Ford F 250 Instruction Manual

							TOWING A TRAILER
WARNINGS
Towing trailers beyond the
maximum recommended
gross trailer weight exceeds the
limit of your vehicle and could
result in engine damage,
transmission damage, structural
damage, loss of vehicle control,
vehicle rollover and personal
injury. Do not exceed the GVWR or
the GAWR specified on the
certification label. Note:
 See Recommended
Towing Weights (page 277).
Your vehicle may have electrical
items, such as fuses or relays,
related to towing.  See 
Fuses
(page 310).
Your vehicle's load capacity
designation is by weight, not by
volume, so you cannot necessarily
use all available space when
loading a vehicle or trailer.
Towing a trailer places an extra
load on your vehicle's engine,
transmission, axle, brakes, tires
and suspension. Inspect these
components periodically during,
and after, any towing operation. Load Placement
To help minimize how trailer
movement affects your vehicle
when driving:
•
Load the heaviest items closest
to the trailer floor.
• Load the heaviest items
centered between the left and
right side trailer tires.
• Load the heaviest items above
the trailer axles or just slightly
forward toward the trailer
tongue. Do not allow the final
trailer tongue weight to go
above or below 10-15% of the
loaded trailer weight.
• Select a ball mount with the
correct rise or drop and load
capacity. When both the
loaded vehicle and trailer are
connected, the trailer frame
should be level, or slightly
angled down toward your
vehicle, when viewed from the
side.
When driving with a trailer or
payload, a slight takeoff vibration
or shudder may be present due to
the increased payload weight.
Additional information regarding
proper trailer loading and setting
your vehicle up for towing is
located in another chapter of this
manual.  See 
Load Limit (page
261).
You can also find information in
the 
RV & Trailer Towing Guide
available at your authorized
dealer, or online.
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							RV & Trailer Towing Guide Online
http://www.fleet.ford.com/towing-guides/
Website
TRAILER REVERSING AIDS
Trailer Reverse Guidance WARNING
Driving while distracted can result in
loss of vehicle control, crash and
injury. We strongly recommend that
you use extreme caution when using any
device that may take your focus off the
road. Your primary responsibility is the safe
operation of your vehicle. We recommend
against the use of any hand-held device
while driving and encourage the use of
voice-operated systems when possible.
Make sure you are aware of all applicable
local laws that may affect the use of
electronic devices while driving. Note:
The system is not a substitute for
safe driving practices.
Note: You must always be aware of the
vehicle and trailer combination and the
surrounding environment.
Note: The system does not detect or
prevent the vehicle or trailer from making
contact with obstacles in the surrounding
environment.
Note: Keep in mind that the front end of
the vehicle swings out when changing the
direction of the trailer. Note:
The system relies on user
measurements to determine sticker
placement and system limits. It is critical to
take the key measurements correctly.
Incorrect measurements can result in the
improper function of the system up to and
including contact between the vehicle and
trailer.
Note: The system limits vehicle speed when
backing up. The system is not a replacement
for proper use of the throttle and brake
pedals.
Principle of Operation
Trailer Reverse Guidance (TRG) is a driver
assistance feature that helps take the
guesswork out of getting your trailer
positioned where you want it, quickly and
easily, while you're driving in reverse.
Each trailer you use with your vehicle has
to be setup once.
Sticker placement is extremely important
and there are specific placement rules.
Setting Up Trailer Reverse
Guidance
Note: Once you have entered a trailer's
information into the system, it is stored for
easy recall. A maximum of 10 trailers can be
added to the system.
Step 1: Position your Vehicle and Trailer
Hitch your trailer to the truck and connect
the electrical wiring harness. Check to
make sure that the wiring is working  See
Essential Towing Checks (page 281).
Park your vehicle and hitched trailer on a
level surface.
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							Make sure that the trailer and truck are in
line with each other. You can do this by
putting the truck in drive (D) and pulling
straight forward.
Step 2: Follow the Information Display
Prompts
1. Use the steering wheel controls to
navigate to the towing menu.
