2015 FORD E SERIES tow bar

TOWING A TRAILER
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 your vehicle and could
result in engine damage, transmission damage, structural damage, loss
of vehicle control, vehicle rollover and personal injury.
Note:For information on electrical items such as fuses or relays, see the
Fuseschapter.
The load capacity of your vehicle is designated by weight not volume.
You may not necessarily be able to use all available space when loading
your vehicle or trailer.
Towing a trailer places extra load on the engine, transmission, axle,
brakes, tires, and suspension. Inspect these components before, during
and after towing.
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. You can
find more information about proper trailer loading and setting your
vehicle up for towing underLoad limitin theLoad Carryingchapter.
You can also find information in theRV and Trailer Towing Guide
available at your authorized dealer.
126Towing
2015 Econoline(eco)
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing, June 2014
USA(fus)

RECOMMENDED TOWING WEIGHTS
Note:Calculate the maximum trailer weight for all cutaway vehicles by
subtracting the weight of your vehicle (including incomplete vehicle
weight and payload, which includes second unit body weight, cargo and
passengers) from the gross combined weight. Otherwise, maximum
trailer weight is 10000 pounds (4536 kilograms).
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 60 feet
2(5.57 meters2) trailer frontal area.
Note:Exceeding this limitation may significantly reduce the
performance of your towing vehicle. Selecting a trailer with a low
aerodynamic drag and rounded front design helps 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 your vehicle’s electrical system may not include the
wiring connector needed to use electric trailer brakes.
Your vehicle may tow a 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.
To calculate the maximum loaded trailer weight for your vehicle:
1. Start with the gross combined weight rating 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, such as a draw bar, ball, locks or weight
distributing
•Driver weight
•Passenger(s) weight
•Payload, cargo and luggage weight
•Aftermarket equipment weight.
3. This equals the maximum loaded trailer weight for this combination.
Note:The trailer tongue load figures into the payload for your vehicle.
Reduce the total payload by the final trailer tongue weight.
Towing127
2015 Econoline(eco)
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing, June 2014
USA(fus)

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 your vehicle’s front wheel opening
on the fender. This is H1.
3. Securely attach the loaded trailer to your vehicle without the
weight-distributing bars connected.
4. Measure the height to the top of your vehicle’s 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 your 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 your
vehicle. If not, adjust the ball height accordingly and repeat
Steps 2–6.
Once the trailer is level or slightly nose down toward the vehicle:
•Lock the bar tension adjuster in place.
•Check that the trailer tongue securely attaches and locks onto the
hitch.
•Install safety chains, lighting, and trailer brake controls as required by
law or the trailer manufacturer.
Safety Chains
Note:Do not attach safety chains to the bumper.
Always connect the trailer’s safety chains to the frame or hook retainers
of your vehicle hitch.
To connect the trailer’s safety chains, cross the chains 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.
130Towing
2015 Econoline(eco)
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing, June 2014
USA(fus)

The controller shows gain setting, output bar graph, and trailer
connectivity status in the information display. They appear in the
information display as follows:
•TBC GAIN = XX.X NO TRAILER:Shows the current gain setting
during a given ignition cycle and when adjusting the gain. This also
displays if you use the manual control lever or make gain adjustments
with no trailer connected.
•TBC GAIN = XX.X OUTPUT=//////:Displays when you push
your vehicle’s brake pedal, or when you use the manual control. Bar
indicators illuminate in the information display to indicate the amount
of power going to the trailer brakes relative to the brake pedal or
manual control input. One bar indicates the least amount of output;
six bars indicate maximum output.
•TRAILER CONNECTED:Displays when the system senses a
correct trailer wiring connection (a trailer with electric trailer brakes)
during a given ignition cycle.
•TRAILER DISCONNECTED:Displays, accompanied by a single
audible chime, when the system senses a trailer connection and then
a disconnection, either intentional or unintentional, during a given
ignition cycle. It also displays if a truck or trailer-wiring fault occurs
causing the trailer to appear disconnected. This message can also
display if you use the manual control lever without a trailer
connected.
B.Manual control lever:Slide the control lever to the left to turn on
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 you use the manual control while the brake
is also applied, the greater of the two inputs determines the power sent
to the trailer brakes.
•Stop lamps:Using the manual control lever illuminates both the
trailer brake lamps and your vehicle brake lamps except the center
high-mount stop lamp, if you make the proper electrical connection
to the trailer. Pressing your vehicle brake pedal also illuminates both
trailer and vehicle brake lamps.
132Towing
2015 Econoline(eco)
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing, June 2014
USA(fus)

•Keep the tires properly inflated and use only the recommended size.
•Use the recommended engine oil.
•Perform all regularly scheduled maintenance.
There are also some things you may not want to do because they may
reduce your fuel economy:
•Sudden or hard accelerations.
•Rev the engine before turning it off.
•Idle for periods longer than one minute.
•Warm up your vehicle on cold mornings.
•Use the air conditioner or front defroster.
•Use the speed control in hilly terrain.
•Rest your foot on the brake pedal while driving.
•Drive a heavily loaded vehicle or tow a trailer.
•Carry unnecessary weight (approximately 1 mpg [0.4 km/L] is lost for
every 400 pounds [180 kilograms] of weight carried).
•Add particular accessories to your vehicle (e.g.; bug deflectors,
rollbars or light bars, running boards, ski racks).
•Drive with the wheels out of alignment.
DRIVING THROUGH WATER
WARNING:Do not drive through flowing or deep water as you
may lose control of your vehicle.
Note:Driving through standing water can cause vehicle damage.
Note:Engine damage can occur if water enters the air filter.
142Driving Hints
2015 Econoline(eco)
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing, June 2014
USA(fus)