Ford Freestyle (2007 year). Manual — part 51

1400 – (2 x 220) – (9 x 100) = 1400 – 440 – 900 = 60 lb. Now you
have the load capacity to transport the cement and your friend home.
In metric units, the calculation would be: 635 kg — (2 x 99 kg) —
(9 x 45 kg) = 635 — 198 — 405 = 32 kg.

The above calculations also assume that the loads are positioned in your
vehicle in a manner that does not overload the Front or the Rear Gross
Axle Weight Rating specified for your vehicle on the Safety Compliance
Certification Label found on the edge of the driver’s door.

TRAILER TOWING

Your vehicle is capable either of towing Class I trailers or up to Class II
trailers when equipped with the optional trailer tow package.

If your vehicle does not have the optional trailer tow package your
vehicle is partially prepped for trailer tow lamp wiring but you will also
need to install electrical kit (15A416). This kit contains fuses and relays
to isolate the vehicle lighting circuitry from the trailer lighting and an
adapter wiring harness containing the standard 4-pin trailer plug. Refer
to the Trailer lamps section in this chapter for additional information.
Do not tow above 2,000 lb. (907 kg) without the
manufacturer-installed trailer tow package.

A new underbody wiring harness (14406) will be a component to this kit
and will need to be installed, if applicable, per instructions located in the
service kit.

If your vehicle has the optional trailer tow package it comes with heavy
duty cooling fans, auxiliary transmission fluid cooler, an auxiliary engine
oil cooler (4.2L engine only), heavy duty battery, trailer tow wiring
(including fuses and relays to isolate the vehicle lighting circuitry from
the trailer lighting) and a kit (in a cardboard box) that includes an
adapter wiring harness that contains the standard 4-pin trailer plug.

Trailer towing puts additional loads on your vehicle’s engine,
transmission, axle, brakes, tires, and suspension. For your safety and to
maximize vehicle performance, be sure to use the proper equipment
while towing.

Follow these guidelines to ensure safe towing procedure:
• Stay within your vehicle’s load limits. If exceeded, cargo should be

removed from the trailer and/or the vehicle until all weights are within
specified limits.

• Thoroughly prepare your vehicle for towing. Refer to Preparing to

tow in this chapter.

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206

• Use extra caution when driving while trailer towing. Refer to Driving

while you tow in this chapter.

• Service your vehicle more frequently if you tow a trailer. Refer to

Special Operating Conditions in the scheduled maintenance
information.

• Do not tow a trailer until your vehicle has been driven at least

500 miles (800 km).

• Refer to the instructions included with towing accessories for the

proper installation and adjustment specifications.

Vehicle towing capability/
Trailer hitch requirement

Trailer

Model/

Engine

GCWR -

lb. (kg)

Hitch type

required

Trailer Weight

range - lb.

(kg)

Tongue load

Van, 3.9L

7000

(3175)

Class I Non-

Equalizing

Weight

Carrying

0-2000

(0–907)

10–15% of TW

(200 lb. [91 kg]

maximum)

Wagon,

3.9L

Wagon,

4.2L

7200

(3266)

Wagon,

3.9L with

trailer

tow

option

8500

(3856)

Class II Non-

Equalizing

Weight

Carrying

0–3500

(0-1588)

10–15% of TW

(350 lb. [159 kg]

maximum)

Wagon,

4.2L with

trailer

tow

option

8700

(3946)

Do not exceed the maximum loads listed on the Safety Compliance
Certification label. For load specification terms found on the label, refer
to Vehicle loading in this chapter. Remember to figure in the tongue
load of your loaded trailer when figuring the total weight.

Towing trailers beyond the maximum recommended gross trailer
weight exceeds the limit of the vehicle and could result in

engine damage, transmission damage, structural damage, loss of control
and personal injury.

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207

Preparing to tow

Use the proper equipment for towing a trailer and make sure it is
properly attached to your vehicle. See your authorized dealer or a
reliable trailer dealer if you require assistance.

Hitches

Do not use hitches that clamp onto the vehicle bumper. Use a load
carrying hitch that does not exceed your vehicle’s capability. See the
Tongue Load section in the trailer towing chart earlier in this section for
range details on a specific trailer load.

Safety chains

Always connect the trailer’s safety chains to the hook retainers on the
hitch. To connect the trailer’s safety chains, cross the chains under the
trailer tongue and allow slack for turning corners.

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

Do not attach safety chains to the bumper.

Trailer brakes

Be sure your trailer conforms to all applicable local and Federal
Regulations regarding trailer braking. If your trailer is equipped with
electronically controlled brakes you will need to have an electronic brake
controller with associated wiring installed to your vehicle by an
authorized dealer.

Do not connect a trailer’s hydraulic brake system directly to your
vehicle’s brake system. Your vehicle may not have enough

braking power and your chances of having a collision greatly increase.

The braking system of the tow vehicle is rated for operation at the
GVWR not GCWR.

Trailer lamps

Trailer lamps are required on most towed vehicles. Make sure all running
lights, brake lights, turn signals and hazard lights are working.

Do not splice into the vehicle lamp wiring for trailer lamps. Your
vehicle uses an advanced electronic module to control and
monitor your vehicle lamps. Splicing into the wiring or attaching
wiring to the vehicle bulb. may DISABLE the rear vehicle lamps

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208

or cause them not to function properly. Your lamp outage feature
may also be disabled or provide incorrect information.

See your authorized dealer or trailer rental agency for proper
instructions and equipment for hooking up trailer lamps.

Driving while you tow

When towing a trailer:
• Keep your speed no faster than 70 mph (112 km/h) during the first

500 miles (800 km) of towing a trailer, and don’t make full throttle
starts.

• Turn off the speed control. The speed control may shut off

automatically when you are towing on long, steep grades.

• Consult your local motor vehicle speed regulations for towing a trailer.
• To eliminate excessive shifting, use a lower gear. This will also assist

in transmission cooling. (For additional information, refer to
Understanding the gearshift positions of the 4–speed automatic
transmission in the Driving chapter.

• Anticipate stops and brake gradually.
• Do not exceed the GCWR rating or transmission damage may occur.
Servicing after towing

If you tow a trailer for long distances, your vehicle will require more
frequent service intervals. Refer to your Scheduled Maintenance
Information for more information.

Trailer towing tips
• Practice turning, stopping and backing up before starting on a trip to

get the feel of the vehicle trailer combination. When turning, make
wider turns so the trailer wheels will clear curbs and other obstacles.

• Allow more distance for stopping with a trailer attached.
• If you are driving down a long or steep hill, shift to a lower gear. Do

not apply the brakes continuously, as they may overheat and become
less effective.

• The trailer tongue weight should be 10–15% of the loaded trailer

weight.

• If you will be towing a trailer frequently in hot weather, hilly

conditions, at GCWR, or any combination of these factors, consider
refilling your rear axle with synthetic gear lube if not already so

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209