New Fords-sway control built in?

[bryanl]

re: " There are far to many RV accidents due to out of, or lack of control."

This is the sort of hyperbole that, I think, serves no good purpose.

The 2006 crash book for Nevada, for instance, cites 2 TT crashes out of something like 111,000 crashes in that year. The primary causes for crashes was driver distraction and inattention.

There are very few TT crashes and the reports I have seen do not support the idea that they are caused by loss of control due to not having some magical sway device.

As 2air' demonstrates, there are many ways to a safe result even without 'certification'. The first step is paying attention to your rig and your driving.

[Chuck]

I don't understand how this concept is different from "electronic stability control", where the computer can control each wheel brake independently. How does this extend to the trailer's brake system, which, as far as I understand, is still only one circuit for all wheels?

[my1ststream]

Why do you guys keep buying fords anyway

[Minnie's Mate]

Originally Posted by midstream

Why do you guys keep buying fords anyway

Because we bought our first...owner satisfaction influences future purchases. Including the Ford I owned when I got married plus two Expeditions we bought for my wife and the three trucks (F150 + F250 + F250) we have owned 6 Fords and see no reason to change horses in the middle of this stream.

[Chuck]

yeah...."Don't"

Don't Change Horses (In the Middle of a Stream) | Tower Of Power Song - Yahoo! Music

[Aviator]

Those of us who buy Fords have usually had a positive experience in the past. I am on my second Ford truck which is one of five Fords I own or have owned. The first being an '87 Mustang which was loads of fun. Currently I have running Fords from a 1928 Modal A Tudor, 1968 Mustang GT, and the newest 2009 F150. All are great vehicles.

[ROBERTSUNRUS]

Originally Posted by my1ststream

Why do you guys keep buying fords anyway

Hi, for me, our family had mostly Ford products and had better luck with them. I have owned close to fifty vehicles and only about four were not Ford products. I have worked at new car dealers since 1968; Two Chevrolet dealers, One Oldsmobile/GMC dealer, and the rest Ford, Lincoln, and Mercury dealers. My one, and only, Chevrolet had two engines replaced within 45,000 miles and the trans replaced at 25,000 miles. Luck of the draw, but convinced me to stick with my Fords. Need I say anymore?

[Road Ruler]

Originally Posted by bryanl

The 2006 crash book for Nevada, for instance, cites 2 TT crashes out of something like 111,000 crashes in that year. The primary causes for crashes was driver distraction and inattention.

There are very few TT crashes and the reports I have seen do not support the idea that they are caused by loss of control due to not having some magical sway device.

The first step is paying attention to your rig and your driving.

Some good points Bryan.... " paying attention to your rig and driving"


I believe " paying attention to your rig " covers most of the bases which could include your vehicle type and option selection (as in stability control devices).

Operator driving skills and attention levels vary and will only get one so far.

How many folks have a less "than optimal" set up connection? (80%).

How many folks have made an unintentional driving or an attentive error at one time or another (est 99.9%)

In these cases electronic stability controls will kick in and help.

[bryanl]

re: "I don't understand how this concept is different ... is still only one circuit for all wheels?"

As I understand it, the Ford controller simply applies trailer braking when it detects sideways pressures on the rear. It may also boost throttle a tad. If done promptly and judiciously, this will inhibit sway because it pulls the trailer and tow vehicle straight. The vehicle computer can react sooner than a driver can which tends to improve the effectiveness of the method, especially when coupled to other advancements in suspension and vehicle stability.

The interesting part (to me) is that the vehicle can detect (and react to) forces on it such as a trailer might impart. That has many implications to consider.

[Road Ruler]

Interested in learning more about Fords offering I found this blurb that seems to explain.....

“When we first introduced AdvanceTrac with RSC on the Explorer in 2004, we offered customers enhanced safety by including roll sensing,” said Steve Kozak, Ford’s chief safety engineer. “Now with Trailer Sway Control, we are helping our customers who tow trailers achieve an enhanced level of control of their load. Ford is committed to continuing to develop features and technologies that help make the driving experience easier and safer.”


