GENERAL INFORMATION
WARNINGS
Do not drive with your foot resting on
the brake pedal. This results in
abnormally high brake temperatures,
excessive lining wear and increased
stopping distance. Continuous application of the brakes
causes the brakes to overheat,
resulting in temporary loss of braking.
Note:
Occasional brake noise is normal. If
a metal-to-metal, continuous grinding or
continuous squeal sound is present, the
brake linings may be worn-out. Have the
system checked by an authorized dealer. If
your vehicle has continuous vibration or
shudder in the steering wheel while braking,
have it checked by an authorized dealer.
All standard equipment brakes are
self-adjusting. Automatic adjustment,
when required, occurs whenever you apply
and release the brakes during forward or
reverse operation.
Know the required stopping distances for
all driving conditions you may encounter.
For longer brake lining life, take full
advantage of engine braking power when
coming to a stop. See Warning Lamps and
Indicators (page 58).
Wet brakes result in reduced braking
efficiency. Gently press the brake pedal a
few times when driving from a car wash or
standing water to dry the brakes.
If brakes do not grip well:
• Check brake adjustment.
• Check brake linings for excessive wear.
• Check system air pressure on vehicle
equipped with air brakes. •
Let the brakes cool if you have been
using them excessively, as in mountain
driving or after several fast, high-speed
stops.
• If you have been driving through deep
water, gently apply the brakes several
times while your vehicle is moving
slowly.
Anti-lock Brake System
This system helps you maintain steering
control during emergency stops by keeping
the brakes from locking. This lamp momentarily
illuminates when you turn the
ignition on. If the light does not
illuminate during start up, remains on or
flashes, the system may be disabled. Have
the system checked by an authorized
dealer. If the system is disabled, normal
braking is still effective. If the
brake warning lamp illuminates
when you release the parking brake, have
the system checked by an authorized
dealer. If you connect a PLC trailer with
the ignition on, the trailer ABS
light also illuminates. If the light
fails to illuminate, if it remains on after you
start the vehicle or continues to flash, have
the system serviced immediately.
HINTS ON DRIVING WITH
ANTI-LOCK BRAKES
Note: When the system is operating, the
brake pedal may pulse and may travel
further. Maintain pressure on the brake
pedal. You may also hear a noise from the
system. This is normal.
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TRAILER BRAKES
Trailer Brake Hand Control (If Equipped)
WARNING
The hand control should never be
used to apply the brakes when the
tractor and trailer are parked
unattended. Air may leak from the system
and the vehicle could possibly move,
resulting in possible property damage,
personal injury or death. The hand control is located on the
right-hand side of the instrument panel. It
applies the trailer service brakes, which are
independent of the truck or tractor service
brakes.
It operates a valve that provides gradual
control of air pressure applied. When the
valve is only partially applied, you can
override the trailer brakes by pressing fully
on the brake pedal.
To apply the trailer brakes using the hand
control, move the lever downward. The
further you push the lever down, the
greater the air pressure is applied to the
brakes. The lever remains in place until
manually moved. To release the trailer brakes, move the
lever up completely.
Trailer Air Supply and Parking
Brake Modular Controls (If Equipped)
The trailer air supply valve delivers air to
the trailer supply and automatically pops
out, shutting off the trailer supply, if
pressure decreases to approximately 35 psi
(249 kPa)
.
The parking brake controls the spring
brakes on the tractor. When you pull the
knob out, it causes the trailer supply valve
to pop out, applying both the tractor and
trailer parking brakes. You can
independently release the trailer brakes by
pushing only the trailer air supply valve in.
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A
B
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Initial Charge
With the air system completely discharged,
both knobs (A and B) are out. When the
air pressure reaches 70 psi (4.83 bar), the
trailer air supply (A - red knob) may be
pushed in and should stay in, charging the
trailer air system and releasing the trailer
brakes. You can push in the parking brake (B -
yellow knob) and supply air to the tractor
spring brakes, releasing them.
Normal Driving Position
Push in both knobs (A and B) to supply air
to both trailer and tractor spring brakes,
releasing all brakes.
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System Park
With both knobs (A and B) pushed in
(normal driving position), the parking
brakes for both the tractor and trailer can
be applied by pulling the parking brake
knob (B) out, exhausting air from the
tractor spring brakes, simultaneously
causing the trailer air supply valve to pop
out, applying the trailer brakes.
