We spent a full day towing a midweight tandem-axle trailer with a 2024 Ford F-150 3.5L EcoBoost 4x4 (Max Tow) to evaluate stability, trailer sway control, integrated brake controller behavior, and Ford’s Pro Trailer Backup Assist UI in real-world conditions.
Test truck: 2024 F-150 3.5L EcoBoost (400 hp/500 lb-ft), 10-speed automatic, 3.55 axle, Max Tow package, integrated trailer brake controller, Pro Trailer Backup Assist, and Smart Hitch. Rated tow capacity on this configuration: 12,000 lb (as equipped), with 1,820 lb payload. Trailer: 24-foot enclosed, dual electric brakes, scaled at 7,200 lb with 820 lb tongue weight (~11.4%). We used a weight-distribution hitch with integrated sway control.
Tires set to 36 psi front/42 psi rear; trailer tires at 65 psi. Smart Hitch confirmed tongue weight in the target 10–15% band. Our 120-mile loop mixed interstate (65–70 mph), two-lane sweepers, and a 6% grade. Ambient 82°F, steady crosswind 15–20 mph with 25 mph gusts.
Tow/Haul engaged throughout. The truck tracked straight with minimal porpoising; the rear remained level thanks to auto load-leveling from the suspension setup and proper hitching. Passing semis created a brief pressure wave nudge, but corrections were small and the chassis settled in a beat or two. We deliberately shifted cargo rearward to reduce tongue weight to ~8% and ran 60 mph to provoke instability.
A quick lane-change input produced a visible two-cycle oscillation; Ford’s Trailer Sway Control flashed the stability icon and pulsed the brakes, trimming throttle just enough to arrest the swing without drama. Returning weight forward (12% tongue) eliminated the behavior. The takeaway mirrors best practice: TSC is a competent safety net, but proper loading and WD setup do the heavy lifting. The integrated brake controller is well-calibrated and easy to modulate.
Gain at 6.5 delivered smooth, proportional braking with a progressive manual slider for mid-corner trailer-only trims. Uptime and output show clearly in the cluster, and trailer profiles remembered our settings. Down the 6% descent, Tow/Haul’s grade logic held 4th–5th with confident engine braking; transmission temp stabilized at 199–203°F and rotor smell never surfaced. Emergency stops from 60 mph with the 7,200 lb trailer added roughly 60–70 feet versus unladen, with straight tracking and no premature ABS cycling at the trailer axles.
Pro Trailer Backup Assist proved genuinely useful for tight spaces. Setup required trailer type/length and axle location; calibration took about five minutes in a lot. In use, you point the trailer with the dash knob while modulating throttle/brake—on-screen overlays show trailer angle, projected path, and jackknife proximity. We executed a 90-degree alley dock in two passes with fewer corrections than manual steering.
The camera resolution is crisp, guidelines are readable in glare, and the system politely disengages if you exceed its steering range or speed. Overall, this F-150 package inspires confidence up to the 7–8k lb class. Stability is excellent when the trailer is correctly balanced, TSC intervenes transparently when needed, the brake controller integrates cleanly with Tow/Haul grade logic, and the backup assist UI lowers stress for occasional towers. If you’re regularly pulling over 9–10k lb or in mountainous terrain, a three-quarter-ton still offers more margin; otherwise, this setup is a sweet spot for capability and usability.
