First time towing with my new 2024.

[{tpc}]

Just thought I'd roll out a thread with my impressions of this truck compared to my 2022 I had previously. The 2022 with max tow actually performed great, I had no issues with it whatsoever.

Anyway, this truck does it just well. Some takeaways.

Pro Trailer Backup -- I have not used this yet, I never really used it in the other truck either though, but I may try it.

Pro Trailer Assist -- Awesome. Love it. I did what it said, and it backed the truck up right to the ball, and I dropped the hitch right on it. It wasn't perfectly aligned probably because of some ground unevenness, but it still dropped right on. Highly impressed.

Turn signals turning on the side cameras -- Love it. Very helpful, even if not changing lanes but you want to see down the side. The only issues are that it removes the navigation from the screen, so if your trying to see the map, or you have a couple quick turns in succession, you have to wait for it to time out. Ok still love it. The only other issue is it can be distracting...if your turning left and looking at the camera...you know what your not doing? Looking at the right side, so you could be swinging out too wide.

Information on the display -- Awesome. I love how it has everything neatly layed out in tow haul mode, including pitch. Miles to empty was a nice touch that it switches it to your mpg while towing automatically and then back when your done.

Bluecruise or lane keeping -- I didn't play with this, but apparently in tow haul mode, it doesn't function. Kinda disappointed. I know I could switch back out, but I didn't this time.

Transmission/engine -- smooth smooth smooth....with one exception. While towing, if I get into the throttle too quick, there was a clunk when taking off. I have heard its from the driveshaft not being properly lubricated and it moves under load and "sticks" a little until it settles into place. Have to ask the dealer about this.

Temps -- Never concerned but obviously while towing temps increase on both the engine and the trans. Engine seems to be pretty normal regardless, but the trans seemed to get a little higher than I expected, especially in stop and go. I don't know if they changed how the trans cooler worked or this is just normal operation, as I couldn't see the temps on my last truck. But I am not going to worry about it unless a problem occurs down the road. I think I got up to 210 for a short period of time. I also noticed than letting it idle did not cool the trans off better than just shutting it down completely. I would have expected it to circulate and cool off from just sitting there, but that actually took longer.

Thats about all I can remember. Oh, different leaf springs on the fx4 vs previous max tow. There is a spot in michigan on 96 near or around the lansing area that I can not stand to tow on. Every vehicle I have has done the same thing, bouncing the trailer up and down due to the road being rutted weird from buckling pavement and the big trucks. Maybe they fixed the road or maybe not, but I experienced much less of this action this time around. I know part of it wasn't open and being worked on so I think that is why, but I felt this one actually bounced less, because I didn't have to change and ride in the left lane due to that issue. (yes I am that guy pulling a trailer at 68 mph in the fast lane--at least when the road is doing that. sorry, not sorry. lol)

Overall, I feel they made some great improvements in technology on this one.

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[exploringcarolina]

Temps -- Never concerned but obviously while towing temps increase on both the engine and the trans. Engine seems to be pretty normal regardless, but the trans seemed to get a little higher than I expected, especially in stop and go. I don't know if they changed how the trans cooler worked or this is just normal operation, as I couldn't see the temps on my last truck. But I am not going to worry about it unless a problem occurs down the road. I think I got up to 210 for a short period of time. I also noticed than letting it idle did not cool the trans off better than just shutting it down completely. I would have expected it to circulate and cool off from just sitting there, but that actually took longer.


Overall, I feel they made some great improvements in technology on this one.

Agree, we like towing a 5,000 pound travel trailer with our 2024 F-150. Like how the tow/haul mode works, too.

On the temps when towing, noticed higher temps, engine coolant, engine oil, and transmission with AC turned off. When I turned AC on with outside temps 60/70F similar terrain in NC & VA, noticed around 10F drop in engine coolant, engine oil and transmission temps. Tow around 60MPH.

We travel to Lancing area couple time a year to visit family, agree, lots of road repairs needed.

 

[Stormpeakco]

The set up of the Pro Trailer Back Up Assist was a little challenging when the first few attempts at calibration (after installing the checker board sticker) on residential paved roads seemed inadequate but found a three acre, empty-abandoned parking lot and performed the requisite, series of maneuvers on cue and at a crawl pace that successfully calibrated the system with the first attempt. (In retrospect, there is no way to calibrate adequately w/o a nice, big and empty parking lot).

Still need to find the correct menu for the Reverse Guidance option during back up but so far so very good. The F-150 tow package, activation of the tow haul mode and disabling the Ford sway control (as the Equalizer WDH anti-sway w/ the Ford anti-sway activation seems to provide some extra, VERY UNDESIRABLE and intermittent wiggle on highway corners at 50mph). It integrated fantastically with the O.E.M. Furrion side view trailer cameras when activating the truck turn signal. We opted to use our old trusty 'EEZ RV' TPMS for the trailer tires rather than integrating the Ford option add-on.

 

[{tpc}]

The set up of the Pro Trailer Back Up Assist was a little challenging when the first few attempts at calibration (after installing the checker board sticker) on residential paved roads seemed inadequate but found a three acre, empty-abandoned parking lot and performed the requisite, series of maneuvers on cue and at a crawl pace that successfully calibrated the system with the first attempt. (In retrospect, there is no way to calibrate adequately w/o a nice, big and empty parking lot).

Still need to find the correct menu for the Reverse Guidance option during back up but so far so very good. The F-150 tow package, activation of the tow haul mode and disabling the Ford sway control (as the Equalizer WDH anti-sway w/ the Ford anti-sway activation seems to provide some extra, VERY UNDESIRABLE and intermittent wiggle on highway corners at 50mph). It integrated fantastically with the O.E.M. Furrion side view trailer cameras when activating the truck turn signal. We opted to use our old trusty 'EEZ RV' TPMS for the trailer tires rather than integrating the Ford option add-on.

If I remember right, you start your backup to the trailer, and with your truck in reverse and foot on the brake you hold down the button for pro trailer backup. It then goes into that procedure and tells you what to do from there. I use the yaw sensor myself instead of the stickers, as I don't really have room for the proper placement of those.

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