I Went to Ford’s Towing Bootcamp and Learned to Tow Like a Pro
I can drive a truck, and I love their capabilities. But towing a trailer? That felt like a different challenge. However, wanting to learn new skills, I signed up for Ford’s Towing Bootcamp. The class is designed for anyone who wants to learn how to tow.
My family dreams of road trips to national parks and scenic destinations, complete with an RV. The idea of backing up a truck and perfectly aligning it with a hitch I couldn’t see felt daunting. Ford’s F-Series and Super Duty trucks have new technology to assist, but it’s still a skill to learn.
Our colleague, Annika Carter, is a towing pro, which gave me a bit of a head start. But learning to tow firsthand took my knowledge to the next level.
The First Lesson: The Difference Between Payload and Towing Capacity
This is something everyone should understand, even if you’re not towing. We’re taught to ask, “How much can this truck tow?” But payload capacity impacts towing capacity, so you have to know that number too.
Payload capacity is how much weight the truck can hold in the cabin and the truck bed. If payload capacity is what the actual truck can carry, then towing capacity is how much weight the truck can safely tow behind it.
If you’re freshening up the yard and need mulch, the payload is the amount you can bring home without a trailer. If you need pallets of sod and require a trailer, then you’ll want to pay attention to the towing capacity. As Annika says, both numbers need to be under the gross vehicle weight rating, so you have to do some math when figuring out how much you can really tow.
With F-Series and Super Duty trucks, payload and towing capacity vary by model and trim levels. Ford is trying to simplify things for owners by developing Smart Hitch to make connecting the hitch to the trailer easier and providing onboard scales to ensure the payload and/or towing capacity fall within the weight limit. Then, you can adjust and lower the hitch into place so the truck and trailer sit evenly and will seamlessly respond to braking.
Setting Yourself Up for Success to Align the Trailer Hitch
With tech assistance, hitching up your trailer seems easy. And then you have to back up the truck.
First, we selected the trailer type and set it up with the right Smart Hitch selection. The visual guides helped us understand how to match our trailer: conventional, weight distribution hitch, gooseneck, or fifth wheel.
Then our Towing Bootcamp instructor suggested we use the Pro Trailer Hitch Assist dial on the dashboard. Press and hold the button, and the truck’s tech takes over. The truck does the hard work of steering, accelerating, and braking as you approach the hitch. The camera view was a game-changer for me; I felt in control and had a clear view of the trailer aligning with the hitch.
New School Tech Replaces Old-School Frustration
The Smart Hitch tech replaces using mirrors, frequently climbing out of the truck to check the alignment, or having a spotter waving and yelling at you. This new tech allows you to learn the right steps from the beginning and avoid potential issues.
Double-Checking With the Checklist
Under Features and Towing on the multimedia screen, there is a connection checklist to go through before driving. Select your trailer, and the checklist knows which questions to ask.
After I backed up the conventional trailer and aligned with the hitch, I ensured the lock ball coupler was properly connected. The system prompted us to confirm this. Then, I confirmed that all electrical connections were made so when I hit the brakes, the trailer brake lamps would light up.
Another important safety step is to cross and connect the safety chains on your truck. In case the trailer detaches from the ball coupler, the safety chains will keep it from recklessly flailing behind you in traffic. You’ll also need to connect the emergency breakaway switch; if the trailer detaches unexpectedly, the trailer brakes will engage.
A Physical Walk Around Is Assisted By Ford’s Technology, Too
Other functions the system prompted me to check were the lamp functions using the Trailer Light Check feature. Once you press it, it cycles through every signal, brake light, marking light, and reverse lamps, so you can physically walk around the truck to see that they are all working.
Walking around the truck and trailer, you’ll see them flash on and off for five minutes. Once you confirm all connections are made, you should double-check that your tongue or level jacks are all the way up and not planted in the ground when you try to drive off.
Our instructors also advised us to always check under the trailer to make sure that your kids, pets, and anyone else are not hiding there before you move your trailer. If all is clear, check your tires for nails, pressure, gashes, and the lug nuts on your wheels to ensure they are secure. Also, look for cracks in the rims.
If everything looks great, remove the safety wheel chocks, or wedges, that secure your wheels from rolling, and take them with you.
Set Your Mirrors and Display For the Drive
The next checklist item is the driver safety check: Adjust the mirrors so you can see as you normally would before driving. Set up your towing display to see lights are connected, the current gain setting, tire information, and overall towing status.
It’s great to have this from the driver’s seat, especially if you’re on a hill. Leaving this on the screen allows you to keep an eye on everything while driving.
Testing the Brakes, and Brake Gain, Is Next
Next, we adjusted the gain setting, which allows your truck and trailer to stop simultaneously. You don’t want the trailer to pull the truck forward or the truck to stop first.
For a heavier trailer, such as a large boat, a higher gain is preferable. With a lighter trailer, like a small camper or Jet Ski trailer, say up to 3,500 lbs., a lower gain is preferable.
To get the gain right, test it in the parking lot before heading out. Listening to your truck and trailer, you can hear if the gain is even: It will make a thud noise if the trailer is surging forward. The right gain setting makes towing feel seamless.
Ford made it easier to add towing to your skillset; all Ford trucks offer Pro Trailer Hitch Assist, Onboard Scales, and Smart Hitch features. Knowing what you plan to haul and tow is the key to deciding how much capability you’ll need. The F-150 pickup is great for smaller needs, like a small boat, small trailer, or lightweight equipment.
Those who need to tow heavier things, such as a full-size RV or a work trailer, might do better with the Ford F-250 or F-350 Super Duty trucks. Keep in mind that trims, such as King Ranch or Tremor, aren’t impactful when it comes to towing; they are all about comfort and conveniences.
Once you decide, keep in mind the payload part of the equation. Filling the truck bed with cargo subtracts from the amount you can tow. Maybe I will just fill the bed and the trailer with my destination dreams.
