
PRINCIPLES OF OPERATION
Cruise control lets you maintain a set speed without keeping your foot
on the accelerator pedal.
USING CRUISE CONTROL (IF EQUIPPED)
WARNING:Do not use cruise control in heavy traffic or on
roads that are winding, slippery or unpaved.
Note:Vehicle speed may vary momentarily when driving up or down a
steep hill. Apply the brakes if the vehicle speed increases above the set
speed while driving downhill.
Note:Cruise control will disengage if the vehicle speed decreases more
than 10 mph (16 km/h) below your set speed while driving uphill.
The cruise controls are located on
the steering wheel.
Switching Cruise Control On
Press and releaseON.
The indicator will turn on in the instrument cluster.
Setting a Speed
1. Accelerate to the desired speed.
2. Press and releaseSET ACCEL.
3. Take your foot off the accelerator pedal.
R
E
S
S
E
T
A
C
C
E
L
C
OA
S
T
ON
OFF
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STEERING
To help prevent damage to the power steering system:
•Never hold the steering wheel at its furthest turning points (until it
stops) for more than a few seconds when the engine is running.
•Do not operate the vehicle with a low power steering pump fluid level
(If the fluid level is below the MIN line mark on the dipstick).
•Some noise is normal during operation. If the noise is excessive, check
for low power steering pump fluid level before seeking service by your
authorized dealer.
•Heavy or uneven steering efforts may be caused by low power steering
pump fluid level. Check for low power steering pump fluid level before
seeking service by your authorized dealer.
•Do not fill the power steering pump reservoir above the MAX line
mark, as this may result in leaks from the reservoir.
If the power steering system breaks down (or if the engine is turned
off), you can steer the vehicle manually, but it takes more effort.
If the steering wanders or pulls, check for:
•an improperly inflated tire.
•uneven tire wear.
•loose or worn suspension components.
•loose or worn steering components.
•improper steering alignment.
A high crown in the road or high crosswinds may also make the steering
seem to wander/pull.
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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 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.
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EngineRear axle
ratioMaximum
GCWR - lb (kg)Maximum Trailer
Weight - lb (kg)
E-250 Extended/Rec/Crew Van
4.6L 3.73 11500 (5216) 5900 (2540)
4.6L 4.10 12000 (5443) 6400 (2903)
5.4L 3.73/4.10 13000 (5897) 7300 (3311)
E-350 Regular/Rec/Crew Van
5.4L 3.73/4.10 13000 (5897) 7400 (3357)
6.8L 3.73 15000 (6804) 9100 (4128)
6.8L 4.10 18500 (8391) 10000 (4536)
E-350 Extended/Rec/Crew Van
5.4L 3.73 13000 (5897) 7200 (3266)
6.8L 3.73 15000 (6804) 9000 (4082)
6.8L 4.10 18500 (8391) 10000 (4536)
E-350 Regular Wagon (11/12 Passenger)
5.4L 3.73/4.10 13000 (5896) 6700 (3039)
6.8L 3.73 15000 (6804) 8500 (3856)
6.8L 4.10 18500 (8391) 10000 (4536)
E-350 Extended Wagon (11 Passenger)
5.4L 3.73/4.10 13000 (5896) 6500 (2948)
6.8L 3.73 15000 (6804) 8300 (3765)
6.8L 4.10 18500 (8391) 10000 (4536)
E-350 Extended Wagon (14/15 Passenger)
5.4L 3.73/4.10 13000 (5896) 6300 (2858)
6.8L 3.73 15000 (6804) 8100 (3674)
6.8L 4.10 18500 (8391) 10000 (4536)
E-350 Cutaway Single Rear Wheel (SRW) 138” Wheelbase
5.4L 4.10 13000 (5896) 8000 (3629)
6.8L 4.10 18500 (8391) 10000 (4536)
E-350 Cutaway Dual Rear Wheel (DRW) 138” Wheelbase
5.4L 3.73 10050 (4763) 4900 (2223)
5.4L 4.10 13000 (5897) 7700 (3493)
6.8L 4.10 18500 (8391) 10000 (4536)
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EngineRear axle
ratioMaximum
GCWR - lb (kg)Maximum Trailer
Weight - lb (kg)
E-350 Cutaway Single Rear Wheel (SRW) 158” Wheelbase
5.4L 4.10 13000 (5896) 8000 (3629)
6.8L 4.10 18500 (8391) 10000 (4536)
E-350 Cutaway Dual Rear Wheel (DRW) 158”/176” Wheelbase
5.4L 3.73 10050 (4763) 4800 (2177)
5.4L 4.10 13000 (5897) 7700 (3493)
6.8L 4.10 18500 (8391) 10000 (4536)
E-350 Stripped Chassis Dual Rear Wheel (DRW) 138” Wheelbase
5.4L 4.10 13000 (5897) 8400 (3810)
6.8L 4.10 18500 (8391) 10000 (4536)
E-350 Stripped Chassis Dual Rear Wheel (DRW) 158”/176”
Wheelbase
5.4L 4.10 13000 (5897) 8300 (3765)
6.8L 4.10 18500 (8391) 10000 (4536)
E-450 Cutaway
5.4L 4.56 14050 (6373) 8500 (3856)
6.8L 4.56 22000 (9979) 10000 (4536)
E-450 Stripped Chassis
5.4L 4.56 14050 (6373) 9200 (4173)
6.8L 4.56 22000 (9979) 10000 (4536)
ESSENTIAL TOWING CHECKS
Follow these guidelines for safe towing:
•Do not tow a trailer until your vehicle has been driven at least
1000 miles (1600 kilometers).