2. Select Trailer Setup from the available
options.
3. Select Add a Trailer and press OK to confirm.
4. The system prompts you to name the trailer. Use the steering wheel controls
to choose the alphanumeric
characters. Press the right arrow to
advance to the next letter. When you
have finished spelling out the name of
the trailer, press OK to confirm.
5. Select the type of brake system for your trailer. Select DEFAULT if your
trailer has electric, surge or no brakes.
Press OK to select and advance to the
next screen
Note: The default option is low. This is
recommended for most trailers. If the
trailer's brakes require more initial voltage,
or if you prefer more aggressive braking then
select the other options as required. 6. The system asks you to select your
trailer type. You can use TRG with
conventional, fifth wheel and
gooseneck trailers. For fifth wheel and
gooseneck trailers, set up and sticker
placement are not required, however
some of the features do not operate
automatically with these trailer types.
Use the steering wheel controls to
select your trailer type.
7. If your vehicle includes the Blind Spot Information System (BLIS), the system
first prompts you to set up the Trailer
BLIS feature.  See General
Information (page 111).
8. A message appears in the information display asking if you want to add Trailer
Reverse Guidance. Select Yes to
continue.
9. Straighten out the trailer, if necessary.
10. The information display directs you to the Quick Start Guide for how to
proceed. The steps are also shown
here.
Step 3: Placing the Target
Place the entire sticker in the gray zone on
the trailer outlined in the diagram. The
sticker is in the back cover pocket of the
Quick Start Guide.
Note: An assistant can help to carry out the
following procedure.
Note: Make sure nothing can obstruct the
Rear View Camera's view of the sticker. For
example, items such as a jack handle or
wiring.
Note: Position the sticker on a flat, dry and
clean horizontal surface. For best results
apply the sticker when temperatures are
above 
32°F (0°C).
Note: Do not move stickers after they are
placed. Do not re-use any stickers if
removed.
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							Use the supplied measurement card, a
tape measure and pen to carefully mark
the area where to attach the sticker
(supplied in the back cover pocket of your
Quick Start Guide). Make sure the whole
sticker is within the gray zone between the
two arcs or distance markers on the
diagram, and is also visible in the Rear View
Camera display. It should be between 7 in
(17 cm) and 20 in (51 cm) from the trailer
ball hitch.
Once you have determined the correct
location, place the sticker.
Step 4: Take Measurements
After the sticker is correctly placed on the
trailer you must take some key
measurements.
Note: Accurate measurements must be
taken for the system to operate properly.
Note: Round measurement figures to the
nearest half inch.
Note: Round upward if the measured length
is a quarter inch or greater. Round
downward if the measure length is less than
a quarter inch. For example 
12.25 in
(31.11 cm) would be rounded up to 12.50 in
(31.75 cm). 12.13 in (30.8 cm) would be
rounded down to 12.00 in (30.48 cm).
Note: Use consistent metric or imperial
units as required by your country or vehicle. Record the four key distances (A, B, C, D)
as required by the measurement card.
Record the trailer name for these
measurements.
Distance A
The horizontal distance from the license
plate to the center of the ball hitch on the
trailer.
Distance B
The horizontal distance from the center of
the ball hitch to the center of the sticker.
Distance C
The distance from the Rear View Camera
to the center of the sticker.
Distance D
The distance from the tailgate to the
center of the trailer axle (single axle
trailers), or the center of the axles (trailers
with dual axles or more).
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							Step 5: Enter Measurements Using the
Information Display
Using the recorded measurements, enter
the required data into the system. Follow
the on screen prompts to enter each of the
measurements taken in step 4. Use the
up/down arrows to increase or decrease
the numbers as needed. Press OK to
confirm each measurement. The screen
prompts you to add the next
measurement. Once you add your last
measurement, the information display
shows you all of your entered
measurements. You can choose to confirm
or change the measurements.
Step 6: Confirming the Sticker Location
Check the Rear View Camera display to
see if the sticker is identified by the system
and marked with a red circle.
