Lane Centering While Towing?

[bkm]

Does lane centering work when a trailer is connected? If not, is there a FORScan code to activate it?

The manual warns against using lane centering while towing (see Towing chapter) for the exact reason others have mentioned. Since sway control utilizes ABS, I found the battle between lane centering and sway control kills your mileage.

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[Atlee]

The onboard sway control fights the WDH, creating sway. I notice every time I get to highway speed, goes away as soon as I turn it off. I have a friend with a similar trailer, same truck and WDH, his experience is the exact same as mine.

I have never experienced created sway with any of my F150's.

 

[turbopilot]

Since sway control utilizes ABS, I found the battle between lane centering and sway control kills your mileage.

Based on the owner's manual, if that battle starts and trailer sway control is activated, it should be annunciated with a message "Trailer Sway Reduce Speed". I have never seen that message towing a trailer. I agree lane centering towing a trailer is not worth it, but having sway control on, ready to act, with a properly provisioned and stable trailer seems like a good idea. I don't see how sway control "On" could impact fuel economy if it is not activated. I have never seen sway control activated with lane centering on. In my setup lane control on just ping pongs the system excessively without trailer sway.

I am aware some WDH manufacturers recommend turning off sway control. I have never seen a good explanation for that advice.

 

[kevdog0710]

I have never experienced created sway with any of my F150's.

A lot of people have different experiences and sensitivity to sway. Another friend of mine has a 22 F250. He thought I was nuts until he turned his off. He couldn't believe the difference it made.
I'm sure experiences vary with setups also.

 

[kevdog0710]

Based on the owner's manual, if that battle starts and trailer sway control is activated, it should be annunciated with a message "Trailer Sway Reduce Speed". I have never seen that message towing a trailer. I agree lane centering towing a trailer is not worth it, but having sway control on, ready to act, with a properly provisioned and stable trailer seems like a good idea. I don't see how sway control "On" could impact fuel economy if it is not activated. I have never seen sway control activated with lane centering on. In my setup lane control on just ping pongs the system excessively without trailer sway.

I am aware some WDH manufacturers recommend turning off sway control. I have never seen a good explanation for that advice.

My explanation would be my experience with my particular setup. I have somewhere north of 3000 tow miles with my truck. I have a 4 point Equalizer WDH. It's obvious pretty quickly when I forget to turn the sway control off.
I feel I have my trailer setup well. Slightly trailer tongue down, squat on the truck is not bad.
The WDH I have does a great job. I've had it for about 6 years now, I transferred it from previous truck/trailer last year. I rarely get sway, even with crosswinds. I only notice sway with the onboard system on.
Here is a good thread with various experiences on another forum. I know we are getting away from the OP topic, but its good information.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1652645-trailer-sway-control.html

 

[Atlee]

In a few days,

A lot of people have different experiences and sensitivity to sway. Another friend of mine has a 22 F250. He thought I was nuts until he turned his off. He couldn't believe the difference it made.
I'm sure experiences vary with setups also.

I will be towing again. I'm gonna try to remember to turn it off on the truck, in order to see if I notice it difference.

 

[dhrandy]

It does on my 21, but I turn it off when towing. Tends to bounce me between the lines and sway the trailer a little.

 

[Atlee]

It does on my 21, but I turn it off when towing. Tends to bounce me between the lines and sway the trailer a little.

Where do you turn off the sway control?

 

[dhrandy]

Where do you turn off the sway control?

You can turn it off under towing. I turn off lane centering, not sway control.

 

[Atlee]

You can turn it off under towing. I turn off lane centering, not sway control.

Thanks. Then its something I need to do before I start driving. Wish there was just a button on the dash.

 

[Davexxxx]

Thanks. Then its something I need to do before I start driving. Wish there was just a button on the dash.

And it defaults back at each start up, even if you loaded the trailer profile and haven't unhooked.

 

[turbopilot]

One person's opinion, but I think turning off the Ford sway control is a bad idea towing a trailer. I know some WDH manufacturers recommend this practice but based on the way Ford's anti sway functionality works, it is a very sophisticated stability control system. I see nothing in Ford's documentation that suggests the system is active if you do not see the annunciation "TRAILER SWAY REDUCE SPEED".

Here is how Ford describes the anti sway system:

Trailer Sway Control

Trailer sway is the undesirable yaw force a trailer can apply to the towing vehicle. Trailer sway control is a unique function of the stability control system that uses steering wheel angle information and yaw rate information to determine if a trailer sway event is taking place. The PSCM sends the steering wheel angle information to the ABS module over the FD-CAN . The RCM sends yaw rate sensor and lateral accelerometer information to the ABS module also over the HS-CAN2 through the GWM . If the ABS module determines from the inputs a trailer sway event is taking place, then:

• The ABS module modulates brake pressure to the appropriate brake calipers by opening and closing the appropriate solenoid valves inside the EBB unit while the hydraulic pump motor is activated. At the same time,
• the ABS module calculates how much engine torque reduction is required to eliminate the trailer sway and sends this torque reduction message to the PCM over the HS-CAN1 . The ABS module also sends a trailer sway event message to the GWM over the FD-CAN which relays this message to the IPC over the HS-CAN3 . When the PCM receives the torque reduction message, it adjusts engine timing and decreases fuel injector pulses to reduce the engine torque to the requested level.
• When the IPC receives the vehicle stability event message, it flashes the stability-traction control indicator (sliding car icon) and displays TRAILER SWAY REDUCE SPEED in the message center.

Once the trailer sway has been corrected, the ABS module returns the solenoid valves in the EBB unit to their normal position, deactivates the hydraulic pump motor and stops sending the traction event and torque reduction messages.

The PCM returns engine timing and fuel injectors to normal operation and the IPC extinguishes the stability-traction control indicator (sliding car icon) and stops displaying the trailer sway message in the message center. Trailer sway control only activates when vehicle speed is greater than 65 km/h (40 mph). Any malfunction disabling RSC also disables trailer sway control.

 

[sbreech]

I keep the Ford trailer sway control turned on. We previously pulled 3500# of NuCamp Tab400 and upgraded to 6000# of airstream 23'. With the NuCamp, we never used a WDH, just a friction sway bar in addition to the Ford Sway Control. With the Airstream, we added a Blue Ox SwayPro.

With both trailers, but more felt with the longer / heavier Airstream, the Lane keep assist really wreaks havoc on my setup. Driving in the right hand lane, semi flies by 10-15mph faster, which naturally moves the truck a little. All of a sudden, the lane keep assist kicks in and swerves it back. It is really unnerving. Turn off the Lane Keep assist and it tows like a dream. I'd like to permanently disable lane keep assist.

 

[fordtruckman2003]

I'd like to permanently disable lane keep assist.

Should be able to change it under settings on sync screen. Can have it notify giving an alert instead of correcting.

 

[TPPJR]

It seems all the responces here are regarding lane keeping, not lane centering. The OP asked if lane centering could be used while towing. I have the same question, I get a pop up stating that lane centering is not available and was wondering if there is a way to make it available (can't find a selection) but maybe in FORSCAN?

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