2009 F150 MaxTrailer Tow Package

[fordmantpw]

Originally Posted by the4by4freek

quote removed for content:

Excuse me, but I do tow...a 6000 lb travel trailer. I have a WD hitch plus a friction sway control. I know about sway, but don't have a lot of issues with it as I have things set up properly. Doesn't mean it still can't happen though. Ever been passed by an 18 wheeler on the highway at a 15-20 mile differential in speed? That can cause sway if you aren't ready for it. One of the best ways to fix sway is to apply trailer brakes. This is I'm sure what Ford will do with the sway control when it senses the truck being tossed back and forth with sway. Ford will do this automatically so the driver doesn't have to worry about it...why is that a bad thing?

Also, shorter wheelbase vehicles are more susceptable to sway than longer wheelbase. That's one reason my '05 SuperCrew has much less sway than my '99 regular cab short bed towing the same travel trailer. Another factor is weight.

And to your comment on having < 100 (that's less than 100 in case you are mathematically challenged the4by4freek), you don't have to have a lot of posts to know what you are talking about. And, just because you have a lot of posts doesn't make you an expert. Hmmm, how many posts do you have again? You seem to be the only one not wanting to accept the fact that Ford engineers know a bit more about trailer towing than you do.

[X_Hemi_Guy]

Originally Posted by fordmantpw

You seem to be the only one not wanting to accept the fact that Ford engineers know a bit more about trailer towing than you do.

I'm not gonna get into the middle of all of this...

I left the part of your quote fordman that I'm not convinced of.

Ford has done an EXCEPTIONAL job of the tow command on the SD's...my bud has one and he boasts about his 9000# travel trailer being ONE with the F350 SRW.

The part I'm not totatlly convinced that Ford engineers know all about trailer braking...in PARTICULAR...I tow with a Hensley Arrow hitch.

It is a high end hitch that very effectively reduces sway. My 9000# 35' hitch to bumper TT tows like...well...an arrow. I can have a semi trailer BLOW by me and sure I get SHOVED to the side but NO out of sync truck/trailer oscillations ensue. The WHOLE unit gets shoved by the BOW-WAVE but that's all.

Now why am I responding to this somewhat 'heated' thread. Well I'm NOT convinced the Ford Engineers know MY needs as a Hensley Arrow owner.

Here's why. While the Hensly Arrow (HA) is a very effective sway control and WD hitch (1400# WD bars)...there IS a condition where the HA can get the driver into trouble...and I'm going to describe that.

If my TT EVER gets to moving FASTER then my TV...the TT will SLAM or BANG into the REAR END of my TV. The HA literature from the mfg SPECIFICALLY instructs that you set up your brake controller to LEAD your TT braking.

What scares me is that with this new algorithm Ford has developed...in the unlikely event you are going into a downhill curve in wet conditions and get BLASTED by a semi or stiff cross wind as you pass a wiind break...the trucks electronics my determine that the TRUCK ONLY needs braking to stabilize...this could be catastrophic for me the HA owner/tower. As what could happen when ONLY the truck brakes are applied in this case the TT could continue to roll as it really isn't rigidly tied as a ball mounted interface is...in this specific scenario...I could lose rear axle traction and jacknife due to the actions taken by some Ford engineer that has no idea of the HA conditions.

Perhaps though the fancy roll stability control (RSC) would then save my bacon that IT got me into...that would be fitting I guess! ...but I would have to certainly change my shorts...

Now the scenario I just described IS REMOTE...but it is REAL for my towing setup. There is another manufacturer out there called ProPride that manufacturers a similar pivot point projection (3P) hitch with floating linkages that is susceptible to this phenom as well...does Ford know about these hitches and these restrictions?

I've very carefully tweaked my Prodigy brake controller to ALWAYS provide TT LEAD BRAKING because I UNDERSTAND my hitch...I'm not totally convinced Ford Engineers are because I go into RV dealerships and THEY have no CLUE about the HA or ProPride...so why would I expect Ford to?...the RV dealerships DEAL with RV's on a daily basis....and they are clueless...

