Essential towing checks, Towing – FORD 2015 Transit Connect User Manual

Page 158

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ESSENTIAL TOWING CHECKS

Follow these guidelines for safe towing:

Do not tow a trailer until you drive your
vehicle at least 1000 miles (1600
kilometers).

Consult your local motor vehicle laws
for towing a trailer.

See the instructions included with
towing accessories for the correct
installation and adjustment
specifications.

Service your vehicle more frequently if
you tow a trailer. See Scheduled
Maintenance (page 399).

If you use a rental trailer, follow the
rental agency's instructions.

Another chapter of this manual contains
load specification terms found on the tire
label and Safety Compliance label and
instructions on calculating your vehicle's
load. See Load Limit (page 144).

Remember to account for the trailer
tongue weight as part of your vehicle load
when calculating the total vehicle weight.

Trailer Towing Connector

E168683

When attaching the trailer wiring connector
to your vehicle, only use a proper fitting
connector that works with the vehicle and
trailer functions.

Note: You cannot use a seven-pin trailer
wiring connector for your vehicle and the
trailer lighting equipment.

Function

Color

Left turn signal and stop lamp

Yellow

Ground (-)

White

Right turn signal and stop
lamp

Green

Running lights

Brown

Hitches

WARNING

Do not tow a trailer that exceeds the
maximum limit of the towing
equipment. This could result in

vehicle structural damage, loss of vehicle
control and personal injury.

Do not use a hitch that either clamps onto
the bumper or attaches to the axle.

Distribute the trailer load so that between
10% and 15% of the total trailer weight is
on the tongue.

The hitch rating on the trailer hitch label is
the maximum possible trailer rating. To
find the maximum trailer weight allowed
for your vehicle See Recommended
Towing Weights (page 153).
Further
information is available in the RV and
Trailer Towing Guide. See an authorized
dealer.

Safety Chains

Always connect the safety chains to the
hook retainers of your vehicle hitch.

To connect the 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.

155

Transit Connect (CHC) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, First Printing

Towing

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