2019 Flex
Frontal Area  is the total area in square feet that a moving vehicle and trailer exposes to air resistance. The chart above shows the maximum trailer frontal area that must be considered for a vehicle/trailer combination. Exceeding these limitations may significantly reduce the performance of your towing vehicle.
Frontal Area Limitations/
Vehicle
Considerations
With
Flex  Base Vehicle Frontal Area (20 sq. ft.)
Without Class III Trailer Tow Package
40 sq. ft.
With Class III Trailer Tow Package
Frontal Area Considerations
Model Flex (Option Code) (53G)7-Wire Harness & 4-/7-Pin Connector  X Hitch Receiver  X Trailer Sway Control  X Engine Oil Cooler
X (1)
(1) Not included with EcoBoost engine.
Trailer Towing Package
Notes:  •  C ontent may vary depending on model, trim and/or powertrain. See your
dealer for specific content information.
•  T railer Towing Package recommended for all vehicles that will be used
for towing to help ensure easy, proper connection of trailer lights.
Flex:  I ncluded with Class III Trailer Tow Package –
Option Code 53G
Note:  S ee chart at right for the weight-carrying and weight-distributing capacities of this hitch receiver. (This capacity
also is shown on a label affixed to each receiver.)
Factory-Installed Trailer  Hitch Receiver Options
Weight-Carrying Max.  Weight-Distributing Max.
Max. Trailer Tongue Load Max. Trailer Tongue Load Vehicle
Capacity (lbs.)(1) (lbs.)    Capacity (lbs.)(1) (l b s.)
Flex
2,000 200 4,500 450
(1) Hitch receivers do not include a hitch ball or ball mounting. You are responsible for obtaining the proper hitch ball, ball
mounting, weight-distributing equipment (i.e., equalizing arms and snap-up brackets, sway control system) and other appropriate equipment to tow both the trailer and its cargo load.
Refer to the Trailer Towing Selector chart for Maximum Loaded Trailer Weights for this vehicle.
Hitch Receiver Weight Capacity
TRAILER TOWING SELECTOR
Preliminary 2019 Ford RV & Trailer Towing information. Final version will be published September 2018.
2018 model shown.
Preliminary 2019 Ford RV & Trailer Towing information. Final version will be published September 2018.
AFTER YOU BUY
Before heading out on a trip, check your vehicle’s Owner’s Manual for break-in and severe-duty mainte
nance schedules (do not tow a trailer until your vehicle has been driven at least 1,000 miles). Be sure to have your fully-loaded vehicle (including passengers) and trailer weighed so as not to exceed critical weight limits. If any of these limits are exceeded, cargo should be removed from the vehicle and/or trailer until all weights are within the specified limits.
BEFORE YOU BUY
If you are selecting a vehicle that will be used for towing, you should determine the approximate weight of the trailer you intend to tow, including the weight of any additional cargo and fluids that you will be carrying in the trailer. Also, be sure the vehicle has the proper optional equipment. Keep in mind that performance can be severely affected in hilly terrain when the minimum acceptable powertrain combination is selected.
Consider purchasing a vehicle with a more powerful engine.
Brakes
Many states require a separate braking system on trailers with a loaded weight of more than 1,500 pounds. For your safety, Ford Motor Company recommends that a separate functional brake system b
e used on any towed vehicle, including those dolly-towed or towbar-towed. There are several basic types of brake systems designed to activate trailer brakes:
1.  E lectronically Controlled Brakes  usually
provide automatic and manual control of trailer brakes. They require that the tow vehicle be
equipped with a controlling device and additional wiring for electrical power. These brakes typically have a control box installed within reach of the driver and can be applied manually or automatically.
2.  E lectric-Over-Hydraulic (EOH) Trailer Brakes  are operated by an electrically powered pump that pressurizes a hydraulic fluid reservoir built into the trailer’s brake system. Many of the available EOH trailer brake models are
compatible with the Ford factory installed, dash-integrated Trailer Brake Controller (TBC).
