2021 FORD F-150 Owners Manual

Certain states require functioning trailer
brakes for trailers over a specified weight.
Be sure to check state regulations for this
specified weight.
Ford Motor Company recommends
separate functioning brake systems for
trailers weighing more than 1,500 lb
(680 kg) when loaded.
TOWING A TRAILER
LIMITATIONS
The vehicle's load capacity
designation is by weight, not by
volume, so you cannot necessarily
use all available space when
loading a vehicle or trailer.
Note: Your vehicle could have
reduced performance when
operating at high altitudes and
when heavily loaded or towing a
trailer. When driving at elevation,
to match driving performance as
perceived at sea level, reduce gross
vehicle weight and gross
combination weight by 2% per
1,000 ft (300 m)
elevation.
LOADING YOUR TRAILER
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. The
trailer tongue weight should
never exceed 10% of the
maximum towing capacity.
• Select a ball mount with the
correct rise or drop. When both
the loaded vehicle and trailer
are connected, the trailer frame
should be level, or slightly
angled down toward your
vehicle, when viewed from the
side.
TRAILER TOWING HINTS
Towing a trailer places an extra load on
your vehicle's engine, transmission, axle,
brakes, tires and suspension. Periodically
inspect these components during and after
any towing operation.
When driving with a trailer or payload, a
slight takeoff vibration or shudder may be
present due to the increased payload
weight.
Your vehicle may have a temporary or
conventional spare tire. A temporary spare
tire is different in diameter or width,
tread-type, or is from a different
manufacturer than the road tires on your
vehicle. Consult information on the tire
label or Safety Compliance label for
limitations when using.
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When towing a trailer:
•
Obey country specific regulations for
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 connections
and trailer wheel lug nuts thoroughly
after you have traveled 50 mi (80 km).
• When stopped in congested or heavy
traffic during hot weather, place the
transmission in park (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 when you are
towing on long, steep slopes.
• Shift to a lower gear when driving down
a long or steep hill. Do not continuously
apply the brakes, as they may overheat
and become less effective.
• If your transmission has Grade Assist
or Tow/Haul, use this feature when
towing. This provides engine braking
and helps eliminate excessive
transmission shifting for optimum fuel
economy and transmission cooling.
• Your vehicle has AdvanceTrac with roll
stability control. When towing a trailer,
additional loads could cause the
AdvanceTrac system to engage during
cornering maneuvers. Reduce cornering
speeds to make sure that you can
maintain control of the vehicle and
trailer if the AdvanceTrac system
engages. •
Allow more distance for stopping with
a trailer attached. Anticipate stops and
gradually brake.
• Avoid parking on a slope. However, if
you must park on a slope, turn the
steering wheel to point your vehicle
tires away from traffic flow, set the
parking brake, place the transmission
in park (P) and place wheel chocks in
front and back of the trailer wheels.
Note: Chocks are not included with your
vehicle.
LAUNCHING OR RETRIEVING
A BOAT OR PERSONAL
WATERCRAFT
When backing down a ramp during boat
launching or retrieval:
• Do not allow the static water level to
rise above the bottom edge of the rear
bumper.
• Do not allow waves to break higher
than
6 in (15 cm) above the bottom
edge of the rear bumper.
Exceeding
6 in (15 cm) could allow water
to enter vehicle components, causing
internal damage to the components and
affecting driveability, emissions and
reliability.
Note: Replace the rear axle lubricant
anytime the rear axle has been submerged
in water.
Note: Disconnect the trailer wiring
connector before backing the trailer into the
water.
Note: Reconnect the trailer wiring
connector after removing the trailer from
the water.
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TOWING WEIGHTS AND DIMENSIONS
RECOMMENDED TOWING WEIGHTS
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WHAT IS THE MAXIMUM LOADED
TRAILER WEIGHT
The maximum loaded trailer
weight is the highest possible
weight of a fully loaded trailer the
vehicle can tow.
CALCULATING THE MAXIMUM
LOADED TRAILER WEIGHT FOR
YOUR VEHICLE
1. Start with the gross combined
weight rating for your vehicle
model and axle ratio.