Confirm that the red circle is correctly
located over the sticker image in the
display. The on screen prompt will ask you
to confirm this.
Note:
If the system cannot locate the
sticker try cleaning the camera lens, and
also make sure the sticker is within the zone
as indicated in step 3.
The information display shows a
confirmation message when you
successfully confirm the target.
Calibrating the System
To complete setup, drive your vehicle
straight forward between 4 mph (6 km/h)
and 24 mph (39 km/h) as directed by the
information display.
Note: Keep the steering wheel straight
during the calibration process. If the steering
wheel is in a turned position, then the
calibration pauses. The information display
prompts you to drive straight forward to
complete the calibration. The information display shows a message
during calibration and after calibration is
complete
Note:
For best results, we do not
recommend that you calibrate the system
at night.
Using Trailer Reverse Guidance
1. Shift into reverse (R) if you are not already in reverse. Press the rear
camera button to expand the menu.
2. Press the trailer icon .
3. Select your trailer on your information display.
4. While in TRG mode, you can see the camera view on the side where your
trailer is moving, or both sides when
the trailer is straight behind you. When
the views change with the trailer
direction, it's called Auto Mode. For
example, If you turn the trailer to the
right, then you see the right side of your
vehicle and trailer. You can switch this
view manually at any time by using the
arrow keys. To return to Auto Mode,
press the Auto button.
Note: Auto Mode is your default setting.
Use the view that helps you the most while
backing up your vehicle and trailer. Normal rear view camera view.
Use this feature when you want
to see your trailer hitch or what
is directly behind your vehicle. Straight back-up mode. Use this
feature when you want to keep
your trailer completely in line
with your truck. In this mode, a steering
wheel graphic shows you which way to turn
your steering wheel to keep your trailer
straight.
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							Note:
 It may be helpful to shift your vehicle
into drive (D), pull forward and straighten
out the vehicle and trailer before engaging
Straight Backup Mode.
Left and right arrows let you see other
views regardless of your trailer angle. Use
them to switch views manually.
Note:  If you're using a Fifth Wheel or
Gooseneck trailer, or you haven't set up the
Trailer Reverse Guidance System yet, Auto
View is not available.
To change your view, use the arrows. You
can see the following views:
• Full driver
• Partial driver
• 50/50
• Partial passenger
• Full passenger Zoom. Use this feature to zoom
in on any view.
Return. Ths feature takes you
back to the 360-degree camera
system and out of the Trailer
Reverse Guidance feature. Auto. Ths feature returns you to
automatic view mode.
In addition to multiple view options, your
touchscreen adds some features to give
you more information.
After using the set up for a conventional
trailer, for example, the display always
shows you a small, top-view
representation of your truck and trailer.
This representation shows two,
different-colored lines: A black line shows
you where your trailer is in relation to your
vehicle. A white line gives you a projection
of where your trailer will go based on your
current steering wheel position Note:
When you move the steering wheel,
the white line indicates where the trailer will
go based on your steering wheel input.
When you turn your steering wheel to the
left, the trailer moves to the right; when you
turn your steering wheel to the right, the
trailer moves to the left.
When you turn the wheel, the small
representation shows you two zones to
warn you of a possible jackknife condition.
The view shows you your truck and trailer
position and provides visual feedback to
help you avoid jackknifing entirely.
The yellow zone warns you of a potential
jackknife position. When you enter into this
zone, it's best to put your vehicle back into
drive (D) and pull forward. Moving forward
helps put the truck and trailer back into an
in-line position.
The RED zone indicates that you need to
put the truck into drive (D) and pull
forward immediately.
Troubleshooting
Note: The system requires a clear view of
the sticker placed on the trailer. You must
keep the camera lens and sticker clean for
the system to operate correctly.
Setup
The system is designed to be used with a
wide variety of trailers. However there are
some trailers that do not have a proper
surface and location to mount the sticker.
These trailers are not supported. Attempts
to place the sticker on a surface that does
not meet the sticker placement
requirement listed in Step 3 of the setup
instruction or entering inaccurate
measurements to proceed through setup
can result in improper system function.