3.  S urge Brakes  are independent hydraulic brakes activated by a master cylinder at the junction of  the hitch and trailer tongue. They are not controlled by the hydraulic fluid in the tow vehicle’s brake system, and the tow vehicle’s hydraulic system should never be connected directly to the trailer’s hydraulic system.
Be sure your trailer brakes conform to all applicable state regulations. See Towing Safely for All Vehicles on the next page for additional braking information.
Trailer Lamps
Make sure the trailer is equipped with lights that conform to all applicable government regulations. The trailer lighting system should not be connected directly to the lighting system of the vehicle. See a local recreational vehicle dealer or rental trailer agency for correct wiring and relays for the trailer and heavy-duty flashers.
福特汽车
Safety Chains
–  A lways use safety chains when towing. Safety chains are used to retain connection between the towing and towed vehicle in the event of separation of the trailer coupling or ball –  C ross chains under the trailer tongue to prevent the tongue from contacting the ground if a separation occurs. Allow only enough slack to permit full turning – be sure they do not drag on the pavement –  W hen using a frame-mounted trailer hitch,  attach the safety chains to the frame-mounted hitch using the recommendations supplied by the hitch manufacturer –  S ee your vehicle’s Owner’s Manual for safety chain attachment information –  F or rental trailers, follow rental agency instructions for hookup of safet
y chains
Trailer Wiring Harness
–  S ome vehicles equipped with a factory-installed Trailer Tow Package include a trailer wiring harness and a wiring kit –  T his kit includes one or more jumper harnesses (to connect to your trailer wiring connector) and
installation instructions
Weight Distribution
For optimum handling and braking, the load must be properly distributed Keep center of gravity low for best handling
Approximately 60% of the allowable cargo weight should be in the front half of the trailer and 40% in the rear (within limits of tongue load or king pin weight) Load should be balanced from side-to-side to optimize handling and tire wear Load must be firmly secured to prevent shifting during cornering or braking, which could result in a sudden loss
of control
Before Starting
Before setting out on a trip, practice turning, stopping and backing up your trailer in an area away from heavy traffic Know clearance required for trailer roof Check equipment (make a checklist) Backing Up
Back up slowly, with someone spotting near the rear of the trailer to guide you Place one hand at bottom of steering wheel and move it in the direction you want the trailer to go
Make small steering inputs – slight movement of steering wheel results in  much greater movement in rear of trailer Turning
When turning, be sure to swing wide enough to allow trailer to avoid curbs and other obstructions.
Braking
Allow considerably more distance for stopping with trailer attached Remember, the braking system of the tow vehicle is rated for operation at the GVWR, not GCWR
If your tow vehicle is an F-150, F-Series Super Duty®, Transit or Expedition and your trailer has electric brakes, the optional Integrated Trailer Brake Controller (TBC) assists in smooth and effective trailer braking by powering the trailer’s electric or electric-over-hydraulic brakes with proportional output based on the towing vehicle’s brake pressure If your trailer starts to sway, apply
brake pedal gradually. The sliding
lever on the TBC should be used only
for manual activation of trailer brakes
when adjusting the gain. Misuse, such
as application during trailer sway,
could cause instability of trailer and/or
tow vehicle
Towing On Hills
Downshift the transmission to assist
braking on steep downgrades and to
increase power (reduce lugging) when
climbing hills
With TorqShift® transmission, select
tow/haul mode to automatically
eliminate unwanted gear search when
going uphill and help control vehicle
speed when going downhill
Parking With A Trailer
Whenever possible, vehicles with
trailers should not be parked on a
grade. However, if it is necessary, place
wheel chocks under the trailer’s wheels,
following the instructions below.
