2018-Ford-Explorer-Owners-Manual-

Towing

ESSENTIAL TOWING CHECKS Follow these guidelines for safe towing: • Do not tow a trailer until you drive your vehicle at least 1,000 mi (1,600 km). • Consult your local motor vehicle laws for towing a trailer. • See the instructions included with towing accessories for the proper installation and adjustment specifications. • Service your vehicle more frequently if you tow a trailer. See your scheduled maintenance information. • If you use a rental trailer, follow the instructions the rental agency gives you. You can find information on load specification terms found on the tire label and Safety Compliance label as well as instructions on calculating your vehicle's load in the Load Carrying chapter. See Load Limit (page 238). Remember to account for the trailer tongue weight as part of your vehicle load when calculating the total vehicle weight. Hitches Do not use a hitch that either clamps onto the bumper or attaches to the axle. Distribute the trailer load so 10-15%of the total trailer weight is on the tongue. Weight-distributing Hitches WARNING Do not adjust the spring bars so that your vehicle's rear bumper is higher than before attaching the trailer. Doing so will defeat the function of the weight-distributing hitch, whichmay cause unpredictable handling, and could result in serious personal injury.

When hooking-up a trailer using a weight-distributing hitch, always use the following procedure: 1. Park the loaded vehicle, without the trailer, on a level surface. 2. Measure the height to the top of your vehicle's front wheel opening on the fender. This is H1. 3. Attach the loaded trailer to your vehicle without the weight-distributing bars connected. 4. Measure the height to the top of your vehicle's front wheel opening on the fender a second time. This is H2. 5. Install and adjust the tension in the weight-distributing bars so that the height of your vehicle's front wheel opening on the fender is approximately half the way down fromH2, toward H1. 6. Check that the trailer is level or slightly nose down toward your vehicle. If not, adjust the ball height accordingly and repeat Steps 2-6. When the trailer is level or slightly nose down toward the vehicle: • Lock the bar tension adjuster in place. • Check that the trailer tongue securely attaches and locks onto the hitch. • Install safety chains, lighting, and trailer brake controls as requiredby lawor the trailer manufacturer. Safety Chains Note: Never attach safety chains to the bumper. Always connect the safety chains to the hook retainers of your vehicle hitch. To connect the trailer’s 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.

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Explorer(TUB)Canada/UnitedStatesofAmerica,enUSA,Editiondate:201707,FirstPrinting