2016 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR towing

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 the vehicle ’s electrical system
may not include the wiring connector needed
to activate 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.
Consult an authorized dealer to determine
the maximum trailer weight allowed for your
vehicle if you are not sure. Maximum GCWR
Towing Package
Vehicle Type
12300 lb (5579 kg)
Standard
Two-wheel drive (except L)
12600 lb (5715 kg)
Two-wheel drive L
12500 lb (5669 kg)
Four-wheel drive (except L)
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Maximum GCWR
Towing Package
Vehicle Type
12800 lb (5806 kg)
Four-wheel drive L
15100 lb (6849 kg)
Optional Heavy Duty
Two-wheel drive (except L)
14900 lb (6758 kg)
Two-wheel drive L
15100 lb (6849 kg)
Four-wheel drive (except L)
14900 lb (6758 kg)
Four-wheel drive L
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ESSENTIAL TOWING CHECKS
Follow these guidelines for safe towing:
•
Do not tow a trailer until you drive your
vehicle at least 1000 miles (1600
kilometers).
• Consult your local motor vehicle laws for
towing a trailer.
• See the instructions included with towing
accessories for the proper installation
and adjustment specifications.
• Service your vehicle more frequently if
you tow a trailer. See your scheduled
maintenance information.
• If you use a rental trailer, follow the
instructions the rental agency gives you.
You can find information on load
specification terms found on the tire label
and Safety Compliance label as well as
instructions on calculating your vehicle's load
in the Load Carrying chapter. See Load Limit
(page 214).
Remember to account for the trailer tongue
weight as part of your vehicle load when
calculating the total vehicle weight. Trailer Towing Connector (Vehicles
with a Trailer Towing Package and
7–Pin Connector)
When attaching the trailer wiring connector
to your vehicle, only use a proper fitting
connector that works with the vehicle and
trailer functions. Some seven-position
connectors may have the SAE J2863 logo,
which confirms that it is the proper wiring
connector and works correctly with your
vehicle. Function
Color
Left turn signal and stop lamp
Yellow
Ground (-)
White
Electric brakes
Blue
Right turn signal and stop lamp
Green
Battery (+)
Orange
Running lights
Brown
Reverse lights
Grey
Trailer Hitch Cover
Your vehicle is equipped with a removable
trailer hitch trim cover. To remove the trim
cover:
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Loosen the two quarter-turn fasteners in the
bottom of the cover by turning them
counterclockwise. Pull the cover downward
to remove it. The fasteners remain attached
to the cover. To reinstall the cover, insert the four plastic
tabs on top of the cover into the
corresponding slots, as shown in the
illustration and push the cover up into the
bumper trim.
Hold the cover against the bumper trim and
reinstall the two quarter-turn fasteners by
turning them clockwise.
Hitches WARNING
The trailer hitch on this vehicle is part
of the vehicle rear crash safety
structure. Do not remove the trailer hitch.
Failure to follow this warning could
compromise vehicle crash structure and
increase the risk of injury in a rear end crash. 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.
Integrated Hitch Rating
WARNING
Towing trailers beyond the maximum
tongue weight exceeds the limit of the
towing system and could result in vehicle
structural damage, loss of vehicle control
and personal injury. 227
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The standard integrated hitch has two ratings
depending on mode of operation:
•
Weight-carrying mode requires a draw
bar and hitch ball. The draw bar supports
all the vertical tongue load of the trailer. •
Weight-distributing mode requires an
aftermarket weight-distributing system,
which includes draw bar, hitch ball, spring
bars and snap-up brackets. This system
distributes the vertical tongue load of the
trailer between the truck and the trailer. Maximum Tongue Weight
Maximum Trailer Weight
Mode
600 lb (272 kg)
6000 lb (2722 kg)
Weight carrying
900 lb (408 kg)
9000 lb (4082 kg)
Weight distributing
Note: These are hitch ratings only. Actual
vehicle ratings are dependent on engine,
transmission and axle combinations. Weight-distributing Hitch - Vehicles without
Automatic Leveling Suspension WARNING
Do not adjust a weight-distributing
hitch to any position where the rear
bumper of the vehicle is higher than it was
before attaching the trailer. Doing so will
defeat the function of the weight-distributing
hitch, which may cause unpredictable
handling, and could result in serious personal
injury. 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. 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.
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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 half the way
down from H2, toward H1.
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.