Trailer Charge
If both knobs (A and B) are out, and you
want to recharge the trailer while leaving
the tractor spring brakes applied, the trailer
air supply (A) can be pushed in to recharge
the trailer air supply line. You can also use
this mode to park a combination vehicle
with tractor spring brakes.
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Automatic Application
If both knobs (A and B) are pushed in and
the brake system air pressure is reduced
to approximately 35 psi (249 kPa), the
trailer air supply (A) knob automatically
pops out applying the emergency or
parking brakes on the trailer. If the trailer
air supply (A) knob is manually held in and
the air pressure is reduced to
approximately
30 psi (207 kPa), a tripper
piston within the valve moves, exhausting
the trailer air supply, applying the trailer
brakes. Further reduction of air pressure,
while holding the trailer air supply knob in,
causes the parking brake knob to pop out
at
25 psi (172 kPa).
Actuation of Trailer Park (Emergency)
or Tractor Bobtail Position To actuate the trailer brakes only, pull out
the trailer air supply (A) knob. This applies
the trailer brakes whether the trailer uses
emergency or spring brakes.
You can also use this mode when the
tractor or truck with trailer is used during
bobtail operation.
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AIR SUSPENSION (If Equipped)
Note: Do not operate your vehicle without
air in the suspension springs. Operating your
vehicle without air in the suspension springs
damages the suspension, degrades ride
performance and may cause property
damage.
The air suspension system automatically
adjusts to different loads to maintain a
constant frame height, allows for ease of
vehicle loading, provides improved vehicle
ride, and increased driver comfort.
Air Suspension Dump Button Note:
The suspension dumps air when the
ignition is in the accessory or on position,
but fills only when the ignition is in the on
position.
A button located on the instrument panel
controls the system. It operates only when
the ignition is in the accessory or on
position and the air tanks have sufficient
pressure to fill the air springs. When you
turn off the ignition, the suspension
remains in whatever state it was last set.
Pressing and holding the button for two
seconds exhausts air from the air springs,
lowering the frame for loading. Pressing
and holding the button for two seconds
fills the air springs so your vehicle remains
at normal ride height. System Indicator Light
The air suspension indicator light
illuminates when using the button to
release air pressure in the rear air springs.
Never drive your vehicle when the warning
lamp is illuminated and there is low (or no)
air pressure in the springs.
Connecting and Disconnecting a
Trailer with Air Suspension and Air
Suspension Dump Button
When connecting to a trailer:
•
Press and hold the button for two
seconds to exhaust air from the air
suspension system.
• Press and hold the button for two
seconds, and then raise the landing
gear after making the connection to
the trailer.
When disconnecting the trailer:
• Lower the landing gear, and then press
and hold the button for two seconds.
• Disconnect the brake hoses, trailer-side
and rear light connectors, then pull the
release lever on the fifth wheel.
You must fill the air springs 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
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TOWING A TRAILER
WARNINGS
Do not exceed the GVWR or
the GAWR specified on the
certification label. 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 may have electrical
items, such as fuses or relays,
related to towing. See Fuses
(page 162).
Your vehicle's load capacity
designation is by weight, not by
volume, so you cannot necessarily
use all available space when
loading a vehicle.
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.
When driving with a trailer or
payload, a slight takeoff vibration
or shudder may be present due to
the increased payload weight.
Additional information regarding
proper trailer loading and setting
your vehicle up for towing is
located in another chapter of this
manual. See
Load Limit (page
137).
You can also find information in
the
RV & Trailer Towing Guide
available at your authorized
dealer, or online. RV & Trailer Towing Guide Online
http://www.fleet.ford.com/towing-guides/
Website
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RECOMMENDED TOWING WEIGHTS
Vehicles with gasoline engine
Maximum GCWR
Maximum GVWR
lb (kg)
Model
*
20500–
26000
(9299– 11792)
F-650 Pro-Loader (Kick-Up
Frame)
*
25600–
29000
(11612 –13154)
F-650 Pro-Loader (Straight
Frame)/F-650 Straight Frame
* 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 diesel engine
Maximum GCWR
Maximum GVWR
lb (kg)
Model
*
20500–
26000
(9299– 11792)
F-650 Pro-Loader (Kick-Up
Frame)
*
25600–
29000
(11612 –13154)
F-650 Pro-Loader (Straight
Frame)/F-650 Straight Frame
*
25999– 37000
(11793– 16783)
F-750
* 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.
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