2. Subtract all of the following
that apply to your vehicle:
• Vehicle curb weight.
• Hitch hardware weight, for
example a draw bar, ball, locks
or weight distributing hardware. •
Driver weight.
• Passenger weight.
• Payload, cargo and luggage
weight.
• Aftermarket equipment weight.
This equals the maximum loaded
trailer weight for this combination.
Note: The trailer tongue load is
considered part of the payload for
your vehicle. Reduce the total
payload by the final trailer tongue
weight.
Note: Consult an authorized dealer
to determine the maximum trailer
weight allowed for your vehicle if
you are not sure.
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TOWING A TRAILER – TROUBLESHOOTING
TOWING A TRAILER – INFORMATION MESSAGES
Details
Message
The left-hand trailer turn lamp requiresservice.
Trailer Left Turn Lamps Fault Check Lamps
The right-hand trailer turn lamp requiresservice.
Trailer Right Turn Lamps Fault Check
Lamps
The trailer battery voltage is too low to
charge. If there is no trailer attached, the vehicle battery voltage is low.
Trailer Battery Not Charging See Manual
The system detects a short created by thetrailer lamps. Inspect and repair the trailer
wiring, or have the system checked as soon as possible.
Trailer Lighting Module Fault See Manual
The trailer stoplamps require service.
Trailer Stop Lamps Fault Check Lamps
The trailer sway control detects trailersway. Reduce the vehicle's speed.
Trailer Sway Reduce Speed
Displays when one or more tires on the
trailer is above the recommended temper- ature.
Trailer Tire Over Temperature
One or more tires on your trailer is belowthe specified tire pressure.
Trailer Tire Low Specified:
A trailer tire pressure sensor requires
service. If the warning stays on or continues to come on, have the system checked as soon as possible.
Trailer Tire Pressure Sensor Fault
The trailer tire pressure monitoring systemrequires service. If the warning stays on or continues to come on, have the system checked as soon as possible.
Trailer Tire Pressure Monitor Fault
The system cannot detect the trailer tirepressure monitoring system.
Trailer Tire Pressure Monitor Capability Not
Detected
The trailer tire pressure monitoring systemis not setup.
Trailer Tire Pressure Indication Not Setup
See Manual
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WHAT IS THE INTEGRATED
TRAILER BRAKE CONTROLLER
The trailer brake controller assists in
smooth and effective trailer braking based
on the towing vehicle
’s brake pressure.
INTEGRATED TRAILER BRAKE
CONTROLLER PRECAUTIONS WARNING: Use the integrated
trailer brake controller to properly adjust
the trailer brakes and check all
connections before towing a trailer.
Failure to follow this instruction could
result in the loss of control of your
vehicle, personal injury or death.
• Only use the manual control lever for
proper adjustment of the gain during
trailer setup. Misuse, such as
application during trailer sway, could
cause instability of trailer or tow
vehicle.
• Avoid towing in adverse weather
conditions. The trailer brake controller
does not provide anti-lock control of
the trailer wheels. Trailer wheels can
lock up on slippery surfaces, resulting
in reduced stability of trailer and tow
vehicle.
• The trailer brake controller is only a
factory-installed or dealer-installed
item. Ford is not responsible for
warranty or performance of the
controller due to misuse or customer
installation.
Note: Do not attempt removal of the trailer
brake controller without consulting the
Workshop Manual. Damage to the unit may
result. USING THE INTEGRATED
TRAILER BRAKE CONTROLLER
1.
Make sure the trailer brakes are in good
working condition, functioning normally
and properly adjusted. See your trailer
dealer if necessary.
Note: An authorized dealer can diagnose
the trailer brake controller to determine
exactly which trailer fault has occurred. Your
vehicle warranty does not cover issues with
your trailer.
2. Hook up the trailer and make the electrical connections according to the
trailer manufacturer's instructions.
Note: Select default mode if the trailer has
surge brakes, or no brakes at all. The system
has no effect on the braking performance
of the trailer in either of these cases.
