2019 FORD E SERIES warning

is the maximum payload for yourvehicle as built by the assemblyplant. If you install any additionalequipment on your vehicle, youmust determine the new payload.Subtract the weight of theequipment from the payload listedon the Tire and Loading label.When towing, trailer tongueweight or king pin weight is alsopart of payload.
WARNING: Theappropriate loading capacity ofyour vehicle can be limited eitherby volume capacity (how muchspace is available) or by payloadcapacity (how much weight thevehicle should carry). Once youhave reached the maximumpayload of your vehicle, do notadd more cargo, even if there isspace available. Overloading orimproperly loading your vehiclecan contribute to loss of vehiclecontrol and vehicle rollover.
GAWR (Gross Axle WeightRating)
GAWR is the maximum allowableweight that a single axle (front orrear) can carry. These numbersare on the Safety ComplianceCertification label. The label islocated on the door hinge pillar,door-latch post, or the door edgethat meets the door-latch post,next to the driver seating position.
The total load on each axle mustnever exceed its Gross AxleWeight Rating.
GVWR (Gross Vehicle WeightRating)
GVWR is the maximum allowableweight of the fully loaded vehicle.This includes all options,equipment, passengers and cargo.It appears on the SafetyCompliance Certification label.The label is located on the doorhinge pillar, door-latch post, or thedoor edge that meets thedoor-latch post, next to the driverseating position.
The gross vehicle weight mustnever exceed the Gross VehicleWeight Rating.
Safety Compliance Certification LabelExample:
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WARNING: Exceeding theSafety Compliance Certificationlabel vehicle weight limits canadversely affect theperformance and handling ofyour vehicle, cause vehicledamage and can result in theloss of control of your vehicle,serious personal injury or death.
Maximum Loaded TrailerWeight
Maximum loaded trailer weight isthe highest possible weight of afully loaded trailer the vehicle cantow. Consult an authorized dealer(or the RV and Trailer TowingGuide available at an authorizeddealer) for more detailed
information.
GCWR (Gross CombinedWeight Rating)
GCWR is the maximum allowableweight of the vehicle and theloaded trailer, including all cargoand passengers, that the vehiclecan handle without riskingdamage. (Important: The towingvehicle’s braking system is ratedfor operation at Gross Vehicle
Weight Rating, not at GrossCombined Weight Rating.)Separate functional brakes shouldbe used for safe control of towedvehicles and for trailers where theGross Combined Weight of thetowing vehicle plus the trailerexceed the Gross Vehicle WeightRating of the towing vehicle.
The gross combined weight mustnever exceed the Gross CombinedWeight Rating.
Note: For trailer towinginformation refer to the RV andTrailer Towing Guide available atan authorized dealer.
WARNING: Do not exceedthe GVWR or the GAWRspecified on the certificationlabel.
WARNING: Do not usereplacement tires with lowerload carrying capacities than theoriginal tires because they maylower your vehicle's GVWR andGAWR limitations. Replacementtires with a higher limit than the
original tires do not increase theGVWR and GAWR limitations.
WARNING: Exceeding anyvehicle weight rating canadversely affect theperformance and handling ofyour vehicle, cause vehicledamage and can result in theloss of control of your vehicle,serious personal injury or death.
Steps for determining thecorrect load limit:
1. Locate the statement "Thecombined weight of occupantsand cargo should never exceedXXX kg or XXX lb." on yourvehicle’s placard.
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- 1200 = - 240 pounds. No, you donot have enough cargo capacityto carry that much weight. Inmetric units, the calculation wouldbe: 635 kilograms - (2 x 99kilograms) - (12 x 45 kilograms) =635 - 198 - 540 = -103 kilograms.You will need to reduce the loadweight by at least 240 pounds(104 kilograms). If you removethree 100-pound (45-kilogram)cement bags, then the loadcalculation would be:1400 - (2 x220) - (9 x 100) = 1400 - 440 -900 = 60 pounds. Now you havethe load capacity to transport thecement and your friend home. Inmetric units, the calculation wouldbe: 635 kilograms - (2 x 99kilograms) - (9 x 45 kilograms) =635 - 198 - 405 = 32 kilograms.
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.
Special Loading Instructionsfor Owners of Pick-up Trucksand Utility-type Vehicles
WARNING: When loadingthe roof racks, we recommendyou evenly distribute the load,as well as maintain a low centerof gravity. Loaded vehicles, with
higher centers of gravity, may
handle differently than unloadedvehicles. Take extra precautions,such as slower speeds andincreased stopping distance,when driving a heavily loadedvehicle.
