F150 not legal to tow except 1 state
12-06-2016, 04:43 PM
#1
F150 not legal to tow except 1 state
Readthis and weep if you bought a F150 to tow with... I just bought a F150Lariat loaded list was 63K. With no trailer brake, but a tow package!!! Ofcourse I found that out two days later.
Isold my Escalade and purchased the F150 so I could tow a RV. The way Ford set upthat truck mine is rated at 8500 lbs. Well that may be correct but it’s notLEGAL to tow in any state except Massachusetts (MA). Most of the states thetrailer brake requirement is 3000 lbs. NY is only 1000 lbs., Mass is 12000lbs. So Mass. Is the only state my truck can tow and not get ticketed. Mytow package did not include the trailer brake mounted in the dash. Hard tobelieve (for what it cost) so what good is a trailer package rated for 8500when legally you can’t use it? So Ford is setting themselves and its owners upfor a major lawsuit. I can see this: Mr. & Mrs. Jones buy a pop up thatweighs 3100 lbs. & no one brings it to their attention regarding a trailerbrake. They drive down the road get into an accident that involves a death.Only to find out they should have had a trailer brake! They are thinking well Ibought a trailer package??? Yes they did and the truck can tow 8500 lbs. butnot legally! I think it is a disgracethat Ford would let its customers assume the truck can pull 8500 lbs. the wayit was sold. I was smart enough to recognize the issue but I would bet themajority of the people wouldn’t even think about it. Haven’t owned a Ford in 25years this Lariat is absolutely beautiful BUT I will never buy another one justfor this reason.>>> Just my two cents
12-06-2016, 04:49 PM
#2
Senior Member
Your understanding is missing some key points.
The trailer brake is on the trailer, NOT on the truck.
The truck has a brake CONTROLLER, which connects to the trailer and activates the brakes on the trailer.
Some trailers have surge brakes, like a U-Haul. You brake the truck, the shock pushes on the trailer and brakes the trailer.
You can easily add a trailer brake controller, from Ford, or from a third party, to your truck.
The trailer brake is on the trailer, NOT on the truck.
The truck has a brake CONTROLLER, which connects to the trailer and activates the brakes on the trailer.
Some trailers have surge brakes, like a U-Haul. You brake the truck, the shock pushes on the trailer and brakes the trailer.
You can easily add a trailer brake controller, from Ford, or from a third party, to your truck.
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12-06-2016, 04:52 PM
#4
Official HTT Greeter
sounds like you're blaming FMC for your negligence. If you bought your truck expecting to tow, then you should have fully researched the capacities and equipment of the truck BEFORE buying it. Therefore you would have known that it didn't have a TBC and you could have specified it to the dealer to add one. It is an OEM option that you didn't choose.
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12-06-2016, 04:57 PM
#5
First of all, your title is misleading. Not all trailers require brakes, and your title seem to indicate that the F-150 is not legal to tow anything. You could do a much better job stating your case there.
Secondly, it's on you to make sure your truck is capable for the job you are buying it for. Not everyone needs a trailer brake controller, but some people need a towing package. Again, the fact it has no brake controller is on you, and the fact you should have done your research first.
Third, you mentioned that you were smart enough to recognize the shortcoming, but if that were truly the case wouldn't you have bought a truck with one, or had one installed? If you truly had picked up on this at the purchasing stage, you would have registered here just to make this post.
Secondly, it's on you to make sure your truck is capable for the job you are buying it for. Not everyone needs a trailer brake controller, but some people need a towing package. Again, the fact it has no brake controller is on you, and the fact you should have done your research first.
Third, you mentioned that you were smart enough to recognize the shortcoming, but if that were truly the case wouldn't you have bought a truck with one, or had one installed? If you truly had picked up on this at the purchasing stage, you would have registered here just to make this post.
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12-06-2016, 06:34 PM
#7
Senior Member
I've towed enough trailers to know if I need electric brakes. I have a brain. I don't need the government telling me. And even with a smaller trailer towing two atv's or one Polaris Ranger. I like electric brakes. And if you to tow 11,999 lbs with out electric brakes and endanger everyone on the road...
