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Old 07-28-2018, 06:12 AM   #21
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Here's how I installed the sticker on my 27’ FB. My 2018 F-150 found it right away and its worked great. Only shutdown once because it lost it, that was due to too much sunshine coming in at just the right angle. Click image for larger version

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Old 07-28-2018, 10:15 PM   #22
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SilverCabin View Post
Here's how I installed the sticker on my 27’ FB. My 2018 F-150 found it right away and its worked great. Only shutdown once because it lost it, that was due to too much sunshine coming in at just the right angle. Attachment 318260
It seems to vary depending on the truck, trailer and hitch. That placement was exactly what I tried but it was very intermittent for me. It could be my Blue Ox Swaypro hitch.

I guess the moral of the story is be prepared to try several placements and don’t get discouraged if mounting it right on the frame doesn’t work.
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Old 08-01-2018, 09:44 AM   #23
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F-150

Hi,
I have the same F-150. How is it towing uphills?
Also, parking? Any issues?
Thanks!
Tim
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Old 08-01-2018, 10:02 AM   #24
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Originally Posted by daleyocum View Post
It seems to vary depending on the truck, trailer and hitch. That placement was exactly what I tried but it was very intermittent for me. It could be my Blue Ox Swaypro hitch.

I guess the moral of the story is be prepared to try several placements and don’t get discouraged if mounting it right on the frame doesn’t work.
I have the Blue OX WDH on mine and have no issues with the Back Up Assist system other than if sun shines directly into camera lens. Perhaps those who loose the system on tight turns have the sticker further back on the tongue than those who do not?

I suspect as you say all the trailers are a bit different as to how much room you have on the tongue frame to place the sticker. On my 04 Safari the propane tanks are right up at the trailers house and battery in front of them so there is enough room for the sticker and the Blue Ox. I have the sticker ahead of the Blue Ox chain holders.

As others have said if you are already good with backing up the trailer without the system then you may not like using the system much. Requires you to rethink each move that you make with the knob that you do instinctively manually using the steering wheel. I am also not comfortable with just watch the screen to see were the trailer is heading instead of the watching the Trailers movement with the side mirrors. Just seems wrong LOL For that reason I do not use it much but have found it helpful if I need to do a very long perfect straight line fast back up though.

As someone who has been towing for a number of years & have good back up skills I do not think I would spend the money to get the system in my next truck unless they make some radical changes to how the system works.
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Old 08-01-2018, 11:29 AM   #25
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Only available as a factory option on Ford trucks. On F-150s 2015 and newer. On the newest Super Duty (250) if I remember right.
The system pioneered on the F-150 is also on the new Expedition with the towing package. I’m glad to see y’all have been successful with it as I never tried as the position of the LPG cover blocks the place ford says to place the decal. You’ve encouraged me to clean off a spot for the sticker and try it. I’ve been backing a trailer 35 years, but I’m always ready to learn a new trick.
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Old 08-01-2018, 11:32 AM   #26
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Reflection?

Quote:
Originally Posted by SilverCabin View Post
Here's how I installed the sticker on my 27’ FB. My 2018 F-150 found it right away and its worked great. Only shutdown once because it lost it, that was due to too much sunshine coming in at just the right angle. Attachment 318260
Do you think the reflection of the decal on the tank cover was the culprit?
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Old 08-01-2018, 11:51 AM   #27
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Hills

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Originally Posted by tjbrk View Post
Hi,
I have the same F-150. How is it towing uphills?
Also, parking? Any issues?
Thanks!
Tim
We have been towing a 27FB behind an ‘02 5.4l Expedition with towing package for about 8 years and traded earlier this year for a new 3.5l 10-speed Expy with towing package. This is very similar if not identical to the drive train used on last year’s F-150. The difference has been day and night. It pulls mountain grades in the Rockies without a whimper. RPMs are lower, the engine quieter and the tranny always seems to be in the right gear up and down hill. Towing economy is about 15% better than my old one. Ford found a winner with this engine and transmission combo.
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Old 08-01-2018, 12:53 PM   #28
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F150 park assist

I have a 2017 f150 with backup assist on my
2017 basecamp. I have only 7 -12 inches on the tongue.and the backup works well.
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Old 08-01-2018, 03:09 PM   #29
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Modification to cover

