TOWING A TRAILER
PRECAUTIONS
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.
WARNING: Do not exceedthe lowest rating capacity foryour vehicle or trailer hitch.Overloading your vehicle ortrailer hitch can impair yourvehicle stability and handling.Failure to follow this instructioncould result in the loss of controlof your vehicle, personal injury ordeath.
WARNING: Make sure thatthe vertical load on the tow ballis between the minimum andmaximum recommended weightat all times. Failure to follow thisinstruction could result in theloss of control of your vehicle,personal injury or death.
WARNING: Do not cut,drill, weld or modify the trailerhitch. Modifying the trailer hitchcould reduce the hitch rating.
WARNING: The anti-lockbrake system does not controlthe trailer brakes.
TRAILER BRAKE
PRECAUTIONS
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.
WARNING: Do not tow a trailerfitted with electric trailer brakes unlessyour vehicle is fitted with a compatibleaftermarket electronic trailer brakecontroller. Failure to follow thisinstruction could result in the loss ofcontrol of your vehicle, personal injury ordeath. For additional information andassistance, we recommend that youcontact an authorized dealer.
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.
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WHAT IS THE MAXIMUM LOADEDTRAILER WEIGHT
The maximum loaded trailerweight is the highest possibleweight of a fully loaded trailer thevehicle can tow.
CALCULATING THE MAXIMUMLOADED TRAILER WEIGHT FORYOUR VEHICLE
1.Start with the gross combinedweight rating for your vehiclemodel and axle ratio.
2.Subtract all of the followingthat apply to your vehicle:
•Vehicle curb weight.
•Hitch hardware weight, forexample a draw bar, ball, locksor weight distributing hardware.
•Driver weight.
•Passenger weight.
•Payload, cargo and luggageweight.
•Aftermarket equipment weight.
This equals the maximum loadedtrailer weight for this combination.
Note:The trailer tongue load isconsidered part of the payload foryour vehicle. Reduce the totalpayload by the final trailer tongueweight.
Note:Consult an authorized dealerto determine the maximum trailerweight allowed for your vehicle ifyou are not sure.
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WHAT IS THE INTEGRATED
TRAILER BRAKE CONTROLLER
The trailer brake controller assists insmooth and effective trailer braking basedon the towing vehicle’s brake pressure.
INTEGRATED TRAILER BRAKE
CONTROLLER PRECAUTIONS
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.
•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 only afactory-installed or dealer-installeditem. Ford is not responsible forwarranty or performance of thecontroller due to misuse or customerinstallation.
Note:Do not attempt removal of the trailerbrake controller without consulting theWorkshop Manual. Damage to the unit mayresult.
Note:Make sure to set the integrated trailerbrake controller gain to 0 if you are using anaftermarket trailer brake controller.
USING THE INTEGRATED
TRAILER BRAKE CONTROLLER
1.Make sure the trailer brakes are in goodworking condition, functioning normallyand properly adjusted. See your trailerdealer if necessary.
Note:An authorized dealer can diagnosethe trailer brake controller to determineexactly which trailer fault has occurred. Yourvehicle warranty does not cover issues withyour trailer.
2.Hook up the trailer and make theelectrical connections according to thetrailer manufacturer's instructions.
Note:Select default mode if the trailer hassurge brakes, or no brakes at all. The systemhas no effect on the braking performanceof the trailer in either of these cases.
Note:If a trailer is connected by a four-pinconnector, the trailer braking function willnot be supported.
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 to find thedesired starting point. A gain setting of6.0 is a good starting point for heavierloads.
Note:Use the following steps to adjust thegain setting whenever road, weather andtrailer, or vehicle loading conditions, changefrom when you initially set the gain.
5.In a traffic-free environment, tow thetrailer on a dry, level surface andsqueeze the manual control levercompletely.
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2023 F-150 (TFD) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 202206, DOMIntegrated Trailer Brake Controller (If Equipped)
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.
Note:Only perform this procedure atspeeds of approximately 20–25 mph(30–40 km/h).
