2015 FORD F SERIES MOTORHOME AND COMMERCIAL CHASSIS tow bar

Keep a record for at least 1 month andrecord the type of driving (city or highway).This provides an accurate estimate of thevehicle’s fuel economy under currentdriving conditions. Additionally, keepingrecords during summer and winter showhow temperature impacts fuel economy.In general, lower temperatures mean lowerfuel economy.
Conditions
•Heavily loading a vehicle or towing atrailer may reduce fuel economy at anyspeed.
•Carrying unnecessary weight mayreduce fuel economy (approximately1 mpg [0.4 km/L] is lost for every 400pounds [180 kilograms] of weightcarried).
•Adding certain accessories to yourvehicle (for example bug deflectors,rollbars/light bars, running boards, skiracks) may reduce fuel economy.
•Using fuel blended with alcohol maylower fuel economy.
•Fuel economy may decrease with lowertemperatures during the first 8–10miles (12–16 kilometers) of driving.
•Driving on flat terrain offers improvedfuel economy as compared to drivingon hilly terrain.
•Transmissions give their best fueleconomy when operated in the topcruise gear and with steady pressureon the gas pedal.
•Close windows for high speed driving.
EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEM
WARNINGS
Do not park, idle, or drive your vehiclein dry grass or other dry ground cover.The emission system heats up theengine compartment and exhaust system,which can start a fire.
Exhaust leaks may result in entry ofharmful and potentially lethal fumesinto the passenger compartment. Ifyou smell exhaust fumes inside yourvehicle, have your dealer inspect yourvehicle immediately. Do not drive if yousmell exhaust fumes.
Your vehicle is equipped with variousemission control components and acatalytic converter that will enable yourvehicle to comply with applicable exhaustemission standards. To make sure that thecatalytic converter and other emissioncontrol components continue to workproperly:
•Use only the specified fuel listed.
•Avoid running out of fuel.
•Do not turn off the ignition while yourvehicle is moving, especially at highspeeds.
•Have the items listed in scheduledmaintenance information performedaccording to the specified schedule.
The scheduled maintenance items listedin scheduled maintenance information areessential to the life and performance ofyour vehicle and to its emissions system.
If you use parts other than Ford, Motorcraftor Ford-authorized parts for maintenancereplacements, or for service ofcomponents affecting emission control,such non-Ford parts should be theequivalent to genuine Ford Motor Companyparts in performance and durability.
26Motorhome (), enUSAFuel and Refueling

TOWING A TRAILER
WARNINGS
Do not exceed the GVWR orthe GAWR specified on thecertification label.
Towing trailers beyond themaximum recommendedgross trailer weight exceeds thelimit of the vehicle and couldresult in engine damage,transmission damage, structuraldamage, loss of vehicle control,vehicle rollover and personalinjury.
Your vehicle may have electricalitems, such as fuses or relays,related to towing. See the Fuseschapter.
Your vehicle's load capacitydesignation is by weight, not byvolume, so you cannot necessarilyuse all available space whenloading a vehicle.
Towing a trailer places an extraload on your vehicle's engine,transmission, axle, brakes, tiresand suspension. Inspect thesecomponents periodically during,and after, any towing operation.
Load Placement
To help minimize how trailermovement affects your vehiclewhen driving:
•Load the heaviest items closestto the trailer floor.
•Load the heaviest itemscentered between the left andright side trailer tires.
•Load the heaviest items abovethe trailer axles or just slightlyforward toward the trailertongue. Do not allow the finaltrailer tongue weight to goabove or below 10-15% of theloaded trailer weight.
•Select a tow bar with thecorrect rise or drop. When boththe loaded vehicle and trailerare connected, the trailer frameshould be level, or slightlyangled down toward yourvehicle, when viewed from theside.
When driving with a trailer orpayload, a slight takeoff vibrationor shudder may be present due tothe increased payload weight.Additional information regardingproper trailer loading and settingyour vehicle up for towing islocated in another chapter of thismanual. See Load Limit (page36). You can also find theinformation in the RV & TrailerTowing Guide, available at anauthorized dealer.
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ESSENTIAL TOWING CHECKS
Follow these guidelines for safetowing:
•Do not tow a trailer until youdrive your vehicle at least1000 mi (1,600 km).
•Consult your local motorvehicle laws for towing a trailer.
•See the instructions includedwith towing accessories for theproper installation andadjustment specifications.
•Service your vehicle morefrequently if you tow a trailer.See your scheduledmaintenance information.
•If you use a rental trailer, followthe instructions the rentalagency gives you.
Another chapter of this manualcontains load specification termsfound on the tire label and SafetyCompliance label and instructionson calculating your vehicle's load.See Load Limit (page 36).
Remember to account for thetrailer tongue weight as part ofyour vehicle load when calculatingthe total vehicle weight.
Hitches
Do not use a hitch that eitherclamps onto the bumper orattaches to the axle.
Distribute the trailer load so10-15% of the total trailer weight
is on the tongue.
