Lane centering inop when trailer connected, dealer couldn't fix.

[m5040]

25 Hybrid with tow package, when towing any size trailer, the lane centering feature doesn't work. I brought it to the dealer, they looked at it for a couple of hours and said everything looked ok and to bring back with a trailer. Until I do, I have to tow the trailer with the light cord tucked in so it looks like it is connected but then dont have any lights (is is flatbed so truck lights visible). I take it on 12 hour drives and really want that feature to work (without disconnecting the light cord). I think when you pay for the safety features they should work, in concert with each other. I don't want to tow a camper cross country and not have the feature I purposely ordered the vehicle with not working. I bet it is "engineered" that way by some desk jockey. Any ideas? I am thinking I have to rewire a new trailer plug and tap off the tail and brake light wires (switched to LED, so the signal/brake circuit has lower amp draw). I will have to experiment with the brake circuit to see if the truck will realize and cancel the lane centering or not, if so then a aftermarket brake controller...what a mess! It will cancel the Lane centering even if trailer is small with not brakes (even set to min sizes or if the no trailer connected button is used).

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[RFEJR]

I believe it is disabled when towing.

 

[JHand]

I'm pretty sure I saw I. The owners manual (it may have been on here) that lane centering is disabled when towing

 

[Hot Runr Guy]

Nothing to "fix", it is operating as designed. From your Owners manual;

HRG

 

[oysterville]

You're choosing lane centering over trailer brake lights?

 

[mstrbill]

earlier discussion;

https://www.mavericktruckclub.com/f...d-no-lane-assist-centering-when-towing.60208/

 

[sprcoop]

This may have something to do with it. This from a 2023 manual.

 

[paneubert]

Gotta love when the dealership flounders around without even reading the freaking manual first.... "We can't seem to fix it! Will escalate to corporate and get back to you!"

 

[Glen Baker LLC]

25 Hybrid with tow package, when towing any size trailer, the lane centering feature doesn't work. I brought it to the dealer, they looked at it for a couple of hours and said everything looked ok and to bring back with a trailer. Until I do, I have to tow the trailer with the light cord tucked in so it looks like it is connected but then dont have any lights (is is flatbed so truck lights visible). I take it on 12 hour drives and really want that feature to work (without disconnecting the light cord). I think when you pay for the safety features they should work, in concert with each other. I don't want to tow a camper cross country and not have the feature I purposely ordered the vehicle with not working. I bet it is "engineered" that way by some desk jockey. Any ideas? I am thinking I have to rewire a new trailer plug and tap off the tail and brake light wires (switched to LED, so the signal/brake circuit has lower amp draw). I will have to experiment with the brake circuit to see if the truck will realize and cancel the lane centering or not, if so then a aftermarket brake controller...what a mess! It will cancel the Lane centering even if trailer is small with not brakes (even set to min sizes or if the no trailer connected button is used).

Maybe you should inquire from Ford, why Lane centering is disabled (as the manual states) when towing a trailer.
I'm thinking one of the reasons is.
If the trailer starts to sway or has a tire blow out they feel that you, the actual driver with hands on the wheel, can correct it better without the lane centering system activated.

The dealer couldn't fix what isn't broken.

 

[m5040]

Gotta love when the dealership flounders around without even reading the freaking manual first.... "We can't seem to fix it! Will escalate to corporate and get back to you!"

With me it was make another appointment and come back with the trailer that causes the problem.

 

[L30n1d45]

If the trailer starts to sway or has a tire blow out they feel that you, the actual driver with hands on the wheel, can correct it better without the lane centering system activated.

This was my first thought about this whole thing. Lane centering while towing sounds convenient on the surface-level, but it is definitely a safety risk.

 

[m5040]

You're choosing lane centering over trailer brake lights?

I didn't think this would go over well, but in 1994, why did all vehicles require a high mounted brake light? Maybe because that is where most people's view is and not 10" from the ground (trailer lights). Anyway my truck has a triple flash high mount brake light and a mix of LED and incandescent (on each side), the mix is visually effective since the LED are on instantaneously and the incandescent eventually come, so a small light show. But the answer is yes, I chose keeping the vehicle center over redundant brake lights. And surprise no detectable handling issues or to the extreme, loss of control. If the vehicle wanders outside of the lane and contacts another vehicle it is my fault for unsafe lane change. If someone drives into the trailer for no brake lights on the trailer, the firs question would be "Didn't you see the 5 brake lights on the truck? Hard to say no.

 

[m5040]

This was my first thought about this whole thing. Lane centering while towing sounds convenient on the surface-level, but it is definitely a safety risk.

Have you used lane centering much? My vehicle cancels it as soon as anything unusual happens, sun in your eyes, lines not painted adequately, curve in road more then slight, etc
Lance centering worked while towing on my 23 Maverick, why don't they have a recall if it is unsafe?? Ford is knowingly allowing that to function when it is dangerous?

 

[oysterville]

Well I guess that since the truck is operating as designed, you have to just pay attention to your vehicle position.

Also, do check your local laws regarding working trailer light requirements. Hint: they're required in Connecticut.

 

[Hot Runr Guy]

Also, do check your local laws regarding working trailer light requirements. Hint: they're required in Connecticut.

I hope the guy that rear-ends the trailer has a dash cam, as I suspect the OP will jump out and plug the trailer lights in,,,,,,,

HRG

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