2021 FORD F-450 tow

Troubleshooting - Fifth Wheel and
Gooseneck Trailer
Setup
The system is designed to be used with a
wide variety of trailers. There are some
trailers that do not have a proper surface
and location to mount the sensor. These
trailers are not supported. Attempts to
install the sensor in a manner that does
not meet the requirements can result in
improper system function.
To correctly install the trailer sensor:
•
Attach to vertical surface with the
arrows pointed straight up.
• If you are not sure, use a level to check
that the attachment surface is vertical.
• Securely fasten the sensor so that it is
rigidly mounted and does not shake or
wobble.
• Install within the range of the 12 way
connector so that when the trailer
swings the wire harness does not
stretch, pinch or pull.
If the system displays Pro Trailer Backup
Assist™ Sensor Not Detected Refer to
Owner's Manual Press Knob to Exit or
Trailer Reverse Guidance Sensor Not
Detected Refer to Owner's Manual Press
OK to Exit:
• Check that the 12 way connector is fully
inserted into the 12 way socket. The red
rubber seal is not visible when the
connector is fully inserted.
• Check that the wiring harness sensor
connection is fully inserted at the trailer
sensor.
• Check for damaged wiring between the
12 way connector and the trailer sensor.
• If you have a 12 way connector inside
the bed and in the bumper, ensure that
only a single sensor is connected. Note:
If you did not purchase the fifth wheel
prep pack, you need to replace the 7/4 way
trailer connector in your bumper with a 7/12
pin connector. See your authorized dealer.
Calibration
The calibration process is required for the
system to determine the trailer length. The
system supports trailer lengths of 10– 39 ft
(3– 11.94 m) distance from the hitch point
to the center of the axle or axles. The
calibration process consists of a straight
forward drive followed by a turn. During
the straight drive, the system monitors
various vehicle parameters to make sure
your vehicle is being driven straight and the
trailer is straight behind your vehicle. Any
steering input or trailer movement during
this straight drive pauses the calibration.
During the turn, the system monitors
various vehicle parameters to make sure
your vehicle and trailer are correctly
turning.
For best results:
• Use a smooth and level road when
attempting to calibrate.
• Steer and smoothly turn and avoid
abrupt steering inputs.
• Drive between 2 –16 mph (4– 25 km/h)
.
• Make a typical 90 degree corner turn.
Turning too shallow does not allow the
system to calibrate.
The typical calibration process results in
the system displaying messages in the
information display. The system also
displays additional warnings if the vehicle
or trailer motion is not within the
calibration limits.
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Super Duty (TFE) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 202008, Third-Printing- Towing

