Pro trailer back up assist

^^^I'm thinking the same way regarding back up assist having more appeal in the F150 market. I've noticed the odometer counter for the individual trailers on my truck's DIC and it really surprised me to see the high percentage of miles that my truck is used for towing. In fact I actually find it hard to believe the number. It has me wondering if there is a possibility that the odometer keeps counting after I've unhooked a trailer if I fail to select "no active trailer"?

" In a way this thread is kind of funny ..... we are all expert backer uppers yet the campgrounds and boat launches are full of people who haven't a clue how to back up a trailer."

I have two theories on that.
1) The people on this site are more experienced with trailers than the general public.

2) We remember other people's mistakes more than what they do right.

4x4ord wrote:

Bionic Man wrote:


Why do manufacturers think we need more trinkets? One, because it is profitable for them. Two, because many people can't back up. Lots of folks out there that rarely if ever pull trailers. This is a great system for them.

One of the reasons I'm asking how useful people are finding this technology is that I am looking at the differences between what Ram offers vs Ford. Because I generally don't keep my trucks that long I wondered if, 3 or 4 years down the road, selling a Ford with back up assist would be an easier sell than a truck without it. So far it seems that very few people see much value in it. In a way this thread is kind of funny ..... we are all expert backer uppers yet the campgrounds and boat launches are full of people who haven't a clue how to back up a trailer.:)

First, that individual feature wouldn't sway me one way or another.

Second, I think that trying to make any decision on a particular feature from feedback from THIS forum is .........unwise. It is just way too small of a sample size, and consists of folks with a VERY narrow, yet common, interest. I'd be shocked if anyone on this site would fess up to NEEDING the system. Everyone here is experts (as you said).

Third, the system, at least in my mind, would see a higher % of use in the 150 and less capable vehicles, as those are the ones that are even LESS likely to frequently pull a trailer. IMO, most of the folks that buy a 350 buy it because they need some of that capability, not just because they like a truck.

Finally, some of the features that come with the back up assist, I do think make the truck more appealing than other brands. I do like the ability to set up multiple trailers. It's nice to have a separate settings for my flat bed vs boat vs 5th wheel, and not have to remember where I usually leave the gain set on the trailer brake control. I also like the cumulative mileage for each trailer, as well as the different lengths of blind spot that you can set up. To my knowledge, other manufacturers don't do that. So, you do in fact get more than just the back up assist.

4x4ord wrote:


One of the reasons I'm asking how useful people are finding this technology is that I am looking at the differences between what Ram offers vs Ford. Because I generally don't keep my trucks that long I wondered if, 3 or 4 years down the road, selling a Ford with back up assist would be an easier sell than a truck without it. So far it seems that very few people see much value in it. In a way this thread is kind of funny ..... we are all expert backer uppers yet the campgrounds and boat launches are full of people who haven't a clue how to back up a trailer.:)

If you change cars often, another idea you might want to think about, applies to all the FREDs on vehicles. What will sell better, 1 that never had the FRED, or 1 that has it, but it doesn't work?

4x4ord wrote:

Bionic Man wrote:


Why do manufacturers think we need more trinkets? One, because it is profitable for them. Two, because many people can't back up. Lots of folks out there that rarely if ever pull trailers. This is a great system for them.

One of the reasons I'm asking how useful people are finding this technology is that I am looking at the differences between what Ram offers vs Ford. Because I generally don't keep my trucks that long I wondered if, 3 or 4 years down the road, selling a Ford with back up assist would be an easier sell than a truck without it. So far it seems that very few people see much value in it. In a way this thread is kind of funny ..... we are all expert backer uppers yet the campgrounds and boat launches are full of people who haven't a clue how to back up a trailer.:)

It would add no value to me if I was buying your used truck, even though I've used it so don't let the resale value of any gizmos sway you.

Fisherman wrote:

4x4ord wrote:
I’m sure there is not a direct link from skin colour to driving skill. What happened around our area is that many unskilled people migrated into our province and soon learned that with little to no training anyone could get a class 1 license. With a class one you could get a decent job so in no time our roads were filled with semi drivers who really had no training or experience driving truck.

We have the same thing in Mississauga, funny thing is most get their practical test done far up north. There was a W5 show on people loading up cars with people getting their basic car licence and going up north because there's only one traffic light and no where to parallel park.

When I got my CDL, 30 years ago, I had to take a one day air brake course that ended with a written exam. After getting my air brake endorsement I drove a semi for the first time in my life, 7 miles down the road to the license issuing office and did my driving test .... 1/2 hour later I walked out with a class 1 license. They very recently changed things here that now getting a class one is very involved.

Edit: Actually when I took my drivers exam part of the test involved backing your rig around a 90 degree corner on your blind side. Some time later the test got even easier. They ended up dropping that part of the exam because so many people were failing the test on account of not being able to back up around a corner.

Bionic Man wrote:


Why do manufacturers think we need more trinkets? One, because it is profitable for them. Two, because many people can't back up. Lots of folks out there that rarely if ever pull trailers. This is a great system for them.

One of the reasons I'm asking how useful people are finding this technology is that I am looking at the differences between what Ram offers vs Ford. Because I generally don't keep my trucks that long I wondered if, 3 or 4 years down the road, selling a Ford with back up assist would be an easier sell than a truck without it. So far it seems that very few people see much value in it. In a way this thread is kind of funny ..... we are all expert backer uppers yet the campgrounds and boat launches are full of people who haven't a clue how to back up a trailer.:)

Edd505 wrote:
....

My very first "long haul" was in school from NM to Salt Lake city to pickup a dinosaur for a museum the school was opening. Made great conversation at the truck stops, been driving so long my first load was a dinosaur and I had pictures to prove it. :)

THAT is GREAT!! :B LOL!!

I find it somewhat challenging to back my motorcycle trailer up when it is hooked up behind my 5th wheel. The motorcycle trailer is not only short it is also narrower than my 5ver. I have to sort of imagine how it is moving back there because if I wait for it to come into view in my mirror before steering I might not be able to adjust quick enough. If the Ford system could be used for this application I’d be excited about it. A camera mounted on my fiver is what I need.

Been backing up trailers for over 40 years yet I like the feature when towing small trailers that have their axle close to your hitch. It really does a nice job keeping the trailer straight behind you on long backups. Without it the trailer starts to move left or right before you see it in your mirrors so your constantly counter steering. With longer trailers I still prefer the hand on the bottom of the wheel method.