2016 FORD F SERIES MOTORHOME AND COMMERCIAL CHASSIS weight

The above calculations alsoassume that the loads arepositioned in your vehicle in amanner that does not overloadthe Front or the Rear Gross AxleWeight Rating specified for yourvehicle on the Safety ComplianceCertification Label. The label shallbe affixed to either the door hingepillar, door-latch post, or the dooredge that meets the door-latchpost, next to the driver's seatingposition.
Special Loading Instructionsfor Owners of Pick-up Trucksand Utility-type Vehicles
WARNING
Loaded vehicles may handledifferently than unloaded
vehicles. Extra precautions, suchas slower speeds and increasedstopping distance, should betaken when driving a heavilyloaded vehicle.
Your vehicle can haul more cargoand people than most passengercars. Depending upon the typeand placement of the load,hauling cargo and people mayraise the center of gravity of thevehicle.
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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 or trailer.
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 (page38).
You can also find information inthe RV & Trailer Towing Guideavailable at your authorizeddealer, or online.
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RV & Trailer Towing Guide Online
http://www.fleet.ford.com/towing-guides/Website
RECOMMENDED TOWING
WEIGHTS
Note:Do not exceed the trailerweight for your vehicleconfiguration listed in the chartbelow.
Note:Make sure to take intoconsideration trailer frontal area.Do not exceed 60 feet² (5.6meters²) trailer frontal area.
Note:For high altitude operation,reduce the gross combined weightby 2% per 1000 feet (300 meters)starting at the 1000 foot (300meter) elevation point.
Note:Certain states requireelectric trailer brakes for trailersover a specified weight. Be sure tocheck state regulations for thisspecified weight. The maximumtrailer weights listed may be limitedto this specified weight, as thevehicle’s electrical system may notinclude the wiring connectorneeded to activate electric trailerbrakes.
Your vehicle may tow a trailerprovided the maximum trailerweight is less than or equal to themaximum trailer weight listed foryour vehicle configuration on thefollowing chart.
Maximum trailerweightMaximumGCWRMaximumGVWRRear axleratio
7000 lb (3175 kg)23000 lb(10432 kg)16000 lb (7257kg)4.30
5000 lb (2268 kg)23000 lb(10432 kg)18000 lb (8165kg)4.30
6500 lb (2894 kg)26000 lb(11793 kg)19500 lb(8845 kg)4.88
7700 lb (3493 kg)27200 lb(12338 kg)19500 lb(8845 kg)4.88
5500 lb (2500 kg)26000 lb(11793 kg)20500 lb(9299 kg)5.38
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Maximum trailerweightMaximumGCWRMaximumGVWRRear axleratio
4000 lb (1814 kg)26000 lb(11793 kg)22000 lb(9979 kg)5.38
7700 lb (3493 kg)29700 lb(13472 kg)22000 lb(9979 kg)5.38
6000 lb (2721 kg)30000 lb(13608 kg)24000 lb(10886 kg)6.17
4000 lb (1814 kg)30000 lb(13608 kg)26000 lb(11793 kg)6.17
46Motorhome (TY3) , enUSA, First PrintingTowing

ESSENTIAL TOWING CHECKS
Follow these guidelines for safe towing:
•Do not tow a trailer until you drive yourvehicle at least 1,000 mi (1,600 km).
•Consult your local motor vehicle lawsfor towing a trailer.
•See the instructions included withtowing accessories for the properinstallation and adjustmentspecifications.
•Service your vehicle more frequently ifyou tow a trailer. See your scheduledmaintenance information.
•If you use a rental trailer, follow theinstructions the rental agency givesyou.
Another chapter of this manual containsload specification terms found on the tirelabel and Safety Compliance label andinstructions on calculating your vehicle'sload. See Load Limit (page 38).
Remember to account for the trailertongue weight as part of your vehicle loadwhen calculating the total vehicle weight.
Hitches
Do not use a hitch that either clamps ontothe bumper or attaches to the axle.
Distribute the trailer load so 10-15% of thetotal trailer weight is on the tongue.
Weight-Distributing Hitches
WARNING
Do not adjust a weight-distributinghitch to any position where the rearbumper of the vehicle is higher thanit was before attaching the trailer. Doingso will defeat the function of theweight-distributing hitch, which may causeunpredictable handling, and could resultin serious personal injury.
When hooking-up a trailer using aweight-distributing hitch, always use thefollowing procedure:
1.Park the loaded vehicle, without thetrailer, on a level surface.
2.Measure the height to the top of yourvehicle’s front wheel opening on thefender. This is H1.
3.Securely attach the loaded trailer toyour vehicle without theweight-distributing bars connected.
4.Measure the height to the top of yourvehicle’s front wheel opening on thefender a second time. This is H2.
5.Install and adjust the tension in theweight-distributing bars so that theheight of your vehicle’s front wheelopening on the fender is approximatelyhalfway between H1 and H2.
6.Check that the trailer is level or slightlynose down toward your vehicle. If not,adjust the ball height accordingly andrepeat Steps 1-6.
7.Lock the bar tension adjuster in place.
8.Check that the trailer tongue securelyattaches and locks onto the hitch.
9.Install safety chains, lighting and trailerbrake controls as required by law or thetrailer manufacturer.
Safety Chains
Note:Never attach safety chains to thebumper.
Always connect the safety chains to thehook retainers of your vehicle hitch.
To connect the safety chains, cross themunder the trailer tongue and allow enoughslack for turning tight corners. Do not allowthe chains to drag on the ground.
