Trailer towing

[mkebikecop]

I looking to get a travel trailer for weekend camping. I have a 25 Lariat Hybrid AWD with a 4K towing option.
I’m looking at a Airstream Nest 16 feet fiberglass trailer. It list for 3,200 weight and GVRW of 3,800, with a hitch weight of 375 pounds.
OK my question is I read somewhere that my Mav has a build in anti sway? It has something on the dashboard for electric brakes.
Is that true? How does that work?

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[Glen Baker LLC]

Ed,
Look below your headlight switch. You should see something that looks like this.
For sway control check post #4.

This is your trailer brake controller.

 

[mkebikecop]

Is that fo the anti sway control or just the electric brakes?

 

[Glen Baker LLC]

Is that fo the anti sway control or just the electric brakes?

The controller that I posted is for Brakes only.

Sway control..
On MY23 this is what the trailer sway control looks like.
It always turns on with each starting of your Maverick.

Mine is accessed using the buttons on the right side of the steering wheel and it's displayed in the center dashboard display under driver assistance. This information should be contained in your Owners Manual.

 

[Packer Bill]

If your trailer is swaying, there will be a warning on your dashboard. This means that you should slow down to avoid an accident.

 

[Squatch]

Depending on your year and trim level:

Press the menu button on the steering wheel (Three line button on the right side of steering wheel)

In the instrument cluster screen:
Scroll down to trailer.
Check or uncheck Trailer sway control.

Heres a video from Ford on how the system works:
Trailer sway control

 

[Ecorydr]

Beware.... from past Fords that have electronic sway control, it uses the anti lock brake system to correct any sway which in turn can wear out rear brakes prematurely if towing alot. Would recommend a WDH sized for your Maverick instead - if towing heavy loads frequently.

I always turn that nanny off.

 

[Glen Baker LLC]

For those folks who are unaware.
Every time you start your truck the anti sway nanny turns herself on.

View attachment 241774

 

[Ecorydr]

Sa

Every time you start your truck the anti sway nanny turns herself on.

View attachment 241774

Yup.. . same in all fords.... just that I always turn it off when towing.

However, thought I may have heard/read of a Forscan setting to disable....

 

[First Sergeant]

For those folks who are unaware.
Every time you start your truck the anti sway nanny turns herself on.

View attachment 241774

Hey Glen, I know the traction control always comes back on after restarting the truck. But doesn't the trailer sway stay off all the time if you turn it off from the dash screen? Sorry, can't remember and just too darn tired tonight to look it up!

 

[Ecorydr]

All my ford trucks F150's F250's with electronic sway control have turned on automagically as a safety feature at each key cycle.​

 

[Glen Baker LLC]

Hey Glen, I know the traction control always comes back on after restarting the truck. But doesn't the trailer sway stay off all the time if you turn it off from the dash screen? Sorry, can't remember and just too darn tired tonight to look it up!

Sorry David,
I blew it on my post # 8
I got my graphics mixed up.
Trailer sway control always comes on at every key cycle as noted above post #11

 

[Mavster Mechanic]

Beware.... from past Fords that have electronic sway control, it uses the anti lock brake system to correct any sway which in turn can wear out rear brakes prematurely if towing alot. Would recommend a WDH sized for your Maverick instead - if towing heavy loads frequently.

I always turn that nanny off.

Dumbest thing I have heard in at least a year.

It's an emergency feature.
May turn on never.
Has turned on one time in 15,000 miles and that one time was human error on my part.

It is like airbags. Shouldn't need them either. But nice to have for piece of mind.

 

[Ecorydr]

Dumbest thing I have heard in at least a year.

It's an emergency feature.
May turn on never.
Has turned on one time in 15,000 miles and that one time was human error on my part.

It is like airbags. Shouldn't need them either. But nice to have for piece of mind.

I do not argue the fact that its a safety/emergency system, or, that a truck not hauling any weight will probably ever cause the system to activate. However I do have many miles of experience hauling heavy trailers, both 5th wheels/tow behinds/in-bed with Ford trucks that do and have this feature without a WDH or a decent anti-sway bar on the rear axle and have had premature worn rear brakes needing replacement soooner than expected because of this system, and rightfully so as designed.

The daily back and forth to work used vehicle with this system does not get the workout that a tow vehicle pulling close to max weight does and should not have premature brake wear unless other issues exist.

"The activation of Ford's electronic Trailer Sway Control (TSC) system while towing heavy loads can cause premature wear on the rear brake pads.

The system works by using sensors to detect sway and automatically applying specific brakes—often the rear brakes of the truck—to stabilize the load, which can lead to accelerated wear compared to the front brakes.

Key Details on Brake Wear:
Rear-Focused Wear: Because the system specifically acts on the vehicle's braking system to manage the trailer's instability, users have reported needing to replace rear brake pads significantly earlier, sometimes within 25,000 to 40,000 miles.
Interference Issues: In some cases, aftermarket weight-distribution hitches or over-sensitive factory systems may fight each other, causing the anti-sway system to activate even when there is no actual severe sway, leading to unnecessary brake usage.

Preventative Upgrades: Some heavy-duty towers use mechanical, aftermarket sway bars (e.g., Hellwig) to mitigate the issue, which often reduces the need for the electronic nanny to activate, thereby protecting the brake life.

While the system is a valuable safety feature for emergency situations, consistent operation under heavy loads, especially in windy conditions, will increase rear brake maintenance frequency."

 

[Mavster Mechanic]

Let me be clear-

Towing 3200 lbs. with my Maverick with a standard ball and no mechanical sway control works beautifully.

The electronic sway control had activated ONE TIME in 15,000 miles of towing a heavy high profile camper and was very brief (1 or 2 seconds). It happened when I made the mistake of taking my hands off the wheel to open a can of soda. I also had lane keep assist on.

Lane keep assist made the truck swerve a small amount.

TALKING SPECIFICALLY ABOUT THE MAVERICK owners should always have anti-sway TURNED ON.

It will not harm these trucks.
It may save you and your truck if you make a mistake.

IF your sway control is activating so much and so often to damage your brakes you are towing a poorly setup rig in the first place. That's on you.

I do think lane keep assist should be turned off or be aware the correction IT makes will be amplified on the trailer.

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