Ford Expedition (2018 year). Manual — part 65

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.

Your vehicle may have electrical
items, such as fuses or relays,
related to towing. See Fuses
(page 304).
Some vehicles may have the
ability to modify trailer towing
features. See Towing (page 263).

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
257).

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 REVERSING AIDS

Pro Trailer Backup Assist™

(If

Equipped)

WARNINGS

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.

This system is an extra driving aid. It
does not replace your attention and
judgment, or the need to apply the

brakes. This system does NOT
automatically brake your vehicle. If you fail
to press the brake pedal when necessary,
you may collide with another vehicle.

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

This feature helps you to steer your vehicle
when backing up with a trailer attached.
Turn and hold the control knob in the
direction you want the trailer to go and the
system takes over the steering. This allows
you to focus on checking the mirrors and
operating the brake and accelerator.

Each trailer you use with your vehicle has
to be setup once.

You must take care to follow the setup
process accurately, to make sure the
sticker is placed correctly.

Setting Up Pro Trailer Backup
Assist

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 conventional trailer to your
vehicle. See Essential Towing Checks
(page 276).

Park your vehicle and hitched trailer on a
level surface.

For best results, make sure that your trailer
rides level with the ground when you hitch
it to your vehicle. More information on
selecting your towbar is available in the
Towing section. See Towing (page 263).

E247482

Make sure your vehicle and the trailer are
in line with each other. You can do this by
driving straight forward.

E247481

Step 2: Follow the Information Display
Prompts

Press the button to turn the system on.

E253721

1.

Select the option to add a trailer in the
instrument cluster menu, using the
steering wheel control. See General
Information

(page 109).

2. Add a personalized name for the trailer

using the screen prompts. Use the
down arrow to scroll to the desired
letter and then press the right arrow to
advance to the next letter. Press OK to
continue.

3. Select the type of trailer brake system

for the trailer you are adding.

4. Select the brake effort level for the

trailer.

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.

Some examples of conventional type
trailers are shown below.

Note:

You cannot use the system with the

types of trailers marked with the cross.

The system only works with
conventional trailers. It does not work
with other types including gooseneck
and fifth wheel.

E209766

Follow the information display prompts.

Step 3: Place the Sticker on the Trailer
Frame

The supplied sticker must be placed in an
area visible by the rear view camera.

Note:

The cargo and trailer hookup lamps

turn on automatically to improve visibility.

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.

Note:

Additional stickers may be purchased

through your Ford Dealers parts department.

E209805

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 zone between the two
arcs or distance markers on the diagram,
and is also visible in the rear view camera
display.

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:

When rounding in inches, round

upward if the measured length is a quarter
inch or greater. Round downward if the
measured 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:

When rounding in centimeters, round

to the nearest whole centimeter. If the
measurement is less than 0.2 in (0.5 cm)
round downward. If the measurement is
more than 0.2 in (0.5 cm) round upward.
For example, 11.9 in (30.3 cm) would be
rounded down to 11.8 in (30 cm). 12.0 in
(30.5 cm) would be rounded up to 12.2 in
(31 cm).