BED EXTENDER (IF EQUIPPED)
Note:This feature is not intended for off-road usage.
Note:Make sure the locking pins and knobs are fully engaged when the
vehicle is in motion.
Note:Make sure all cargo is secured.
Note:The tailgate load must not exceed 150 pounds (68 kilograms)
when the vehicle is in motion.
Note:The bed extender should always be kept in the grocery mode or
stowed position with the tailgate closed when not being used for the
purpose of restraining cargo in the tailgate mode.
To open the bed extender into tailgate mode:
1. Pull the locking pin toward the
center of the vehicle.
2. Open the latches to release the
panels.
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3. Rotate the panels toward the
tailgate.
Repeat Steps 1–3 for the other side of the bed extender.
4. Connect the two panels, then
rotate both knobs a quarter-turn
clockwise to secure the panels.
5. Make sure the latch rod is
inserted into the tailgate hole and
the locking pins on both sides are
engaged into their holes in the
pick-up box.
6. Reverse steps for storage of the
bed extender.
To open the bed extender into
grocery mode, follow Steps 1–4 by
rotating the panels away from the
tailgate. Close the tailgate.
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This feature applies the vehicle brakes at individual wheels and, if
necessary, reduces engine power. If the trailer begins to sway, the
stability control light flashes and the messageTRAILER SWAY
REDUCE SPEEDappears in the information display. The first thing to
do is slow the vehicle down, then pull safely to the side of the road and
check for proper tongue load and trailer load distribution. See theLoad
Carryingchapter for specific loading information.
RECOMMENDED TOWING WEIGHTS
Note:Do not exceed a trailer weight of 5000 pounds (2268 kilograms)
when towing with, or by, bumper only.
Note:Trailer frontal area is the total area in square feet (meters) that a
moving vehicle and trailer are exposed to air resistance. The following
trailer frontal area limitations should be considered in selecting a trailer
based on your vehicle configuration:
•60 feet
2(5.57 meters2) for conventional, 5th wheel and gooseneck
trailers.
Note:Exceeding these limitations may significantly reduce the
performance of your towing vehicle. Selecting a trailer with a low
aerodynamic drag and rounded front design will help optimize
performance and fuel economy.
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.
Your vehicle may tow a class I, II, III and IV trailer or fifth-wheel 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 chart.
To calculate the maximum loaded trailer weight for your vehicle:
1. Start with GCWR for your vehicle model and axle ratio (see the
following chart).
2. Subtract all of the following that apply to your vehicle:
•Vehicle curb weight
•Hitch hardware weight (e.g. draw bar, ball, locks, weight
distributing, etc.)
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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 use a hitch that either clamps onto the 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.
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.
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Ford Motor Company produces a towing manual for all authorized tow
truck operators. Have your tow truck operator refer to this manual for
proper hook-up and towing procedures for your vehicle.
Two-wheel drive (2WD) vehicles can be towed with the front wheels on
the ground and the rear wheels off the ground.
It is recommended that four-wheel drive (4WD) vehicles are to be towed
with a wheel lift and dollies or flatbed equipment with all the wheels off
the ground. However, a wheel lift may be used to lift the rear of the
vehicle so long as, depending on vehicle configurations, the following
preparations are met:
•On manual-shift transfer case vehicles, the front wheel hub locks are
in the FREE position prior to towing.
•On Electronic Shift-On-the-Fly (ESOF) vehicles, the 4WD control is
turned to the 2WD position prior to towing.
Note:Towing an ESOF 4WD vehicle with the front wheels on the ground
without disengaging the front hubs may cause damage to the automatic
transmission.
Note:Towing a 2WD or an ESOF 4WD vehicle with the rear wheels on
the ground for more than 50 miles (80 km) and/or in excess of 35 mph
(56 km/h) may cause damage to the automatic transmission.
Note:On dual rear wheel (DRW) vehicles, an outer rear wheel must be
removed prior to using a wheel lift wrecker.
TOWING THE VEHICLE ON FOUR WHEELS
Emergency Towing
In the event your vehicle becomes disabled (without access to wheel
dollies, car-hauling trailer, or flatbed transport vehicle), it can be
flat-towed (all wheels on the ground, regardless of the
powertrain/transmission configuration) under the following conditions:
•The vehicle is facing forward so that it is towed in a forward
direction.
•The transmission is placed in positionN.SeeAutomatic
transmissionin theTransmissionchapter if you cannot move the
transmission intoN.
•Maximum speed is 35 mph (56 km/h).
•Maximum distance is 50 miles (80 kilometers).
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Recreational Towing
Note:Put your climate control system in recirculated air mode to
prevent exhaust fumes from entering the vehicle. See theClimate
Controlchapter.
Follow these guidelines if you have a need for recreational (RV) towing.
An example of recreational towing would be towing your vehicle behind
a motorhome. These guidelines are designed to ensure that your
transmission is not damaged.
Drivetrain
configurationRequirements for neutral towing
4WD with manual-shift
transfer caseTransmission in N (Neutral); transfer case in N
(Neutral); hublocks set to FREE.
*
2WD or 4WD with
electronic-shift
transfer case (ESOF)Do not tow your vehicle with any wheels on
the ground, as vehicle or transmission damage
may occur. It is recommended to tow your
vehicle with all four (4) wheels off the ground,
such as when using a car-hauling trailer.
Otherwise, no recreational towing is permitted.
*Always make sure that both hub locks are set to the same position.
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