Weight-Distributing Hitches
WARNING
Do not adjust aweight-distributing hitch toany position where the rearbumper of the vehicle is higherthan it was before attaching thetrailer. Doing so will defeat thefunction of the weight-distributinghitch, which may causeunpredictable handling, and couldresult in serious personal injury.
When hooking-up a trailer using aweight-distributing hitch, alwaysuse the following procedure:
1.Park the loaded vehicle,without the trailer, on a levelsurface.
2.Measure the height to the topof your vehicle’s front wheelopening on the fender. This isH1.
3.Securely attach the loadedtrailer to your vehicle withoutthe weight-distributing barsconnected.
4.Measure the height to the topof your vehicle’s front wheelopening on the fender a secondtime. This is H2.
5.Install and adjust the tensionin the weight-distributing barsso that the height of yourvehicle’s front wheel openingon the fender is approximately
halfway between H1 and H2.
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6.Check that the trailer is level orslightly nose down toward yourvehicle. If not, adjust the ballheight accordingly and repeatSteps 1-6.
7.Lock the bar tension adjusterin place.
8.Check that the trailer tonguesecurely attaches and locksonto the hitch.
9.Install safety chains, lightingand trailer brake controls asrequired by law or the trailermanufacturer.
Safety Chains
Note:Never attach safety chainsto the bumper.
Always connect the safety chains
to the hook retainers of yourvehicle hitch.
To connect the safety chains,cross them under the trailertongue and allow enough slack forturning tight corners. Do not allowthe chains to drag on the ground.
Trailer Brakes
WARNING
Do not connect a trailer'shydraulic brake systemdirectly to your vehicle's brakesystem. Your vehicle may not haveenough braking power and yourchances of having a collisiongreatly increase.
Electric brakes and manual,automatic or surge-type trailerbrakes are safe if you install themproperly and adjust them to themanufacturer's specifications. Thetrailer brakes must meet local andfederal regulations.
The rating for the tow vehicle'sbraking system operation is atthe gross vehicle weight rating,not the gross combined weightrating.
Separate functioning brakesystems are required for safecontrol of towed vehicles andtrailers weighing more than1500 pounds (680 kilograms)when loaded.
Trailer Lamps
WARNING
Never connect any trailerlamp wiring to the vehicle'stail lamp wiring; this may damagethe electrical system resulting infire. Contact your authorizeddealer as soon as possible forassistance in proper trailer towwiring installation. Additionalelectrical equipment may berequired.
Trailer lamps are required on mosttowed vehicles. Make sure allrunning lights, brake lights,direction indicators and hazardlights are working.
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BREAKING-IN
You need to break in new tires forapproximately 300 miles (480kilometers). During this time, your vehiclemay exhibit some unusual drivingcharacteristics.
Avoid driving too fast during the first 1000miles (1600 kilometers). Vary your speedfrequently and change up through thegears early. Do not labor the engine.
Do not tow during the first 1000 miles(1600 kilometers).
ECONOMICAL DRIVING
Your fuel economy is affected by severalthings, such as how you drive, theconditions you drive under, and how youmaintain your vehicle.
You may improve your fuel economy bykeeping these things in mind:
•Accelerate and slow down in a smooth,moderate fashion.
•Drive at steady speeds withoutstopping.
•Anticipate stops; slowing down mayeliminate the need to stop.
•Combine errands and minimizestop-and-go driving.
•Close the windows for high-speeddriving.
•Drive at reasonable speeds (travelingat 55 mph [88 km/h] uses 15% lessfuel than traveling at 65 mph [105km/h]).
•Keep the tires properly inflated and useonly the recommended size.
•Use the recommended engine oil.
•Perform all regularly scheduledmaintenance.
Avoid these actions; they reduce your fueleconomy:
•Sudden accelerations or hardaccelerations.
•Revving the engine before turning it off.
•Idle for periods longer than one minute.
•Warm up your vehicle on coldmornings.
•Use the air conditioner or frontdefroster.
•Use the speed control in hilly terrain.
•Rest your foot on the brake pedal whiledriving.
•Drive a heavily loaded vehicle or tow atrailer.
•Carry unnecessary weight(approximately 1 mpg [0.4 km/L] islost for every 400 lb [180 kilogram] ofweight carried).
•Driving with the wheels out ofalignment.
Conditions
•Heavily loading a vehicle or towing atrailer may reduce fuel economy at anyspeed.
•Adding certain accessories to yourvehicle (for example bug deflectors,rollbars, light bars, running boards, skiracks or luggage racks) may reducefuel economy.
•To maximize the fuel economy, drivewith the tonneau cover installed (ifequipped).
•Using fuel blended with alcohol maylower fuel economy.
•Fuel economy may decrease with lowertemperatures during the first 8–10miles (12–16 kilometers) of driving.
•Driving on flat terrain offers improvedfuel economy as compared to drivingon hilly terrain.
49Motorhome (), enUSADriving Hints