Preparing To Tow; Hitches; Weight Distributing Hitch; Safety Chains - Ford 2010 F-150 Owner's Manual

Tires, Wheels and Loading
Note: Do not exceed trailer weight of 5,000 lb. (2,268 kg) when towing
with bumper only.

Preparing to tow

Use the proper equipment for towing a trailer and make sure it is
properly attached to your vehicle. Contact your authorized dealer or a
reliable trailer dealer as soon as possible if you require assistance.

Hitches

Do not use hitches that clamp onto the vehicle's bumper or attach to the
axle. You must distribute the load in your trailer so that 10%–15% of the
total weight of the trailer is on the tongue.

Weight distributing hitch

When hooking up a trailer using a load equalizing hitch, always use the
following procedure:
1. Park the unloaded vehicle on a level surface. With the ignition on and
all doors closed, allow the vehicle to stand for several minutes so that it
can level.
2. Measure the height of a reference point on the front and rear bumpers
at the center of the vehicle.
3. Attach the trailer to the vehicle and adjust the hitch equalizers so that
the front bumper height is within
point. After proper adjustment, the rear bumper should be no higher
than in Step 2.
WARNING: 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.

Safety chains

Always connect the trailer's safety chains to the frame or hook retainers
of the vehicle hitch. To connect the trailer's safety chains, cross the
chains under the trailer tongue and allow slack for turning corners.
If you use a rental trailer, follow the instructions that the rental agency
gives to you.
Do not attach safety chains to the bumper.
262
2010 F-150 (f12)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA (fus)
⁄ inch (13 mm) of the reference
1
2