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

[colinl]

Previously Ford just strongly discouraged it, as seen in the manual. That apparently wasn't enough, so they had to turn it off in the 2025 models so as to protect other drivers from distracted or tired Maverick drivers towing trailers.

It's crazy how people can still act shocked when their clearly dangerous behaviors end in tragedy.

My '22 has ACC and I towed about 2k Saturday in hellacious winds, 40-65 mph. I kept my hands on the wheel like normal, because I'm not suicidal, and lane centering worked perfectly fine towing about 50 miles. straight into the wind I was getting about 8 mpg. I saw 10-12 mpg in crosswind.

BTW yes I know the hitch height isn't correct but it towed fine anyway keeping the speed around 60. I wasn't planning to tow this sxs at all, the guy who was going to tow it had an issue so I said sure. that's the hitch they had and it was about 4" too high, but it towed safely. the sxs is ass-heavy, about 40/60 weight distribution the owner said, and he said it tows much better backed onto the trailer.

BTW #2 we were building a jump line on a local MTB trail. this one is going to be a 12' gap.

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[m5040]

If you want lane centering while towing I believe Chevy offers it as a feature on their vehicles.

I was going to look at RAM or Ford, never Chevy.
But it would have been nice for a returning customer if they informed the buyers of the negative changes. I mean really, it works one year, then too many "cupcake truck drivers" buy the vehicles and can't handle such a powerful machine, necessitating deletion of features. In years to come, lane centering will only be safe on weekend and holidays. Too much traffic during the week.

 

[m5040]

All you have to do is plug a light bar into trailer plug and put the light bar in the bed while at the dealer.

I was going to try that. I have a set of magnetic trailer lights. Maybe connect one circuit at a time, I think it would most likely be the taillight circuit to ground.

 

[m5040]

The thing is you don't have to read page after page. You can select what you want to research.
When I screenshot and post stuff from the manual on the forum. I don't look through every page, that's what index, table of contents and the search function is for.

If you don't read the entire manual, then you don't know the portions you didn't read, others here would accuse you of " blindly stabbing at buttons and praying for the best. ".

 

[scottjl]

If you don't read the entire manual, then you don't know the portions you didn't read, others here would accuse you of " blindly stabbing at buttons and praying for the best. ".

and they wouldn't be wrong!

 

[MakinDoForNow]

I was going to try that. I have a set of magnetic trailer lights. Maybe connect one circuit at a time, I think it would most likely be the taillight circuit to ground.

You have to hook all the circuits into a 4 pin plug to imitate a trailer = that will turn off the "I have a trailer attached items". So dealer can check without a physical trailer. Hook it up and check to see if it acts like trailer is attached. Will cost more but if you put a curt 4 pin trailer relay that has T plugs at the rear pickup bed lights and has separate power supply from battery. You can plug your trailer into that 4 pin (not the OEM 4 pin) and (I believe...) the trucks computer will not think a trailer is connected. So nothing should be turned off....

 

[Sykotyk]

You have to hook all the circuits into a 4 pin plug to imitate a trailer = that will turn off the "I have a trailer attached items". So dealer can check without a physical trailer. Hook it up and check to see if it acts like trailer is attached. Will cost more but if you put a curt 4 pin trailer relay that has T plugs at the rear pickup bed lights and has separate power supply from battery. You can plug your trailer into that 4 pin (not the OEM 4 pin) and (I believe...) the trucks computer will not think a trailer is connected. So nothing should be turned off....

Yeah, this part didn't make sense to me. Most shops have some type of dummy plug that imitates a trailer. Running lights, brake lights, turn signals, etc. That they can just plug in and see what works and doesn't. Rather than having to check each pin one at a time.

After all, if the vehicle were brought in for having NO lights, and they want to make sure everything works before sending it back out, they'll check the trailer plug too before finishing. Or at least they should.

 

[oysterville]

that's what index, table of contents and the search function is for.

AKA witchcraft.

 

[oysterville]

Yeah, this part didn't make sense to me. Most shops have some type of dummy plug that imitates a trailer. Running lights, brake lights, turn signals, etc. That they can just plug in and see what works and doesn't. Rather than having to check each pin one at a time.

After all, if the vehicle were brought in for having NO lights, and they want to make sure everything works before sending it back out, they'll check the trailer plug too before finishing. Or at least they should.

The part that the OP left out was when the service manager said "Sir, this is Wendy's".

 

[matmondro]

Yes, the system is designed to disable lane centering when towing. However, they must have changed this sometime between MY 2023 and now. My '22 with 4K tow does allow lane centering when I tow. I keep it off however when towing.

 

[m5040]

You're choosing lane centering over trailer brake lights?

You should be able to figure that out all on your own, but I am probably giving you too much credit.

 

[m5040]

Yes, the system is designed to disable lane centering when towing. However, they must have changed this sometime between MY 2023 and now. My '22 with 4K tow does allow lane centering when I tow. I keep it off however when towing.

That is the problem. FORD offered lane centering, it was compatible with a trailer towing on my 23, now I order a 25 with a tow package and they disable it and are secretive about it. I bought the truck to drive coast to coast specifically with these options to use in concert. This issue apparently goes above some people's ability to understand the situation. But it is blatantly obvious they believe in every warning in print, or maybe just overly timid with mechanical issues or their driving ability or lack of it. Must be the new generation, most can't even drive a standard transmission or ride a bicycle without a helmet.

Thanks to all the forum members that legitimately participated in trying to solve my problem.

 

[matmondro]

That is the problem. FORD offered lane centering, it was compatible with a trailer towing on my 23, now I order a 25 with a tow package and they disable it and are secretive about it. I bought the truck to drive coast to coast specifically with these options to use in concert. This issue apparently goes above some people's ability to understand the situation. But it is blatantly obvious they believe in every warning in print, or maybe just overly timid with mechanical issues or their driving ability or lack of it. Must be the new generation, most can't even drive a standard transmission or ride a bicycle without a helmet.

Thanks to all the forum members that legitimately participated in trying to solve my problem.

I wonder if Ford got sued from somebody getting in a crash, or somebody at the company thought about it and figured it'd be a "liability" or something to keep them enabled in tandem. I agree that it definitely is odd.

Wonder if there's a way to enable it in Forscan. I've been in my truck with Forscan and it's remarkable how much can be changed. It could just be a simple on/off setting. Maybe someone who has experience with the 25s and Forscan can chime in?

 

[colinl]

I wonder if Ford got sued from somebody getting in a crash, or somebody at the company thought about it and figured it'd be a "liability" or something to keep them enabled in tandem.

yes, lawyers are my top guess as why this was a warning in the 22-24 manual and now disabled.

 

[710-oil-614]

That would have been acceptable, but that is not what happened.

That is your opinion on if it needs fixing or not.

No it is not. It is functioning as intended.

It is YOUR opinion, and it is wrong.

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