Note:The trailer brake controller reducesoutput at vehicle speeds below 11 mph(18 km/h) so that trailer and vehicle brakingis not jerky or harsh. This feature is onlyavailable when applying the brakes usingyour vehicle's brake pedal, not thecontroller.
Note:Your vehicle's brake system and thetrailer brake system work independently ofeach other. Changing the gain setting on thecontroller does not affect the operation ofyour vehicle's brakes whether you attach atrailer or not.
Note:With the proper electrical connection,pressing your vehicle brake pedal or usingthe manual control lever illuminates bothtrailer and vehicle brake lamps.
Note:When you switch the engine off, thecontroller output is disabled and the displayand module shut down. The controllermodule and display turn on when you switchthe ignition on.
Note:Trailer braking is suspended duringstop/start events to minimize battery draw.
Adjusting the Trailer Brake Gain
Use the gain adjustment (+) and(-) buttons to increase ordecrease the gain setting to thedesired starting point. The trailerbrake controller allowsadjustment of brake gain from0% to 100% in 5% increments.
A
Trailer braking is directly appliedby the driver through this manualslider.
B
Note:Adjust gain setting before using thetrailer brake controller for the first time.
Note:The gain should be set to provide themaximum trailer braking assistance whilemaking sure the trailer wheels do not lockwhen using the brakes. Locked trailer wheelsmay lead to trailer instability.
Note:Setting adjustments are saved whena trailer profile is selected.
Note:If you have installed an aftermarkettrailer brake controller in addition to theintegrated trailer brake controller, set thegain on the integrated trailer brake controllerto zero.
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2023 F-150 (TFD) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 202206, DOMIntegrated Trailer Brake Controller (If Equipped)E333154
WHAT IS TRAILER HITCHING
ASSISTANCE
Trailer hitching assistance helps the driveralign the vehicle hitch ball to a trailercoupler.
HOW DOES TRAILER HITCHING
ASSISTANCE WORK
Trailer hitching assistance uses thefollowing to detect your trailer:
•Rear view camera.
•Radar.
•Parking aid sensors.
•External rear lighting.
This feature also controls the following toalign the hitch ball with the trailer coupler:
•Steering.
•Shifting.
•Braking and acceleration.
Note:Blocked sensors could affect systemperformance. Do not cover the sensors withbumper stickers, tape, repair compound orother objects.
TRAILER HITCHING
ASSISTANCE PRECAUTIONS
WARNING: You are responsible forcontrolling your vehicle at all times. Thesystem is designed to be an aid and doesnot relieve you of your responsibility todrive with due care and attention. Failureto follow this instruction could result inthe loss of control of your vehicle,personal injury or death.
WARNING: The system is notdesigned to detect cyclists,motorcyclists, pedestrians or animals.Apply the brakes when necessary. Failureto follow this instruction could resultpersonal injury or death.
WARNING: The system may notoperate properly during severe weatherconditions, for example snow, ice, heavyrain and spray. Always drive with duecare and attention. Failure to take caremay result in a crash.
Note:Fifth wheel and gooseneck trailersare not supported.
Note:Trailer hitching assistance only workswith conventional trailers, couplers andhitch balls.
Note:The hitch ball must be properlyinstalled on the vehicle for the system tofunction as intended. An improperlyinstalled hitch ball could result in damageto your vehicle or trailer.
Note:Certain aftermarket modificationssuch as oversized tires or lift kits could maketrailer hitching assistance fail or not workas intended.
Note:Keep the sensors and camera freefrom snow, ice and dirt.
Note:Clean the camera lens with a soft,lint-free cloth and non-abrasive cleaner.
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TRAILER HITCHING
ASSISTANCE LIMITATIONS
The system could not function or couldfunction with reduced performance duringthe following:
•When using trailer hitching assistancein tall grass and weeds.
•When safety chains, cables or wiringare dangling near the coupler.
•When using trailer hitching assistanceon slippery surfaces.
•When using hitches that raise the hitchball more than 4 in (10 cm), lower thehitch ball by more than 6 in (16 cm) orextend the hitch ball away from thevehicle more than 12 in (30 cm).
•When using hitches that are lower than10 in (25 cm) off the ground.
