Connecting and Disconnecting a Trailer with Air Suspension and
Air Suspension Dump Switch
When connecting to a trailer:
•Press the lower portion of the switch to exhaust air from the air
suspension system.
•Press the upper portion of the switch, and then raise the landing gear
after making the connection to the trailer.
When disconnecting the trailer:
•Lower the landing gear, and then press the lower portion of the
switch.
•Disconnect the brake hoses, trailer-side and rear light connectors,
then pull the release lever on the fifth wheel.
You must press the upper portion of the switch before operating with a
trailer or operating in the bobtail mode.
Suspension Conversions
WARNING:When operating a loaded vehicle, the driver must
keep all adjustable axles on the ground at all times, supporting
their share of the vehicle’s load. Failure to do so can overload other
axles, tires, wheels, springs, steering components, brakes and frames,
resulting in early component failure, loss of vehicle control, possible
property damage and personal injury.
We do not recommend performing, or approve of, suspension
conversions. However, we understand that, on occasion, others install
aftermarket add-on suspensions on the truck chassis that allow operator
control for weight transfer from other axles (such as air lift axles).
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LOAD LIMIT
WARNING:Do not exceed the GVWR or the GAWR specified on
the Safety Compliance Certification Label.
WARNING:Do not use replacement tires with lower load
carrying capacities than the originals because they may lower the
vehicle’s GVWR and GAWR limitations. Replacement tires with a higher
limit than the originals do not increase the GVWR and GAWR
limitations.
WARNING:Exceeding any vehicle weight rating limitation could
result in serious damage to the vehicle and/or personal injury.
Every vehicle manufactured by Ford Motor Company is supplied with
information on the Safety Compliance Certification Label, located on
either the B-pillar or the driver’s door edge, listing the maximum loading
for the vehicle (GVWR), and its axle systems (GAWR) at the tire to
ground interface.
Under no circumstances should your vehicle be loaded in excess of the
GVWR or GAWR. It is the operator’s responsibility to ensure that neither
the axle capacities, spring capacities, tire capacities nor the vehicle rated
GVWR is exceeded.
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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 the vehicle and could
result in engine damage, transmission damage, structural damage, loss
of vehicle control, vehicle rollover and personal injury.
Your vehicle’s load capacity designation is by weight, not by volume, so
you cannot necessarily use all available space when loading a vehicle.
Second-unit bodies are not included in maximum trailer weight ratings.
You must subtract the weight of the extra body from the maximum
trailer weight.
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.
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RECOMMENDED TOWING WEIGHTS
Vehicles with diesel engine
Model Maximum
GVWR - lb (kg)Maximum
GCWR
F-650 Pro-Loader (Kick-Up
Frame)20500–26000
(9299–11792)
*
F-650 Pro-Loader (Straight
Frame)/F-650 Straight Frame20940–29000
(9498–13154)*
F-750 25999–37000
(11793–16783)*
*
Specific GCWR and maximum trailer weight applicable your vehicle is
dependent on many variables including transmission capability. Check
with your sales consultant for the exact rating on your vehicle.
Vehicles with gasoline engine
Model Maximum
GVWR - lb (kg)Maximum
GCWR
F-650 Pro-Loader (Kick-Up
Frame)20500–26000
(9299–11792)
*
F-650 Pro-Loader (Straight
Frame)/F-650 Straight Frame20940–29000
(9498–13154)*
*
Specific GCWR and maximum trailer weight applicable your vehicle is
dependent on many variables including transmission capability. Check
with your sales consultant for the exact rating on your vehicle.
ESSENTIAL TOWING CHECKS
Service your vehicle more frequently if you tow a trailer. See your
scheduled maintenance information.
For load specification terms found on the Tire Label and Safety
Compliance Certification Label and for instructions on calculating your
vehicle’s load, seeLoad limitin theLoad Carryingchapter.
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.
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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 crash 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.
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.
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
•Check your hitch, electrical connections and trailer wheel lug nuts
thoroughly after you have traveled 50 miles (80 kilometers).
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4. Make sure the coupler release lever is in the locked position.
5. Charge the trailer brake system. Set the trailer brakes, with either
the hand valve or tractor protection valve. Pull against the trailer for
an extra check of proper hook-up. Do not pull hard enough to
damage or strain the equipment.
6. Set the tractor parking brakes and fully raise the trailer landing gear.
See theBrakeschapter for proper operation of the parking brake
and trailer brakes.
7. Check the operation of all trailer lights and correct any lights that
may be faulty.