Note: If a trailer is connected by a four-pin
connector, the trailer braking function will
not be supported.
3. When you plug in a trailer with electric or electric-over-hydraulic brakes, a
message confirming connection
appears in the information display.
4. Use the gain adjustment to find the desired starting point. A gain setting of
6.0 is a good starting point for heavier
loads.
Note: Use the following steps to adjust the
gain setting whenever road, weather and
trailer, or vehicle loading conditions, change
from when you initially set the gain.
5. In a traffic-free environment, tow the trailer on a dry, level surface and
squeeze the manual control lever
completely.
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(If Equipped)

6. If the trailer wheels lock up, indicated
by squealing tires, reduce the gain
setting. If the trailer wheels turn freely,
increase the gain setting. Repeat Steps
5 and 6 until the gain setting is at a
point just below trailer wheel lock-up.
If towing a heavier trailer, trailer wheel
lock-up may not be attainable even
with the maximum gain setting of 10.
Note: Only perform this procedure at
speeds of approximately 20– 25 mph
(30–40 km/h).
Note: The trailer brake controller reduces
output at vehicle speeds below
11 mph
(18 km/h) so that trailer and vehicle braking
is not jerky or harsh. This feature is only
available when applying the brakes using
your vehicle's brake pedal, not the
controller.
Note: Your vehicle's brake system and the
trailer brake system work independently of
each other. Changing the gain setting on the
controller does not affect the operation of
your vehicle's brakes whether you attach a
trailer or not.
Note: With the proper electrical connection,
pressing your vehicle brake pedal or using
the manual control lever illuminates both
trailer and vehicle brake lamps.
Note: When you switch the engine off, the
controller output is disabled and the display
and module shut down. The controller
module and display turn on when you switch
the ignition on. Adjusting the Trailer Brake Gain
Increase or decrease the amount
of gain in set increments.
A
Slide the control to engage the
trailer brakes.
B
Note: Adjust gain setting before using the
trailer brake controller for the first time.
Note: The gain should be set to provide the
maximum trailer braking assistance while
making sure the trailer wheels do not lock
when using the brakes. Locked trailer wheels
may lead to trailer instability.
Note: Setting adjustments are saved when
a trailer profile is selected.
Note: If you have installed an aftermarket
trailer brake controller in addition to the
integrated trailer brake controller, set the
gain on the integrated trailer brake controller
to zero.
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(If Equipped)E333154

ADJUSTING THE INTEGRATED
TRAILER BRAKE CONTROLLER
MODE
Select the correct integrated trailer brake
controller mode option using the
touchscreen.
Note:
Trailer brake gain settings are saved
to the active trailer profile.
Selecting the Trailer Brake Type
1. Press Default for trailers with
electromagnetic drum brake systems
or press
Electric over Hydraulic for
trailers with electrically actuated
hydraulic brake systems. 2. Press
Save.
Selecting the Trailer Brake Effort
1. Select a setting for your trailer.
Note: The default value is
Low and is the
recommended setting for most trailers.
Select a different setting if your trailer's
brakes require more initial voltage, or you
prefer more aggressive trailer braking.
2. Press
Save.
INTEGRATED TRAILER BRAKE CONTROLLER –
TROUBLESHOOTING
INTEGRATED TRAILER BRAKE CONTROLLER – INFORMATION
MESSAGES Details
Message
The system detects the trailer wiring
connection is disconnected, during a given ignition cycle.
Trailer Disconnected
The system detects an electrical fault inthe trailer brake circuit. If this message
appears without a trailer attached, see your authorized dealer. If a trailer is attached, inspect and repair the trailer wiring.
Trailer Wiring Fault
Displays the current gain setting for thetrailer brake.
Trailer Brake Gain: {trailer gain value:#0.0}
Displays the current gain setting for the
trailer brake when you do not have a trailer connected.
Trailer Brake Gain: {trailer gain value:#0.0}
No Trailer
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F-150 (TFD) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 202104, Second-Printing Integrated Trailer Brake Controller
(If Equipped)