2002 Ford Expedition Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 180

Driving TRAILER TOWING Trailer towing with your vehicle may require the use of a trailer tow option package. Trailer towing puts additional loads on your vehicle's engine, transmission, axle, brakes, tires, and suspension. For your safety and to maximize vehicle performance, be sure to use the proper equipment while towing. Follow these guidelines to ensure safe towing procedure: • Stay within your vehicle's load limits. If exceeded, cargo should be removed from the trailer and/or the vehicle until all weights are within specified limits. • Thoroughly prepare your vehicle for towing. Refer to Preparing to tow in this chapter. • Use extra caution when driving while trailer towing. Refer to Driving while you tow in this chapter. • Service your vehicle more frequently if you tow a trailer. Refer to the severe duty schedule in the scheduled maintenance guide. • Do not tow a trailer until your vehicle has been driven at least 800 km (500 miles). • Refer to the instructions included with towing accessories for the proper installation and adjustment specifications. If your vehicle is equipped with the optional heavy duty trailer tow wiring, it is pre-wired for trailer towing. An electrical connector is provided under the instrument panel for installing a customer-supplied electric brake controller. Another electrical connector is provided at the hitch. This connector provides power to the trailer for taillamps, stop and turn lamps, back up lamps, battery charge, electric brakes (when a customer provided controller is installed) and ground. The kit included with your vehicle provides you with adaptors to attach the brake controller and convert the hitch connector for Class I trailer usage. 180