Towing; Towing A Trailer; Trailer Sway Control - Ford Escape 2014 Owner's Manual

TOWING A TRAILER

WARNINGS
Only use the Ford approved trailer
wiring kit (including the trailer wiring
module) when towing with your
vehicle. Using generic trailer wiring kits may
prevent the correct operation of the rear
parking sensors (where fitted) and could
damage the electrical systems of your
vehicle.
Aftermarket load levelling kits or
weight distribution hitches are not
suitable for use on the Ford approved
towbar.
Do not exceed the maximum
permissible nose weight, e.g. vertical
weight on the tow ball. Failure to
adhere to this warning could result in loss
of vehicle control, serious personal injury
or death.
Note: See Information label on the towbar
Place loads as low as possible and central
to the axle(s) of your trailer. If you are
towing with an unladen vehicle, the load
in your trailer should be placed toward the
nose, within the maximum nose load, as
this gives the best stability.
The stability of your vehicle to trailer
combination is very much dependant on
the quality of the trailer.
In high altitude regions above 1,000 m, the
stipulated maximum permitted gross train
weight must be reduced by 10% for every
additional 1,000 m.
Note: The electrical system is not suitable
for towing trailers with more than one rear
fog lamp.
Escape/Kuga (CBS) Australia, Vehicles Built From: 08-09-2014, TF 19A321 AD enAUS

Towing

Steep Gradients
The anti-lock brake system does not
control the trailer brakes.
Use a low gear when descending a steep
downhill gradient.

TRAILER SWAY CONTROL

Equipped)
Turning off trailer sway control
increases the risk of loss of vehicle
control, serious injury or death. Ford
does not recommend disabling this feature
except in situations where speed reduction
may be detrimental (such as hill climbing),
the driver has significant trailer towing
experience, and can control trailer sway
and maintain safe operation.
Note: This feature does not prevent trailer
sway, but reduces it when it begins.
Note: This feature cannot stop all trailers
from swaying.
Note: In some cases, if your vehicle speed
is too high, the system may turn on multiple
times, gradually reducing your vehicle speed.
The system applies the brakes to the
individual wheels and reduces engine
torque to aid vehicle stability. If the trailer
begins to sway, the stability control
warning lamp flashes and a message
appears in the information display. See
Information Messages (page 72). Slow
your vehicle down, pull safely to the side
of the road and check for correct load
distribution. See Load Carrying (page
160).
163
WARNING
WARNING
(If