Ford Towing Guide
So, you’ve got a massive SUV, or a formidable Ford Truck, and now you need to hitch up a trailer and take it to the lake. However, you’ve never done this before, and you’re a little intimidated on what goes where, and how to get everything hooked up safely. Don’t sweat it, we’ve got you covered! Read on with the expert team here at Mainland Ford as we get you up to speed on exactly what you need to know to get hitched up and ready to go.
You may also be curious to learn more about the Ford F-150’s towing features, or the 2025 Ford Expedition’s capabilities.
Know Your Towing Limit
The first thing to know is the towing capacity of your vehicle, and how heavy the trailer or camper you’re looking to tow is. You shouldn’t overburden your vehicle by forcing it to tow above its weight limit, as that can cause damage to either the vehicle or the trailer. Stay within your limit, and you should have no issues! Also, make sure your Ford truck or SUV is properly equipped to tow, with a proper hitch for the kind of trailer you’re towing.
Hitch It Up
To get your trailer hooked up, you want to line up your vehicle with your trailer, and slowly back up toward the coupler. Many modern vehicles have rearview cameras and trailer hitch lineup assistance to make this easy, but you may also ask a friend or family member to help you back up. Once you’re about a foot away, stop and raise or lower the coupler so it has a few inches of clearance over the hitch, then slowly back up the rest of the way so the coupler and hitch are perfectly lined up. Then, lower the coupler onto the ball of your hitch, latch and secure the coupler, and attach the safety chains in a criss-cross pattern below the coupler. You can fully retract the trailer jack, and plug in the trailer wiring. Once you’ve checked the lights are working correctly, you’re all set to tow!
Drive Safe
Once you set out with your trailer, you’ll want to be a little more mindful of your driving. Give yourself additional stopping distance, as the added weight of the trailer will cause you to stop slower. You should also avoid sudden acceleration or braking if at all possible, as these can cause additional stress on your vehicle or trailer. Your brakes will also thank you if you go easy on them and start braking earlier while you’re hauling. You should also keep in mind your blind spot is much longer with a trailer, so you need to be extra mindful when changing lanes or passing other vehicles.
Fords for Towing
It doesn’t get better than Ford when it comes to formidable towing machines. If you need a vehicle to haul for either work or pleasure in the near future, there are a number of Ford vehicles which can get it done for you.
Ford Trucks
When it comes to solid workhorses, it doesn’t get much better than the Ford F-Series of trucks. This includes the iconic F-150, and its EV cousin, the F-150 Lightning, but the SuperDuty is the absolute kind of towing. The Ford F-250 and F-350 are incredibly powerful trucks able to move huge capacities with ease. If you intend to do some serious towing, whether for work or for play, you probably want a SuperDuty. If you’re looking to do some lighter towing, don’t sell the Ford Maverick and Ranger short either, they both have some solid capabilities, and may be able to get the job done for you.
Ford SUVs
While not quite as powerful as their truck siblings, Ford SUVs are still capable and solid, offering reliable towing capability, especially for your recreational needs. The Ford Expedition and Explorer offer more potency than the smaller SUV models, but the Bronco and Bronco Sport both have off-roading grit that can be turned toward some impressive mid-range towing. The Ford Escape won’t let you take along a massive trailer, but can easily let you bring a smaller camper trailer, boat, or some off-road toys on your next family adventure.
Ford… Mustang?
The muscle car’s got muscles! The Ford Mustang doesn’t come standard with a hitch, and the frame wasn’t really designed with towing in mind, but it can be configured to take along some extra with you! A typical Ford Mustang can safely tow around 1,000 lbs. Maybe not enough to take along anything major, but more than enough for some off-road adventure toys, a small boat, or even a little camper.
Get Ready to Tow in Surrey, BC
If you need to get your vehicle ready to tow, our parts department would be happy to help you get the accessories you need to do it safely. When the time comes for your next Ford, be sure to visit the team at Mainland Ford in BC!