Complete Introduction To Towing With Your Ford Truck
Complete Introduction To Towing With Your Ford Truck
Nov 3, 2017
When it comes to tow vehicles, the Ford F-series stands out. Since 1948, Ford manufactures the go-to truck no matter what you plan to tow. When choosing a Ford truck to tow your trailer, it’s important to consider all the relevant factors to keep towing as safe as possible.
The Right Tow Vehicle
When choosing a tow vehicle, it’s crucial not to put the cart before the horse. Or perhaps, we should say, the truck before the horse trailer! Consider what exactly what are you planning to tow, and how much that trailer will weigh when fully loaded. Purchasing the vehicle before you have that information limits the size of your trailer. Fortunately, figuring out what you need in a tow vehicle once you’ve chosen the trailer is fairly straightforward. It’s a matter of the truck’s towing capacity and your personal preferences.
What to Pay Attention to When Shopping for a Towing Vehicle
So, what should you look for when shopping for a tow vehicle? When you’re at the Ford dealership, look for the vehicle’s towing capacity and start from there.
Other Key Aspects of the Towing Vehicle Include:
Drive system: Most people prefer 4-wheel drive tow vehicle. It’s a necessity if you trailer off-road. A front-wheel drive system too easily sets up a driver to lose control of the vehicle’s rear.
Chassis: SUVs and trucks are both used as tow vehicles, but only the larger SUVs share the truck’s chassis framework.
Tow package: The tow package is designed to make the vehicle tow more safely. Tow packages feature engine cooling systems, which include substantial radiator systems, engine oil cooling systems, and coolers for the transmission. You can order a truck with a weight-distribution hitch installed along with a wiring harness.
Transmission: Most people choose an automatic transmission for their tow vehicle, especially if more than one person will drive it. Automatic transmissions give drivers more control in tricky situations, but manual transmissions are often preferred by drivers concentrating on off-road towing. If you tow a heavy trailer, stick to the automatic. The clutch may wear out from constant gear-shifting with a manual transmission. In general, trucks with manual transmissions do not have the towing capacity of their automatic counterparts.
Wheelbase: The distance from the front axle to the rear axle, wheelbase length affects the vehicle’s stability. Look for a longer wheelbase, as it lessens the odds of the trailer holding the rear axle down, allowing the front axle to rise.
Key Towing Terms to Know and Understand
If you’re new to towing, there’s a terminology you need to know and understand. Once you master these terms, you’ll possess a much greater understanding of how to tow your vehicle.
Conventional Towing: Conventional towing refers to towing on the ball, the most common type of towing configuration.
Fifth Wheel Towing: The fifth wheel replaces the trailer hitch, and is itself the mechanism attaching the tow vehicle and trailer. Use of the fifth wheel increases the turning radius substantially.
Curb Weight: The vehicle’s weight with standard equipment and its full capacity of fuel, oil and other coolants. Curb weight doesn’t include passengers or the optional vehicle equipment.
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR): Refers to the amount specified by the manufacturer as the vehicle’s maximum loaded weight. For the vehicle, the GVWR includes the vehicle’s weight, passenger weight, any cargo, fuel and the trailer’s tongue weight. For the trailer, the GVWR includes the trailer’s weight and the total weight of all items carried. You’ll find a vehicle’s GVWR located on a sticker on a door jamb, as well as in the owner’s manual.
Gross Combination Vehicle Weight Rating (GCWR): This is the amount specified by the tow vehicle manufacturer that is the total the combination of truck and trailer can safely weigh. Note that the manufacturer’s ratings are based primarily on boat hauling. If you plan to haul horses or other livestock – emphasis on “live” weight – consider that this cargo moves around. That means you’ll want a tow vehicle rated to carry more than your basic GCWR.
Payload: Gross payload refers to the weight of everything carried in – or on – the vehicle. This options as well as passengers and cargo as well as options. The net payload refers to the amount of weight the vehicle can carry after subtracting the gross payload. The payload rating is the maximum permitted payload for the vehicle.
Tongue Weight: The weight of the trailer that puts pressure on the trailer hitch in a bumper pull, or presses down on the rear axle in a gooseneck. Excess tongue weight can damage the drivetrain and suspension, but can also hold the tow vehicle down in the rear, resulting in the front wheels rising. Too little tongue weight may cause the back of the vehicle to move upward, causing jackknifing or worse. For bumper pulls, tongue weight should comprise 10 to 15 percent of the trailer’s overall weight. For goosenecks, 25 percent of the trailer’s weight is necessary.