Unlike competitors’ electronic stability control systems that only use yaw rate sensing, Advance Trac® with RSC® utilizes a roll-rate sensor to determine the vehicle’s body roll-rate and roll angle, along with yaw rate sensing.
If the unique roll-rate sensor detects a significant roll angle, the system applies additional countermeasures — such as applying brakes to one or more wheels or reducing engine power — to help the driver maintain control of the vehicle


Trailer Sway Control works in conjunction with AdvanceTrac with RSC to determine from the yaw motion of the vehicle if the trailer is swaying and take measures – such as applying precise braking or reduced engine torque – to help bring both vehicle and trailer under control.



In general, the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) both agree stability control systems could save thousands of lives annually.

[Minnie's Mate]

No doubt in my mind this system will enhance driver comfort and increase safety, but it should in no way be considered as a substitute for a front line of defense against sway. just, MHO.

[slowmover]

Originally Posted by bryanl

re: " There are far to many RV accidents due to out of, or lack of control."

This is the sort of hyperbole that, I think, serves no good purpose.

The 2006 crash book for Nevada, for instance, cites 2 TT crashes out of something like 111,000 crashes in that year. The primary causes for crashes was driver distraction and inattention.

There are very few TT crashes and the reports I have seen do not support the idea that they are caused by loss of control due to not having some magical sway device.

the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that between 1999 and 2007 there were 3,672 accidents involving passenger vehicles with a trailer that resulted in 4,285 deaths and 153,088 crashes that caused injuries.

.

[bryanl]

Where one has to be careful when it comes to trotting out statistics is in what is missing in the NHTSA numbers - What is the referent? How are terms defined?

Good stuff, though. I need to see if I can find that report to see what it really says.

For the national as a whole only 3,762 crashes over 8 years? That's less than 500 per year for the entire country and that includes all causes,

This particular number trotting exercise also has some interesting inconsistencies. How can you have 153,088 crashes with injuries when there were only 3.672 events? That means each accident had more than 42 crashes. Or were there 157k TT related crashes with injury or death over 8 years? If so, how many with only property damage? How does that compare with the Nevada example of 2 per 100,000 total crashes involving TT's and injury and death crash rates well below that? If different, why?

Besides the proper interpretation of statistics, the other issue that should concern anyone trying to get to the true story should be the jump that just automatically assumes that the crashes were caused by not having the "magic sway control device". That runs across the problem of trying to explain how so many without that device remain safe on the roads.

Of course, putting the numbers in the proper context with the proper referent would probably not make the point desired. Critical reading is necessary to help make sure you get it right.

[Road Ruler]

Originally Posted by REDNAX

the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that between 1999 and 2007 there were 3,672 accidents involving passenger vehicles with a trailer that resulted in 4,285 deaths and 153,088 crashes that caused injuries.

.

My interpretation is.....

153,088 crashes (within these accidents there were injuries)

3,672 crashes ( within these accidents there was 4,285 deaths)

I would think there were actually additional accidents but they are not mentioned because there were no injuries. Like Bryan said it would be nice to see the whole report/statistics.

[Diesel1]

Originally Posted by REDNAX

the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that between 1999 and 2007 there were 3,672 accidents involving passenger vehicles with a trailer that resulted in 4,285 deaths and 153,088 crashes that caused injuries.

.

Is this TT accidents, as is being discussed here, or all trailer accidents? Adios, John

[silverleeper]

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f463...-in-62691.html

Please stay on topic.

[JFScheck]

Originally Posted by hhendrix

The new Fords have sway control built in to the braking system.

Many vehicles already offer for quite some time to include "Jeep Grand Cherokee's" and "Chrysler Aspens" as of 2007 but also Mercedes, VW, Porsche, Audi and I think even Chevy started offering it back in 2007 as well...

As Andy said - you don't EVEN want to get in that position - but if you do I'll still hit that manual brake button on the trailer...

Interesting how some of the manufactures don't mention this - others are now highly promoting this....