Set Up 2018 F-150

[rubberduckie]

Just purchased a 2018 F-150. Not sure how to set it up for towing. When we purchased our camper in 2013 the technician set our 2013 F-150 up as no active trailer, he said it would tow better that way. Should I set the 2018 F-150 the same way?

Thanks

[lynnmor]

Originally Posted by rubberduckie

Just purchased a 2018 F-150. Not sure how to set it up for towing. When we purchased our camper in 2013 the technician set our 2013 F-150 up as no active trailer, he said it would tow better that way. Should I set the 2018 F-150 the same way?

Thanks

If you are talking about the brake controller, your dealer is an idiot. The instructions are in the owners manual.

[SmokeyWren]

Way back when, before I retired as a systems developer for USAF, we had a saying: "If all else fails, read the FUSM."

FUSM = functional user systems manual, or "the manual", or even "the book". The FUSM for an F-150 is the Owner's Guide. The answers to all your questions are probably in your Owner's Guide. Use the index to find the section on towing. Assuming your new F-150 has the Ford integrated trailer brake controller (ITBC), the answer's in there.

If you don't have the ITBC, then you're on your own as to how to set up and use an aftermarket brake controller. Tell us which brake controller you have, and maybe someone can point you to the appropriate section of the brake controller's "how to" manual.

[raineman]

Originally Posted by rubberduckie

Just purchased a 2018 F-150. Not sure how to set it up for towing. When we purchased our camper in 2013 the technician set our 2013 F-150 up as no active trailer, he said it would tow better that way. Should I set the 2018 F-150 the same way?

Thanks

So you towed a trailer for 5 years with no brakes? What technician told you this? Trailer dealer or Ford dealer?

Respectfully, you cant just go by what people tell you to do regarding your setup. There is a lot of bad info out there and many willing to share horrible info. You have to research the information yourself to be sure all is a good as can be. You should enjoy towing more with brakes on the trailer.

[Cumminsfan]

Are you talking about the built in trailer sway? Yes some do deactivate it.

[rubberduckie]

Thanks so yes it was the RV dealer technician that told me that he set it up that way. I figured he knew what he was talking about. He said that it towed better by selecting the no active trailer mode. He did set the gain control on the factory installed trailer brake that comes with Fords towing package. So the new truck. 2018, I went thru the process of setting up the vehicle for towing the Rockwood camper, so when I hook the camper up I click on Rockwood camper and it recognizes the preprogramed set up. Towed it through the mountains in the Virginias. It towed well. I set the gain at 6 and it seemed to be too much. On return trip I set it for 4.5 it seemed better. Is that about right for a trailer that weighs 4500 lbs.?

[tuffr2]

The amount of 'gain' really depends on each trailer and how the brakes feel. The brakes should feel about equal or maybe.a bit more than the truck.

[dayle1]

Originally Posted by tuffr2

The amount of 'gain' really depends on each trailer and how the brakes feel. The brakes should feel about equal or maybe.a bit more than the truck.

This is correct, you want the trailer brakes to be slightly more aggressive than the truck brakes. Otherwise the trailer is pushing the truck during a stop and hurting driver control.

The ideal way to stop unexpected trailer sway is to manually operate the trailer brakes while accelerating the truck. The opposing forces stop the swaying. In the real world, most drivers will panic and slam on the brake pedal. If the trailer brakes are weak and it pushes the truck, that will make the swaying worse. So the wrong setup with normal driver reaction could be a disaster.

I wear out my trailer brakes much faster than the tow vehicle brakes. Tires also.

Finally, as the trailer brakes wear, you will need to increase "gain" to compensate. So your gain setting is based on feel, not a specific number based on a specific trailer weight that someone else uses.

[archer75]

Originally Posted by rubberduckie

Thanks so yes it was the RV dealer technician that told me that he set it up that way. I figured he knew what he was talking about. He said that it towed better by selecting the no active trailer mode. He did set the gain control on the factory installed trailer brake that comes with Fords towing package. So the new truck. 2018, I went thru the process of setting up the vehicle for towing the Rockwood camper, so when I hook the camper up I click on Rockwood camper and it recognizes the preprogramed set up. Towed it through the mountains in the Virginias. It towed well. I set the gain at 6 and it seemed to be too much. On return trip I set it for 4.5 it seemed better. Is that about right for a trailer that weighs 4500 lbs.?

You'll need to go through the setup process like you would for any new truck or trailer.
Hook it up. Drive at 25mph on flat roads and manually apply full trailer brake controls. Did the wheels lock up? If yes decrease the gain one setting until they don't. If not increase the gain until they do and then back off one setting.
This will get you a good base setting. Adjust as needed from there.

A number of dealers will setup your weight distribution hitch too. But I have yet to see one do it correctly. They bolt it all on and that's it. I've never seen them take measurements and adjust. Never trust them to do it right. You have to do it yourself.