F150 Pro Trailer Backup Assist Setup

SteveDRO · 03-06-2021, 06:36 PM

Hello all! We have a 2018 Escape 19. We live at 7,500 feet above sea level near Durango, CO (and regularly go much higher over passes), were looking for more power power in our tow vehicle and recently did so by parting with our 2012 3.6 Grand Cherokee (an otherwise excellent vehicle in our experience) and acquiring a 2020 F150 3.5 Ecoboost.
The F150 is an XLT with FX4 and Max Tow packages. The latter includes backup assist. Today we worked through setup of that system, but each time we got to the point where the camera tries to "see" the sticker, the red circle is further outboard than the A frame tongue (i.e., over the WDH bar). Has anyone else with this system encountered this issue or have a recommendation? Can't help but wonder if the camera is out of alignment, but...
Cheers!

EdColorado · 03-06-2021, 07:37 PM

I have that feature on my Expedition but haven’t set it up because I don’t have the trailer yet.
Researching common errors, I came across this statement from Ford.
Might help.

“If the sticker is not circled, double check all your measurements and try again.”

SteveDRO · 03-06-2021, 08:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EdColorado

I have that feature on my Expedition but haven’t set it up because I don’t have the trailer yet.
Researching common errors, I came across this statement from Ford.
Might help.

“If the sticker is not circled, double check all your measurements and try again.”

Yes, we traveled that road, so to speak. All measurements are good and rounded off per instructions

WillyB · 03-07-2021, 05:56 AM

The first time I set mine up a few years ago for my utility trailer I had the same issue. After doing the old double check I finally decided to do a complete reset.

As part of that I removed the guide sticker and relocated it maybe an inch or so. During this process I did not "stick" it on until I got it to a location where the system found the tag. I used scotch tape temporarily until I found the right spot. Then stuck it down.

Not really sure what caused the issue but the scotch tape method helped me find away around it.

bristol5.0 · 03-07-2021, 08:29 AM

I have a 2019 F150 with backup assist, and set up my (now sold) 17' Casita. There are min. and max. lengths from the center of the hitch ball for placement of the checkered sticker. I didn't have any problems with the camera finding the sticker, but WillyB's suggestion looks like a good workaround. If you think the camera is misaligned you could enlarge the camera view and a center line will show up on the screen and if it aligns with the center of the hitch its OK.

I found the best part of the backup assist is that once the trailer is aligned with where you want it to go, let go of the the small wheel and irregardless of the angle of the truck, it will follow the trailer perfectly. Unfortunately it doesn't work with the 5.0 TA.

SteveDRO · 03-07-2021, 10:29 AM

Thanks all; helpful insights and suggestions. The frigate is back in the harbor for a couple of weeks. Next hookup we'll clear the settings, quadruple check the measurements and see what happens. I'll post the outcome thereafter. In thinking about it, just imagine how far off it would've been if the tongue on this trailer was such that the sticker was placed down the center! Probably operator error, to be determined

johnnyv · 03-07-2021, 03:08 PM

I also have the f150 backup assist, 5 weeks away from 21' escape pickup. Does the power jack get in the way of anything ? Thx !

WillyB · 03-07-2021, 06:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bristol5.0

I have a 2019 F150 with backup assist, and set up my (now sold) 17' Casita. There are min. and max. lengths from the center of the hitch ball for placement of the checkered sticker. I didn't have any problems with the camera finding the sticker, but WillyB's suggestion looks like a good workaround. If you think the camera is misaligned you could enlarge the camera view and a center line will show up on the screen and if it aligns with the center of the hitch its OK.

I found the best part of the backup assist is that once the trailer is aligned with where you want it to go, let go of the the small wheel and irregardless of the angle of the truck, it will follow the trailer perfectly. Unfortunately it doesn't work with the 5.0 TA.

"I found the best part of the backup assist is that once the trailer is aligned with where you want it to go, let go of the the small wheel and irregardless of the angle of the truck, it will follow the trailer perfectly."

EXACTLY!!

