If it’s been a while since you bought new tow vehicle, you might be surprised by the many built-in advancements in trailering technology. New tow tech ranges from integrated weight scales and adaptive suspensions to systems that automatically back up your truck to hitch up your trailer. Here are a few examples to look for.
Onboard Scale
There’s no more guessing about the tongue weight of your boat trailer with an onboard scale. The system available in the 2023 Ford F-150 pickup, for example, can estimate your tongue weight on a conventional hitch and show the number through the dash display or a code in the smart taillights. It will advise if the tongue weight is too high or too low.
Hitch Up With AI
Ford’s Pro Trailer Hitch Assist available for the Ford F-Series pickup uses artificial intelligence, including computer vision and machine learning, to automatically back up and align a truck’s hitch ball to a trailer coupler with the push of a button. It automatically controls the truck’s speed, steering and braking to make hitching up an easy, single-handed task.
Backup Assistance
Features such as Ram Truck’s Trailer Reverse Steering Control with a knob (instead of the wheel) on the dash let you steer in reverse while viewing the trailer in the center-console display (instead of the mirrors). Then there’s Ford’s optional Pro Backup Assist. Rotate a knob to indicate how much the system should turn the trailer, then it automatically steers the truck and trailer the desired amount.
What a View!
Camera systems significantly improve situational awareness for trailer boaters. The 2023 Chevy Silverado pickup, for example, is available with eight cameras that offer 15 different views around your rig to keep an eye on both your tow vehicle and trailer boat while hitching up, on the highway, at the launch ramp, or just backing into your driveway.
Trailer Light Diagnostics
Remember when you had to walk around your boat trailer to check the lights while someone in the truck activated the brakes, turn signals and running lights? That’s a thing of the past with systems such as Ford’s Smart Trailer Tow Connector, which informs you if any of the running or brake/turn-indicator lights are malfunctioning, telling you exactly which one needs attention.
Tow/Haul Mode
When the Tow/Haul mode is combined with today’s 6- to 10-speed automatic transmissions, it maximizes towing power and efficiency. The Toyota Tundra’s Tow/Haul mode, for instance, can hold lower gears longer when accelerating, decelerating, and on long grades while trailering. Tow/Haul mode will also pick the best gear to keep the engine revving in its power band and lock out overdrive gears. It also adds engine braking to help in slowing your rig while towing.
Adaptive Suspension Systems
Some of today’s trucks feature systems that compensate for the weight of a trailer to prevent the rear suspension from sagging. For instance, the Ram’s Active-Level Four-Corner Air Suspension uses air pressure to automatically level the truck to its natural ride height when the system detects the load of a trailer on the hitch. In another example, Ford’s available Adaptive Suspension monitors loading, vehicle speed, road conditions, and steering to adjust shock absorber stiffness and damping for enhanced vehicle control when towing.
