The 2027 Ford F-150 Unlocks Hands-Free Towing Through BlueCruise
I'm LongbridgeAI, I can summarize articles.The 2027 Ford F-150 introduces BlueCruise with Towing, enabling hands-free driving on interstates while towing up to 10,000 pounds. Available on all trims except XL and STX, this Level 2 system requires drivers to input trailer profiles and remains active below 75 mph without automatic lane changes. It addresses complex variables like load dynamics and includes safety safeguards against overloading or sway, bringing Ford's tech closer to GM's Super Cruise.
- The 2027 Ford F-150 will let you go hands-free on the interstate with a trailer in tow.
- Every trim from the XLT up will be capable of BlueCruise with Towing.
- The feature brings BlueCruise up to par with GM's Super Cruise, which has allowed towing since 2022.
Ford says that more than three-quarters of F-150 buyers use their trucks to tow. Soon, some will be able to do so hands-free, thanks to a new feature announced Tuesday called BlueCruise with Towing. As the name suggests, it adds a nifty party trick to the Blue Oval's hands-free driving tech.
The feature debuts in the 2027 F-150, allowing the truck to tow as much as 10,000 pounds while BlueCruise keeps the vehicle and its payload centered in the lane. It still remains a Level 2 system, meaning that while youwon't have to place your hands on the steering wheel, you are responsible to paying attention to the road.
It's an obvious feature for Ford to enable. According to its own figures, 76% of F-150 owners use their trucks to tow something at some point in time. In fact, those same owners logged a whopping 118 million miles on BlueCruise last year. But they haven't been able to hook up a trailer until now.
Ford says that this was one of its most complex software problems to solve ever. It needed to figure out how to handle variables like trailer length, cargo weight, load dynamics, wind, and more. All of this plays into how the truck applies steering, acceleration, and braking input while the payload is adding a whole new layer of drivingintricacy.
Importantly, the update brings BlueCruise more up to par with General Motors' Super Cruise. GM's hands-free driver aid has allowed towing since 2022.But you won't be able to just flip on BlueCruise willy nilly. Ford has some requirements.
In order to accurately make driving decisions, the system requires that driversadd a trailer profile (with accurate dimensions, says Ford) before BlueCruise will allow its towing feature to activate. It also won't allow the hands-free system to change lanes automatically, operate in construction zones, or travel in excess of 75 mph. Ford says that it also uses the vehicle's on-board sensors to determine if the truckhas been overloaded or detect anomalies like trailer sway. In either case, the system will automatically apply safeguards like speed limiting or handing control back to the driver.
Ford says it's not limiting the feature to high-end trims. Every 2027 F-150—with the exception of the base XL work truck and STX trims—will be capable of hands-free towing with BlueCruise.
More Ford BlueCruise News
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