How does Fords Pro Trailer Backup Assist Work?

The second part of our tow-tally awesome summer blog series is all about Ford’s exclusive Pro Trailer Back-up Assist; a special feature offered in a number of our ford vehicles with towing capabilities. Pro Trailer Back-up Assist makes backing up your trailer into a campsite or Jobsite easy as ever, and can also be used for launching your boat down a tricky dock with ease. Our back-up assist can increase efficiency and ease stress for those who are new at parking their towable accessories and/or only tow occasionally.

Fords Pro Trailer Back up Assist is offered on two of our vehicles, the Ford F150s and the Ford Expeditions from 2015 onwards. This exclusive feature is offered at an economical cost, making it an accessible option for anyone considering buying a new or used Ford.

Setting up your trailer or boat is about as easy as it gets, or at least as easy as it has been in a long time. To set up your trailer or accessory, all you have to do is measure the dimensions of the accessories; the distance from the license plate to the ball hitch, the distance from the tailgate to axle etc. and enter them into your vehicle’s computer. After the computer calibrates to your trailer, you’re good to go. Additionally, if you have more than one trailer or boat you are towing, do not fret, our vehicles can store the dimensions of up to 10 accessories. When using your trailer back-up assist, all you have to do is turn the knob in the direction you would like to travel. The back-up assist will do the rest of the work for you, taking over the steering.

To use the back-up, assist program press the center button on the pro-trailer back-up assist knob and select the accessory you are towing, the back-up assist will locate and calibrate to this accessory once it is paired. Once the rear-view camera is activated, the vehicle will then indicate you to shift you into reverse to begin. From this point, the information screen will offer you a series of prompts allowing you to steer the direction of your trailer smoothly.

Here’s the cool part! Your ford trailer Pro Back-up Assist will do all of the work for you from there. Simply turn the direction knob in the direction you would like the tail of the trailer to travel, take your hands off the steering wheel and let your ford trailer do the rest of the work for you.

Find a few navigation tips below to ensure easy and safe backup when using the Ford Trailer Pro Back-up Assist:

1. You may need to make small adjustments with the knob throughout your backup navigation to ensure proper angling.
2. Remember to keep an eye on your rear-view mirrors throughout this time to ensure that the tail of your trailer or accessory is travelling in your desired direction.
3. The speed of your back-up assist can be controlled using a consistent slow acceleration and braking on your Ford vehicle.