How to Tow a Trailer With a Ford Freestar
The Ford Freestyle is a crossover vehicle, meaning that its design has been influenced by sport utility vehicles, wagons and minivans. Ford's combination of these widely varied styles produced a vehicle capable of transporting six to seven passengers, while still featuring plenty of cargo space and reliable handling. Factory-equipped with a 203 horsepower, V6 motor, the Ford Freestyle is rated to tow up to 2,000 pounds. Taking the proper precautions while towing with a Freestyle will ensure that the vehicle is capable of safely transporting your passengers, and trailer, to their final destination.
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Instructions
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Install a tow hitch on the Ford Freestyle if it is not already equipped with one. A Class III hitch, which is typically rated to tow up to 5,000-pounds, is the most appropriate option. Choose a hitch with a bolt-on mounting system to avoid having to seek professional assistance, like having the hitch permanently welded to the vehicle frame.
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Install a drawbar, which will hold the tow ball in place, by slipping it into the hitch receiver and securing it with a heavy-duty hitch pin. Check the size of tow ball required by the trailer that will be towed and bolt the proper size ball onto the drawbar. The most common ball size is 2-inch, although sizes ranging from 1 7/8-inches to 2 5/16-inches are also available.
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Check the gross weight of the trailer to ensure that it does not exceed the 2,000-pound tow rating of the Ford Freestyle. Hook the trailer to the Freestyle by backing the vehicle up to the tongue of the trailer. Have a partner guide you to help make sure that the hitch and trailer are properly aligned. Place the tongue of the trailer over the tow ball and secure the trailer using the hardware on the trailer. Plug the trailer lights into the vehicle's rear power outlet and test turn signals, brake lights and running lights for operation.
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Tow the trailer with the Freestyle's automatic transmission in "Drive." Modify your everyday driving style to compensate for the extra weight of the trailer behind the vehicle. Accelerate more slowly and give yourself at least double the stopping distance that you would without a trailer. Adhere to the posted speed limit for towing and any other state laws applicable to vehicles towing a trailer.
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Tips & Warnings
Towing a load over the 2,000-pound tow rating of the Ford Freestyle is unsafe. Tow ratings are assigned to vehicles in order to ensure that the vehicle is capable of safely stopping and maneuvering with a specific trailer load weight.
References
- Photo Credit camping,trailer image by Greg Pickens from Fotolia.com
