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Leith Cars Blog

Towing So Easy, Even a Dummy (Like Me) Can Do It

Story written for Leithcars.com by Alli Larado Oliver.

The 2017 Ford F-250 Super Duty Lariat. Ain’t she a beauty?

Though I work at LeithCars.com, I’ll admit it – I know nothing about trucks, trucking, towing or, truthfully, anything that has to do with being “rough and rugged.” I like spa days and room service, so knowing how to tow like a pro wasn’t really something that came naturally to me.

Recently, my husband and I decided to buy a boat, and we weren’t sure about towing it home hooked to my little sedan. We needed more power. We decided to rent the 2017 Ford F-250 Super Duty® Lariat, which when used for conventional towing, will haul up to 21,000 lbs. Maybe it was overkill since our boat is a tiny 17 feet and not nearly that heavy, but we wanted to be sure.

Apple CarPlay working its magic in the Super Duty’s dash.

I was worried about riding in a truck that big, but the F-250 felt just like speeding along in my little Buick. Apple CarPlay kept the navigation and the tunes going, and the built-in 110-volt outlet in the dash saved my phone from dying.

We made it from Raleigh to the Outer Banks just fine, which is where we picked up our boat. Little did I know that it was only after we hooked up our little boat that all the awesomeness would kick in.

Our new Hunter 170 all hooked up to the truck.

The Ford F-250 Super Duty® was perfect for someone like me who had zero towing experience. Its driver assist and smart technology did most of the work for me. Dynamic Hitch Assist helped me better position the truck so I could couple the trailer correctly, using the rear-view camera to help line up. The Smart Tow Connector was amazing. After hitching the trailer, I plugged into the truck’s electrical system, and Smart Tow Connector gave me connection status, lighting, and trailer battery alerts and warnings. There’s also a Trailer Sway Control which helps reduce road sway. I could see it all while I drove, too, thanks to the dash controls.

You’ll always know your towing status, thanks to the F-250’s smart technology.

Once we got our boat back to the marina, however, I worried about backing it up. Crisis averted since the F-250 had Trailer Reverse Guidance. It uses three cameras to provide multiple views, and steering guidance graphics assist in backing and maneuvering the trailer.

All backed in and uncoupled at Falls Lake.

I can see why Motor Trend named the 2017 Ford Super Duty® their Truck of the Year®. The ride was smooth, the cabin was huge and the towing was so easy, even I could figure it out. And that’s saying something.

See the 2017 Ford F-250 Super Duty® Lariat at Leith Ford in Wendell.