Forum Discussion

Melanie83103's avatar
Melanie83103
Explorer
May 22, 2015

first camping trip with the new F-150 Ecoboost

Hello Everyone-

After months of debate, we finally bought our F-150 Ecoboost about a month ago. We took it on our first camping trip, pulling our small trailer (Amerilite 16BH). It was awesome - a HUGE step up from pulling the trailer with our minivan. I love the truck for daily driving too. Only thing I miss is having that 3rd row of seating... But when my husband gets a new car in a year or two, we are considering the Ford Explorer, which I could use for hauling my kids and all their friends around.

Question for you all: the new truck is supposed to correct sway automatically. I do not fully understand how it does this but supposedly it does.... Should I still use our sway bar? Is there a down side of continuing to use the sway bar?

We are getting ready to do our big cross country camping trip this summer, and I am (as I always do) over researching every aspect of towing in preparation :)

Melanie
Tow Vehicles
  • FishOnOne's avatar
    FishOnOne
    Nomad
    May 24, 2015
    The sway control on our Super Duty works great and maintains a stable load
  • 2112's avatar
    2112
    Explorer II
    May 23, 2015
    I wouldn't use the sway bar unless you have a need for it. If it is towing well without it then it's not needed.

    Another off-topic: I second the Flex. It is an ugly machine but much more comfortable than the X. We test drove a Flex, X and Edge a few weeks ago and we graded the X on the bottom of those three. DW drove home with an Edge only because she couldn't get over the ugly on the Flex.
  • waltah's avatar
    waltah
    Explorer
    May 23, 2015
    Jack_Diane_Freedom wrote:
    Just make sure you turn on the 'sway control' using the DIC. It does not happen automatically if you do not turn it on. Just page through until you find it.


    Sway control is activated automatically if you plug into the 7pin, you have to purposefully disable it in the DIC.

    Driver Info Center, the screen between your gauges.
  • goducks10's avatar
    goducks10
    Explorer
    May 23, 2015
    The trucks sway control is only for extreme situations. It won't control sway until it's in the danger zone. I would deal with anything other than a simple WD hitch for that small of a trailer with an F150.
  • tragusa3's avatar
    tragusa3
    Explorer
    May 22, 2015
    Melanie, glad to hear you are enjoying the truck! We bought ours for a cross country trip with a trailer the size of yours. You will LOVE it for the trip too!

    Here's a link to our report with lots of photos. Looking forward to hearing about yours too. :)

    Trip Report 2014
  • TNRIVERSIDE's avatar
    TNRIVERSIDE
    Explorer
    May 22, 2015
    Jack_Diane_Freedom wrote:
    Just make sure you turn on the 'sway control' using the DIC. It does not happen automatically if you do not turn it on. Just page through until you find it.


    What the heck is the DIC? MY 09 F150 has swat control but I have never heard of DIC.
  • Jack_Diane_Free's avatar
    Jack_Diane_Free
    Explorer
    May 22, 2015
    Just make sure you turn on the 'sway control' using the DIC. It does not happen automatically if you do not turn it on. Just page through until you find it.
  • Tystevens's avatar
    Tystevens
    Explorer
    May 22, 2015
    Glad to hear the Ecoboost is meeting expectations. Our trailer is about twice as large as yours, and it does the job effortlessly.

    With a trailer that size you may or may not need the sway bar, but no downside to using it, except the hassle of putting it on, I guess. I'd probably use it if I had it.

    Good luck!
  • ShinerBock's avatar
    ShinerBock
    Explorer
    May 22, 2015
    Congrats on the new truck. Those little Ecoboost engines sure are towing machines for a half ton.

    Here are some videos about how the trailer sway control works. It is on the previous model, but it works the same.

    Video 1

    Video 2

    Basically it applies the brakes to individual truck wheels and/or the trailer wheels to counteract the sway.
  • badercubed's avatar
    badercubed
    Explorer
    May 22, 2015
    Still use the sway bar. Minimal time to hook up and it will never hurt.

    Off topic from your question as well, but...

    Consider a Ford Flex instead of the Explorer. although they look different, they have way more room. Our Explorer has terrible 2nd and 3rd row seating.

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