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TOWING A TRAILER
WARNING: Do not exceedthe GVWR or the GAWRspecified on the certificationlabel.
WARNING: Towing trailersbeyond the maximumrecommended gross trailerweight exceeds the limit of yourvehicle and could result in enginedamage, transmission damage,structural damage, loss ofvehicle control, vehicle rolloverand personal injury.
Your vehicle may have electricalitems, for example fuses or relays,related to towing. See Fuses(page 131).
Your vehicle's load capacitydesignation is by weight, not byvolume, so you cannot necessarilyuse all available space whenloading your vehicle.
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 draw 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 regardingcorrect trailer loading and settingyour vehicle up for towing islocated in another chapter of thisOwner's Manual. See Load Limit(page 99). You can also find theinformation in the RV & TrailerTowing Guide. See an authorizeddealer.
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•Service your vehicle more frequently ifyou tow a trailer. See your scheduledmaintenance information. SeeScheduled Maintenance (page 276).
•If you use a rental trailer, follow theinstructions the rental agency givesyou.
See Load limits in the Load Carryingchapter for load specification terms foundon the tire label and Safety Compliancelabel and instructions on calculating yourvehicle's load.
Remember to account for the trailertongue weight as part of your vehicle loadwhen calculating the total vehicle weight.
Trailer Towing Connector
When attaching the trailer wiring connectorto your vehicle, only use a proper fittingconnector that works with the vehicle andtrailer functions. Some seven-positionconnectors may have the SAE J2863 logo,which confirms that it is the proper wiringconnector and works correctly with yourvehicle.
FunctionColor
Left turn signal and stop lampYellow
Ground (-)White
Electric brakesBlue
FunctionColor
Right turn signal and stoplampGreen
Battery (+)Orange
Running lightsBrown
Reverse lightsGrey
Hitches
Do not use a hitch that either clamps ontothe bumper or attaches to the axle. Youmust distribute the load in your trailer sothat 10-15% of the total weight of thetrailer is on the tongue.
Weight-distributing Hitches
WARNING: Do not adjust thespring bars so that your vehicle's rearbumper is higher than before attachingthe trailer. Doing so will defeat thefunction of the weight-distributing hitch,which may cause unpredictablehandling, and could result in seriouspersonal 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.Attach the loaded trailer to your vehiclewithout the weight-distributing barsconnected.
4. Measure the height to the top of yourvehicle's front wheel opening on thefender a second time. This is H2.
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5. Install and adjust the tension in theweight-distributing bars so that theheight of your vehicle's front wheelopening on the fender is approximatelyhalf the way down from H2, toward H1.
6.Check that the trailer is level or slightlynose down toward your vehicle. If not,adjust the ball height accordingly andrepeat Steps 2-6.
When the trailer is level or slightly nosedown toward the vehicle:
•Lock the bar tension adjuster in place.
•Check that the trailer tongue securelyattaches and locks onto the hitch.
•Install safety chains, lighting, and trailerbrake controls as required by law or thetrailer manufacturer.
Safety Chains
Note:Do not attach safety chains to thebumper.
Always connect the safety chains to theframe or hook retainers of your vehiclehitch.
To connect the safety chains, cross thechains under the trailer tongue and allowenough slack for turning tight corners. Donot allow the chains to drag on the ground.
Trailer Brakes
WARNING: Do not connect atrailer's hydraulic brake system directlyto your vehicle's brake system. Yourvehicle may not have enough brakingpower and your chances of having acollision greatly increase.
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 lb (680 kg) when loaded.
Integrated Trailer Brake Controller (IfEquipped)
WARNING: Use the integratedtrailer brake controller to properly adjustthe trailer brakes and check allconnections before towing a trailer.Failure to follow this instruction couldresult in the loss of control of yourvehicle, personal injury or death.
Note:The Ford trailer brake controller hasbeen verified to be compatible with trailershaving electric-actuated drum brakes (oneto four axles) and electric-over-hydraulicbrakes. It will not activate hydraulicsurge-style trailer brakes. It is theresponsibility of the customer to ensure thatthe trailer brakes are adjusted appropriately,functioning normally and all electricconnections are properly made.
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•Stop lamps: Using the manual controllever illuminates both the trailer brakelamps and your vehicle brake lampsexcept the center high-mount stoplamp, if you make the proper electricalconnection to the trailer. Pressing yourvehicle brake pedal also illuminatesboth trailer and vehicle brake lamps.
