2023 FORD F150 trailer

WHAT IS THE GROSS
COMBINED WEIGHT RATING
Gross Combined Weight Rating(GCWR) is the maximumallowable weight of the vehicleand the loaded trailer, includingall cargo and passengers, that thevehicle can handle without riskingdamage. (Important: The towingvehicle’s braking system is ratedfor operation at Gross VehicleWeight Rating, not at GrossCombined Weight Rating.)Separate functional brakes shouldbe used for safe control of towedvehicles and for trailers where theGross Combined Weight of thetowing vehicle plus the trailerexceed the Gross Vehicle WeightRating of the towing vehicle.
CALCULATING PAYLOAD
Tire and Loading Label InformationExample:
Payload is the combined weightof cargo and passengers that yourvehicle is carrying. The maximumpayload for your vehicle appearson the Tire and Loading label. Thelabel is either on the B-pillar or theedge of the driver door. Vehiclesexported outside the US andCanada may not have a tire andloading label. Look for “Thecombined weight of occupantsand cargo should never exceedXXX kg or XXX lb” for maximumpayload. The payload listed on theTire and Loading Information label
406
2023 F-150 (TFD) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 202206, DOMLoad CarryingE198719

is the maximum payload for yourvehicle as built by the assemblyplant. If you install any additionalequipment on your vehicle, youmust determine the new payload.Subtract the weight of theequipment from the payload listedon the Tire and Loading label.When towing, trailer tongueweight or king pin weight is alsopart of payload.
CALCULATING THE LOAD
LIMIT
Steps for determining the correctload limit:
1.Locate the statement "Thecombined weight of occupantsand cargo should never exceedXXX kg or XXX lb." on yourvehicle’s placard.
2.Determine the combinedweight of the driver andpassengers that will be ridingin your vehicle.
3.Subtract the combined weightof the driver and passengersfrom XXX kg or XXX lb.
4.The resulting figure equals theavailable amount of cargo andluggage load capacity. Forexample, if the “XXX” amountequals 1,400 lb. and there willbe five 150 lb. passengers inyour vehicle, the amount ofavailable cargo and luggageload capacity is 650 lb.
(1400-750 (5 x 150) = 650 lb.)
5.Determine the combinedweight of luggage and cargobeing loaded on the vehicle.That weight may not safelyexceed the available cargo andluggage load capacitycalculated in Step 4.
6.If your vehicle will be towing atrailer, load from your trailerwill be transferred to yourvehicle. Consult this manual todetermine how this reduces theavailable cargo and luggageload capacity of your vehicle.
Helpful examples forcalculating the availableamount of cargo and luggageload capacity
Suppose your vehicle has a
1400-pound (635-kilogram) cargoand luggage capacity. You decideto go golfing. Is there enough loadcapacity to carry you, four of yourfriends and all the golf bags? Youand four friends average 220pounds (99 kilograms) each andthe golf bags weigh approximately30 pounds (13.5 kilograms) each.The calculation would be: 1400 -(5 x 220) - (5 x 30) = 1400 - 1100- 150 = 150 pounds. Yes, you haveenough load capacity in yourvehicle to transport four friendsand your golf bags. In metric units,the calculation would be: 635kilograms - (5 x 99 kilograms) -(5 x 13.5 kilograms) = 635 - 495 -67.5 = 72.5 kilograms.
407
2023 F-150 (TFD) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 202206, DOMLoad Carrying

CONNECTING A TRAILER
PRECAUTIONS
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 installation andadjustment specifications.
Service your vehicle more frequently if youtow a trailer. See Normal ScheduledMaintenance (page 670).
If you use a rental trailer, follow theinstructions the rental agency gives you.
When attaching the trailer wiring connectorto your vehicle, only use a proper fittingconnector that works with the vehicle andtrailer functions.
Account for the trailer coupler weight aspart of your vehicle load when calculatingthe total vehicle weight.
Do not exceed the load limits. SeeCalculating the Load Limit (page 407).
HITCHES
HOOKING UP A TRAILER USING AWEIGHT-DISTRIBUTING HITCH
WARNING: Do not adjust the springbars so that your vehicle's rear bumperis higher than before attaching the trailer.Doing so will defeat the function of theweight-distributing hitch, which maycause unpredictable handling, and couldresult in serious personal injury.
A weight-distributing hitch helps distributetongue load to all towing vehicle and trailerwheels. For more information, visit the linksin the following table.
WebsiteMarket
https://www.fleet.ford.com/towing-guides/
United States ofAmerica
https://www.fleet.ford.ca/towing-guides/
Canada
CONNECTING A TRAILER
Recognizing a Trailer
1.Attach the trailer and wiring connectorto your vehicle.
2.Switch on your vehicle.
3.Set up a profile for the trailer using thetouchscreen.
Note:If your vehicle does not recognize thetrailer, press and hold the brake pedal for afew seconds.
Note:Trailer profiles store trailer types,dimensions, preferences, trailer specificmileage and fuel economy.
Note:Disabling the trailer detectionnotification makes the default trailer profileactive when the system detects aconnection.
414
2023 F-150 (TFD) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 202206, DOMConnecting a Trailer

