From cattle trailers and hay to campers and bass boats, a lot of southwest Missouri drivers depend on their trucks to tow. Whether you're pulling a horse trailer to a show in Carthage or a camper down to the lake, safe towing starts with the right truck and good habits. Here are towing tips from Sarcoxie Ford for Ford truck owners in Sarcoxie, Joplin, Monett and the surrounding area.
Know Your Numbers
Before you hook up, know your truck's towing capacity, payload rating and gross combined weight rating. You'll find them in your owner's manual and on the door jamb sticker. Remember that payload includes passengers, cargo in the bed and the trailer's tongue weight. Staying within these ratings protects your truck and keeps you safer on the road.
Use the Right Hitch and Set It Up Correctly
Match your hitch, ball and receiver to the weight you're towing. For heavier conventional trailers, a weight-distributing hitch can help level the truck and improve steering control. Gooseneck and fifth-wheel trailers need the correct in-bed hitch, which is common on Super Duty trucks. Always cross your safety chains and confirm that the breakaway cable is connected.
Check Trailer Brakes and Lights
Many trailers require their own brakes. Adjust the trailer brake controller gain for the load you're carrying, and test the brakes at low speed before getting on the highway. Walk around and check the running lights, brake lights and turn signals every time you hook up.
Use Your Ford's Towing Technology
Many newer Ford trucks offer available features that make towing easier, such as an integrated trailer brake controller, trailer backup assistance and camera views that help with hitching and backing. If you're not sure which features your truck has, our sales and service teams are happy to show you.
Drive for the Extra Weight
Allow more following distance, brake earlier and take curves slower than you would without a trailer. Two-lane highways around Sarcoxie, Mount Vernon and Aurora can have narrow shoulders and hills, so plan your passing carefully. On long downhill grades, use your truck's tow/haul mode to help control speed and reduce brake wear.
Keep Up With Maintenance
Towing puts extra stress on your engine, transmission, brakes and tires. Your owner's manual may call for a severe-duty maintenance schedule if you tow often. Regular oil changes, transmission service, brake inspections and tire checks help your truck keep working hard. Schedule service at Sarcoxie Ford and our technicians will look over the systems that matter most for towing.
Need a Truck That Tows More?
If your trailer has outgrown your current truck, explore our new Ford trucks, including the F-150 and Super Duty lineups, or browse our used truck inventory for a capable pickup at a great value. Our team can help you compare towing ratings and find the right fit, and our finance team can help with payments.
Call Sarcoxie Ford at 866-718-9988 or fill out a form on any vehicle page. Visit us at 1517 High Street in Sarcoxie, MO, near Joplin, Carthage, Monett and Aurora.