Procedure for Adjusting Gain
Note:Only perform this procedure in atraffic-free environment at speeds ofapproximately 20-25 mph (30-40 km/h).
The gain setting sets the trailer brakecontroller for the specific towing condition.You should change the setting as towingconditions change. Changes to towingconditions include trailer load, vehicle load,road conditions and weather.
The gain should be set to provide themaximum trailer braking assistance whilemaking sure the trailer wheels do not lockwhen using the brakes. Locked trailerwheels may lead to trailer instability.
1.Make sure the trailer brakes are in goodworking condition, functioning normallyand properly adjusted. See your trailerdealer if necessary.
2. Hook up the trailer and make theelectrical connections according to thetrailer manufacturer's instructions.
3. When you plug in a trailer with electricor electric-over-hydraulic brakes, amessage confirming connectionappears in the information display.
4. Use the gain adjustment (+ and -)buttons to increase or decrease thegain setting to the desired startingpoint. A gain setting of 6.0 is a goodstarting point for heavier loads.
5. In a traffic-free environment, tow thetrailer on a dry, level surface at a speedof 20-25 mph (30-40 km/h) andsqueeze the manual control levercompletely.
6. If the trailer wheels lock up, indicatedby squealing tires, reduce the gainsetting. If the trailer wheels turn freely,increase the gain setting. Repeat Steps5 and 6 until the gain setting is at apoint just below trailer wheel lock-up.If towing a heavier trailer, trailer wheellock-up may not be attainable evenwith the maximum gain setting of 10.
Explanation of Information DisplayWarning Messages
Note:An authorized dealer can diagnosethe trailer brake controller to determineexactly which trailer fault has occurred.However, your Ford warranty does not coverthis diagnosis if the fault is with the trailer.
A message indicating a trailer brakemodule fault may display in response tofaults sensed by the trailer brake controller,accompanied by a single tone. If thismessage appears, contact an authorizeddealer as soon as possible for diagnosisand repair. The controller may stillfunction, but performance may bedegraded.
A message indicating a trailer wiring faultmay display when there is a short circuiton the electric brake output wire. If thismessage displays, accompanied by asingle tone, with no trailer connected, theproblem is with your vehicle wiringbetween the trailer brake controller andthe 7-pin connector at the bumper. If themessage only displays with a trailerconnected, the problem is with the trailerwiring. Consult your trailer dealer forassistance. This can be a short to ground(such as a chaffed wire), short to voltage(such as a pulled pin on trailer emergencybreakaway battery) or the trailer brakesmay be drawing too much current.
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Points to Remember
Note:Do not attempt removal of the trailerbrake controller without consulting theWorkshop Manual. Damage to the unit mayresult.
•Adjust gain setting before using thetrailer brake controller for the first time.
•Adjust gain setting, using the procedureabove, whenever road, weather andtrailer or vehicle loading conditionschange from when the gain was initiallyset.
•Only use the manual control lever forproper adjustment of the gain duringtrailer setup. Misuse, such asapplication during trailer sway, couldcause instability of trailer or towvehicle.
•Avoid towing in adverse weatherconditions. The trailer brake controllerdoes not provide anti-lock control ofthe trailer wheels. Trailer wheels canlock up on slippery surfaces, resultingin reduced stability of trailer and towvehicle.
•The trailer brake controller is equippedwith a feature that reduces output atvehicle speeds below 11 mph (18 km/h)so trailer and vehicle braking is not jerkyor harsh. This feature is only availablewhen applying the brakes using yourvehicle's brake pedal, not thecontroller.
•The controller interacts with the brakecontrol system and powertrain controlsystem of your vehicle to provide thebest performance on different roadconditions.
•Your vehicle's brake system and thetrailer brake system workindependently of each other. Changingthe gain setting on the controller doesnot affect the operation of yourvehicle's brakes whether you attach atrailer or not.
•When you switch the engine off, thecontroller output is disabled and thedisplay and module shut down. Thecontroller module and display turn onwhen you switch the ignition on.
•The trailer brake controller is only afactory-installed or dealer-installeditem. Ford is not responsible forwarranty or performance of thecontroller due to misuse or customerinstallation.
Trailer Lamps
WARNING: Never connect anytrailer lamp wiring to the vehicle's taillamp wiring; this may damage theelectrical system resulting in fire. Contactyour authorized dealer as soon aspossible for assistance in proper trailertow wiring installation. Additionalelectrical equipment may be required.
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).
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