FORD 2015 F-550 v.1 - Manual (Page 199)

Do not use a hitch that either
clamps onto the bumper or
attaches to the axle. You must
distribute the load in your trailer
so that 10-15% for conventional
towing or 15-25% for fifth wheel
towing of the total weight of the
trailer is on the tongue.
Weight-distributing Hitches
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.
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
halfway between H1 and H2.
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.
Once 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
required by law or the trailer
manufacturer.
Fifth-wheel Trailer Hitch (If
Equipped)
WARNINGS
The mounting pads in the bed
are specifically designed for
certain fifth-wheel trailer hitches
and gooseneck ball hitches. Do
not use these mounting pads for
other purposes. Doing so could
result in vehicle structural
196
Super Duty (), enUSA
Towing