Click image for larger version

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ID:	318657. Photo is showing upside down-sorry...To get around the issues, I cut a notch out of propane cover and mounted Ford sticker on flat aluminum plate. I was still getting camera loss on sunny days and was going to paint a black racing sripe on tank cover behind sticker, but did tree design instead. It works pretty well now. Camera loss during hard turns only. Ford has replaced my camera one time under warranty due to calibration issue.
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Old 08-01-2018, 10:20 PM   #30
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Can the trailer park assist be used with an airstream? Propane tanks do not allow sticker placement between 7-22 inches as manual requires ???
Help !!!
The sticker if placed as close as possible to the tank cover will work and calibrate. I chose the left front frame as viewed facing the front of the trailer.

I have practiced some using trailer assist. It does work backing up even with a sharp turn. However I still feel more comfortable backing up without the system.
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Old 08-02-2018, 08:22 AM   #31
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My truck has this feature but I've never tried it because how in the world is the back up camera in the tailgate gonna show me what the end of my 34' trailer is about to hit? We use the "spouse with a cell phone method"(she makes sure to stay behind the trailer facing it, so her commands for left and right are always in the same orientation as me behind the wheel) and GOAL if there is any confusion.
It seems a camera mounted in the rear window of the AS would be very helpful doing it solo.
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Old 08-02-2018, 07:51 PM   #32
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Originally Posted by Gillable View Post
Attachment 318657. Photo is showing upside down-sorry ... I was still getting camera loss on sunny days and was going to paint a black racing stripe on tank cover behind sticker, but did tree design instead. ...
That's a really cool idea, I like the forest and it solves the reflection concern.
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Old 08-03-2018, 09:27 AM   #33
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dvgofaz View Post
My truck has this feature but I've never tried it because how in the world is the back up camera in the tailgate gonna show me what the end of my 34' trailer is about to hit? We use the "spouse with a cell phone method"(she makes sure to stay behind the trailer facing it, so her commands for left and right are always in the same orientation as me behind the wheel) and GOAL if there is any confusion.
It seems a camera mounted in the rear window of the AS would be very helpful doing it solo.
You're correct. The system tells you nothing about what is behind your Airstream. You still need a spotter and communication. The system just helps you go where the spotter tells you to go.

I've been towing trailers for years, so using the backup assist is kind of fun for me, but I'm always ready to take over and do it myself. The one big advantage to the system is helping you back up straight for long distances, which I have to do often.

Randy
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Old 08-03-2018, 09:30 AM   #34
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Originally Posted by Silver Goose View Post
Do you think the reflection of the decal on the tank cover was the culprit?
Possibly. We had the sun low on the sticker side of the trailer, backing to the left when it lost sight. That was the only time it failed on us. I might try a tank cover mod as Gilable has done above.

Randy
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Old 08-04-2018, 12:13 AM   #35
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Backup Camera

The best solution is to add a backup/rearview camera on your trailer. I bought a wireless setup from Amazon that works perfectly for less than $100.


Tapped the top middle marker lamp for power. Works perfectly except I need to turn my lights on to power the rear camera.


All I need to do is look at the screen, turn the knob and when I see the rear end heading where I want let go of the knob.
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Old 08-04-2018, 12:25 PM   #36
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Which camera on Amazon? No problem with the wireless range?
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Old 08-04-2018, 05:05 PM   #37
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Which camera on Amazon? No problem with the wireless range?
The one I bought was an Accfly system on sale, but any wireless one specifically made for trucks and RVs should work. I tried to build my own system on the cheap previously without success.

Elliot
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Old 08-04-2018, 05:19 PM   #38
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The best solution is to add a backup/rearview camera on your trailer. I bought a wireless setup from Amazon that works perfectly for less than $100.


Tapped the top middle marker lamp for power. Works perfectly except I need to turn my lights on to power the rear camera.


All I need to do is look at the screen, turn the knob and when I see the rear end heading where I want let go of the knob.
I just checked and the Accfly system I used is now only $60.99 on Amazon
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Old 08-04-2018, 09:09 PM   #39
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Thanks for the info.
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