Helpful Guides - Heavy Hauling and Towing

Owning a towing vehicle opens up a whole new world of possibilities for recreation and adventure. Once you've settled on a vehicle, you still have to learn the basics for safe and effective towing-and make sure you select the right gear.

Towing Guidelines
First, determine how much weight you'll need to tow and compare with the vehicle's tow rating. Overloading a vehicle reduces braking capability, places undue stress on components and can lead to shortened service life or failure.

For optimum handling, your trailer must be properly loaded and balanced. Keep the center-of-gravity low for best handling. Approximately 60% of the cargo weight should be in the front half of the trailer and 40% in the rear.

When towing a trailer, drive at approximately half the speed that you would normally be going. When you are braking, allow for much more time to stop. When you change lanes or turn, go slower and allow for greater room. Always be sure to check tire pressure.

Towing Gear
Several Ford SUV equipment packages offer upgraded cooling systems, heavy-duty suspension components, and the appropriate gear ratio and engine power. You may also opt to purchase additional equipment that can make towing easier, especially in strenuous towing conditions. If a towing package is not standard on your vehicle, be sure to include it as an option when you visit Build & Price. Here's an overview of the basic equipment:

Trailer wiring harness
Many Ford Motor Company SUV and Truck models include a standard trailer wiring harness. A 4-pin harness is standard with Ranger, all Explorer models. Expedition, F-150, and E-Series Van and Wagon models. A 7-pin harness is standard on F-Super Duty pickup models. When you order the factory-installed Trailer Towing Package it includes a 4-pin harness with Escape, and a 7-pin harness with Explorer, Expedition, F-150, and E-Series Van and Wagon models.

Hitch
Trailer hitches come in many configurations; all dependent on the information you give to your dealer. Very large boat and camping trailers (35+ feet) use what are called fifth-wheel or gooseneck hitches that mount right in the bed of a pickup truck. Your SUV will most likely need to be fitted with a frame-mounted hitch, the most common hitch for recreational boat and camping trailers. See your dealer for weight capacities of factory-installed hitch receivers available on Ford SUV and Truck models.

Brakes
Most states require brakes on trailers weighing over 1,500 pounds when loaded. Ford Motor Company urges that a separate functional brake system be used on any towed vehicle, including those dolly-towed or towbar-towed.

Trailer lamps
Make sure the trailer is equipped with lights that conform to all applicable government regulations. Your local RV dealer or rental trailer agency can assist you in choosing the correct wiring and relays for the trailer and heavy-duty flashers.

Safety chains
Must-haves for towing safely, safety chains retain the connection between a towing and a towed vehicle in case the trailer coupling or ball separates.

If you're looking to buy a new towing vehicle, visit Build & Price to explore the many available options. You can also see how Ford vehicles Compare with the competition.

For additional information on towing vehicles and accessories, visit your local Ford dealeryour local Ford dealer.