Last edited by Mod (Ret.); 12-07-2016 at 08:17 AM. Reason: spelling correction
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12-06-2016, 07:49 PM
#9
Thought this would have been fun
Wellthank you all for such a nice welcoming. I had a feeling all the vultures wouldjump all over me saying "it’s your fault" . The point was this; whenyou buy a tow package for a vehicle rated to tow 8500 lbs. You would think itwould be complete right or wrong? I didn't order it from scratch for those ofyou that think I did (and I never said that). The facts are if you get a F150rated to tow 8500 doesn't mean it’s legal to tow up to that value as it stands.The tow package is not complete period. Nothing to argue about. It’s comparableto having a 1/2 ton pickup but the manufacturer doesn't put tires that canhandle the weight or does that not make sense?
RickTwuhk...thankyou but I see you knew what I meant anyway. Yes I should have written brakecontroller.
MudderFudder ...just a plain thank you. Wasn't expecting such a warm welcoming fromthe balance of these people
SixShooter14... Obviously I had the dealer put one in. I didn't build the truckfrom scratch.
Stainlessman...Thankyou also for your welcoming you are too nice. No not a Mass hole. Sorryto disappoint you. But what’s with your statement: The government? Wtf? Really? The government? We are talking abouttow packages. Do you walk to work or take your lunch?
Adrenlin...nicetry I didn't register here just for that. I never said all trailer requirebrakes, go back and read it again. This was something I stumbled on and thrumaking a phone call FMC now has recognized the item in question. Theyactually called me back to make sure they understood the issue. They neverlooked at it from a legal stand point and what different states require, andthat the “window for a possible issue existed”, adding the controller to thetow package made sense to them. They will look into adding it into the towpackage. Just to put your mind at ease I had the dealer install it when Irealized it did not come with it…. That all happened 2 days later when I finallypulled the truck out of the garage and started to go through all the gadgetsbecause I bought the truck in the pouring rain and never really spent time “goingthru” every little item. It’s not my primary vehicle and that’s what happens
So not to disappoint everyone I’ll removemyself from this forum. I don’t care to be involved with the eagerness to chew someone’shead off. I thought I was bringing an important issue to light but I guess Iwas wrong. You can tear each other’s head off but be careful of “stainlessman” he thinks thegovernment is watching his every move!
RickTwuhk...thankyou but I see you knew what I meant anyway. Yes I should have written brakecontroller.
MudderFudder ...just a plain thank you. Wasn't expecting such a warm welcoming fromthe balance of these people
SixShooter14... Obviously I had the dealer put one in. I didn't build the truckfrom scratch.
Stainlessman...Thankyou also for your welcoming you are too nice. No not a Mass hole. Sorryto disappoint you. But what’s with your statement: The government? Wtf? Really? The government? We are talking abouttow packages. Do you walk to work or take your lunch?
Adrenlin...nicetry I didn't register here just for that. I never said all trailer requirebrakes, go back and read it again. This was something I stumbled on and thrumaking a phone call FMC now has recognized the item in question. Theyactually called me back to make sure they understood the issue. They neverlooked at it from a legal stand point and what different states require, andthat the “window for a possible issue existed”, adding the controller to thetow package made sense to them. They will look into adding it into the towpackage. Just to put your mind at ease I had the dealer install it when Irealized it did not come with it…. That all happened 2 days later when I finallypulled the truck out of the garage and started to go through all the gadgetsbecause I bought the truck in the pouring rain and never really spent time “goingthru” every little item. It’s not my primary vehicle and that’s what happens
So not to disappoint everyone I’ll removemyself from this forum. I don’t care to be involved with the eagerness to chew someone’shead off. I thought I was bringing an important issue to light but I guess Iwas wrong. You can tear each other’s head off but be careful of “stainlessman” he thinks thegovernment is watching his every move!
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