2023 Ford E-350 Towing a Trailer
TOWING A TRAILER
WARNING: Do not exceed the GVWR or the GAWR specified on the certification label.
WARNING: Towing trailers beyond the maximum recommended gross trailer weight exceeds the limit of your vehicle and could result in engine damage, transmission damage, structural damage, loss of vehicle control, vehicle rollover and personal injury.
- Your vehicle may have electrical items, for example, fuses or relays, related to towing. See Fuses (page 152).
- Your vehicle’s load capacity designation is by weight, not by volume, so you cannot necessarily use all available space when loading your vehicle.
- Towing a trailer places an extra load on your vehicle’s engine, transmission, axle, brakes, tires, and suspension. Inspect these components periodically during, and after, any towing operation.
Load Placement
To help minimize how trailer movement affects your vehicle when driving:
- Load the heaviest items closest to the trailer floor.
- Load the heaviest items centered between the left and right side trailer tires.
- Load the heaviest items above the trailer axles or just slightly forward toward the trailer tongue. Do not allow the final trailer tongue weight to go above or below 10-15% of the loaded trailer weight.
- Select a drawbar with the correct rise or drop. When both the loaded vehicle and trailer are connected, the trailer frame should be level, or slightly angled down toward your vehicle, when viewed from the side.
When driving with a trailer or payload, a slight takeoff vibration or shudder may be present due to the increased payload weight. Additional information regarding correct trailer loading and setting your vehicle up for towing is located in another chapter of this Owner’s Manual. See Load Limit (page 124). You can also find the information in the RV & Trailer Towing Guide. See an authorized dealer.