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							Accurate measurements are critical to
correct system function. If you need to
check measurements entered or change
them you can access them through the
trailer menus in the information display.
Choose the option to change the sticker
from the change trailer settings menu. It is
not necessary to remove the sticker if you
are just reviewing or changing
measurements.
The following menu warnings or difficulties
may occur during setup. Tips to resolve
them are listed below.
Measurement A has reached maximum or
minimum value:
•
The system is designed to work with
drawbars that have a license plate to
hitch ball center measurement of 9 in
(229 mm) to 16 in (406 mm) when
installed. Do not attempt to use
drawbars that have a length outside
this range as the system performance
will be degraded and could cause
improper system function.
• Make sure that the measurement being
made is the horizontal distance only
from license plate and the hitch ball
center. A straight line distance that
includes any vertical rise or drop will
increase the measurement and make
it inaccurate. Inaccurate
measurements will degrade system
performance and could cause improper
system function. See step 4 of the
setup instruction to review
measurement instructions. Measurement B has reached maximum or
minimum value:
•
Make sure that the sticker placement
instruction in step 3 of the setup has
been followed. Stickers placed outside
the allowed zone will adversely affect
the system performance and could
cause improper feature function.
• Make sure that the measurement being
made is the horizontal distance only
from center of sticker to the hitch ball
center. A straight line distance that
includes any vertical rise or drop will
increase the measurement and cause
an inaccurate value to be entered into
the system. See step 4 of the setup for
additional measurement instructions.
Measurement C has reached maximum or
minimum value:
• Make sure that the sticker placement
instructions in step 3 of the setup have
been followed. Stickers placed outside
the allowed zone will adversely affect
the system performance and could
cause improper feature function. If you
have met all the criteria for sticker
placement and you see this message
this sticker is either too far below or too
close to the camera to properly
recognize the sticker. In order for the
system to operate correctly the sticker
height must be lowered if you receive
the minimum warning or the sticker
height must be raised if you receive the
maximum warning.
•Only one sticker can be placed on
the trailer for correct system
function. The previous sticker must
be removed or covered so only one
sticker is visible to the camera.
• Measurement B and C must be
measured again if a new sticker is
placed on the trailer.
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							Measurement D has reached maximum or
minimum value:
•
Make sure that the measurement being
made is the horizontal distance only
from tailgate to the center of the single
axle or the center of all the axles on the
trailer. See step 4 of the setup for
additional measurement instructions.
The TBA system does not support
trailer lengths outside the range
allowed by the information display.
System is circling something beside the
sticker or system cannot find the sticker:
• Make sure the rear camera is clean and
the sticker is clearly visible in the
camera image. Clean the camera and
sticker if necessary.
• The camera system uses the entered
measurements to help locate the
sticker. Inaccurate sticker
measurements will degrade the
system ’s ability to locate the sticker.
Verify the measurements entered into
the system are accurate.
• Remove the incorrectly circled label or
decal if possible.
• If you cannot resolve the issue a new
sticker location should be tried. The
sticker location must still meet the
requirements noted in step 3 of the
setup instructions. Only one sticker can
be placed on the trailer for correct
system function. The previous sticker
must be removed or covered so only
one sticker is visible to the camera.
Calibration
The system monitors various vehicle
parameters to ensure your vehicle is being
driven straight and the trailer straight
behind your vehicle. Any steering input or
trailer movement will pause the calibration. For best results:
•
Use a long, straight and smooth road
when attempting to calibrate.
• Drive straight forward.
• Drive between 4 mph (6 km/h) and
24 mph (39 km/h).
System Operation
The following warnings or difficulties may
occur during feature operation. Tips to
resolve them are listed below.
The system is not available:
• The system relies on many
sub-systems in your vehicle to operate
correctly. If those sub-systems are not
operating correctly the system may not
be available.
•Low battery voltage is a condition
which will prevent the system from
operating. Please make sure the
battery is correctly charged if the
system is not available.
