2011 Ford F150 Regular Cab Owner Guide 3rd Printing - Page 269

Tires, Wheels and Loading Note: When taking into consideration trailer frontal area, ensure not to exceed: • 45 ft2 (4.18 m2) without the Trailer Tow Package or the Heavy Payload Package. • 60 ft2 (5.52 m2) with the Trailer Tow Package or the Heavy Payload Package. Preparing to tow Use the proper equipment for towing a trailer and make sure it is properly attached to your vehicle. Contact your authorized dealer or a reliable trailer dealer as soon as possible if you require assistance. Hitches Do not use a hitch that clamps onto the vehicle's bumper or attaches to the axle. You must distribute the load in your trailer so that 10-15% of the total weight of the trailer is on the tongue. Weight-distributing hitch When hooking-up a trailer using a weight-distributing hitch, always use the following procedure: 1. Park the vehicle (without the trailer) on a level surface. 2. Measure the height of the top of the front wheel opening on the fender, this is H1. 3. Attach the trailer to the vehicle without the weight distributing bars connected. 4. Measure the height of the top of the 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 the front fender is approximately halfway between H1 and H2. 6. Check that the trailer is level. If not level, adjust the ball height accordingly and repeat Steps 3-6. WARNING: Do not adjust a weight-distributing hitch to any position where the rear bumper of the vehicle is higher than it was before attaching the trailer. Doing so will defeat the function of the weight-distributing hitch, which may cause unpredictable handling, and could result in serious personal injury. 269 2011 F-150 (f12) Owners Guide, 3rd Printing USA (fus)