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 165).
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
140).
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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ESSENTIAL TOWING CHECKS
See Load limits in the Load Carrying
chapter for load specification terms found
on the tire label and Safety Compliance
label and instructions on calculating your
vehicle's load.
Remember to account for the trailer
tongue weight as part of your vehicle load
when calculating the total vehicle weight.
Hitches
Do not use a hitch that either clamps onto
the bumper or attaches to the axle. You
must distribute the load in your trailer so
that 10-15% of the total weight of the
trailer is on the tongue.
Safety Chains
Note: Do not attach safety chains to the
bumper.
Always connect the safety chains to the
frame or hook retainers of your vehicle
hitch.
To connect the 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 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.
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.
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 mph
(80 km/h).
• When stopped in congested or heavy
traffic during hot weather, place the
transmission in park (P) or neutral (N)
to aid engine and transmission cooling
and to help air conditioning
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.
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•
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
the 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.
• Allow more distance for stopping with
a trailer attached. Anticipate stops and
brake gradually.
FIFTH WHEEL OPERATION WARNINGS
Failure to follow the fifth wheel
manufacturer
’s instructions for
hooking and unhooking as well as
sliding the fifth wheel could result in an
accident, personal injury or death. When the tractor and trailer are
parked unattended, the trailer brake
hand control should never be used
to apply the brake, since air may leak from
the system, allowing vehicle movement,
resulting in possible property damage,
personal injury or death. Before hook-up, make sure:
•
The fifth wheel jaws are fully open.
• The fifth wheel is fully tilted back to
prevent body damage when the tractor
is backed under a trailer.
• You block the trailer wheels and adjust
and apply the trailer spring brakes.
Never chase a trailer.
• The brake hoses and light cords are
clear of the fifth wheel. Hook-up
1. Back the tractor squarely under the
trailer, engaging the fifth-wheel jaws
on the kingpin. Always back up slowly;
make sure the trailer is neither too high
nor too low. Avoid backing under the
trailer from an angle.
2. Connect the service and emergency brake hoses and trailer light connector.
3. Inspect the jaws of the fifth wheel to be sure they have fully closed on the
trailer kingpin and the trailer plate is
resting securely on the fifth wheel.
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.
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.
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7. Release the tractor parking brakes.
8.
Pull out from the trailer slowly, allowing
the landing gear to take the load
gradually.
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BREAKING-IN
You need to break in new tires for
approximately 300 mi (480 km). During
this time, your vehicle may exhibit some
unusual driving characteristics.
Avoid driving too fast during the first
1,000 mi (1,600 km)
. Vary your speed
frequently and change up through the
gears early. Do not labor the engine.
Drive your new vehicle at least
1,000 mi
(1,600 km) before towing a trailer. Make
sure you use the specified engine oil. See
Capacities and Specifications
(page
269).
Do not add friction modifier compounds
or special break-in oils during the first few
thousand miles (kilometers) of operation.
These additives may prevent piston ring
seating.
GENERAL DRIVING POINTS
General Information
• Accelerate smoothly and evenly. Rapid
acceleration increases fuel
consumption without increasing engine
performance.
• When approaching a hill, press the
accelerator smoothly to start the
incline at full power, and then shift
down as needed to maintain vehicle
speed.
• When going down a hill, or long steep
grades, prevent overspeeding of the
engine. Normally, choose the same
gear to descend the hill that you use to
ascend the hill. The engine governor
has no control over engine speed when
it is being pushed by a loaded vehicle. •
Do not operate in a gear that permits
an engine speed more than the
maximum governed speed or high-idle
RPM (no load).
• Always shift to a lower gear at high
altitudes to prevent engine smoking.
