
Payload
Payload is the combined weight of cargoand passengers that your vehicle iscarrying. The maximum payload for yourvehicle appears on the Tire and Loadinglabel. The label is either on the B-pillaror the edge of the driver door. Vehiclesexported outside the US and Canadamay not have a tire and loading label.Look for “The combined weight ofoccupants and cargo should neverexceed XXX kg OR XXX lb” formaximum payload. The payload listedon the Tire and Loading Informationlabel is the maximum payload for yourvehicle as built by the assembly plant. If
you install any additional equipment onyour vehicle, you must determine thenew payload. Subtract the weight of theequipment from the payload listed onthe Tire and Loading label. When towing,trailer tongue weight or king pin weightis also part of payload.
WARNING: The appropriateloading capacity of your vehicle canbe limited either by volume capacity(how much space is available) or bypayload capacity (how much weightthe vehicle should carry). Once you
have reached the maximum payloadof your vehicle, do not add morecargo, even if there is space available.Overloading or improperly loadingyour vehicle can contribute to loss ofvehicle control and vehicle rollover.
233
MKT (TP4) , enUSA, Edition date: 201803, Second-Printing
Load CarryingE143816PAYLOAD

GAWR (Gross Axle Weight Rating)
GAWR is the maximum allowable weightthat a single axle (front or rear) can carry.These numbers are on the SafetyCompliance Certification label. The labelis located on the door hinge pillar,door-latch post, or the door edge thatmeets the door-latch post, next to thedriver seating position.
The total load on each axle must neverexceed its Gross Axle Weight Rating.
GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating)
GVWR is the maximum allowable weightof the fully loaded vehicle. This includesall options, equipment, passengers andcargo. It appears on the Safety
Compliance Certification label. The labelis located on the door hinge pillar,door-latch post, or the door edge thatmeets the door-latch post, next to thedriver seating position.
The gross vehicle weight must neverexceed the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating.
Safety Compliance Certification LabelExample:
WARNING: Exceeding the SafetyCompliance Certification label vehicleweight limits can adversely affect theperformance and handling of yourvehicle, cause vehicle damage andcan result in the loss of control of yourvehicle, serious personal injury ordeath.
Maximum Loaded Trailer Weight
Maximum loaded trailer weight is thehighest possible weight of a fully loadedtrailer the vehicle can tow. Consult anauthorized dealer (or the RV and TrailerTowing Guide available at an authorizeddealer) for more detailed information.
GCWR (Gross Combined WeightRating)
GCWR is the maximum allowable weightof the vehicle and the loaded trailer,including all cargo and passengers, thatthe vehicle can handle without riskingdamage. (Important: The towingvehicle’s braking system is rated foroperation at Gross Vehicle WeightRating, not at Gross Combined Weight
Rating.) Separate functional brakesshould be used for safe control of towedvehicles and for trailers where the GrossCombined Weight of the towing vehicleplus the trailer exceed the Gross VehicleWeight Rating of the towing vehicle.
234
MKT (TP4) , enUSA, Edition date: 201803, Second-Printing
Load CarryingE198828

The gross combined weight must neverexceed the Gross Combined WeightRating.
Note: For trailer towing informationrefer to the RV and Trailer Towing Guideavailable at an authorized dealer.
WARNING: Do not exceed theGVWR or the GAWR specified on thecertification label.
WARNING: Do not usereplacement tires with lower loadcarrying capacities than the originaltires because they may lower yourvehicle's GVWR and GAWR limitations.Replacement tires with a higher limitthan the original tires do not increase
the GVWR and GAWR limitations.
WARNING: Exceeding anyvehicle weight rating can adverselyaffect the performance and handlingof your vehicle, cause vehicle damageand can result in the loss of control ofyour vehicle, serious personal injuryor death.
Steps for determining the correct loadlimit:
1.Locate the statement "The combinedweight of occupants and cargoshould never exceed XXX kg or XXXlb." on your vehicle’s placard.
2.Determine the combined weight ofthe driver and passengers that willbe riding in your vehicle.
3.Subtract the combined weight of thedriver and passengers from XXX kgor XXX lb.
4. The resulting figure equals theavailable amount of cargo andluggage load capacity. For example,if the “XXX” amount equals 1,400 lb.and there will be five 150 lb.passengers in your vehicle, theamount of available cargo andluggage load capacity is 650 lb.(1400-750 (5 x 150) = 650 lb.)
5.Determine the combined weight ofluggage and cargo being loaded onthe vehicle. That weight may notsafely exceed the available cargoand luggage load capacity calculatedin Step 4.
6.If your vehicle will be towing a trailer,load from your trailer will betransferred to your vehicle. Consult
this manual to determine how thisreduces the available cargo andluggage load capacity of yourvehicle.
235
MKT (TP4) , enUSA, Edition date: 201803, Second-Printing
Load Carrying

