2008 Ford Super Duty Offers Sure Footed Towing

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Ford Motor Company Press Release

HEADLINE: SUPER DUTY OFFERS SURE FOOTED TOWING

When Kelly Foss towed a U-Haul trailer with an F-250 on a 3,239-mile roundtrip from Houston to Detroit and back, he learned first-hand why Ford's F-Series has become the pickup of choice for hard work.

"I've had several towing experiences over the years, and I now understand why the Super Duty is the tow vehicle of choice by the trailering crowd," Foss said.

Actually, Foss undertook the trip as an experiment for the auto Web site car-data.com for a review of the Super Duty's performance.

For the first leg of the journey from Houston to Detroit, the F-250 towed an empty trailer while the return trip had the trailer loaded down with approximately 5,000 pounds.

"This is great technology," Foss said, referring to the Super Duty's optional TowCommand package.

Introduced in the 2005 model year, TowCommandTM is a combination of standard and optional features, now refined for the 2008 Super Duty with improved control layout, power folding and telescoping mirrors and better integration of anti-lock braking system with trailers.

A stand out in the TowCommand suite is the industry-first electronic trailer brake controller. The automotive aftermarket is loaded with brake controllers for trucks. Ford's electronic brake controller is the first to be factory-installed and integrated into the truck's brake system.

"Our goal was to enable the truck to proportionally brake in tune with the trailer," said Harry Rawlins, Super Duty vehicle engineer. "That is the truck and the trailer brake at the same time with the same force."

In conventional brake controllers, the controller cannot detect the driver's braking force, thus it tries to interpolate the braking. The result is the "lurching" familiar to anyone who has towed large loads. Various compromises have been developed, but they remain just that -- compromises.

In Ford's system, integration into the truck's braking system means the controller uses actual braking pressure, measured inside the vehicle’s master cylinder, to know how much braking force the driver means to apply. It can modulate the trailer brakes in real time.

"Braking the Super Duty with a trailer in tow is like braking without the trailer – it becomes seamless" Rawlins said. "The controller eliminates the typical jolting feel that occurs when the truck and the trailer are not in sync."

In addition, integration into the Super Duty's antilock brake system (ABS) means the controller can optimize the trailer's braking during ABS stops for better control.

The result is trailer towing that Ford hopes is transparent to the driver.

"Though you were aware that a trailer was back there, the reassuring drone of the truck reassured you that it had things under control…and it did," Foss said of his experience towing a loaded U-Haul.

"For 2008 we changed the layout of the controls on the dashboard that makes it easier for the driver to see," Rawlins said. "We've also made adjustments to the ABS to fine tune the system."

Ford's TowCommand System also includes TorqShift® transmission with tow-haul mode. The five-speed automatic transmission adjusts to reduce unnecessary shifts when towing.

Larger wheel sizes on F-250s and F-350s allow for larger brake rotors and calipers. The larger brakes provide greater braking surface and helps to dissipate heat, especially on long downhill roads.

Telescoping trailer tow mirrors round out the TowCommand package. The telescoping trailer tow mirrors expand the driver's field of vision around the trailer. New for 2008, the mirrors are now power fold and power telescoping. They feature power-heated glass and integrated clearance lights and turn signals. A receiver hitch is now standard for the 2008 model year.

Does all this make a difference on the road? According to Foss, the answer is a definite yes for his test F-250.

"It’s large and capable, tough and comfortable, and it’s easy to handle," Foss said. "It’s designed for a particular purpose and succeeds at it beautifully."