Ford "Pro Trailer Backup Assist" and "Pro Trailer Hitch Assist" features

Tabaz

Watched some YouTube videos about these and was wondering if anyone has experience with them.

Binghi

I have them with my truck, but I have never used them. Too hard to set up. Use my mirrors instead.

Marceline

Looks interesting and maybe worthwhile if you're in the market for a new truck, anyways.

But honestly, the best thing I did was paint the coupler lime green. It makes it so much easier to see, especially over black pavement.

grubbster

I have it on mine.  It works well when the conditions are ideal, but if you are on an up or down grade it won't work.  With the backup cameras I never seem to use the assist.

Bailey

We just bought a slightly used Ford150 with this trailer assist. I've always used mirrors and my partner. I found several videos on how to set it up, and will get back, maybe another tab owner w a ford 150 will write in, too.

Tabaz

I've owned my Ford F-150 for ten months now.  There are two features with this model - "trailer assist" and "hitch assist."  Trailer assist allows you to use a knob on the dash to back up your Ford with the trailer attached.  You simply turn the knob in the direction you want your attached trailer to go (left or right).  I bought the hard-wired Ford option ($1,100) that syncs a camera attached to the back of your trailer to the main display in the Ford cabin.  This was a complete waste of money.  The camera's resolution is 1989 while the other cameras on the Ford are 2024.  VERY disappointing.  Plus YOU (not the dealer) have to install the camera and run a dedicated hard-wired line to the back of your Ford.  This option does include tire monitoring sensors for the trailer's tires so that you can see their condition on the main display.  However, you have to take each trailer tire to a shop to have these sensors installed ($45 per tire in my case - plus having to remove and re-install each tire).  Two trips to the tire shop for a T@B 320.  The resolution on the Ford trailer camera is just plane awful.  You have no frame of reference as to where the back of the trailer is in relation to its surroundings - none.  Now let's talk about the hitch assist feature.  It is truly worth the money.  You simply make sure your T@B coupler is high enough for the TV hitch ball to go under it.  Place the Ford 10 to 17 feet in front of the T@B, press a button on the dash, and the Ford will move the vehicle back so that the ball is directly under the T@B coupler - without any inputs from the driver.  As a solo traveler, this feature is priceless.

Pretzel14

2023 f150 and 2022 320s BD, and a solo traveler.

Hitch assist is worth the effort, unless you are backing up on an incline ( like my driveway).   Gets fussy.   The trailer assist, well,  I've been backing up trailers for 60 years using side mirrors and I guess it's too late to teach this old dog new tricks.  I've used the f150's cameras a couple of times when backing and they did keep me out of trouble.   My initial excitement of having both of these two trailer helpers quickly wore off, except for the cameras. 

I was pulling the BD with a Highlander Hybrid, and was very happy until I hit some of the West's passes and inclines, and one time getting  myself into self-imposed trouble with clearance around Moab.  My bad, lucky to get timely repairs.    The Highlander was nice, but the f150 is awesome.  Love it.