Backing Up WARNINGS
All vehicles have blind spots. To
reduce the risk of severe injury or
property damage, never move your
vehicle to the side or rear or change lanes
without being sure your way is clear on
both sides and to your rear. To reduce the risk of the possibility
of personal injury while backing up
the vehicle, always be sure your
vehicle ’s path is clear. Before backing up your vehicle, be sure you
can do so safely. If anything behind the cab
limits your view, do not rely on mirrors
alone to make sure that your intended path
is clear. If other people are in the vicinity,
have someone standing well behind your
vehicle and outside of your intended path
(visible through an exterior mirror) guide
you as you back up.
Although OSHA or some governmental
regulations may require the use of an
electrical or mechanical back up alarm to
warn bystanders, such an alarm does not
guarantee that the intended path is clear.
When in doubt, get out of your vehicle and
visually check the intended path is clear.
Back up slowly as to allow others time to
move, if necessary.
If you install an electrical back up alarm,
connect it to the backup lamp circuit.
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ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE
Vehicles Sold in the United States:
Getting Roadside Assistance
To fully assist you should you have a
vehicle concern, Ford Motor Company
offers a complimentary roadside
assistance program. This program is
separate from the New Vehicle Limited
Warranty.
The service is available:
•
24 hours a day, seven days a week.
• For the coverage period listed on the
Roadside Assistance Card included in
your Owner's Manual portfolio.
Roadside Assistance covers:
• A flat tire change with a good spare
(except vehicles supplied with a tire
inflation kit).
• Battery jump start.
• Lock-out assistance (key replacement
cost is the customer's responsibility).
• Fuel delivery — independent service
contractors, if not prohibited by state,
local or municipal law, shall deliver up
to 2 gal (8 L) of gasoline or 5 gal (20 L)
of diesel fuel to a disabled vehicle.
Roadside Assistance limits fuel delivery
service to two no-charge occurrences
within a 12-month period.
• Winch out — available within 100 ft
(30 m) of a paved or county
maintained road, no recoveries. •
Towing — independent service
contractors, if not prohibited by state,
local or municipal law, shall tow Ford
eligible vehicles to an authorized dealer
within
35 mi (56 km) of the
disablement location or to the nearest
authorized dealer. If a member
requests a tow to an authorized dealer
that is more than
35 mi (56 km) from
the disablement location, the member
shall be responsible for any mileage
costs in excess of
35 mi (56 km).
• Roadside Assistance includes up to
$200 for a towed trailer if the disabled
eligible vehicle requires service at the
nearest authorized dealer. If the towing
vehicle is operational but the trailer is
not, then the trailer does not qualify for
any roadside services.
Vehicles Sold in the United States:
Using Roadside Assistance
Complete the roadside assistance
identification card and place it in your
wallet for quick reference. This card is in
the owner's information portfolio in the
glove compartment.
United States vehicle customers who
require Roadside Assistance, call
1-800-241-3673.
If you need to arrange roadside assistance
for yourself, Ford Motor Company
reimburses a reasonable amount for
towing to the nearest dealership within
35 mi (56 km)
. To obtain reimbursement
information, United States vehicle
customers call 1-800-241-3673.
Customers need to submit their original
receipts.
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FUSE SPECIFICATION CHART
Power Distribution Box
WARNINGS
Always disconnect the battery before
servicing high current fuses.
To reduce risk of electrical shock,
always replace the cover to the
power distribution box before
reconnecting the battery or refilling fluid
reservoirs. The power distribution box is in the engine
compartment. It has high-current fuses
that protect your vehicle's main electrical
systems from overloads.
If you disconnect and reconnect the
battery, you will need to reset some
features. See Changing the 12V Battery
(page 207).
Protected Components
Fuse Rating
Fuse or Relay
Number
Blower motor.
Relay
1
Trailer tow and body builder stoplamps.
Relay
2
Urea heaters (diesel engine).
Relay
3
Driver air ride seat compressor.
Relay
4
Heated mirrors.
Relay
5
Not used.
—
6
Not used.
—
7
Passenger air ride seat compressor.
20A 1
8
Not used.
—
9
Not used.
—
10
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