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Trailer Brakes
WARNING
Do not connect a trailer's hydraulicbrake system directly to yourvehicle's brake system. Your vehiclemay not have enough braking power andyour chances of having a collision greatlyincrease.
Electric brakes and manual, automatic orsurge-type trailer brakes are safe if youinstall them properly and adjust them tothe manufacturer's specifications. Thetrailer brakes must meet local and federalregulations.
The rating for the tow vehicle's brakingsystem operation is at the gross vehicleweight rating, not the gross combinedweight rating.
Separate functioning brake systemsare required for safe control of towedvehicles and trailers weighing morethan 1500 pounds (680 kilograms)when loaded.
Trailer Lamps
WARNING
Never connect any trailer lamp wiringto the vehicle's tail lamp wiring; thismay damage the electrical systemresulting in fire. Contact your authorizeddealer as soon as possible for assistancein proper trailer tow wiring installation.Additional electrical equipment may berequired.
Trailer lamps are required on most towedvehicles. Make sure all running lights, brakelights, direction indicators and hazard lightsare working.
Before Towing a Trailer
Practice turning, stopping and backing upto get the feel of your vehicle-trailercombination before starting on a trip.When turning, make wider turns so thetrailer wheels clear curbs and otherobstacles.
When Towing a Trailer
•Do not drive faster than 70 mph(113 km/h) during the first 500 mi(800 km).
•Do not make full-throttle starts.
•Check your hitch, electrical connectionsand trailer wheel lug nuts thoroughlyafter you have traveled 50 mi (80 km).
•When stopped in congested or heavytraffic during hot weather, place thegearshift in park (P) to aid engine andtransmission cooling and to help airconditioning performance.
•Switch off the speed control withheavy loads or in hilly terrain. Thespeed control may turn offautomatically when you are towing onlong, steep grades.
•Shift to a lower gear when driving downa long or steep hill. Do not apply thebrakes continuously, as they mayoverheat and become less effective.
•If your transmission is equipped with aGrade Assist or Tow/Haul feature, usethis feature when towing. This providesengine braking and helps eliminateexcessive transmission shifting foroptimum fuel economy andtransmission cooling.
•Allow more distance for stopping witha trailer attached. Anticipate stops andbrake gradually.
•Avoid parking on a grade. However, ifyou must park on a grade:
1.Turn the steering wheel to point yourvehicle tires away from traffic flow.
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•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.
•Transmissions give their best fueleconomy when operated in the topcruise gear and with steady pressureon the gas pedal.
•Four-wheel-drive operation (ifequipped) is less fuel efficient thantwo-wheel-drive operation.
•Close the windows for high-speeddriving.
DRIVING THROUGH WATER
WARNING
Do not drive through flowing or deepwater as you may lose control of yourvehicle.
Note:Driving through standing water cancause vehicle damage.
Note:Engine damage can occur if waterenters the air filter.
Before driving through standing water,check the depth. Never drive through waterthat is higher than the bottom of the wheelhubs.
When driving through standing water, drivevery slowly and do not stop your vehicle.Your brake performance and traction maybe limited. After driving through water andas soon as it is safe to do so:
•Lightly press the brake pedal to dry thebrakes and to check that they work.
•Check that the horn works.
•Check that the exterior lights work.
•Turn the steering wheel to check thatthe steering power assist works.
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Hydromax
WARNINGS
Carefully read cautionary informationon product label. For MEDICALEMERGENCY INFORMATION contacta physician or Poison Control Centerimmediately; on Ford-Motorcraft™products call: 1-800-959-3673 (FORD).Failure to follow these instructions mayresult in personal injury.
Use of any brake fluid other than thatindicated for your brake system willcause permanent damage.
Do not let the reservoir for the mastercylinder run dry. This may cause thebrakes to fail and result in personalinjury.
Chassis with gross vehicle weight ratingsof 20500 pounds (9299 kilograms),22000 pounds (9979 kilograms), 24000pounds (10886 kilograms) and 26000pounds (11793 kilograms) are equippedwith Hydromax Brake Booster Systemsand must use Motorcraft DOT 5.1 MotorVehicle Brake Fluid or equivalent meetingFord Specification ESD-M6C57-A. SeeCapacities and Specifications (page122).
Add fluid up to the bottom of the ringslocated at the top of the reservoir. Do notfill above this line.
•Use only DOT 5.1 brake fluid that iscertified to meet Ford specifications.
•A clear gel-like substance in thehydraulic brake master cylinderreservoir may appear on some vehicles.This substance is a silicone baselubricant used during assembly of themaster cylinder. It will float on top ofthe brake hydraulic fluid in the mastercylinder. This condition is normal andin no way affects the operation of thebrake system. It does not require anyservice.
•Brake system fluid should be replacedon a regular basis to maintain optimumbraking performance, especially underheavy-duty driving conditions such asfrequent steep grades or heavy towingloads. See Scheduled Maintenance(page 128).
Hydroboost
Chassis with gross vehicle weight ratingsof 16000 pounds (7257 kilograms), 18000pounds (8165 kilograms) and 19500pounds (8845 kilograms) are equippedwith Hydroboost Brake Booster Systemsand must use Motorcraft HighPerformance DOT 3 Motor Vehicle BrakeFluid or equivalent meeting FordSpecification WSS-M6C62-A.
Add brake fluid from a clean unopenedcontainer until the level reaches MAX. Donot fill above this line. Use only DOT 3brake fluid that is certified to meet Fordspecifications.
Brake system fluid should be replaced ona regular basis to maintain optimumbraking performance, especially underheavy-duty driving conditions such asfrequent steep grades or heavy towingloads. See Scheduled Maintenance(page 128).
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