Helpful examples for calculating theavailable amount of cargo andluggage load capacity
Suppose your vehicle has a 1400-pound(635-kilogram) cargo and luggagecapacity. You decide to go golfing. Isthere enough load capacity to carry you,four of your friends and all the golf bags?You and four friends average 220pounds (99 kilograms) each and the golfbags weigh approximately 30 pounds(13.5 kilograms) each. The calculationwould be: 1400 - (5 x 220) - (5 x 30) =1400 - 1100 - 150 = 150 pounds. Yes, youhave enough load capacity in yourvehicle to transport four friends and yourgolf bags. In metric units, the calculationwould be: 635 kilograms - (5 x 99kilograms) - (5 x 13.5 kilograms) = 635 -
495 - 67.5 = 72.5 kilograms.
Suppose your vehicle has a 1400-pound(635-kilogram) cargo and luggagecapacity. You and one of your friendsdecide to pick up cement from the localhome improvement store to finish thatpatio you have been planning for the
past two years. Measuring the inside ofthe vehicle with the rear seat foldeddown, you have room for twelve100-pound (45-kilogram) bags ofcement. Do you have enough loadcapacity to transport the cement to yourhome? If you and your friend each weigh220 pounds (99 kilograms), thecalculation would be: 1400 - (2 x 220) -(12 x 100) = 1400 - 440 - 1200 = - 240pounds. No, you do not have enoughcargo capacity to carry that muchweight. In metric units, the calculationwould be: 635 kilograms - (2 x 99kilograms) - (12 x 45 kilograms) = 635 -198 - 540 = -103 kilograms. You will needto reduce the load weight by at least240 pounds (104 kilograms). If youremove three 100-pound (45-kilogram)
cement bags, then the load calculationwould be:1400 - (2 x 220) - (9 x 100) =1400 - 440 - 900 = 60 pounds. Now youhave the load capacity to transport thecement and your friend home. In metricunits, the calculation would be: 635kilograms - (2 x 99 kilograms) - (9 x 45kilograms) = 635 - 198 - 405 = 32kilograms.
The above calculations also assume thatthe loads are positioned in your vehiclein a manner that does not overload thefront or the rear gross axle weight ratingspecified for your vehicle on the SafetyCompliance Certification label.
Special Loading Instructions forOwners of Pick-up Trucks and Utility-type Vehicles
WARNING: When loading theroof racks, we recommend you evenlydistribute the load, as well as maintaina low center of gravity. Loadedvehicles, with higher centers of gravity,may handle differently than unloadedvehicles. Take extra precautions, suchas slower speeds and increasedstopping distance, when driving aheavily loaded vehicle.
236
MKT (TP4) , enUSA, Edition date: 201803, Second-Printing
Load Carrying

TOWING A TRAILER
WARNING: Do not exceed theGVWR or the GAWR specified on thecertification label.
WARNING: Towing trailersbeyond the maximum recommendedgross trailer weight exceeds the limitof your vehicle and could result inengine damage, transmission damage,structural damage, loss of vehiclecontrol, vehicle rollover and personalinjury.
Note:Your vehicle may have electricalitems, such as fuses or relays, relatedto towing. See Fuses (page 262).
Your vehicle's load capacity designationis by weight, not by volume, so youcannot necessarily use all availablespace when loading a vehicle or trailer.
Towing a trailer places an extra load onyour vehicle's engine, transmission, axle,brakes, tires and suspension. Inspectthese components periodically during,and after, any towing operation.
Load Placement
To help minimize how trailer movementaffects your vehicle when driving:
•Load the heaviest items closest tothe trailer floor.
•Load the heaviest items centeredbetween the left and right side trailertires.
•Load the heaviest items above thetrailer axles or just slightly forwardtoward the trailer tongue. Do notallow the final trailer tongue weightto go above or below 10-15% of theloaded trailer weight.
•Select a ball mount with the correctrise or drop. When both the loadedvehicle and trailer are connected, thetrailer frame should be level, orslightly angled down toward yourvehicle, when viewed from the side.
When driving with a trailer or payload, aslight takeoff vibration or shudder maybe present due to the increased payloadweight. Additional information regardingproper trailer loading and setting yourvehicle up for towing is located in theLoad Carrying chapter. See Load Limit(page 232).
You can also find information in the RV& Trailer Towing Guide available at yourauthorized dealer, or online.
237
MKT (TP4) , enUSA, Edition date: 201803, Second-Printing
Towing