When 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. Weight-distributing Hitch - Vehicles with
Automatic Leveling Suspension WARNING
Do not adjust a weight-distributing
hitch to any position where the rear
bumper of the vehicle is higher than it was
before attaching the trailer. Doing so will
defeat the function of the weight-distributing
hitch, which may cause unpredictable
handling, and could result in serious personal
injury. Note:
If you do not move the loaded vehicle
for approximately 12 hours, the leveling
system may bleed down to a lower height.
This can be especially apparent if you leave
a trailer attached to the parked vehicle for
long periods. You must drive your vehicle in
order to re-level the suspension.
When hooking-up a trailer using a
weight-distributing hitch, always use the
following procedure: 1. Load the interior of the vehicle to a
weight similar to that which you intend
to carry when towing. This includes
things such as passenger weight and
cargo.
2. Drive the vehicle for approximately 2 miles (3 kilometers) to re-level the
suspension.
3. Park the loaded vehicle, without the trailer, on a level surface.
4. Measure the height to the top of your vehicle's front wheel opening on the
fender. This is H1.
5. Attach the loaded trailer to your vehicle without the weight-distributing bars
connected.
6. Make sure you securely attach and lock the trailer tongue to the hitch.
7. Install safety chains, lighting, and trailer brake controls as required by law or the
trailer manufacturer.
8. Drive the vehicle and trailer at 20–25 mph (32–40 km/h) for approximately 2
miles (3 kilometers) to re-level the
suspension.
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9. Park your vehicle and trailer on a level
surface.
10. Measure the height to the top of your vehicle's front wheel opening on the
fender a second time. This is H2.
11. 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
half the way down from H2, toward H1.
12. Check that the trailer is level or slightly
nose down toward your vehicle. If not,
remove the trailer, adjust the ball height
accordingly and repeat Steps 5-11.
When 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:
Never attach safety chains to the
bumper.
Always connect the safety chains to the hook
retainers of your vehicle hitch.
To connect the trailer’ s safety chains, cross
them under the trailer tongue and allow
enough slack for turning tight corners. Do
not allow the chains to drag on the ground.
Trailer Brakes (If Equipped) 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.
Separate functioning brake systems are
required for safe control of towed vehicles
and trailers weighing more than 1500
pounds (680 kilograms) when loaded.
Trailer Lamps
WARNING
Never connect any trailer lamp wiring
to the vehicle's tail lamp wiring; this
may damage the electrical system resulting
in fire. Contact your 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.
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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
•
Do not drive faster than 70 mph (113
km/h) during the first 500 miles (800
kilometers).
• Do not make full-throttle starts.
• Check your hitch, electrical connections
and trailer wheel lug nuts thoroughly after
you have traveled 50 miles (80
kilometers).
• When stopped in congested or heavy
traffic during hot weather, place the
gearshift in position P to aid engine and
transmission cooling and to help A/C
performance.
• Turn off the speed control with heavy
loads or in hilly terrain. The speed control
may turn off automatically when you are
towing on long, steep grades. •
Shift to a lower gear when driving down
a long or steep hill. Do not apply the
brakes continuously, as they may
overheat and become less effective.
• If your transmission is equipped with a
Grade Assist or Tow/Haul feature, use
this feature when towing. This provides
engine braking and helps eliminate
excessive transmission shifting for
optimum fuel economy and transmission
cooling.
• If your vehicle is equipped with
AdvanceTrac with RSC, this system may
turn on during typical cornering
maneuvers with a heavily loaded trailer.
This is normal. Turning the corner at a
slower speed while towing may reduce
this tendency.
• If your vehicle is equipped with
Continuous Controlled Damping
Suspension (CCD Suspension), you can
select NORMAL or SPORT drive control
modes for better experience while towing
a trailer. See Information Displays (page
105
). •
If you are towing a trailer frequently in
hot weather, hilly conditions, at the gross
combined weight rating (or any
combination of these factors), consider
refilling your rear axle with synthetic gear
lubricant (if the axle is not already filled
with it).
See Capacities and
Specifications (page 328).
• Allow more distance for stopping with a
trailer attached. Anticipate stops and
brake gradually.
• Avoid parking on a grade. However, if
you must park on a grade:
1. Turn the steering wheel to point your vehicle tires away from traffic flow.
2. Set your vehicle parking brake.
3. Place the automatic transmission in position
P.
4. Place wheel chocks in front and back of the trailer wheels. (Chocks not included
with vehicle.)
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