304 kg)
WARNING:Do not exceed the GVWR or the GAWR specified on
the Safety Compliance Certification Label.
Tires, Wheels and Loading
260
2012 F-150(f12)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

WARNING:Do not use replacement tires with lower load
carrying capacities than the original tires because they may
lower the vehicle’s GVWR and GAWR limitations. Replacement tires
with a higher limit than the original tires do not increase the GVWR
and GAWR limitations.
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.
Tires, Wheels and Loading
261
2012 F-150(f12)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

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.
When driving with a trailer or payload, a slight takeoff vibration or
shudder may be present due to the increased payload weight. Additional
information regarding proper trailer loading and setting your vehicle up
for towing is noted underVehicle Loading – With and Without a
Trailerin this chapter and in theRV & Trailer Towing Guide,available
at your authorized dealer.
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).
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.
SeeSettingsin theInstrument Clusterchapter for information on
calculating DTE (Distance to empty).
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 your scheduled maintenance.
Tires, Wheels and Loading
263
2012 F-150(f12)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

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.
Regular Cab
Engine Rear axle
ratioMaximum
GCWR - lb (kg)Maximum Trailer
Weight - lb (kg)
2WD 126” wheelbase
3.7L3.55 10400 (4717) 5500 (2495)
3.73 10900 (4944) 6000 (2721)
5.0L3.31 12900 (5851) 7900 (3583)
3.55 13300 (6033) 8300 (3765)
2WD 145” wheelbase
3.5L3.15 14000 (6350) 8800 (3992)
3.55 15000 (6804) 9800 (4445)
3.5L (Heavy
Payload Package)3.73 16600 (7530) 11300 (5126)
3.7L3.55 10600 (4808) 5600 (2540)
3.73 11100 (5035) 6100 (2767)
5.0L3.31 13500 (6123) 8400 (3810)
3.55 14900 (6759) 9800 (4445)
5.0L (Heavy
Payload Package)3.73 15300 (6940) 10000 (4536)
4WD 126” wheelbase
3.7L 3.73 10900 (4944) 5700 (2585)
5.0L3.55 12900 (5851) 7600 (3447)
3.73 13300 (6033) 8000 (3629)
Tires, Wheels and Loading
264
2012 F-150(f12)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

Regular Cab
Engine Rear axle
ratioMaximum
GCWR - lb (kg)Maximum Trailer
Weight - lb (kg)
4WD 145” wheelbase
3.5L3.31 14000 (6350) 8600 (3901)
3.55/3.73 15200 (6895) 9800 (4445)
3.5L (Heavy
Payload Package)3.73 17100 (7756) 11300 (5126)
3.7L 3.73 11100 (5035) 5900 (2676)
5.0L3.55 13500 (6123) 8200 (3719)
3.73 15100 (6849) 9800 (4445)
5.0L (Heavy
Payload Package)3.73 15300 (6940) 9700 (4400)
SuperCab
Engine Rear axle
ratioMaximum
GCWR - lb (kg)Maximum Trailer
Weight - lb (kg)
4WD 133” wheelbase
6.2L (SVT
Raptor)4.10 12500 (5670) 6000 (2722)
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)3.73/4.10 17100 (7756) 11300 (5126)
3.7L 3.73 11100 (5035) 5500 (2495)
Tires, Wheels and Loading
265
2012 F-150(f12)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)