LOAD CARRYING PRECAUTIONS
Keep your loaded vehicle weight withinits design rating capability, with orwithout a trailer. Properly loading yourvehicle provides maximum return ofvehicle design performance. Before youload your vehicle, become familiar withthe following terms for determining yourvehicle’s weight rating, with or withouta trailer, from the vehicle’s Tire andLoading Information label or SafetyCompliance Certification label.
WARNING: The appropriateloading capacity of your vehicle canbe limited either by volume capacity(how much space is available) or by
payload capacity (how much weightthe vehicle should carry). Once youhave reached the maximum payloadof your vehicle, do not add morecargo, even if there is space available.Overloading or improperly loadingyour vehicle can contribute to loss ofvehicle control and vehicle rollover.
WARNING: Exceeding the SafetyCompliance Certification label vehicleweight limits can adversely affect theperformance and handling of yourvehicle, cause vehicle damage andcan result in the loss of control of yourvehicle, serious personal injury ordeath.
WARNING: Do not usereplacement tires with lower loadcarrying capacities than the originaltires because they may lower yourvehicle's GVWR and GAWR limitations.Replacement tires with a higher limitthan the original tires do not increasethe GVWR and GAWR limitations.
WARNING: Do not exceed theGVWR or the GAWR specified on thecertification label.
WARNING: Exceeding anyvehicle weight rating can adverselyaffect the performance and handlingof your vehicle, cause vehicle damageand can result in the loss of control ofyour vehicle, serious personal injuryor death.
WARNING: When loading theroof racks, we recommend you evenlydistribute the load, as well as maintaina low center of gravity. Loadedvehicles, with higher centers of gravity,may handle differently than unloadedvehicles. Take extra precautions, suchas slower speeds and increasedstopping distance, when driving aheavily loaded vehicle.
The gross combined weight must neverexceed the Gross Combined WeightRating.
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1.Locate the statement "The combinedweight of occupants and cargoshould never exceed XXX kg or XXXlb." on your vehicle’s placard.
2.Determine the combined weight ofthe driver and passengers that willbe riding in your vehicle.
3.Subtract the combined weight of thedriver and passengers from XXX kgor XXX lb.
4.The resulting figure equals theavailable amount of cargo andluggage load capacity. For example,if the “XXX” amount equals 1,400 lb.and there will be five 150 lb.passengers in your vehicle, theamount of available cargo andluggage load capacity is 650 lb.
(1400-750 (5 x 150) = 650 lb.)
5.Determine the combined weight ofluggage and cargo being loaded onthe vehicle. That weight may notsafely exceed the available cargoand luggage load capacity calculatedin Step 4.
6.If your vehicle will be towing a trailer,load from your trailer will betransferred to your vehicle. Consultthis manual to determine how thisreduces the available cargo andluggage load capacity of yourvehicle.
Helpful examples for calculating theavailable amount of cargo and luggageload capacity
Suppose your vehicle has a 1400-pound(635-kilogram) cargo and luggagecapacity. You decide to go golfing. Isthere enough load capacity to carry you,four of your friends and all the golf bags?You and four friends average 220pounds (99 kilograms) each and the golfbags weigh approximately 30 pounds(13.5 kilograms) each. The calculationwould be: 1400 - (5 x 220) - (5 x 30) =1400 - 1100 - 150 = 150 pounds. Yes, you
have enough load capacity in yourvehicle to transport four friends and yourgolf bags. In metric units, the calculationwould be: 635 kilograms - (5 x 99kilograms) - (5 x 13.5 kilograms) = 635 -495 - 67.5 = 72.5 kilograms.
Suppose your vehicle has a 1400-pound(635-kilogram) cargo and luggagecapacity. You and one of your friendsdecide to pick up cement from the localhome improvement store to finish thatpatio you have been planning for thepast two years. Measuring the inside ofthe vehicle with the rear seat foldeddown, you have room for twelve100-pound (45-kilogram) bags ofcement. Do you have enough loadcapacity to transport the cement to yourhome? If you and your friend each weigh
220 pounds (99 kilograms), thecalculation would be: 1400 - (2 x 220) -(12 x 100) = 1400 - 440 - 1200 = - 240pounds. No, you do not have enoughcargo capacity to carry that muchweight. In metric units, the calculationwould be: 635 kilograms - (2 x 99kilograms) - (12 x 45 kilograms) = 635 -
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198 - 540 = -103 kilograms. You will needto reduce the load weight by at least240 pounds (104 kilograms). If youremove three 100-pound (45-kilogram)cement bags, then the load calculationwould be: 1400 - (2 x 220) - (9 x 100) =1400 - 440 - 900 = 60 pounds. Now youhave the load capacity to transport thecement and your friend home. In metricunits, the calculation would be: 635kilograms - (2 x 99 kilograms) - (9 x 45kilograms) = 635 - 198 - 405 = 32kilograms.
The above calculations also assume thatthe loads are positioned in your vehiclein a manner that does not overload thefront or the rear gross axle weight ratingspecified for your vehicle on the SafetyCompliance Certification label.
ROOF RACK (IF EQUIPPED)
ROOF RACK PRECAUTIONS
WARNING: Read and follow themanufacturer's instructions when you arefitting a roof rack.
WARNING: When loading the roofracks, we recommend you evenly distributethe load, as well as maintain a low centerof gravity. Loaded vehicles, with highercenters of gravity, may handle differentlythan unloaded vehicles. Take extraprecautions, such as slower speeds andincreased stopping distance, when drivinga heavily loaded vehicle.
