Ford F-150 Utility Trailer User Manual


 
After You Buy
Before heading out on a trip, check your vehicle’s Owner Guide for
break-in and severe-duty maintenance schedules (do not tow a
trailer until your vehicle has been driven at least 500 miles). Be
sure to have your fully loaded vehicle (including passengers) and
trailer weighed so as not to exceed critical weight limits (see page
30). If any of these limits are exceeded, cargo should be removed
from the vehicle and/or trailer until all weights are within the
specified limits.
27
SAFETY CHAINS
• Always use safety chains
when towing. Safety chains
are used to retain connection
between the towing and
towed vehicle in the event
of separation of the trailer
coupling or ball.
• Use cross chains under the
trailer tongue to prevent the
tongue from contacting the
ground if a separation occurs.
Allow only enough slack
to permit full turning – be
sure they do not drag on the
pavement.
• When using a frame-mounted
trailer hitch, attach the
safety chains to the frame-
mounted hitch using the
recommendations supplied by
the hitch manufacturer.
• See your vehicle’s Owner
Guide for safety chain
attachment information.
• For rental trailers, follow
rental agency instructions for
hookup of safety chains.
TRAILER WIRING
HARNESS
• Some vehicles equipped with
a factory-installed Trailer
Towing Package include a
trailer wiring harness and a
wiring kit.
• This kit includes one or
more jumper harnesses (to
connect to your trailer wiring
connector) and installation
instructions.
Refer to chart on page 14 for
standard and optional wiring
harness usage.
Before You Buy
If you are selecting a vehicle that will be used for towing, you
should determine the approximate weight of the trailer you intend
to tow, including the weight of any additional cargo and fluids that
you will be carrying in the trailer. Also be sure the vehicle has the
proper optional equipment (see page 15).
Note: Performance can be severely compromised in hilly terrain when minimum
acceptable powertrain combination is selected. Consider purchasing a vehicle
with a more powerful engine.
BRAKES
Many states require a separate
braking system on trailers
with a loaded weight of more
than 1,500 pounds. For your
safety, Ford Motor Company
recommends that a separate
functional brake system be used
on any towed vehicle, including
those dolly-towed or towbar-
towed. There are two basic types
of brake systems designed to
activate trailer brakes:
1. Electronically Controlled
Brakes usually provide
automatic and manual
control of trailer brakes.
They require that the
tow vehicle be equipped
with a controlling device
and additional wiring for
electrical power. These
brakes typically have a
control box installed within
reach of the driver and can
be applied manually or
automatically.
2. Surge Brakes are independent
hydraulic brakes activated
by a master cylinder at the
junction of the hitch and
trailer tongue. They are not
controlled by the hydraulic
fluid in the tow vehicle’s brake
system, and the tow vehicle’s
hydraulic system should never
be connected directly to the
trailer’s hydraulic system.
Be sure your trailer brakes
conform to all applicable state
regulations. See Trailering Tips
on back cover for additional
braking information.
TRAILER LAMPS
Make sure the trailer is equipped
with lights that conform to
all applicable government
regulations. The trailer lighting
system should not be connected
directly to the lighting system
of the vehicle. See a local
recreational vehicle dealer or
rental trailer agency for correct
wiring and relays for the trailer
and heavy-duty flashers.
Things To Know Before You Tow