So while this new Tow Command which ties into ABS with roll stability may for 95% of the towing public equate to a better mouse trap...for my HA and my trailer...I'd be afraid as I know what 'could' happen to my TT if I do NOT lead the TT braking under ALL conditions...

Perhaps Ford Engineers fully have taken this into account...and that would be great...I'm doubtfull.

Now that all said...it does sound like Ford is trying to certainly come out with a better mousetrap. Having heard my bud RAVE about the Tow Command on his SD...I KNOW he is sold...I wish more vehicles were offered with integrated brake controllers that actually sensed hydraulic pressure for braking vs accelerometer based aftermarket controllers that are prone to bumps in the road that are then sensed as a decelerating TV...which equates to jerky stops...so Ford should be applauded...I just fear their marketing folks are writing ads to compete with the TOY manufacturers...ahh...marketing.

Hope this helps clarify MY position on this...not looking to get into arguments...I'm just pointing out that the HA and ProPride hitches persent a UNIQUE towing situation with a brake controller.

If anyone is really interested...go over to RV.Net and type in Hensley BUMP into the search engine...it is a LIVELY topic...just don't start a thread about it unless you are really mean and want to drive the Mod's nuts!...KIDDING!!!tt...if you do venture over there...my screen name is crappie_fisherman and one of my 'bump' threads is one of the most recent that got LOCKED DOWN...but the data is contained inside the thread for your reading pleasure...

Thanks for listening.

joe.

[Powerdude]

The 8200 lbs GWVR package on the F150 payload package is essentiall the F250 light duty package.

Back in 98, the F250 light duty got converted to the F150 7700 GVWR heavy duty package.

F250 LD and F150 8200 GVWR are the same thing. Its just semantics.

[fordmantpw]

I fully understand your concerns X_Hemi_Guy, and at least you stated them in a much calmer, less "I know everything about towing" manner than some others.

I am not an expert at all on the Ford sway control, just making some assumptions on how it would work with my towing experience. To stop trailer sway, I'm nearly positive it would apply trailer brakes first to have the trailer brakes lead the tow vehicle's brakes. This is in combination with the roll stability control though as well to keep the truck pointed straight.

Have they taken the HA into account? I'm sure they have as Ford puts their trucks through some extremely rigorous testing in all types of conditions.

Also, from my understanding, Ford's brake control is built with Tekonsha and the Prodigy, even though it is completely integrated with the TV's brake system.

I am convinced that this will be a better mouse trap and nearly all who tow with the F150 will welcome it, even if they never realize how well it works (or it saves their backside and they don't even notice it).

PS. I'm glad to get this back to a discussion instead of a heated argument.

[fonefiddy]

AFAIK, the Heavy Payload Package is only available with the 10.5 rear(F250) and Steel wheels.

So it'd prolly address both of Jasons current problems.

Personally, I'd never buy another Proportional, or Time Delayed type brake controller.

If you've ever used a Jordan, or better yet, Brake Rite( speeendy). You'll never go back to those other chinsy setups.


Jordan Brake Controller

Brake Rite

[Ryan50hrl]

Looks like someone found some humble pie and decided to ask around....
http://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/69...y-control.html

[X_Hemi_Guy]

Originally Posted by Ryan50hrl

Looks like someone found some humble pie and decided to ask around....

Mod,

Did you really need to stir this pot?

Things were nicely back on topic...

joe.

[bluedevil3758]

i still dont see how you crack a rim, i had a guy hit my ranger in the rear tire with his van, bent my axleshaft, spun me 180 and the whole front end of his van was on the ground, wheel was fine, now its only the 7.5" axle but still those shafts were still pretty heavy

[LxMan1]

Well the first thing to do when a trailer starts swaying it to apply the trailer brakes to add drag to the trailer and this will usually stabilize things. This is what the integrated brake controller does. It is not a fix for a badly built trailer that won't track smooth and straight. It is for rare occasions when a gust of wind knocks things out of balance on a usually balanced situation. If you have a trailer that tows bad, that should be addressed before towing with it. The truck is not designed to constantly keep a swaying trailer in check.
Does this clear things up for you?