Ford Towing Bootcamp

[HeavyAssault]

After a few phone calls it seems as this WHOLE towing bootcamp was created by that dealership sales-guy that told everyone their running boards are backwards.

 

[AZsurveyor]

I am just waiting for someone to actually come up with a useful human function for the soft knob, short of me ripping it out.

 

[Apples]

knob

It's to keep your hand from slipping off

 

[Apples]

But, seriously....




I have no idea what it is on our trucks you may be referring to. And I am only ass-u-mi-ng you refer to a part or object in the late model Super Duty.

 

[WhatExit?]

All too often seeing people back up is like watching this...

 

[HeavyAssault]

I am just waiting for someone to actually come up with a useful human function for the soft knob, short of me ripping it out.

Pretty sure there is a pro-level league sport of Titty Twisting out there.... @Optimus🤖 might have some betting spreads to inquire about within the rings of NashVegas.

 

[Optimus🤖]

Pretty sure there is a pro-level league sport of Titty Twisting out there.... @Optimus🤖 might have some betting spreads to inquire about within the rings of NashVegas.

I always bet on spreading!

 

[Apples]

I reversed trailers of all sizes for a living, before I moved on. I never needed any Pro Trailer Backup Assist or whatever it is, which is why it's not in/on my truck's list of e-features... I take it that's the Soft Knob referred to here, recently.

Cheers.

 

[AZsurveyor]

I reversed trailers of all sizes for a living, before I moved on. I never needed any Pro Trailer Backup Assist or whatever it is, which is why it's not in/on my truck's list of e-features... I take it that's the Soft Knob referred to here, recently.

Cheers.

I learned how back up a trailer before I even knew how to drive forward, so if it was totally up to me, that soft knob wouldn't be in my rig.

 

[Optimus🤖]

I learned how back up a trailer before I even knew how to drive forward, so if it was totally up to me, that soft knob wouldn't be in my rig.

It's called the Happy Knob. Just put a sticker on it.

 

[AZsurveyor]

It's called the Happy Knob. Just put a sticker on it.

View attachment 228686

Wrong knob.

Sorry man, only real men would identify it because it makes us feel soft if we touch it.

 

[Optimus🤖]

Wrong knob.

Sorry man, only real men would identify it because it makes us feel soft if we touch it.

Real men don't have soft knobs.

 

[Mister Bevilaqua]

I learned how back up a trailer before I even knew how to drive forward, so if it was totally up to me, that soft knob wouldn't be in my rig.

It's in mine, but I didn't build/order my truck; I bought someone else's order off the lot. I just stare at it in disgust from time to time.

 

[The Evil Twin]

I learned how back up a trailer before I even knew how to drive forward, so if it was totally up to me, that soft knob wouldn't be in my rig.

It was part of the package, but I don't have a use for it. There is the possibility I'll play with it for fun. Setting it up sounds like a pain in the ass though.

 

[Mister Bevilaqua]

It was part of the package, but I don't have a use for it. There is the possibility I'll play with it for fun. Setting it up sounds like a pain in the ass though.

Agreed! An inexperienced new truck owner would be better served learning how to back down a trailer than he would be to set up the silly system. I'd wager it takes the same amount of time as well lol.

 

[RedZilla]

I fiddled around with an attempt at setting mine up in case my wife may want to use it if she ever needs to back up the camper for me.

I don’t know if it’s just me or I did something wrong, or my brain just doesn’t work that way, but I couldn’t tell if it was working right after numerous attempts.
I found for me it’s much easier to just use the mirrors and do it old school. Besides, if I couldn’t do the knob and rear camera method myself, how would I teach her how to use it? Besides she would never willingly accept the task of backing the camper, heck she refuses to drive the truck, let alone with the camper connected!!

As for Ford’s training classes, my guess is they know that probably 99.8% of owners never use the thing and they are trying to increase usage to justify the system. Personally I think they should do away with it and use the dash space for something more practical.

 

[Hunterman]

I’ll admit it….when I was 16 and just got my license I “borrowed” a boat to go fishing. I didn’t know what the F I was doing at the boat ramp. Never backed up a trailer. Some guy came over to me and asked “is this your first time” to which I replied. Yes….want to do it for me. As much as I think he wanted to he let me figure it out with a half dozen other guys honking at me.

The next day I practiced in an empty parking lot

 

[RedZilla]

I’ll admit it….when I was 16 and just got my license I “borrowed” a boat to go fishing. I didn’t know what the F I was doing at the boat ramp. Never backed up a trailer. Some guy came over to me and asked “is this your first time” to which I replied. Yes….want to do it for me. As much as I think he wanted to he let me figure it out with a half dozen other guys honking at me.

The next day I practiced in an empty parking lot

Yep we all had to learn at one point. For many of us it was when we were teenagers and had some old guy to give us pointers. Best to learn on a longer more forgiving trailer. And never at the boat ramp.

 

[MrFancypants]

The only use for ProTrailer Backup Assist is backing up in a straight line. It is too counterintuitive to use for backing into garages or camping spots.

Hitch Assist is surprisingly good but for me it is too cautious and slow. Yes my hitch height is fine, don’t stop the whole process to make me check every time like a damn newb. If I could disable that one check like the rear occupant alert I would use it more.

 

[AZsurveyor]

@Optimus🤖

Allow me introduce you to the soft knob: