2013 FORD FUSION (AMERICAS) trailer

LOAD LIMIT
Vehicle Loading - with and without
a Trailer
This section will guide you in the
proper loading of your vehicle,
trailer or both, 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. Payload -
is the combined weight
of cargo and passengers that the
vehicle is carrying. The maximum
payload for your vehicle can be
found on the Tire Label on the
B-Pillar or the edge of the driver
door (vehicles exported outside
the US and Canada may not have
a Tire Label). Look for
“THE
COMBINED WEIGHT OF
OCCUPANTS AND CARGO SHOULD NEVER EXCEED XXX
kg OR XXX lb.
” for maximum
payload. The payload listed on the
Tire Label is the maximum
payload for the vehicle as built by
the assembly plant. If you install
any aftermarket or
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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.
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
Gross Axle Weight Rating.
Note: For trailer towing information refer
to the RV and Trailer Towing Guide available
at an authorized dealer. 207
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WARNING
Exceeding the Safety Compliance
Certification Label vehicle weight
rating limits could result in
substandard vehicle handling or
performance, engine, transmission and/or
structural damage, serious damage to the
vehicle, loss of control and personal injury. GCW (Gross Combined Weight)
- is the Gross Vehicle Weight 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 Gross Vehicle
Weight Rating, not at Gross
Combined Weight Rating.)
Separate functional brakes should
be used for safe control of towed
vehicles and for trailers where the
Gross Combined Weight of the towing vehicle plus the trailer
exceed the Gross Vehicle Weight
Rating of the towing vehicle.
The
Gross Combined Weight must
never exceed the Gross
Combined Weight Rating.
Maximum Loaded Trailer
Weight -
is the highest possible
weight of a fully loaded trailer the
vehicle can tow. It assumes a
vehicle with mandatory options,
driver and front passenger weight
(150 pounds [68 kilograms]
each), no cargo weight (internal
or external) and a tongue load of
10– 15% (conventional trailer) or
king pin weight of 15– 25% (fifth
wheel trailer). Consult an
authorized dealer (or the RV and
Trailer Towing Guide available at
an authorized dealer) for more
detailed information.
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GVW

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 5000 pound
(2268 kilogram) conventional
trailer, multiply 5000 by 0.10 and
0.15 to obtain a proper tongue
load range of 500 to 750 pounds
(227 to 340 kilograms). For an
11500 pound (5216 kilogram) fifth
wheel trailer, multiply by 0.15 and
0.25 to obtain a proper king pin
load range of 1725 to 2875 pounds
(782 to 1304 kilograms). WARNINGS
Do not exceed the GVWR or the
GAWR specified on the Safety
Compliance Certification Label.
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. 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.)
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:
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TOWING A TRAILER
WARNINGS
Do not exceed the GVWR or the
GAWR specified on the certification
label.
Towing trailers beyond the maximum
recommended gross trailer weight
exceeds the limit of your vehicle and
could result in engine damage,
transmission damage, structural damage,
loss of vehicle control, vehicle rollover and
personal injury. Note:
Your vehicle may have electrical
items, such as fuses or relays, related to
towing. See Fuses (page 231).
Your vehicle may have electrical items,
such as fuses or relays, related to towing.
See the Fuses chapter.
Your vehicle's load capacity designation
is by weight, not by volume, so you cannot
necessarily use all available space when
loading a vehicle.
Towing a trailer places an extra load on
your vehicle's engine, transmission, axle,
brakes, tires and suspension. Inspect these
components periodically during, and after,
any towing operation.
Load Placement
To help minimize how trailer movement
affects your vehicle when driving:
• Load the heaviest items closest to the
trailer floor.
• Load the heaviest items centered
between the left and right side trailer
tires. •
Load the heaviest items above the
trailer axles or just slightly forward
toward the trailer tongue. Do not allow
the final trailer tongue weight to go
above or below 10-15% of the loaded
trailer weight.
• Select a tow bar with the correct rise
or drop. When both the loaded vehicle
and trailer are connected, the trailer
frame should be level, or slightly angled
down toward your vehicle, when
viewed from the side.
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 located in the Load
Carrying chapter. See
Load Limit (page
205). You can also find the information in
the RV & Trailer Towing Guide, available
at an authorized dealer.
RECOMMENDED TOWING
WEIGHTS
Note: Do not exceed the trailer weight for
your vehicle configuration listed in the chart
below.
Note: Make sure to take into consideration
trailer frontal area. Do not exceed 20 feet 2
(1.86 meters 2
).
Note: For high altitude operation, reduce
the gross combined weight by 2% per 1000
feet (300 meters) starting at the 1000 foot
(300 meter) elevation point.
Note: Certain states require electric trailer
brakes for trailers over a specified weight.
Be sure to check state regulations for this
specified weight. The maximum trailer
weights listed may be limited to this
specified weight, as the vehicle ’s electrical
system may not include the wiring
connector needed to activate electric trailer
brakes.
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Your vehicle may tow a Class I trailer
provided the maximum trailer weight is
less than or equal to the maximum trailer
weight listed for your vehicle configuration
on the following chart. Maximum Trailer Weight - lb (kg)
*
Powertrain
1000 (454)
1.6L GTDI
2000 (907)
2.0L GTDI
1000 (454)
2.5L TiVCT
* Calculated with SAE J2807 method.
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ESSENTIAL TOWING CHECKS
Follow these guidelines to ensure safe
towing:
•
Do not tow a trailer until you drive your
vehicle 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. Refer to your
scheduled maintenance information.
• If you use a rental trailer, follow the
instructions the rental agency gives
you.
You can find information on load
specification terms found on the tire label
and Safety Compliance label as well as
instructions on calculating your vehicle's
load in the Load Carrying chapter. See
Load Limit (page 205).
Remember to account for the trailer
tongue weight as part of your 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 trailer
tongue.
Safety Chains
Note: Never attach safety chains to the
bumper.
Always connect the trailer ’s safety chains
to the hook retainers of your vehicle hitch. To connect the trailer
’s safety chains, cross
them under the trailer tongue and allow
enough slack for turning tight corners. Do
not allow the chains to drag on the ground.
Trailer Brakes 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. Electric brakes and manual, automatic or
surge-type trailer brakes are safe if you
install them properly and adjust them to
the manufacturer's specifications. The
trailer brakes must meet local and federal
regulations.
The rating for the tow vehicle's braking
system operation is at the gross vehicle
weight rating, not the gross combined
weight rating.
Separate functioning brake systems
are required for safe control of towed
vehicles and trailers weighing more
than 1500 pounds (680 kilograms)
when loaded.
Trailer Lamps
WARNING
Never connect any trailer lamp wiring
to the vehicle's tail lamp wiring; this
may damage the electrical system
resulting in a fire. Contact an authorized
dealer as soon as possible for assistance
in proper trailer tow wiring installation.
Additional electrical equipment may be
required. 214
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Trailer lamps are required on most towed
vehicles. Make sure all running lights, brake
lights, turn signals and hazard lights are
working.
Before Towing a Trailer
Practice turning, stopping and backing-up
to get the feel of your vehicle-trailer
combination before starting on a trip.
When turning, make wider turns so the
trailer wheels clear curbs and other
obstacles.
When Towing a Trailer
•
Do not drive faster than 70 mph (113
km/h) during the first 500 miles (800
kilometers).
• Do not make full-throttle starts.
• Check your hitch, electrical connections
and trailer wheel lug nuts thoroughly
after you have traveled 50 miles (80
kilometers).
• When stopped in congested or heavy
traffic during hot weather, place the
gearshift in position P (automatic
transmission) or neutral (manual
transmission) to aid engine and
transmission cooling and to help A/C
performance.
• Turn off the speed control with heavy
loads or in hilly terrain. The speed
control may turn off automatically
when you are towing on long, steep
grades.
• Shift to a lower gear when driving down
a long or steep hill. Do not apply the
brakes continuously, as they may
overheat and become less effective.
• If your transmission is equipped with a
Grade Assist or Tow/Haul feature, use
this feature when towing. This provides
engine braking and helps eliminate
excessive transmission shifting for
optimum fuel economy and
transmission cooling. •
Allow more distance for stopping with
a trailer attached. Anticipate stops and
brake gradually.
• Avoid parking on a grade. However, if
you must park on a grade:
•Turn the steering wheel to point
your vehicle tires away from traffic
flow.
• Set your vehicle parking brake.
• Place the automatic transmission
in position
P or manual
transmission in a low gear.
• Place wheel chocks in front and
back of the trailer wheels. (Chocks
not included with vehicle.)
Launching or Retrieving a Boat or
Personal Watercraft (PWC)
Note: Disconnect the wiring to the trailer
before
backing the trailer into the water.
Note: Reconnect the wiring to the trailer
after
you remove the trailer from the water.
When backing down a ramp during boat
launching or retrieval:
• Do not allow the static water level to
rise above the bottom edge of the rear
bumper.
• Do not allow waves to break higher
than 6 inches (15 centimeters) above
the bottom edge of the rear bumper.
Exceeding these limits may allow water to
enter vehicle components:
• Causing internal damage to the
components.
• Affecting drivability, emissions, and
reliability.
Any time the rear axle submerges in water,
replace the rear axle lubricant. Water may
contaminate the rear axle lubricant, which
is not a normal maintenance inspection
item unless there is a possibility of a leak
or other axle repair is required.
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