Trailer Backup Assist: Which 2019 truck offers the best?

[Calum]

Any thoughts about which 2019 truck offers the best trailer backup assist - or are they all much the same?
Thanks!

[DewTheDew]

I haven't compared them but I bought my F-150 about 15 months ago (and my Airstream about a month later) and even being only a moderately practiced backer (I had a 22' boat for a few years) it seemed to me to be more complicated to learn than it would be to just hone my backing skills with the 27' Airstream. So I never set it up. I suppose I should do so at some point just to try it out, but I don't see how they can be all that useful for the regular stuff I do (backing into our storage spot and backing into state park style camping spots).

[Edistobob]

I am only familiar with the Ford system on a 2018 Expedition. While I have backed up with no assist for years, I did set the system up and used it on our first trip towing with the Expedition during October and November. I was generally pleased with its performance and found it particularly useful to "finish" the back-in process because the system takes care of keeping the trailer aimed correctly once it is pointed where you want it to go. I found that it can do a bit better with that than I usually do. Occasionally it will temporarily lose the sticker and ask me to take over, but I did not find that to be a major issue. Overall I like the system and find it to be a "nice to have" item but certainly not something that I would expect to completely take over my backing duties. It comes with the heavy duty towing package; were it a separate item I very well might not order it, depending on how much it would cost. I am not aware that any changes have been made to the system for 2019.

[Moflash]

Just learn to back up. It is much easier and comes in handy.

[jcl]

Originally Posted by Moflash

Just learn to back up. It is much easier and comes in handy.

And don’t put it in drive. Shift manually, preferably with a clutch.
And don’t use cameras, only mirrors, and shoulder checks.
And those mirrors need to be adjusted manually, so don’t use the electric adjustments, they may fail, so adjust them by pushing on the mirror, or get someone to do it for you (don’t try this at home)
No speed control. Learn to hold your speed without electronic interventions.
Don’t use auto tune or search on your radio. Learn to tune manually.
Don’t use memory settings on your power seats. Adjust them manually, and if possible, delete the electric adjust option in favour of manual adjustments.

How far should one go in avoiding technology? Or should we perhaps learn how to use the technology included in new vehicles, in which case comparing the functionality of the different systems is a good question?

[Daquenzer]

I use it for my cargo trailer. Works great. Small trailers are harder to back up, and I can back up much easier with it. Couldn’t believe how much easier. I have a 2017 F150.

For my AS I just back up myself. It looses the marker because when you turn sharp it goes out of range of the camera, and it wasn’t worth the hassle. Also at night it can’t see the marker. So if you are coming into a site at night or coming home at night it doesn’t work. Thus it is better to learn to back up the AS on your own since it will come in handy. It really doesn’t take long to master.

I also have a Propride hitch, which causes the marker to be too far back and the back up system doesn’t quite work the same. Although I have heard of a work around. I just haven’t dealt with it. As I said after awhile you’ll get it. Just remember to go very slow so that you have time to make adjustments. Going too fast or trying to go fast will make it harder to get the hang of.