Un-hook
1. Try to keep the tractor and trailer in a straight line.
2. Apply the parking brakes.
3. Lower the trailer landing gear, making sure it is on solid, level
ground. The weight of the trailer is to be on the landing gear.
4. Block the trailer wheels.
5. Disconnect the brake hoses and light cords. Be sure hoses and cords
are clear.
6. Pull coupler release lever to disengage the fifth wheel jaws.
7. Release the tractor parking brakes.
8. Pull out from the trailer slowly, allowing the landing gear to take the
load gradually.
WRECKER TOWING
WARNING:To reduce the risk of personal injury or property
damage when manually releasing the spring brakes, be sure to
block the wheels so the vehicle cannot move once the brakes are
released.
Note:Make sure to connect your vehicle securely to the tow vehicle and
that the tow vehicle’s parking brakes are set before releasing the disabled
vehicle’s spring brakes.
Before moving the disabled vehicle, check for adequate road clearance of
vehicle components. If possible, unload the disabled vehicle before
towing. This reduces any abnormal load to the vehicle components
resulting from the towing procedures. Before towing, make sure to
release the parking brake fully. You can reset the spring-actuated type
parking brake by recharging the air system with at least 64 psi (441 kPa)
of air. If the brake system does not retain air pressure, then you must
release the spring brakes manually. SeeParking brakein theBrakes
chapter.
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BREAKING-IN
You need to break in new tires for approximately 300 miles
(480 kilometers). During this time, your vehicle may exhibit some unique
driving characteristics. Avoid driving too fast during the first 1000 miles
(1600 kilometers). Vary your speed frequently and change up through
the gears early. Do not labor the engine.
ECONOMICAL DRIVING
Several things affect your vehicle’s fuel economy, such as how you drive,
the conditions you drive under and how you maintain your vehicle.
You may improve your vehicle’s fuel economy by keeping these things in
mind:
•Accelerate and slow down in a smooth, moderate fashion.
•Drive at steady speeds without stopping.
•Anticipate stops; slowing down may eliminate the need to stop.
•Close the windows for high-speed driving.
•Drive at reasonable speeds. Traveling at 55 mph (88 km/h) uses 15%
less fuel than traveling at 65 mph (105 km/h).
•Keep the tires properly inflated and use only the recommended size.
•Use the recommended engine oil.
•Perform all regularly scheduled maintenance.
You may want to avoid doing these things since they may reduce your
vehicle’s fuel economy:
•Sudden or hard accelerations.
•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.
•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 (such as bug deflectors,
roll bars and light bars, running boards, ski racks).
•Drive with the wheels out of alignment.
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Irregular Wear:If irregular wear is present, check the axle alignment,
tire pressure, wheel balancing, shock and suspension component
condition, and wheel bearing end play.
This condition not only shortens tire life, but also adversely affects the
handling of your vehicle, which is dangerous.
Rotating tires from one wheel position to another is an often-used way to
even out many types of irregular wear or to avoid it altogether. Some of
the more effective tire rotation programs are:
•You can rotate steer tires that have developed some type of irregular
wear pattern to drive axles if using rib tires on all wheel positions.
Applying steer tires to a drive position often cleans them. You can
move them back to the steer axles or run out to re-tread stage on the
rear axle.
•Another rotation possibility for fleets with rib tires in all wheel
positions is to break in the new steer tires in the drive axle positions,
then move them to steer axles. This wears away tread rubber
relatively quickly in the early life of a tire when it is most likely to
develop an unusual wear pattern.
•You can place drive axle tires on the other end of the same axle to
reverse the direction of rotation. This is often helpful if a heel and
toe or alternate lug wear pattern has developed.
You can help minimize irregular wear by:
•Using the right inflation pressure for the load being carried.
•Maintaining proper front wheel alignment, especially toe-in, to
specifications.
•Maintaining proper tire and wheel balance.
•Maintaining shock absorbers and suspension components.
Use of Tire Chains
See the chain manufacturer’s recommendation for correct tire chain
usage, installation and removal.
WHEELS
General Information
Note:Remember to replace the wheel air valves when replacing the road
tires at the end of their useful lives.
Inspect, lubricate and adjust wheel bearings at regular intervals. This is
especially important if operating in deep sand, mud or water. See the
Capacities and Specificationschapter.
Mount wheel balance weights on the dome-side of the wheel only. Failure
to do so may result in loss of wheel weight or damage to brakes or
wheels.
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