Ford has a strong and capable truck lineup that’s fit for major towing jobs. Before towing, it’s important that you know these tips to make sure you’re getting the most out of towing with your Ford truck.
Get to know your truck
We understand you might be excited to get to work with your Ford truck right away, but it’s best to spend a little time getting to know your truck before you hitch a trailer. Drive your Ford truck a minimum of 1,000 miles before towing so you can get a feel for how it handles. You should also learn what your truck’s GCWR is, and then be sure to always stay at or below it when you tow.
Distribute the trailer weight
Learning to distribute the weight properly is key to safe, efficient towing. The first rule to keep in mind is that the center of gravity should always be kept as low as possible. Once you’ve worked this out, see that you arrange your load so that the majority of its weight is at the front half of the trailer. A good rule of thumb is to try for 60% of the weight at the front and 40% at the rear. Try your best to also keep the weight of your load distributed evenly on each side. This will help with control and will also help the trailer and truck’s tires wear evenly.
Brake well
Give yourself lots of extra room to brake when you’re traveling with a trailer attached. You should also lead with the trailer brakes if you own a manual brake controller and are able to. If your trailer begins to sway, regain control by gradually applying brakes. It’s also important to ensure your Ford truck’s load is secured as firmly as possible so that it won’t be affected by braking.
We at Hunt Ford proudly offer Fordtrucks at our dealership. Discover how Ford trucks can make towing for work or fun easier by test-driving one.