LOAD CARRYING
PRECAUTIONS
Keep your loaded vehicle weight
within its design rating capability,
with or without a trailer. Properly
loading your vehicle provides
maximum return of vehicle design
performance. Before you load your
vehicle, become familiar with the
following terms for determining
your vehicle
’s weight rating, with
or without a trailer, from the
vehicle ’s Tire and Loading
Information label or Safety
Compliance Certification label. WARNING: Vehicles with
a higher center of gravity (utility
and four-wheel drive vehicles)
handle differently than vehicles
with a lower center of gravity
(passenger cars). Avoid sharp
turns, excessive speed and
abrupt steering in these vehicles.
Failure to drive cautiously
increases the risk of losing
control of your vehicle, vehicle
rollover, personal injury and
death. WARNING:
The
appropriate loading capacity of
your vehicle can be limited either
by volume capacity (how much
space is available) or by payload
capacity (how much weight the
vehicle should carry). Once you
have reached the maximum payload of your vehicle, do not
add more cargo, even if there is
space available. Overloading or
improperly loading your vehicle
can contribute to loss of vehicle
control and vehicle rollover.
WARNING:
Exceeding the
Safety Compliance Certification
label vehicle weight limits can
adversely affect the
performance and handling of
your vehicle, cause vehicle
damage and can result in the
loss of control of your vehicle,
serious personal injury or death. WARNING:
Do not use
replacement tires with lower
load carrying capacities than the
original tires because they may
lower your vehicle's GVWR and
GAWR limitations. Replacement
tires with a higher limit than the
original tires do not increase the
GVWR and GAWR limitations. WARNING:
Do not exceed
the GVWR or the GAWR
specified on the certification
label. WARNING: Exceeding any
vehicle weight rating can
adversely affect the
performance and handling of
your vehicle, cause vehicle
damage and can result in the
loss of control of your vehicle,
serious personal injury or death.
388
2022 F-150 (TFD) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 202109, First-Printing Load Carrying
CONNECTING A TRAILER
PRECAUTIONS
Do not tow a trailer until you drive your
vehicle at least 1,000 mi (1,600 km).
Consult your local motor vehicle laws for
towing a trailer.
See the instructions included with towing
accessories for the proper installation and
adjustment specifications.
Service your vehicle more frequently if you
tow a trailer. See
Normal Scheduled
Maintenance (page 645).
If you use a rental trailer, follow the
instructions the rental agency gives you.
When attaching the trailer wiring connector
to your vehicle, only use a proper fitting
connector that works with the vehicle and
trailer functions.
Account for the trailer coupler weight as
part of your vehicle load when calculating
the total vehicle weight.
Do not exceed the load limits. See
Calculating the Load Limit
(page 391).
HITCHES
HOOKING UP A TRAILER USING A
WEIGHT-DISTRIBUTING HITCH WARNING: Do not adjust the spring
bars so that your vehicle's rear bumper
is higher than before attaching the trailer.
Doing so will defeat the function of the
weight-distributing hitch, which may
cause unpredictable handling, and could
result in serious personal injury.
A weight-distributing hitch helps distribute
tongue load to all towing vehicle and trailer
wheels. For more information, visit the links
in the following table. Website
Market
ht tp s:/ /
www .fl e e t.f or d . c om/
t o wing-g uide s/United States of
America
ht tp s:/ /
www .fl e e t.f or d . c a/
t o wing-g uide s/Canada
CONNECTING A TRAILER
Recognizing a Trailer
1. Attach the trailer and wiring connector
to your vehicle.
2. Switch on your vehicle.
3. Set up a profile for the trailer using the
touchscreen.
Note: If your vehicle does not recognize the
trailer, press and hold the brake pedal for a
few seconds.
Note: Trailer profiles store trailer types,
dimensions, preferences, trailer specific
mileage and fuel economy.
Note: Disabling the trailer detection
notification makes the default trailer profile
active when the system detects a
connection.
399
2022 F-150 (TFD) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 202109, First-Printing Connecting a Trailer
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)
of elevation.
Note: Do not use four-wheel drive
when towing a trailer or when you
heavily load your vehicle for
extended periods of time. 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.
404
2022 F-150 (TFD) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 202109, First-Printing Towing a Trailer
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.
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.
405
2022 F-150 (TFD) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 202109, First-Printing Towing a Trailer
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.
410
2022 F-150 (TFD) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 202109, First-Printing Integrated Trailer Brake Controller
(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.
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.
411
2022 F-150 (TFD) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 202109, First-Printing Integrated Trailer Brake Controller
(If Equipped)E333154
HOW DOES TRAILER SWAY
CONTROL WORK
The system applies the brakes to the
individual wheels and reduces engine
torque to aid vehicle stability.
If the trailer begins to sway, the stability
control lamp flashes and the message
Trailer Sway Reduce Speed appears in
the information display.
Stop your vehicle as soon as it is safe to
do so. Check the vertical weight on the
tow ball and trailer load distribution.
TRAILER SWAY CONTROL
PRECAUTIONS 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 only activates when
significant trailer sway occurs.
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.
SWITCHING TRAILER SWAY
CONTROL ON AND OFF
1. Press
Features on the touchscreen. 2. Press
Towing.
3. Switch
Trailer Sway Control on or off.
The system turns on each time you start
your vehicle.
414
2022 F-150 (TFD) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 202109, First-Printing Trailer Sway Control
WHAT IS SMART HITCH
Smart hitch shows how balanced the
weight is from the trailer onto the vehicle's
hitch and front axle.
HOW DOES SMART HITCH
WORK
Smart hitch uses sensors mounted to the
suspension to calculate the tongue weight
of the connected trailer.
SMART HITCH LIMITATIONS
You cannot use the system if any of the
following occur:
•
The wheels are not pointed straight
ahead.
• Your vehicle is not in park (P).
• Your vehicle is not on a level surface.
• The tire pressures are below the
recommended levels.
• Your vehicle is off.
USING SMART HITCH
1. Press Features on the touchscreen.
2. Press
Smart Hitch.
Note: You can also access smart hitch
using the FordPass app. Settings menu.
A
Quick setup.
B
Connection checklist.
C
Hitch type selection.
D
Hitch Type Selection
Press to select the hitch type.
Quick Setup
Press to skip the trailer setup guide and
adjust the load in the trailer to a balanced
range.
Reset Hitch Weight
Press to reset the weight on the hitch to
zero.
Loaded Trailer Weight
Press to set the total weight of the loaded
trailer.
Note: The vehicle's tongue weight is not
available until you attach a trailer.
Note: Make sure you include both the trailer
weight and the trailer cargo in your
calculation for total weight of the loaded
trailer.
418
2022 F-150 (TFD) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 202109, First-Printing Smart Hitch
(If Equipped)A
B
C
DE361328