• You may need to drive your vehicle
straight forward above 
25 mph
(40 km/h) before the system is
available again.
• If the message still displays take your
vehicle to an authorized dealer for
service.
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							Sticker lost:
•
Check for the following if you receive
the lost sticker message while using
the system.
•Stop your vehicle as soon as the
message displays.
• Make sure the sticker is visible in
the rear view camera image.
• Clean the sticker and camera to
make sure they are unobstructed.
• Remove any items that may be
blocking the view of the sticker.
Depending on your trailer
configuration and any equipment
mounted to your trailer it is possible
for the sticker to be blocked from
view of the camera as it rotates on
the hitch ball but not be blocked
during setup. Remove the
obstruction if possible. It will be necessary to remove the sticker
from it’
s current location if the
obstruction cannot be cleared and
place a new sticker that will be
visible to the camera in all positions
of the trailer behind your vehicle.
• You can change your sticker
location by going into the trailer
menu, selecting trailer options,
selecting change trailer settings
and then selecting the change
sticker option. The previous sticker
must be removed. ONLY ONE
STICKER SHOULD BE PLACED
ON THE TRAILER FOR CORRECT
SYSTEM FUNCTION.
• The camera system uses the
entered measurements to help
locate the sticker. Inaccurate
measurements will reduce the
system ’s ability to locate the
sticker. Check the measurements
entered into the system are correct.
Refer to the step 4 of Trailer
Reverse Guidance setup for
instructions on measurements.
• You can change your measurement
by going into the trailer menu,
selecting trailer options, selecting
change trailer setting and then
selecting the change sticker option.
Disregard the prompt to remove
this sticker and continue to the next
step if you only plan to update the
measurements for the current
sticker location.
System will not backup straight:
• Factors such as the drawbar
connection to the hitch receiver, road
camber, road grade and compliance in
the trailer suspension can influence
how straight the system is able to back
your trailer when the wheel is not
turned. You can compensate for the
trailer drifting to the right or left by
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							slowly turning the wheel until the trailer
is following your desired path and then
holding the wheel in that position. If
you would like to recalibrate the
system for straight backing, you can do
so with the following procedure.
•
Go into the trailer menu, select
trailer options, select change trailer
setting and then select the change
sticker option. Your saved
measurements will be displayed.
Do not change them but continue
to confirm measurements. Once
you confirm the measurements, the
system will then prompt you to
perform the calibration procedure.
Note: The system is designed to be used
with the same trailer connection every time
the trailer is chosen from the selection
menu. Using a different drawbar or a
different pin hole (on drawbars with more
than one) when connecting the drawbar to
your vehicle will affect the trailer
measurements. Take the measurements
again and update if required.
TRAILER SWAY CONTROL (If
Equipped) WARNING
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 once it begins.
Note: This feature cannot stop all trailers
from swaying. Note:
In some cases, if vehicle speed is too
high, the system may activate multiple
times, gradually reducing vehicle speed.
This feature applies your vehicle brakes at
individual wheels and, if necessary, reduces
engine power. If the trailer begins to sway,
the stability control light flashes and the
message 
TRAILER SWAY REDUCE
SPEED appears in the information display.
The first thing to do is slow your vehicle
down, then pull safely to the side of the
road and check for proper tongue load and
trailer load distribution.  See 
Load
Carrying (page 261).
RECOMMENDED TOWING
WEIGHTS WARNING
You must use the heavy-duty
drawbar pin supplied with
your vehicle when using the
heavy-duty hitch. Failure to follow
this instruction could result in the
loss of control of your vehicle,
personal injury or death. Note:
Vehicles with a heavy-duty
hitch must use the drawbar pin
stamped 21,000 LBS. You can
obtain a replacement drawbar pin
at your Ford dealer.
Note: Make sure to take into
consideration trailer frontal area.
Do not exceed 60 feet 2
 (5.6
meters 2
) trailer frontal area for
conventional trailers. Do not
exceed 75 feet 2
 (6.9 meters 2
) trailer
frontal area for 5th wheel and
gooseneck trailers.
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