If the system remains on one message for
an extended time, is not progressing
through the typical calibration steps or if
Pro Trailer Backup Assist™ Trailer Not
Detected. Shift to Park Press Knob to Exit,
Pro Trailer Backup Assist™ Trailer Not
Detected. Refer to Owner's Manual. Press
Knob to Exit or Trailer Reverse Guidance
Trailer Not Detected. Refer to Owner's
Manual. Press OK to Exit displays, check
the following:
•
Verify the sensor is correctly installed.
See Fifth Wheel and Gooseneck Trailer
Sensor Installation.
• Verify the trailer length is within the
allowed range of 10– 39 ft (3–11.94 m).
• Verify you are calibrating on a smooth
road surface.
Repeat calibration on a different route if
you have verified the previous checks.
System Operation
The following warnings or difficulties may
occur during system operation. Tips to
resolve them are listed in the following
section.
Pro Trailer Backup Assist™ System is Not
Available or Trailer Reverse Guidance
System is Not Available:
• The system relies on many
sub-systems in your vehicle to correctly
operate. If those sub-systems are not
correctly operating, the system may
not be available.
• Low battery voltage is a condition that
prevents the system from operating.
Please make sure the battery is
correctly charged if the system is not
available.
• If the message continues to display,
see your authorized dealer for service. Pro Trailer Backup Assist™ Driving
Required to Initialize Steering Press Knob
to Exit or Trailer Reverse Guidance Driving
Required to Initialize Steering Press OK to
Exit:
•
The steering system needs to learn
internal parameters to fully enable the
feature. Drive your vehicle straight
forward above 25 mph (40 km/h) for
approximately 5 minutes.
• This may occur when your vehicle is
new, the battery voltage is too low, the
battery has been disconnected or your
steering system has been serviced.
Pro Trailer Backup Assist™ Sensor Not
Detected Refer to Owner's Manual Press
Knob to Exit or Trailer Reverse Guidance
Sensor Not Detected Refer to Owner's
Manual Press OK to Exit:
• Check that the 12 way connector is fully
inserted into the 12 way socket. The red
rubber seal is not visible when the
connector is fully inserted.
• Check that the wiring harness sensor
connection is fully inserted at the trailer
sensor.
• Check for damaged wiring between the
12 way connector and the trailer sensor.
• Only one sensor can be connected to
your vehicle at a time. If you have a 7/12
pin connector in the truck bed and in
the bumper, check to make sure that
only one sensor is connected.
Note: If you did not purchase the fifth wheel
prep pack, you need to replace the 7/4 way
trailer connector in your bumper with a 7/12
pin connector. See your authorized dealer.
Pro Trailer Backup Assist™ Trailer Not
Detected. Refer to Owner's Manual. Press
Knob to Exit or Trailer Reverse Guidance
Trailer Not Detected. Refer to Owner's
Manual. Press OK to Exit:
• If the message continues to display,
see your authorized dealer for service.
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Pro Trailer Backup Assist™ Trailer Not
Detected Pull Forward to Initialize Press
Knob to Exit or Trailer Reverse Guidance
Trailer Not Detected Pull Forward to
Initialize Press OK to Exit:
•
If the vehicle has not moved during this
key cycle, it must be driven forward to
initialize the sensing system.
• Extended operation at speeds below
1 mph (1 km/h) may cause the sensing
system to lose the trailer position and
the system needs to be re-initialized.
• Drive forward above 2 mph (3 km/h)
and the system indicates when it
initializes.
System repeatedly displays Pro Trailer
Backup Assist™ Stop Now System Not
Active Press Knob to Exit:
• System is not fully activated. Select
the trailer in the information display by
using the controls on the steering
wheel and wait until Pro Trailer Backup
Assist™ Backup Slowly Turn Knob to
Steer Press Knob to Exit displays
before starting to move backward.
• This displays if you backup during the
calibration process. Drive forward and
complete calibration.
System does not reverse straight:
• Verify sensor is correctly installed. See
Fifth Wheel and Gooseneck Trailer
Sensor Installation.
• Factors such as the hitch connection,
road camber, road slope and
compliance in the trailer suspension
can influence how straight the system
is able to reverse the trailer when the
knob is not turned. You can
compensate for the trailer drifting to
the right or left by slowly turning the
knob until the trailer is following your
preferred path and then holding the
knob in that position. System consistently shows Pro Trailer
Backup Assist™ Stop now Maximum trailer
angle Press Knob to Exit:
•
Verify sensor is correctly installed. See
Fifth Wheel and Gooseneck Trailer
Sensor Installation.
• Verify the correct trailer is selected in
the information display.
• The system may need to be
recalibrated. The system can be
recalibrated by using the information
display to delete the trailer and
repeating the setup process. If the
same sensor is installed on another
trailer, create a new trailer in the
information display and complete the
setup and calibration process for the
new trailer. If using the same sensor on
multiple trailers, disconnect the 7/12
pin connector when switching trailers.
See Setting Up The System.
System consistently shows Pro Trailer
Backup Assist™ Stop Now Take Control
of Steering Wheel:
• The system displays this warning when
it can no longer steer the vehicle and
you must take over steering. There are
four reasons why this warning displays
and additional information regarding
the reason for the warning is available
on the center display.
• The steering wheel is touched when
under system control. Avoid touching
the wheel during system operation.
• The maximum speed for feature
operation is exceeded. System
performance is optimized at slower
speeds. Reverse slowly.
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•
The trailer is not detected. Once your
vehicle is stopped, additional warnings
indicate the trailer is not detected.
Refer to trailer not detected
troubleshooting tips.
• An internal condition for system
operation was not met which requires
your vehicle to return to manual control
of the steering. Using the system for an
extended period of time can cause the
steering system to heat up and turn off
Pro Trailer Backup Assist steering
control to protect itself. The system
may require a cool down time of up to
30 minutes. Keep the system off and
drive forward at a normal speed or
switch the vehicle off.
TRAILER SWAY CONTROL WARNING: Turning off trailer sway
control increases the risk of loss of
vehicle control, serious injury or death.
Ford does not recommend disabling this
feature except in situations where speed
reduction may be detrimental (such as
hill climbing), the driver has significant
trailer towing experience, and can control
trailer sway and maintain safe operation.
Note: This feature does not prevent trailer
sway, but reduces it once it begins.
Note: This feature cannot stop all trailers
from swaying.
Note: In some cases, if vehicle speed is too
high, the system may activate multiple
times, gradually reducing vehicle speed. This feature applies your vehicle brakes at
individual wheels and, if necessary, reduces
engine power. If the trailer begins to sway,
the stability control light flashes and the
message TRAILER SWAY REDUCE
SPEED appears in the information display.
The first thing to do is slow your vehicle
down, then pull safely to the side of the
road and check for proper tongue load and
trailer load distribution. See
Load
Carrying (page 271).
RECOMMENDED TOWING
WEIGHTS WARNING:
You must use
the heavy-duty drawbar pin
supplied with your vehicle when
using the heavy-duty hitch.
Failure to follow this instruction
could result in the loss of control
of your vehicle, personal injury or
death.
Note: Vehicles with a
21,200 lb
(9,616 kg) hitch and above must
use the drawbar pin that came with
the vehicle. You can obtain a
replacement drawbar pin at your
authorized dealer.
Note: Make sure to take into
consideration trailer frontal area.
Do not exceed 60 ft² (5.6 m²)
trailer frontal area for conventional
trailers. Do not exceed 75 ft² (6.9
m²) trailer frontal area for fifth
wheel and gooseneck trailers.
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Note:
Exceeding this limitation
may significantly reduce the
performance of your towing
vehicle. Selecting a trailer with a
low aerodynamic drag and rounded
front design helps optimize
performance and fuel economy.
Note: Your vehicle could have
reduced performance when
operating at high altitudes and
when heavily loaded or towing a
trailer. When driving at elevation,
in order 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. 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 your
vehicle's electrical system may not
include the wiring connector
needed to use electric trailer
brakes.
Your vehicle may tow a trailer
provided the maximum trailer
weight is less than or equal to the
maximum trailer weight
calculated using the formula
following the chart. Pickup and box delete
MaximumGCWR
Rear axle ratio
Engine
Vehicle
19,500 lb
(8,845 kg)
3.73
6.2L gas
F-250 22,000 lb
(9,979 kg)
4.30
23,500 lb
(10,659 kg)
3.31
6.7L diesel
30,000 lb
(13,607 kg)
3.31, 3.55
6.7L diesel 1
21,800 lb
(9,888 kg)
3.55
7.3L gas 26,000 lb
(11,793 kg)
4.30
19,500 lb
(8,845 kg)
3.73
6.2L gas
F-350 single
rear wheel
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Super Duty (TFE) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 202008, Third-Printing- Towing

