Hoping to make life easier for 2016 F-150 owners who regularly use their vehicles to tow, Ford has unveiled its new Pro Trailer Backup Assist system. This segment-first technology uses the F-150’s electric power steering and advanced backup camera to effectively allow the user to “steer” the trailer by turning a dash-mounted Pro Trailer control knob to the left or right while the F-150 automatically turns its wheels to accommodate the desired path of travel. Although Pro Trailer Backup Assist can limit vehicle speed, the driver still has ultimate command of the accelerator and brake functions and can use the steering wheel to override Pro Trailer Backup Assist if so desired. However, this new system promises to make the entire maneuvering process quicker and far less stressful.
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“Pro Trailer Backup Assist is a smart solution to save time and increase productivity for our customers,” said Doug Scott, marketing manager, Ford Truck Group. “Instead of struggling to back up their trailer, they can spend more time on the job or enjoying the lake.” Ford has been working on this trailer-tracking setup for nearly a decade, and has five current and 10 pending patents covering the technology. Pro Trailer Backup Assist will be available starting this winter. While specific pricing has yet to be finalized, the automaker did say that it will be “affordable.”
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