Towing Capacity: All of these terms are important, but towing capacity is the number you need most when choosing a vehicle. You don’t ever want to exceed the maximum towing capacity of your vehicle, or even come close. Note that towing capacity depends on “properly equipped,” meaning
Difference Between Ford Truck Classes
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Which Ford tow vehicle is right for you? It all depends on what you plan to tow. We compare three popular options: the Ford F-150, F-250 or F-350.
1. F-150
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While the half-ton F-150 is the smallest of the F series, it boasts a 13,200 pound towing capacity. It’s the first half-ton truck designed to haul more than 13,000 pounds. That’s for the regular cab. Choose the supercab, and the towing capacity rises to 14,000 with its 6.7L engine. If you’re using a fifth wheel and gooseneck hitch, the 6.7L engine allows you to tow 16,600 pounds. Even though it’s considered a light truck, for most types of towing, the F-150 provides more than sufficient towing power.
Towing Features Include:
Trailer sway control: adds additional safety while towing
Tow/haul mode: improves power delivery while hauling
Trailer brake controller: installed on the instrument panel, this controller works via computer with both the truck and trailer braking system
Trailer backup assist: backing up is one of the most difficult learning curves in hauling, as the driver must navigate the trailer going in one direction while the truck goes in the other. Trailer backup assist makes turning the trailer as easy as turning a knob on the dashboard.
Hill start assistance: helps prevent rolling back while on a hill or grade
2. F-250
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For standard towing, the F-250 can haul up to 21,000 pounds, or 27,000 pounds using the fifth wheel hitch. If you’re towing a gooseneck trailer, the weight limit rises to 32,000 pounds. It truly is a Super Duty ® vehicle. Choose between the 6.2L 2-valve V-8 gas engine or the 6.7L V-8 Turbo diesel engine. The F-250 is a 3/4-ton vehicle.All the tow features included in the F-150 are standard in the F-250.
Additional Tow Package Options Include:
Trailer reverse guidance – utilizes three cameras for multiple views and ease of reversing
Dynamic hitch assist – guides the driver for hitching, so there’s no need for a spotter
Ultimate trailer tow camera system – four cameras give drivers a 360-degree view on an 8-inch screen.
3. F-350
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The F-350 and the F-250 share many of the same features, including a similar towing capacity. One difference is weight, the F-350 weighs a full ton.
Comparing the F-150, F-250, and F-350 Specifications
Chassis Specifications
The chassis is the vehicle’s innate structure, the basic framework. Here’s the specs on the F series: F-150 – Front suspension with an independent double-wishbone with coil-over shock and stamped lower control arm; rear suspension with leaf spring solid axle. Front and rear shocks are heavy-duty gas-pressurized. Power 4-wheel anti-lock vented disc brakes and electric-powered steering.F-250 / F-350 – Front suspension features for these Super-Duty trucks include an independent twin I-Beam; coil springs; stabilizer bar and heavy-duty gas shock absorbers. Rear suspension features include a solid axle, leaf springs, stabilizer bear and heavy-duty gas shock absorbers.
Curb Weight
· F-150 - 4,051 to 5,238 pounds· F-250 - 5,683 to 6,695 pounds· F-350 - 5,909 to 6,989 pounds
Interior Space
The Ford F series doesn’t sacrifice interior space for towing capacity. The F-150’s regular cab holds three people with more head and legroom than the larger F series vehicles. The Supercab and Crew Cab seat six. In essence, although the F-150 is the light truck of the F series, it’s also the most comfortable.Headroom and legroom are similar in the F-250 and F-350, although the F-250 offers passengers additional room in its extended cab.
Making Your Decision
When it comes to choosing your towing vehicle, doing your homework is essential. Your Ford dealer can help you find the best vehicle for your needs, but make sure you know the right questions to ask for the particular type of towing you plan to do. As a recreational tow vehicle, the Ford F-150 makes the most sense for the average buyer. If you use your truck for professional or heavy-duty hauling, the F-250 or F-350 may prove the best option.You invest time and resources in your tow vehicle. So don’t compromise on safety and visibility. Be sure to choose a backup camera, Camera Source carries the best backup cameras for your Ford.