Note:If you use a roof rack, the fuelconsumption of your vehicle will be higherand you may experience different drivingcharacteristics.
You must place loads directly on thecrossbars fitted to the roof rack side rails.
Make sure that you securely fasten the load. Check the tightness of the load beforedriving and at each fuel stop.
ROOF RACK LOAD CAPACITIES
Do not install crossbars if your vehicle has amoonroof. Do not place any load on yourvehicle if it has a moonroof. Using crossbarsor loading the vehicle roof may void yourvehicle's warranty.
Maximum Recommended LoadDescription
0 lb (0 kg)Vehicles with a moonroof
100 lb (45 kg)Vehicles without a moonroof
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LUGGAGE COMPARTMENT
PRECAUTIONS
WARNING: Make sure that youproperly secure objects in the luggagecompartment. Failure to follow thisinstruction could result in personal injuryin the event of a sudden stop or crash.
WARNING: Do not place objects onthe luggage cover. Failure to follow thisinstruction could result in personal injuryor death in the event of a sudden stop orcrash.
WARNING: The appropriate loadingcapacity of your vehicle can be limitedeither by volume capacity (how muchspace is available) or by payload capacity(how much weight the vehicle shouldcarry). Once you have reached themaximum payload of your vehicle, do notadd more cargo, even if there is spaceavailable. Overloading or improperlyloading your vehicle can contribute to lossof vehicle control and vehicle rollover.
WARNING: Make sure that you fullyclose the liftgate to prevent exhaust fumesfrom entering your vehicle. If you areunable to fully close the liftgate, open theair vents or the windows to allow fresh airto enter your vehicle. Failure to follow thisinstruction could result in personal injuryor death.
WARNING: Do not exceed themaximum front and rear axle loads for yourvehicle.
Note: When loading long objects into yourvehicle, for example pipes, timber orfurniture, be careful not to damage theinterior trim.
INSTALLING AND REMOVING THE
LUGGAGE COMPARTMENT CARGO
NET
WARNING: This net is not designedto restrain objects during a collision orheavy braking.
Attach the net to the anchors. Repeat theattachment on both sides of the vehicle.
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TOWING A TRAILER PRECAUTIONS
WARNING: Do not exceed theGVWR or the GAWR specified on thecertification label.
WARNING: Towing trailersbeyond the maximum recommendedgross trailer weight exceeds the limitof your vehicle and could result inengine damage, transmission damage,structural damage, loss of vehiclecontrol, vehicle rollover and personalinjury.
WARNING: Do not exceed thelowest rating capacity for your vehicleor trailer hitch. Overloading yourvehicle or trailer hitch can impair yourvehicle stability and handling. Failureto follow this instruction could resultin the loss of control of your vehicle,personal injury or death.
WARNING: Make sure that thevertical load on the tow ball is betweenthe minimum and maximumrecommended weight at all times.Failure to follow this instruction couldresult in the loss of control of yourvehicle, personal injury or death.
WARNING: Do not cut, drill, weldor modify the trailer hitch. Modifyingthe trailer hitch could reduce the hitchrating.
WARNING: The anti-lock brakesystem does not control the trailerbrakes.
TRAILER BRAKE PRECAUTIONS
WARNING: Do not connect a trailer'shydraulic brake system directly to yourvehicle's brake system. Your vehicle maynot have enough braking power and yourchances of having a collision greatlyincrease.
WARNING: Do not tow a trailer fittedwith electric trailer brakes unless yourvehicle is fitted with a compatibleaftermarket electronic trailer brakecontroller. Failure to follow this instructioncould result in the loss of control of yourvehicle, personal injury or death. Foradditional information and assistance, werecommend that you contact an authorizeddealer.
Electric brakes and manual, automatic orsurge-type trailer brakes are safe if you installthem properly and adjust them to themanufacturer's specifications. The trailerbrakes must meet local and federalregulations.
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The rating for the tow vehicle's brakingsystem operation is at the gross vehicleweight rating, not the gross combined weightrating.
Certain states require functioning trailerbrakes for trailers over a specified weight.Be sure to check state regulations for thisspecified weight.
Ford Motor Company recommends separatefunctioning brake systems for trailersweighing more than 1,500 lb (680 kg) whenloaded.
TOWING A TRAILER LIMITATIONS
The vehicle's load capacity designationis by weight, not by volume, so youcannot necessarily use all availablespace when loading a vehicle or trailer.
Note:Your vehicle could have reducedperformance when operating at highaltitudes and when heavily loaded ortowing a trailer. When driving atelevation, to match driving performanceas perceived at sea level, reduce grossvehicle weight and gross combinationweight by 2% per 1,000 ft (300 m)elevation.
LOADING YOUR TRAILER
To help minimize how trailer movementaffects your vehicle when driving:
•Load the heaviest items closest tothe trailer floor.
•Load the heaviest items centeredbetween the left and right side trailertires.
•Load the heaviest items above thetrailer axles or just slightly forwardtoward the trailer tongue. Do notallow the final trailer tongue weightto go above or below 10-15% of theloaded trailer weight. The trailertongue weight should never exceed10% of the maximum towing capacity.
•Select a ball mount with the correctrise or drop. When both the loadedvehicle and trailer are connected, thetrailer frame should be level, orslightly angled down toward yourvehicle, when viewed from the side.
TRAILER TOWING HINTS
Towing a trailer places an extra load on yourvehicle's engine, transmission, axle, brakes,tires and suspension. Periodically inspectthese components during and after anytowing operation.
When driving with a trailer or payload, a slighttakeoff vibration or shudder may be presentdue to the increased payload weight.
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