Apply the foot service brakes and hold
Have another person place the wheel
chocks under the trailer wheels on the
downgrade side
Once the chocks are in place, release
brake pedal, making sure the chocks
will hold the vehicle and trailer
Apply the parking brake
S hift automatic transmission into park,
or manual transmission into reverse
With 4-wheel drive, make sure the
transfer case is not in neutral (if
applicable)
Starting Out Parked On
A Grade
Apply the foot service brake and hold
Start the engine with transmission in
park (automatic) or neutral (manual)
Shift the transmission into gear and
release the parking brake
Release the brake pedal and move the
vehicle uphill to free the chocks
Apply the brake pedal while another
person retrieves the chocks
Acceleration And Passing
The added weight of the trailer can
dramatically decrease the acceleration
of the towing vehicle – exercise caution.
When passing a slower vehicle, be sure
to allow extra distance. Remember, the
added length of the trailer must clear
the other vehicle before you can pull
back in
Signal and make your pass on level
terrain with plenty of clearance
If necessary, downshift for improved
acceleration
Driving With An Automatic
Overdrive Transmission
With certain automatic overdrive
transmissions, towing – especially
in hilly areas – may cause excessive
shifting between overdrive and the next
lower gear.
To eliminate this condition and achieve
steadier performance, overdrive can be
locked out (see vehicle Owner’s Manual)
I f excessive shifting does not occur, use
overdrive to optimize fuel economy
Overdrive may also be locked out to
obtain engine braking on downgrades
When available, select tow/haul mode
to automatically eliminate unwanted
gear search and help control vehicle
speed when going downhill
Driving With Cruise Control
Turn off the cruise control with heavy
loads or in hilly terrain. The cruise
control may turn off automatically
when you are towing on long, steep
grades. Use caution while driving on
wet roads and avoid using cruise control
in rainy or winter weather conditions.
Tire Pressure
Underinflated tires get hot and may
fail, leading to possible loss of
vehicle control
Overinflated tires may wear unevenly
and compromise traction and stopping
capability
Tires should be checked often for
conformance to recommended cold
inflation pressures
Spare Tire Use
A conventional, identical full-size spare
tire is required for trailer towing (mini,
compact and dissimilar full-size spare
tires should not be used; always
replace the spare tire with a new road
tire as soon as possible).
On The Road
After about 50 miles, stop in a
protected location and double-check:
Trailer hitch attachment
Lights and electrical connections
Trailer wheel lug nuts for tightness
Engine oil – check regularly through-
out trip
High Altitude Operation
Gasoline engines lose power by 3-4%
per 1,000 ft. elevation. To maintain
performance, reduce GVWs and GCWs
by 2% per 1,000 ft. elevation starting at
the 1,000 ft. elevation point.
Powertrain/Frontal Area
Considerations
The charts in this Guide show the
minimum engine size needed to move
the GCW of tow vehicle and trailer.
Under certain conditions, however, (e.g.,
when the trailer has a large frontal area
that adds substantial air drag or when
trailering in hilly or mountainous terrain)
it is wise to choose a larger engine
Selecting a trailer with a low-drag,
rounded front design will help optimize
performance and fuel economy
Note:  F or additional trailering information
pertaining to your vehicle, refer to the
vehicle Owner’s Manual.
Towing a trailer is demanding on your vehicle, your trailer and your personal driving skills.
Follow some basic rules that will help you tow safely and have a lot more fun.
Photography, illustrations and information
presented herein were correct when approved
for publishing. Ford Motor Company reserves
the right to discontinue or change at any time
the specifications or designs without incurring
obligation. Some features shown or described
are optional at extra cost. Some options are
required in combination with other options.
Consult your dealer for the latest, most
complete information on models, features,
prices and availability.
Many of the recreational vehicles shown in
this brochure are modified or manufactured
by companies other than Ford Motor
Company. Ford assumes no responsibility for
such modifications or manufacturing.
www.fleet.ford/towing-guides
esourcebook.dealerconnection. TOWING SAFELY FOR ALL VEHICLES
Preliminary 2019 Ford RV & Trailer Towing information. Final version will be published September 2018.