Ford Transit Connect (2016 year). Manual — part 39

TOWING A TRAILER

WARNINGS

Do not exceed the GVWR or
the GAWR specified on the

certification label.

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.

The electrical system on your
vehicle may have fuses or relays
related to the towing equipment.
See Fuses (page 181).
The load capacity of your vehicle
is designated by weight not
volume. You will not necessarily
be able to use all available space
when loading your vehicle or
trailer.

Towing a trailer places extra load
on the engine, transmission, axle,
brakes, tires and suspension.
Inspect these components before,
during and after towing.

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 15% or below 10% of the
loaded trailer weight.

•

Select a tow bar with the
correct rise or drop. 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.

Note: A slight vibration or shudder

may be present when you start to
drive away due to increased
payload weight.

Information on correct trailer
loading and preparing your vehicle
is available in the load carrying
section. See Load Limit (page
151). Further information is
available in the RV and Trailer
Towing Guide. See an authorized
dealer.

TRAILER SWAY CONTROL

If the trailer begins to sway the stability
control warning lamp flashes in the
information display. The system applies
the brakes to the individual wheels and
reduces engine torque to aid vehicle
stability.

Stop your vehicle as soon as it is safe to
do so. Check the vertical weight on the tow
ball and trailer load distribution. See
Capacities and Specifications (page
249). See Load Carrying (page 148).

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.

RECOMMENDED TOWING
WEIGHTS

Your vehicle may tow a trailer. The
maximum loaded trailer weight
must be less than or equal to the
maximum loaded trailer weight
listed for your vehicle
configuration on the following
chart.

Note: Do not exceed the maximum
loaded trailer weight for your
vehicle configuration listed in the
chart below.

Note: Make sure you take the
trailer frontal area into
consideration, do not exceed 20
feet² (1.86 meters²). Towing a
trailer that exceeds this frontal area
will reduce the performance and
fuel economy of your vehicle when
towing. Select a trailer that has a
rounded front and an aerodynamic
design.

Note: For high altitude operation,
reduce the gross combined weight

by 2% per 1000 feet (300 meters)
starting at the 1000 foot (300
meter) 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

loaded trailer weights listed may
be limited to this specified weight,
as the vehicle’s electrical system
may not include the wiring
connector needed to activate
electric trailer brakes.

Calculating the Maximum
Loaded Trailer Weight

1. Start with the gross combined

weight rating for your vehicle.
See the following chart.

2. Subtract all of the following

that apply to your vehicle:
•

Vehicle curb weight

•

Hitch hardware weight
including: draw bar, tow ball,
locks and weight distributing
hardware

•

Driver and any passengers
weight

•

Payload, cargo or luggage
weight

•

Aftermarket equipment
weight.

3. This equals the maximum

loaded trailer weight for this
combination.

Note: The trailer tongue load is an
integral part of the payload of the
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.

Maximum Loaded

Trailer Weight - lb

(kg)

*

Maximum GCWR - lb

(kg)

Powertrain

2,000 (907)

5,820 (2,640)

1.6L SWB van

2,000 (907)

5,919 (2,685)

1.6L LWB van

2,000 (907)

5,981 (2,713)

1.6L SWB wagon

2,000 (907)

5,840 (2,649)

2.5L SWB van

2,000 (907)

5,959 (2,703)

2.5L LWB Van

2,000 (907)

6,021 (2,731)

2.5L SWB Wagon

2,000 (907)

6,325 (2,869)

2.5L LWB Wagon

*

Calculated with SAE J2807 method.

ESSENTIAL TOWING CHECKS

Follow these guidelines for safe towing:
•

Do not tow a trailer until you drive your
vehicle at least 1000 miles (1600
kilometers).

•

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 386).

•

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

Another chapter of this manual contains
load specification terms found on the tire
label and Safety Compliance label and
instructions on calculating your vehicle's
load. See Load Limit (page 151).

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

Trailer Towing Connector

E168683

When attaching the trailer wiring connector
to your vehicle, only use a proper fitting
connector that works with the vehicle and
trailer functions.

Note: You cannot use a seven-pin trailer
wiring connector for your vehicle and the
trailer lighting equipment.

Function

Color

Left turn signal and stop lamp

Yellow

Ground (-)

White

Right turn signal and stop
lamp

Green

Running lights

Brown

Hitches

WARNING

Do not tow a trailer that exceeds the
maximum limit of the towing
equipment. This could result in

vehicle structural damage, loss of vehicle
control and personal injury.

Do not use a hitch that either clamps onto
the bumper or attaches to the axle.

Distribute the trailer load so that between
10% and 15% of the total trailer weight is
on the tongue.

The hitch rating on the trailer hitch label is
the maximum possible trailer rating. To
find the maximum trailer weight allowed
for your vehicle See Recommended
Towing Weights (page 160). Further
information is available in the RV and
Trailer Towing Guide. See an authorized
dealer.

Safety Chains

Always connect the safety chains to the
hook retainers of your vehicle hitch.

To connect the safety chains, cross them
under the trailer tongue and allow enough
slack for turning tight corners. Do not allow
the chains to drag on the ground.