ChuckBC · 03-07-2021, 10:00 PM

I moved my sticker slightly outboard of the Driver's side A frame at the jack. To do this I made a plate out of 1/16 " aluminum. When backing up this gives tailgate camera better view of sticker when truck is at a tighter angle to passenger side.

Love this feature on the F150.

johnnyv · 03-07-2021, 10:50 PM

Thx Chuck, was wondering about that. Thanks for the solution !

Rossue · 03-07-2021, 11:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EdColorado

I have that feature on my Expedition but haven’t set it up because I don’t have the trailer yet.

I see you sold a year old or so old 21. Seems like you bought the Expedition after that? Do you have another trailer in mind?

dlakeman · 03-08-2021, 12:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChuckBC

I moved my sticker slightly outboard of the Driver's side A frame at the jack. To do this I made a plate out of 1/16 " aluminum. When backing up this gives tailgate camera better view of sticker when truck is at a tighter angle to passenger side.

Love this feature on the F150.

I tried something similar on my 2020 F-150 and 2020 21C. What I'm finding is the E2 WDH (set up by ETI) has the ball too low, however weight distribution is perfect. The "A" measurement for my setup is 17". The max the truck setup in the computer will allow is 16". I attached a flat metal plate (via a U-bolt) to the jack tube so I could move the sticker up higher to get the 16" measurement. When going through the setup program all measurements are accurate, the truck "sees" the sticker via the red circle, then after setup is complete the truck doesn't "see" the sticker on the second backup attempt. Frustrating!

EdColorado · 03-08-2021, 01:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rossue

I see you sold a year old or so old 21. Seems like you bought the Expedition after that? Do you have another trailer in mind?

Yes.

I was very enthused with the E23 Twin Bed model but, for a variety of reasons, decided on the Bigfoot 25' Twin Bed. Needed a more substantial tow vehicle so traded the Grand Cherokee for the Expedition.

After owning a casita and Escape, we're convinced of the superiority of fiberglass.

Ed

dlakeman · 03-08-2021, 03:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChuckBC

I moved my sticker slightly outboard of the Driver's side A frame at the jack. To do this I made a plate out of 1/16 " aluminum. When backing up this gives tailgate camera better view of sticker when truck is at a tighter angle to passenger side.

Love this feature on the F150.

Chuck,
Would you post a pic so we can see where you placed the plate and sticker? I tried the plate, only on the passenger side. Not working for me.

ChuckBC · 03-08-2021, 03:30 PM

My setup and works well on my E19 frame.

dlakeman · 03-08-2021, 03:33 PM

Thanks. I'll have to re-route some electrical wires up to the jack. No big deal. I'll give it a try.

SteveDRO · 03-08-2021, 07:35 PM

Nice solution with the plate, Chuck! We'll fabricate and install similar if the location on the a-frame doesn't work out.

Rossue · 03-08-2021, 10:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EdColorado

Yes.

I was very enthused with the E23 Twin Bed model but, for a variety of reasons, decided on the Bigfoot 25' Twin Bed. Needed a more substantial tow vehicle so traded the Grand Cherokee for the Expedition.

After owning a casita and Escape, we're convinced of the superiority of fiberglass.

Ed

Wow- big upgrade, congrats! Looks like more elbow room for sure. The Expedition should handle it just fine.

trackingtervs@gmail.com · 03-22-2021, 09:28 PM

Dlakeman and ChuckBC: I have an Expedition with the same system and an 2020 21C with the Fastway E2 and can’t get the backup assist setup to work. Is measurement A the distance from the bumper to the center of the ball horizontally or vertically? I read it as horizontal and my measurement is 14” with the maximum allowed in the system being 11”. Your solution seems that you raised the sticker vertically up off of the A frame of the trailer which would mean that measurement A is actually the vertical distance from bumper to ball. Am I measuring incorrectly and can you give me any more details about how you got the system to work for you?

dlakeman · 03-23-2021, 03:16 PM

The "A" measurement on my 2020 F-150 is the horizontal distance from the license plate to the center of the ball. The max the F-150 allows is 17". The E2 sets my ball at 18" from the license plate, therefore the backup assist won't work for me. As my friends have told me, you'd better learn how to back up without any assistance from your F-150, and I have!

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