Ford Transit (2018 year). Manual — part 43

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 176).

Your vehicle may have electrical
items, such as fuses or relays,
related to towing. See Fuses

(page 202).

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
170).

You can also find information in
the RV & Trailer Towing Guide
available at your authorized
dealer, or online.

RV & Trailer Towing Guide Online

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

Website

TRAILER SWAY CONTROL

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 your vehicle speed
is too high, the system may turn on multiple
times, gradually reducing your vehicle speed.

This feature applies your vehicle brakes at
individual wheels and if necessary, reduces
engine power. If the trailer begins to sway,
the traction control warning lamp flashes
and a message will appear in the
information display. Slow your vehicle
down, pull safely to the side of the road
and check for correct load distribution.
See Load Carrying (page 170).

RECOMMENDED TOWING
WEIGHTS

Note: Make sure to take into
consideration trailer frontal area.
Vehicles equipped with the Trailer
Tow Package or the Heavy Duty
Payload Package should not
exceed 55 ft² (5.1 m²) trailer frontal
area.

Note: Exceeding this limitation
may significantly reduce the
performance of your towing
vehicle. Selecting a trailer with a
low aerodynamic drag and rounded
front design helps optimize
performance and fuel economy.

Note: For high altitude operation,
reduce the gross combined weight
by 2% per 1,000 ft (300 m)
starting at the 1,000 ft (300 m)
elevation point.

Note: Certain states require
electric trailer brakes for trailers
over a specified weight. Be sure to
check state regulations for this
specified weight. The maximum
trailer weights listed may be limited
to this specified weight, as your
vehicle's electrical system may not
include the wiring connector
needed to use electric trailer
brakes.

Your vehicle may tow a trailer
provided the maximum trailer
weight is less than or equal to the
maximum trailer weight listed for
your vehicle configuration on the
following charts.

Van and Chassis Cab

Maximum Loaded

Trailer Weight

*

Maximum GCWR

Axle

Ratio

Powertrain

4750 lb (2155 kg)

10600 lb (4808 kg)

3.31

3.2L Power
Stroke Diesel

7500 lb (3402 kg)

13500 lb (6123 kg)

3.73

3.2L Power
Stroke Diesel

5700 lb (2585 kg)

11200 lb (5080 kg)

3.31

3.5L V6 GTDI

7150 lb (3243 kg)

12600 lb (5715 kg)

3.73

3.5L V6 GTDI

5350 lb (2427 kg)

10800 lb (4899 kg)

3.73

3.7L V6 TiVCT

6700 lb (3039 kg)

12000 lb (5450 kg)

4.10

3.7L V6 TiVCT

*

Calculated with SAE J2807 method.

Wagon

Maximum Loaded

Trailer Weight

*

Maximum GCWR

Axle

Ratio

Powertrain

4200 lb (1905 kg)

10600 lb (4808 kg)

3.31

3.2L Power
Stroke Diesel

4650 lb (2109 kg)

11200 lb (5080 kg)

3.73

3.2L Power
Stroke Diesel

5150 lb (2336 kg)

11200 lb (5080 kg)

3.31

3.5L V6 GTDI

4800 lb (2177 kg)

10800 lb (4899 kg)

3.73

3.7L V6 TiVCT

5200 lb (2359 kg)

11200 lb (5080 kg)

4.10

3.7L V6 TiVCT

*

Calculated with SAE J2807 method.

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 charts.

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.

ESSENTIAL TOWING CHECKS

Follow these guidelines for safe towing:
•

Do not tow a trailer until your vehicle
has covered at least 1,000 mi
(1,600 km). See Breaking-In (page
186).

•

Consult your local motor vehicle laws
for towing a trailer.

•

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

•

Service your vehicle more frequently if
you tow a trailer. See Scheduled
Maintenance (page 454).

•

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

Refer to Load Carrying for load
specification terms found on the tire label,
Safety Compliance label and instructions
on calculating your vehicle's maximum
load. See Load Limit (page 170).

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

Trailer Towing Connector

(If Equipped)

E163167

Your vehicle is fitted with both a 7 pin and
4 pin trailer wiring connector.