2012 FORD F550 towing

TRAILER CONNECTED (if equipped) — Displayed when a correct
trailer connection (a trailer with electric trailer brakes) is sensed during
a given ignition cycle. Refer to Trailer towing in the Tires, Wheels and
Loading chapter for more information.
TRAILER DISCONNECTED (if equipped) — Displayed when a
trailer connection becomes disconnected, either intentionally or
unintentionally, and has been sensed during a given ignition cycle. Refer
to Trailer towing in the Tires, Wheels and Loading chapter for more
information.
TRAILER SWAY REDUCE SPEED (if equipped) — Displayed when
the trailer sway control has detected trailer sway. For more information,
refer to the Driving chapter for more information.
WIRING FAULT ON TRAILER (if equipped) — Displayed if there
are certain faults in the vehicle wiring and trailer wiring/brake system.
Refer to Trailer towing in the Tires, Wheels and Loading chapter for
more information. Instrument Cluster
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Note: Ten or more switch activations within one minute, or repeated
fold/unfolding of the mirrors while holding the switch rearward during the
full travel may cause the system to disable the fold/unfold function to
protect the motors from overheating. Should this occur, wait approximately
3 1
2
minutes for the system to reset and function to return to normal.
Note: The power-fold mirrors are designed to operate while the vehicle
is stationary or traveling at moderate speeds. If you attempt to
power-fold the mirrors at high speeds, they may not fully fold
forward/rearward - slow down and power-fold or manually fold the
mirrors in order to complete the fold operation.
Note: If the power fold/telescope mirror glass appears loose or vibrates
when driving, it is possible that the mirrors have been manually folded or
telescoped. To minimize the vibration, ensure that the mirrors are
electronically folded and telescoped in/out with the switches on the door
trim panel. If the power fold mirrors are out of sync, electronically
power-fold the mirrors to re-sync the motors. This will cause a loud “click”
and the mirrors will jerk during re-synchronization. This is normal.
Telescoping mirrors (if equipped)
The telescoping feature allows the
mirror to extend approximately
2.75 inches (70 mm). This feature is
especially useful to the driver when
towing a trailer. Mirrors can be
manually pulled out or pushed in to
the desired telescopic position.
If equipped with PowerScope™
power telescoping mirrors, you can
simultaneously position both mirrors
using the power telescope switch
found on the door trim panel.
• To telescope the mirrors
outboard, press and hold the left
side of the power telescope switch until the mirrors reach their
desired position. When the end of travel is reached, it is normal to
hear the power telescoping motors running as long as you continue to
hold the switch.Driver Controls
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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
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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.
The label shall be affixed to either the door hinge pillar,
door-latch post, or the door edge that meets the door-latch post,
next to the driver’s seating position. The total load on each axle
must never exceed its GAWR.
Note: For trailer towing information refer to Trailer towing found in
this chapter or the RV and Trailer Towing Guide provided 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. The label shall be affixed to
either the door hinge pillar, door-latch post, or the door edge that
meets the door-latch post, next to the driver’s seating position.
The GVW must never exceed the GVWR. Tires, Wheels and Loading
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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 the RV and Trailer Towing Guide provided 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
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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
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TRAILER TOWING
Note: The trailer towing chart in this section applies to vehicles
equipped with a gasoline engine; for vehicles equipped with a diesel
engine, refer to your diesel supplement.
Your vehicle may tow a Conventional/Class IV trailer or fifth-wheel trailer
provided the maximum trailer weight is less than or equal to the
maximum trailer weight for your engine and rear axle ratio.
Towing a trailer places an additional load on your vehicle’s engine,
transmission, axle, brakes, tires and suspension. Inspect these
components carefully prior to and after any towing operation. Refer to
Transmission fluid temperature gauge in the Instrument Cluster
chapter for the transmission fluid temperature information.
To find the maximum trailer weight allowed for your vehicle, consult
your authorized dealer (or the RV and Trailer Towing Guide provided
by your authorized dealer).
To calculate your maximum trailer weight on your own:
1. Pick-up trucks: Take curb weight, hitch hardware and the driver’s
weight, then subtract them from the GCWR listed for your vehicle
series and drive axle ratio listed on the following table.
2.
Chassis cabs and pick-up trucks with aftermarket equipment:
Weigh your vehicle at a certified scale and subtract this actual curb
weight, hitch hardware and the driver’s weight from the GCWR listed
for your vehicle series and drive axle ratio listed on the following table.
The weight of all additional cargo and passengers must be subtracted
from the maximum trailer weight calculated above.
Further trailer/hitch restrictions and limitations exist depending on the
type of trailer and hitch used. This information follows the table listing
the maximum GCWRs.
For load specification terms found on the label and instructions on
calculating your vehicle’s load, refer to Vehicle loading - with and without
a trailer in this chapter when figuring the total weight of your vehicle.
Note: Do not exceed the tire ratings specified on the Tire Label or
Safety Compliance Certification Label.
WARNING: Do not exceed the GVWR or the GAWR specified on
the certification label.Tires, Wheels and Loading
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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.
Vehicle type Rear axle
ratio Maximum
GCWR - lb (kg)
F–250/F–350 Single Rear Wheel (SRW) 3.73 19000 (8617)
4.30 22000 (9977)
F–350 Dual Rear Wheel (DRW) 3.73 19500 (8844)
4.30 22500 (10204)
F–450/550 4.88 26000 (11791)
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
WARNING: ON PICK-UP TRUCKS, the trailer hitch provided on
this vehicle enhances collision protection for the fuel system. DO
NOT REMOVE!
Do not mount a ball hitch (sometimes referred to as a trailer ball hitch
or trailer ball) to the bumper or 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% for conventional towing or 15–25% for
fifth-wheel towing of the total weight of the trailer is on the tongue.
Hitch ratings
The standard 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. Tires, Wheels and Loading
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