Essential Towing Checks - Ford F-Series Super Duty Class A 2015 Owner's Manual

ESSENTIAL TOWING CHECKS

Follow these guidelines for safe
towing:
• Do not tow a trailer until you
drive your vehicle at least
1000 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 your scheduled
maintenance information.
• If you use a rental trailer, follow
the instructions the rental
agency gives you.
Another chapter of this manual
contains load specification terms
found on the tire label and Safety
Compliance label and instructions
on calculating your vehicle's load.
See Load Limit (page 36).
Remember to account for the
trailer tongue weight as part of
your vehicle load when calculating
the total vehicle weight.
Hitches
Do not use a hitch that either
clamps onto the bumper or
attaches to the axle.
Distribute the trailer load so
10-15% of the total trailer weight
is on the tongue.
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Towing
Weight-Distributing Hitches
Do not adjust a
weight-distributing hitch to
any position where the rear
bumper of the vehicle is higher
than it was 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.
When hooking-up a trailer using a
weight-distributing hitch, always
use the following procedure:
1. Park the loaded vehicle,
without the trailer, on a level
surface.
2. Measure the height to the top
of your vehicle s front wheel
opening on the fender. This is
H1.
3. Securely attach the loaded
trailer to your vehicle without
the weight-distributing bars
connected.
4. Measure the height to the top
of your vehicle s front wheel
opening on the fender a second
time. This is H2.
5. Install and adjust the tension
in the weight-distributing bars
so that the height of your
vehicle s front wheel opening
on the fender is approximately
halfway between H1 and H2.
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