When attaching the trailer wiring connectorto your vehicle, only use a proper fittingconnector that works with the vehicle andtrailer functions.
Safety Chains
Install trailer safety chains to the trailerhitch as recommended by themanufacturer. Cross the chains under thetrailer coupler and allow enough slack forturning tight corners. Do not allow thechains to drag on the ground.
Note:Do not attach safety chains to thebumper. Always connect the safety chainsto the frame or hook retainers of your trailerhitch.
If the trailer safety chain hook has a latch,fully close the latch.
Trailer Connection Checklist
1.Press Features on the touchscreen.
2.Press Towing.
3.Press Connection Checklist.
Electronic Park Hold
Applies the electronic parkingbrake when you shift to park (P).
The electronic park hold button illuminateswhen activated.
The feature prevents your vehicle frommoving in any direction when aligned withyour trailer coupler and you shift to park(P).
Note:The feature is active for the currentkey cycle.
You can also press a zoom button whenusing the camera views to switch thefeature on.
Trailer Connection Alarm
The alarm is set when the following occur:
•Your vehicle detects the trailer.
•You lock your vehicle.
•You arm the alarm.
415
2023 F-150 (TFD) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 202206, DOMConnecting a TrailerE193232 E265060 E337016

When the trailer disconnects in this state,the vehicle alarm sounds and the systemsends an alert to your FordPass app.
Note:For reliable trailer detection, thetrailer’s lamps must be SAE certified foreach intended purpose.
Note:If the trailer is not compatible withthe feature, the turn signals flash twice.
Switching the Trailer ConnectionAlarm On and Off
1.Press Features on the touchscreen.
2.Press Towing.
3.Press Manage trailers.
4.Press the currently active trailer'sname.
5.Switch Trailer Connection Alarm onor off.
Note:The alarm disables by default. If thesystem detects a trailer, it can beconfigurable.
Note:Settings are applicable only for theselected trailer profile.
Trailer Connector Battery Lead
The trailer receives power from the vehicletrailer connector battery lead when thefollowing occurs:
•Your vehicle is in accessory mode orswitched on.
•The trailer wiring connector is free ofcorrosion or other damage.
•The vehicle battery is not low.
•When the trailer has a battery:
•The trailer battery voltage is within5 volts of the vehicle batteryvoltage.
•When you have the trailer batteryproperly connected.
TRAILER LIGHTING CHECK
WARNING: Never connect anytrailer lamp wiring to the vehicle's taillamp wiring; this may damage theelectrical system resulting in fire. Contactyour authorized dealer as soon aspossible for assistance in proper trailertow wiring installation. Additionalelectrical equipment may be required.
Perform a trailer light illuminationsequence to confirm that all lights arefunctioning by using the FordPass app orthe vehicle's touchscreen.
Performing the Trailer LightingCheck Using the Touchscreen
1.Press Features on the touchscreen.
2.Press Towing.
3.Press Trailer Light Check.
4.Press Start.
416
2023 F-150 (TFD) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 202206, DOMConnecting a Trailer

CONNECTING A TRAILER – TROUBLESHOOTING
CONNECTING A TRAILER – INFORMATION MESSAGES
DescriptionMessage
The system senses a trailer connectionbecomes disconnected, either intentionallyor unintentionally, during a given ignitioncycle.
Trailer Disconnected
There are certain faults in your vehiclewiring and trailer wiring or brake system.Trailer Wiring Fault
There is a fault with your trailer battery, oryour trailer battery voltage is very low.Trailer Battery Not Charging See Manual
One or more tires on your trailer is belowthe specified tire pressure.Trailer Tire Low Specified:
Displays when one or more tires on thetrailer is above the recommended temper-ature.
Trailer Tire Over Temperature
A trailer tire pressure sensor is malfunc-tioning. If the warning stays on or continuesto come on, have the system checked assoon as possible.
Trailer Tire Pressure Sensor Fault
The trailer tire pressure monitoring systemis malfunctioning. If the warning stays onor continues to come on, have the systemchecked.
Trailer Tire Pressure Monitor Fault
The system cannot detect the trailer tirepressure monitoring system.Trailer Tire Pressure Monitor Capability NotDetected
The trailer tire pressure monitoring systemis not setup.Trailer Tire Pressure Indication Not SetupSee Manual
417
2023 F-150 (TFD) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 202206, DOMConnecting a Trailer

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.
418
2023 F-150 (TFD) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 202206, DOMTowing a Trailer

Certain states require functioning trailerbrakes for trailers over a specified weight.Be sure to check state regulations for thisspecified weight.
Ford Motor Company recommendsseparate functioning brake systems fortrailers weighing more than 1,500 lb(680 kg) when loaded.
TOWING A TRAILER
LIMITATIONS
The vehicle's load capacitydesignation is by weight, not byvolume, so you cannot necessarilyuse all available space whenloading a vehicle or trailer.
Note:Your vehicle could havereduced performance whenoperating at high altitudes andwhen heavily loaded or towing a
trailer. When driving at elevation,to match driving performance asperceived at sea level, reduce grossvehicle weight and grosscombination weight by 2% per1,000 ft (300 m) of elevation.
Note:Do not use four-wheel drivewhen towing a trailer or when youheavily load your vehicle forextended periods of time.
LOADING YOUR TRAILER
To help minimize how trailermovement affects your vehiclewhen driving:
•Load the heaviest items closestto the trailer floor.
•Load the heaviest itemscentered between the left andright side trailer tires.
•Load the heaviest items abovethe trailer axles or just slightlyforward toward the trailertongue. Do not allow the finaltrailer tongue weight to goabove or below 10-15% of theloaded trailer weight. Thetrailer tongue weight shouldnever exceed 10% of themaximum towing capacity.
•Select a ball mount with thecorrect rise or drop. When boththe loaded vehicle and trailerare connected, the trailer frameshould be level, or slightlyangled down toward yourvehicle, when viewed from theside.
TRAILER TOWING HINTS
Towing a trailer places an extra load onyour vehicle's engine, transmission, axle,brakes, tires and suspension. Periodicallyinspect these components during and afterany towing operation.
When driving with a trailer or payload, aslight takeoff vibration or shudder may bepresent due to the increased payloadweight.
419
2023 F-150 (TFD) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 202206, DOMTowing a Trailer