Pickup and box delete
MaximumGCWR
Rear axle ratio
Engine
Vehicle
23,000 lb
(10,433 kg)
4.30
30,000 lb
(13,607 kg)
3.31
6.7L diesel 30,000 lb
(13,607 kg)
3.55
23,500 lb
(10,659 kg)
3.73
7.3L gas 27,500 lb
(12,473 kg)
4.30
20,000 lb(9,071 kg)
3.73
6.2L gas
F-350 dual rear wheel 23,500 lb
(10,659 kg)
4.30
40,000 lb
(18,143 kg)
3.55
6.7L diesel 43,400 lb
(19,685 kg)
4.10
24,000 lb
(10,886 kg)
3.73
7.3L gas 28,000 lb
(12,700 kg)
4.30
45,300 lb
(20,547 kg)
4.30
6.7L diesel
F-450
1 Trailer Tow Package.
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Super Duty (TFE) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 202008, Third-Printing- Towing

Chassis cab
MaximumGCWR
Rear axle
ratio
Engine
Vehicle
30,000 lb
(13,607 kg)
3.73
6.7L diesel
F-350 single
rear wheel 26,000 lb
(11,793 kg)
4.30
7.3L gas
31,500 lb
(14,288 kg)
3.73
6.7L diesel
F-350 dual rear wheel 32,500 lb
(14,741 kg)
4.10
22,500 lb
(10,205 kg)
3.37
7.3L gas 26,000 lb
(11,793 kg)
4.30
32,500 lb
(14,741 kg)
4.10
6.7L diesel
F-450 dual rear
wheel 35,000 lb
(15,875 kg)
4.30
28,000 lb
(12,700 kg)
4.88
7.3L gas
32,500 lb
(14,741 kg)
4.10
6.7L diesel
F-550 dual rear
wheel (17500/ 18000 lbGVWR) 37,000 lb
(16,782 kg)
4.30
28,000 lb
(12,700 kg)
4.88
7.3L gas
32,500 lb
(14,741 kg)
4.88
6.7L diesel
F-550 dual rear
wheel (19000/ 19500 lbGVWR) 40,000 lb
(18,143 kg)
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Super Duty (TFE) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 202008, Third-Printing- Towing

Chassis cab
MaximumGCWR
Rear axle
ratio
Engine
Vehicle
28,000 lb
(12,700 kg)
4.88
7.3L gas
43,000 lb
(19,504 kg)
4.88
6.7L diesel
F-600 dual rear
wheel 30,000 lb
(13,607 kg)
4.88
7.3L gas
Calculating 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
previous 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 hardware.
• Driver weight.
• Passenger(s) 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.
For additional information on
trailer weights, reference the RV
& Trailer Towing Guide available
at your authorized dealer, or
online. RV & Trailer Towing Guide Online
www .fl e e t.f or d . c om/ t o wing-g uide sWebsite
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Super Duty (TFE) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 202008, Third-Printing- Towing