•Consult your local motor vehicle laws for towing a trailer.
•See the instructions included with towing accessories for the proper
installation and adjustment specifications.
•Service your vehicle more frequently if you tow a trailer. See your
scheduled maintenance information.
•If you use a rental trailer, follow the instructions the rental agency
gives you.
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For load specification terms found on the tire label and Safety
Compliance label and for instructions on calculating your vehicle’s load,
refer toLoad limitin theLoad Carryingchapter.
Remember to account for the trailer tongue weight as part of the vehicle
load when calculating the total vehicle weight.
Hitches
Do not use a hitch that either clamps onto the bumper or attaches to the
axle.
Distribute the trailer load so 10-15% of the total trailer weight is on the
tongue.
Weight-Distributing Hitches
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.
When hooking-up a trailer using a weight-distributing hitch, always use
the following procedure:
1. Park the loaded vehicle (without the trailer) on a level surface.
2. Measure the height to the top of the vehicle front wheel opening on
the fender, this is H1.
3. Securely attach the loaded trailer to the vehicle without the
weight-distributing bars connected.
4. Measure the height to the top of the vehicle front wheel opening on
the fender a second time, this is H2.
5. Install and adjust the tension in the weight-distributing bars so that
the height of the vehicle’s front wheel opening on the fender is
approximately halfway between H1 and H2.
6. Check that the trailer is level or slightly nose down toward the
vehicle. If not, adjust the ball height accordingly and repeat
Steps 1–6.
7. Lock bar tension adjuster in place.
8. Check that the trailer tongue is securely attached and locked to the
hitch.
9. Install safety chains, lighting, and trailer brake controls as required
by law or the trailer manufacturer.
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B.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 manual control lever illuminates both the
trailer brake lamps and the tow vehicle brake lamps except the
center high-mount stop lamp (if the proper electrical connection has
been made to the trailer). Pressing the vehicle brake pedal also
illuminates both trailer and vehicle brake lamps.
Procedure for Adjusting GAIN
Note:This should only be performed in a traffic-free environment at
speeds of approximately 20–25 mph (30–40 km/h).
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 making sure the trailer wheels do not lock when
braking. Locked trailer wheels may lead to trailer instability.
1. Make sure the trailer brakes are in good working condition,
functioning normally and properly adjusted. See your trailer dealer if
necessary.
2. Hook up the trailer and make the electrical connections according to
the trailer manufacturer’s instructions.
3. When a trailer with electric or EOH brakes is plugged in, TRAILER
CONNECTED appears in the information display.
4. Use the GAIN adjustment (+/-) buttons to increase or decrease the
GAIN setting to the desired starting point. A GAIN setting of 6.0 is a
good starting point for heavier loads.
5. In a traffic-free environment, tow the trailer on a dry, level surface at
a speed of 20–25 mph (30–40 km/h) and squeeze the manual control
lever completely.
6. If the trailer wheels lock up (indicated by squealing tires), reduce the
GAIN setting. If the trailer wheels turn freely, increase the GAIN
setting. Repeat Steps 5 and 6 until the GAIN setting is at a point just
below trailer wheel lock-up. If towing a heavier trailer, trailer wheel
lock-up may not be attainable even with the maximum GAIN setting
of 10.
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Explanation of Information Display Warning Messages
Note:Your TBC can be diagnosed by your authorized dealer to determine
exactly which trailer fault has occurred. However, if the fault is with the
trailer this diagnosis isnotcovered under your Ford warranty.
TRAILER BRAKE MODULE FAULT:Displays in response to faults sensed
by the TBC (accompanied by a single chime). If this message is displayed,
please contact your authorized dealer as soon as possible for diagnosis and
repair. The TBC may still function, but performance may be degraded.
WIRING FAULT ON TRAILER:Displays when a short circuit on the
electric brake output wire has occurred. If theWIRING FAULT ON
TRAILERmessage is displayed and accompanied by a single chime, with
no trailer connected, the problem is with the vehicle wiring between the
TBC to the 7–pin connector at the bumper. If the message is only displayed
with a trailer connected, the problem is related to the trailer wiring. Consult
your trailer dealer for assistance. This can be a short to ground (i.e.,
chaffed wire), short to voltage (i.e., pulled pin on trailer emergency
break-away battery) or the trailer brakes may be drawing too much current.
Points to Remember
Note:Do not attempt removal of the TBC without consulting the
Workshop Manual.Damage to the unit may result.
•Adjust GAIN setting before using the TBC for the first time.
•Adjust GAIN setting (according to procedure above) whenever road,
weather and trailer or vehicle loading conditions change from when
the GAIN was initially set.
•The manual control lever should only be used for proper adjustment
of the GAIN during trailer setup. Misuse, such as application during
trailer sway, could cause instability of trailer or tow vehicle.
•
Avoid towing in adverse weather conditions. The TBC does not provide
anti-lock control of the trailer wheels. Trailer wheels can lock up on
slippery surfaces, resulting in reduced stability of trailer and tow vehicle.
•The TBC is equipped with a feature which reduces output at vehicle
speeds below 11 mph (18 km/h) so trailer and vehicle braking is not
jerky or harsh. This feature is only available when applying the brakes
using the vehicle’s brake pedal, not the TBC.
•The controller interacts with the brake control system and powertrain
control system of the vehicle to provide the best performance on
different road conditions.
•Your vehicle’s brake system and the trailer brake system work
independently of each other. Changing the GAIN setting on the TBC
does not affect the operation of your vehicle’s brakes whether a trailer is
attached or not.
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