Trailer Backup Assist

[Saltwater Soul]

New owner of a 2018 Max Platinum. It has the trailer backup assist. I've been towing and backing up trailers all my life so thought I would never use it but my wife is interested in trying it as she has trouble backing up a boat trailer at the ramp when I am in the boat.

Looks like I have to make several measurements and calibrate it. Is it worth the trouble?

 

[Artie]

New owner of a 2018 Max Platinum. It has the trailer backup assist. I've been towing and backing up trailers all my life so thought I would never use it but my wife is interested in trying it as she has trouble backing up a boat trailer at the ramp when I am in the boat.

Looks like I have to make several measurements and calibrate it. Is it worth the trouble?

If she is having trouble backing up a trailer now I don’t see what the harm would be in giving it a try. I use it sometimes and it is pretty neat. It takes a little getting used to but it does a pretty good job.

The sticker placement and calibration takes about 5-10 minutes and all you need is a tape measure.

 

[shane_th_ee]

Do it. What it really helps with is backing in a straight line, which is usually the hard part about the boat ramp. I set it up for my wife, but after teaching her to back the trailer up without it. That way it’s more of a reliable backup in case she wants some help...

 

[stricnine]

I had it in my F150 and never used it as it just slowed me down, not worth it. While at the boat ramp I line my wife up to where she just pulls straight back and straight forward while loading and unloading the boat. Much more comfortable to her than trying to use that turn dial.

 

[m3bs]

I've played with it, but haven't found it to be very helpful. After backing a trailer for 20+ years, it doesn't seem natural to use TBA to me, almost more trouble than it is worth. As noted above, it does well at backing straight....

 

[osteodoc08]

I had it in my F150 and never used it as it just slowed me down, not worth it. While at the boat ramp I line my wife up to where she just pulls straight back and straight forward while loading and unloading the boat. Much more comfortable to her than trying to use that turn dial.

same here

 

[shane_th_ee]

I would never use it but my wife is interested in trying it as she has trouble backing up a boat trailer at the ramp when I am in the boat

So, do you want to be right or do you want your wife to be happy? If you’re already comfortable backing up a trailer, it’s not really worth it. But your wife isn’t and she’d like the help/confidence the backup assist software provides. 20 minutes to set it up and make the wife happy and confident launching the boat is worth it in my book.

 

[techdude99]

I picked up my Platinum Max out of state last month and can't find the stickers.

Are they in a supplement?

 

[Lou Hamilton]

I'll be setting it up just to have it, but I will rely on what I already know. Since the wife has never backed up our camper, this may be more helpful and natural for her since she knows no different.

Pertdsonally, I think is was designed for the millennials that have been buying these vehicles for the campers. I'm seeing more and more younger people camping. Many of them can't back up a trailer if their life depended on it... 2 hours later and they finally get backed into their spot. LOL

 

[Lou Hamilton]

I picked up my Platinum Max out of state last month and can't find the stickers.

Are they in a supplement?

They should be in one of the manuals provided with your vehicle. Mine are still sealed in the black folder provided with my manuals.

 

[Saltwater Soul]

After seeing this feedback, I'll probably set it up if I find time just because I like seeing how technology works and she might like it. Thanks all.

techdude99 -- I don't know where you might get extra stickers but mine were packaged with this guide which might be useful to you if you don't have it.

 

[techdude99]

Thank you. It's not with the materials I received. I'll call the the Ford store where I purchased it.

 

[Fozzy]

Everyone should try it at least once. It’s pretty cool tech. I grew up on a ranch and have been backing horse trailer and cattle trailers to gates and shoots since I could reach the pedals. I find it the most helpful when the boat is off the trailer. Especially with newbie backers. But the best is having your wife be able to launch and land the boat. That way you can help or fight the morons at the ramp or dock.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[ripnrik]

My two cents - set up was simple and complete in about 10 mins. If you are experienced, you can probably be just as effective without using the assist. As several folks noted, when you are in a tight spot and the trailer is aimed exactly where you need it to go, but the truck is at an angle, the front wheels are cranked in an unknown direction, and visibility is limited, then the assist is just the trick to push the trailer straight back. Just be gentle with the knob - slight rotational adjustments are all that are needed.

 

[Randy Schmidt]

I too have been backing up trailers since I could drive. I find it helpful when backing up straight and making minor corrections. When it is not helpful is when needing to make a much sharper turn. It only allows for a certain angle and then wont turn any more. You have to do that with the steering wheel. I do think that it is worth the 10 minute setup.

 

[Jeff R]

Late comer to this thread.

I have it included on my '20 XLT. I trailer very seldom and am terrible at backing. I rented a travel trailer for a trip out to Big Bend, TX last month. This system helped me a WHOLE LOT! Both when backing straight or having to make a turn out of one of the campsites I was in. I feel much more comfortable and confident with a trailer now.

 

[ContinentalDrift]

I just set mine up (10 minutes, max) and will concur that the greatest benefit is in backing up straight with a twitchy trailer, it's kind of like black magic. Limitations are with the time to turn on (it initializes, then searches for the sticker with the camera which takes just a bit too much for a quick pop it in reverse backup maneuver into my driveway); extreme turns (you can get more of a dramatic turn for the wheel alone); and in my case, the system can "lose" the sticker if there is too much glare. All and all it's pretty neat but like others, I'll likely still do 50%+ of my maneuvering the old-fashioned way.

Also, my wife has never backed up a trailer in her life so I see this as being a way easier way to teach her- it just feels more logical.

 

[KJ-Idaho]

New owner of a 2018 Max Platinum. It has the trailer backup assist. I've been towing and backing up trailers all my life so thought I would never use it but my wife is interested in trying it as she has trouble backing up a boat trailer at the ramp when I am in the boat.

Looks like I have to make several measurements and calibrate it. Is it worth the trouble?

boy. Looks like I am the problem child or not geeky enough. I tried twice, following the directions with stickers, tape measure, etc., most carefully; and could not get the system to recognize my trailer/sticker positioning. My trailer tongue is too short, apparently. If someone has recommendations, great. If not, I may ask the dealer to give it a try.

 

[Wayne Decker]

I've been pulling trailers for over 45 years. Horse trailers, boats, campers, I really never have a problem backing up.

I have a kayak trailer however that is pretty squirrely. So today I thought I'd set it up on Backup Assist to see how that worked. Amazing! d.

I think one of the problems is that this trailer is so light with small wheels that when I back down rocky launch sites it bounces around so it's hard t back up straight. Backup Assist nails it. I'm impresse

 

[mwl001]

I've been pulling trailers for over 45 years. Horse trailers, boats, campers, I really never have a problem backing up.

I have a kayak trailer however that is pretty squirrely. So today I thought I'd set it up on Backup Assist to see how that worked. Amazing! d.

I think one of the problems is that this trailer is so light with small wheels that when I back down rocky launch sites it bounces around so it's hard t back up straight. Backup Assist nails it. I'm impresse

Being squirrely doesn't help - I think it's mostly the short distance between the rear and trailer axles and yes, it seems almost universally it's great for keeping a trailer straight once it's lined up; for other uses it really depends on your experience level.