Ford F-550 (2017 year). Manual — part 69

Chassis cab

Maximum

GCWR

Rear axle

ratio

Engine

Vehicle

28000 lb (12701

kg)

4.88

6.8L gas

F-450 dual rear

wheel

31000 lb (14062

kg)

4.10

6.7L diesel

33000 lb (14969

kg)

*

4.30

28000 lb (12701

kg)

4.88

6.8L gas

F-550 dual rear

wheel (17500/

18000 lb

GVWR)

31000 lb (14062

kg)

4.10

6.7L diesel

33,000 lb (14,969

kg)

4.30

28000 lb (12701

kg)

4.88

6.8L gas

F-550 dual rear

wheel (19000/

19500 lb

GVWR)

31000 lb (14062

kg)

4.88

6.7L diesel

40000 lb (18144

kg)

*

4.88

*

Requires optional GCWR Package.

Calculating the Maximum
Loaded Trailer Weight for Your
Vehicle

1. Start with the gross combined

weight rating for your vehicle

model and axle ratio. See the
previous chart.

2. Subtract all of the following

that apply to your vehicle:

•

Vehicle curb weight

•

Hitch hardware weight, such as
a draw bar, ball, locks or weight
distributing hardware

•

Driver weight

•

Passenger(s) weight

•

Payload, cargo and luggage
weight

•

Aftermarket equipment weight.

This equals the maximum loaded
trailer weight for this combination.

Note: The trailer tongue load is
considered part of the payload for
your vehicle. Reduce the total
payload by the final trailer tongue
weight.

Note: Consult an authorized dealer
to determine the maximum trailer
weight allowed for your vehicle if
you are not sure.

RV & Trailer Towing Guide Online

http://www.fleet.ford.com/towing-guides/

Website

ESSENTIAL TOWING CHECKS

WARNING

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.

Follow these guidelines for safe towing:
•

Do not tow a trailer until you drive your
vehicle at least 1,000 mi (1,600 km).

•

Consult your local motor vehicle laws
for towing a trailer.

•

See the instructions included with
towing accessories for the proper
installation and adjustment
specifications.

•

Service your vehicle more frequently if
you tow a trailer. See your scheduled
maintenance information.

•

If you use a rental trailer, follow the
instructions the rental agency gives
you.

See Load limits in the Load Carrying
chapter for load specification terms found
on the tire label and Safety Compliance
label and instructions on calculating your
vehicle's load.

Remember to account for the trailer
tongue weight as part of your vehicle load
when calculating the total vehicle weight.

Some vehicles will have the ability to
modify trailer towing features. See
General Information (page 111).

Trailer Towing Connector

E163167

When attaching the trailer wiring connector
to your vehicle, only use a proper fitting
connector that works with the vehicle and
trailer functions. Some seven-position
connectors may have the SAE J2863 logo,
which confirms that it is the proper wiring
connector and works correctly with your
vehicle.

Function

Color

Left turn signal and stop lamp

Yellow

Ground (-)

White

Electric brakes

Blue

Right turn signal and stop
lamp

Green

Battery (+)

Orange

Running lights

Brown

Reverse lights

Grey

Dynamic Hitching Using the Rear
View Camera System

Note: Active guidelines and fixed guidelines
are only available when the transmission is
in reverse (R).

Use the centerline (B) guideline to assist
you in setting your steering wheel properly
to help align the trailer hitch and tongue.

A

B C

D

F

E

E142436

Active guidelines

A

Centerline

B

Fixed guideline: Green zone

C

Fixed guideline: Yellow zone

D

Fixed guideline: Red zone

E

Rear bumper

F

Fixed guidelines are always shown in the
display, but the active guidelines only
display when the steering wheel is turned.
To use active guidelines, turn the steering
wheel to point the guidelines toward an
intended path. If the steering wheel
position is changed while reversing, your
vehicle might deviate from the original
intended path.

The active guidelines fade in and out
depending on the steering wheel position.
The active guidelines are not shown when
the steering wheel position is straight.

Always use caution while reversing.
Objects in the red zone are closest to your
vehicle and objects in the green zone are
farther away. Objects are getting closer to
your vehicle as they move from the green
zone to the yellow or red zones. Use the
side view mirrors and rear view mirror to
get better coverage on both sides and rear
of your vehicle.

Refer to the Rear View Camera section for
additional information. See Rear View
Camera (page 232).

Hitches

Note: On pick-up trucks, the trailer hitch
provided on this vehicle enhances crash
protection for the fuel system. Do not
remove!

Note: Do not cut, drill, weld or modify trailer
hitches. Modifying trailer hitches can reduce
hitch rating.

Do not use a hitch that either clamps onto
the bumper or attaches to the axle. You
must distribute the load in your trailer so
that 10-15% for conventional towing or
15-25% for fifth wheel towing of the total
weight of the trailer is on the tongue.

Hitch components (If Equipped)

The following components will be included
in certain vehicles.

•

A 5/8 inch hitch pin rated to tow up to
21,000 lbs.

•

A 3 inch drawbar.

•

A hitch pin sleeve to be used when
mounting the 3 inch drawbar.

•

A clevis pin to help keep the hitch pin
in place.

Weight-distributing Hitches

WARNING

Do not adjust the spring bars so that
your vehicle's rear bumper is higher
than 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.

When hooking-up a trailer using a
weight-distributing hitch, always use the
following procedure:

1.

Park the loaded vehicle, without the
trailer, on a level surface.

2. Measure the height to the top of your

vehicle's front wheel opening on the
fender. This is H1.

3. Attach the loaded trailer to your vehicle

without the weight-distributing bars
connected.

4. Measure the height to the top of your

vehicle's front wheel opening on the
fender a second time. This is H2.

5. Install and adjust the tension in the

weight-distributing bars so that the
height of your vehicle's front wheel
opening on the fender is approximately
halfway between H1 and H2.

6. Check that the trailer is level or slightly

nose down toward your vehicle. If not,
adjust the ball height accordingly and
repeat Steps 2-6.