FORD 2010 Expedition v.2 - Manual (Page 282)

Hitches
Do not use hitches that clamp onto the vehicle bumper; use a
load-carrying hitch. You must distribute the load in your trailer so that
10–15% of the total weight of the trailer is on the tongue.
WARNING: The trailer hitch on this vehicle is part of the
vehicle rear crash safety structure. Do not remove the trailer
hitch. Failure to follow this warning could compromise vehicle crash
structure and increase the risk of injury in a rear end collision.
Weight-distributing hitch
When hooking-up a trailer using a load-equalizing hitch, always use the
following procedure:
1. Park the unloaded vehicle on a level surface. With the ignition in the
on position and all doors closed, allow the vehicle to stand (without
passengers) for several minutes so that it can level.
2. Turn the air suspension (if equipped) control to off.
3. Measure the height of a reference point on the front and rear bumpers
at the center of the vehicle.
4. Attach the trailer to the vehicle and adjust the hitch equalizers so that
the front bumper height is within a
1 ⁄
2
in. (13 mm) of the reference
point. After proper adjustment, the rear bumper should be no higher
than in Step 3.
5. Turn the air suspension (if equipped) control to on.
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.
Safety chains
Always connect the trailer’s safety chains to the frame or hook retainers
of the vehicle hitch. To connect the trailer’s safety chains, cross the
chains under the trailer tongue and allow slack for turning corners.
If you use a rental trailer, follow the instructions that the rental agency
gives to you.
Do not attach safety chains to the bumper.
Tires, Wheels and Loading
282
2010 Expedition (exd)
Owners Guide, 2nd Printing
USA (fus)