•When using objects taller than 8 in(20 cm), such as large blocks, underthe jack stand.
•When you park the trailer on surfacesthat are similar in color to the trailercoupler and hitch ball.
•A black coupler or hitch ball over adark asphalt surface.
•A light color coupler or hitch ballover a light concrete surface.
•When there are low or no light sources,such as at night.
For additional information, please refer tothe Ford Support Website.
SWITCHING TRAILER
HITCHING ASSISTANCE ON
AND OFF
Press the button to switch the system onand off. You can also switch the systemoff through the touchscreen.
USING TRAILER HITCHING
ASSISTANCE
Before switching on the system, make surethat your vehicle is:
•In front of the trailer facing the samedirection.
•Within 20 ft (6 m) of the trailer and nocloser than 7 ft (2 m).
•Less than a 15° approach angle to thetrailer.
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2023 F-150 (TFD) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 202206, DOMTrailer Hitching Assistance (If Equipped)E310335
USING THE TRAILER BACKUP
ASSISTANCE CONTROLLER
Use the control knob to steer the trailer.Take your hands off the steering wheel andturn the control knob instead. The controlknob acts as the steering control for thetrailer.
Turn and hold counterclockwise to makethe trailer go left.
Turn and hold clockwise to make the trailergo right.
Release the knob when the trailer ismoving in the direction you want.
Note:The more you turn the knob, thesharper the trailer turns.
Note:Quickly turning and releasing theknob results in a jerky movement of thevehicle.
Note:You may have to use the knob tocorrect the trailer direction when attemptingto move the trailer straight back under someconditions.
USING THE TRAILER BACKUP
ASSISTANCE VIEWS
Up to seven camera views could beavailable when using trailer backupassistance. Use the view that helps you themost when reversing your vehicle andtrailer.
Note:The rear view camera view isavailable on all vehicles with trailer backupassistance. Additional views are availableon vehicles with trailer reverse guidance.
360° camera view. Shows a360° view on the right-hand sideof the touchscreen with a rearcamera view on the left-hand side of thetouchscreen.
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TRAILER BACKUP ASSISTANCE– FREQUENTLY ASKEDQUESTIONS
What does it mean if the systemdoes not detect a trailer that issetup with a sticker?
•The system could be having troubleidentifying the sticker. The systemrequires a clear view of the stickerplaced on the trailer. You must keepthe camera lens and sticker clean forthe system to correctly operate. If thesystem cannot initially detect thetrailer, it could be necessary for you tochange the lighting conditions bymoving your vehicle and trailer orwaiting until the conditions change.See Applying the Trailer ReversingAid Sticker (page 441). Deleting thetrailer and repeating the setup andcalibration could improve performance,but some trailers are not compatiblewith the sticker and camera system. Ifthe system consistently does notdetect the trailer with the sticker setup,you may choose to setup the trailerwith a sensor.
Note:The system is designed to be usedwith the same trailer connection every timeyou choose the trailer from the touchscreen.When using a different drawbar or adifferent pin hole on drawbars with morethan one, connecting the drawbar to yourvehicle affects the trailer position and youmay need to repeat the trailer setup andcalibration process.
Why does the trailer not reversestraight?
•The road conditions, such as roadcamber and road slope, could affecthow straight the system can reverse.You can compensate for the trailerdrifting to the right or left by slowlyturning the knob until the trailer isfollowing your desired path and thenholding the knob in that position.
•Other factors, such as the hitchconnection or trailer suspension, couldaffect how straight the system canreverse the trailer. You cancompensate for the trailer drifting tothe right or left by slowly turning theknob until the trailer is following yourdesired path and then holding the knobin that position.
•The sensor could be incorrectlyinstalled. Make sure the sensor iscorrectly installed.
What does it mean if the systemremains on one message for anextended time during calibrationwhen setting up the system withthe sticker?
•The camera could require cleaning.
•You could have a blocked sticker. Verifythe sticker is in the proper location. SeeApplying the Trailer Reversing AidSticker (page 441).
•The drawbar could be outside of theallowed range of 4–19 in (10–48 cm).
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