RV & Trailer Towing Guide Online
http://www.fleet.ford.com/towing-guides/Website
TRAILER SWAY CONTROL (If Equipped)
WARNING: Turning off trailer swaycontrol increases the risk of loss of vehiclecontrol, serious injury or death. Ford doesnot recommend disabling this featureexcept in situations where speed reductionmay be detrimental (such as hill climbing),the driver has significant trailer towingexperience, and can control trailer swayand maintain safe operation.
Note:This feature does not prevent trailersway, but reduces it when it begins.
Note:This feature cannot stop all trailersfrom swaying.
Note:In some cases, if your vehicle speedis too high, the system may turn on multipletimes, gradually reducing your vehicle speed.
The system applies the brakes to theindividual wheels and reduces engine torqueto aid vehicle stability. If the trailer beginsto sway, the stability control warning lampflashes and a message appears in theinformation display. See InformationMessages (page 112). Slow your vehicledown, pull safely to the side of the road andcheck for correct load distribution. See LoadCarrying (page 231).
You can switch this feature off in theinformation display. When you switch theignition on, the system automatically turnson.
RECOMMENDED TOWING
WEIGHTS
Note:Trailer tow is not permitted on allapplications of Livery and Limousine.
Note:Do not exceed the trailer weightfor your vehicle configuration listed inthe chart below.
Note:Make sure to take intoconsideration trailer frontal area. Do notexceed 20 ft² (1.86 m²) if your vehiclecan tow a class I trailer or 40 ft² (3.72m²) if your vehicle can tow a class IIItrailer.
Note:For high altitude operation,reduce the gross combined weight by2% per 1,000 ft (300 m) starting at the1,000 ft (300 m) elevation point.
238
MKT (TP4) , enUSA, Edition date: 201803, Second-Printing
Towing

Note:Certain states require electrictrailer brakes for trailers over a specifiedweight. Be sure to check stateregulations for this specified weight. Themaximum trailer weights listed may belimited to this specified weight, as thevehicle’s electrical system may notinclude the wiring connector needed touse electric trailer brakes.
Your vehicle may tow a class I or IIItrailer provided the maximum trailerweight is less than or equal to themaximum trailer weight listed for yourvehicle configuration on the followingchart.
Maximum Trailer WeightMaximum GCWRPowertrain and Trailer Class
2,000 lb (907 kg)6,900 lb (3,131 kg)3.7L TiVCT front-wheel drive, Class I
2,000 lb (907 kg)7,200 lb (3,267 kg)3.5L GTDi all-wheel drive, Class I
4,500 lb (2,042 kg)*9,750 lb (4,424 kg)3.5L GTDi all-wheel drive, Class III
* For towing trailers up to 4500 lb (2042 kg), use a weight-carrying hitch and ball, which uniformly spreads the trailer tongue
loads through your vehicle’s underbody structure.
239
MKT (TP4) , enUSA, Edition date: 201803, Second-Printing
Towing

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 laws fortowing a trailer.
•See the instructions included with towingaccessories for the proper installationand adjustment specifications.
•Service your vehicle more frequently ifyou tow a trailer. See ScheduledMaintenance (page 479).
•If you use a rental trailer, follow theinstructions the rental agency gives you.
You can find information on loadspecification terms found on the tire labeland Safety Compliance label as well asinstructions on calculating your vehicle's loadin the Load Carrying chapter. See Load Limit(page 232).
Remember to account for the trailer tongueweight as part of your vehicle load whencalculating the total vehicle weight.
Trailer Towing Connector (Vehicleswith a Trailer Towing Package and7–Pin 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
Right turn signal and stop lampGreen
Battery (+)Orange
Running lightsBrown
Reverse lightsGrey
Hitches
Do not use a hitch that either clamps ontothe bumper or attaches to the axle.
240
MKT (TP4) , enUSA, Edition date: 201803, Second-Printing
TowingE211391