Cool or Gimmick? New Ford Pro Trailer Hitch Assist in Action 

I just got the update this week on my 23 PB XLT. I've been backing up to utility, boat and RV trailers for years and I have to say this is a very cool and useful feature. I was playing around with it today in my gravel driveway on a not so straight or level shot to my 6x10 utility trailer. I was impressed and kinda freaked my wife out. Wheel spinning around like mad as it backed up to the trailer, placed the ball perfectly under the hitch, pushed the console into Park and set the parking brake. Yeah, I prolly could have done it in the same amount of time or a little faster, but being an old man @ 70 a few extra seconds of no-stress hitching is good by me! That said, I find the backup assist more stressful than side mirrors and a hand on the wheel.

a little trick for ol skool trucks and people who don't have these modern tools is to just put 1 hand on bottom of the steering wheel when backing up. This way, if you want trailer to go to the left, you move your hand to the left. No reverse thinking all the time when backing up with a trailer attached.

They need to come up with a way for the truck to automatically back a trailer/boat into a designated spot using the bird's eye camera. Would save some people a lot of embarrassment at the boat ramp/camp site.

Seems cool to me. Ford is trying to grab newer people to the truck market by removing some potential intimidation factors, seems smart to me. Yeah most traditional truck guys are going to scoff at this, but they aren't the ones adding these high tech package options anyway so they aren't the target consumer.

Just like the backup assist, it’s something I’ll never use. Unlike backup assist though, I don’t feel like this adds a whole lot of value. Backing up to a trailer is similar to simply backing up into a tight spot. With just a backup camera I think most would become accustomed quickly doing it by themselves. If it helps someone though, I suppose it’s fine just seems like a lot of fuss for fairly little gain.

It’s a cool idea and I see nothing wrong with it. I learned how to trailer and tow on our 500 acre family farm over 50 yrs ago so personally speaking I don’t need it. But, I’m not threatened that someone else might want or need it.

For decades I backed up to a tailer with no cameras, no assist devices etc. but I must admit having a back up camera these days makes it a lot easier and faster (and no little ding marks in the bumper). I can see this being very helpful to folks with less experience - so why not? I may never use it but why not make these activities less stressful for those less skilled.

I'll give Ford free advice: Make it so you can just hitch up from outside using the phone app. Why even bother doing this from inside the truck at all?

Cool idea. My friend had an escape that did parallel parking. She did it once and never again cause it’s not that hard. I think this might be like that.

It’s cool for those that can’t drive. I was able to back up and hook a trailer my first time ever just using a back up camera. Like the park assist in my 2022 Tiguan, those are one of the features I would never use

I think it's a good idea. Many people are new or novice to towing. This makes it easier. I don't mind it. This tech is going to make it so much faster at the campground, Home Depot, or even U-haul.

Any idea if this will be an over the air update on for 2022 models that already have trailer backup assist?

This may be good for old people. My dad and his friend were trying to hitch up the boat at night. My dad's friend is trying to tell my dad he can't see anything cause his eyes are bad. My dad is hard of hearing and has no idea what his friend is saying. Then bam, right into his bumper. Bunch of morons lol

I've only used U haul auto transport trailers which don't even need a trailer brake control. Existing camera system is fine for my needs.

Neat idea, but I've been towing for so long I really don't need it.

I like the modern backup camera that zooms in to the hitch and provides the lines on the camera screen to guide you but that is it. I don't want or need any automation for backing into a trailer or backing my trailer. If you can't do that then I would think you shouldn't be driving a vehicle pulling a trailer. Another worthless feature is the trailer light check, really, I have to sit there thumbing through screens to find the light check page and then enable it. I choose the old fashion method, hit the four ways and turn on the parking lamps, ten times faster.

Looks useful sometimes, the back up camera works just fine for me. Just more stuff to break down but still a useful idea for some. I have some friends that just can’t figure out how to back up to a hitch so this would be great. If it’s an option I’ll pass.

Great video Tim I have a 21 Platinum Poowerboost with the trailer assist does the hitch assist get added as a software up grade to our trucks or is this just for 23 models?

I consider myself pretty darn good at backing up a trailer. But I did find 1 place I used the pro trailer backup... the family campsite had about a 300 foot place to backup straight. It wasn't that I couldn't do it. But for that long of a straight backup.. It was pretty great. :) This feature could be interesting and help some. The other thing, it's not like it needs anything else. It looks like it could be a software upgrade to do/get it.

It's sci fyi like seeing the steering wheel turn it's self

By the time I do all that button pushing I would of been hitched already….😂

That is a neat feature, but I probably wouldn’t use it.

I think it’s a gimmick. And learning how to properly back up to a trailer, as well as back up a trailer in general. Are both things that people who want to pull trailers need to learn. How many times have you seen someone who has absolutely no business towing a trailer. Being a complete hazard on the road. And doing dumb things. Well this will only create more of them.

Cool

Looks like it would only work if the truck and trailer are lined up in a straight line. If your in a tight space or campsite and have to hitch on an angle probably won't work. Also wonder if it works on un level ground, “ take your foot off the pedals” will the truck apply power if you backing up a hill or over uneven ground?

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gimmick. gimmick. gimmick. Especially if it lowers the overall cost of the truck!! However, if the truck comes it it anyway...ahhh, yah, I'd use it. Just saying... haha

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F-150 is the gimmick truck.

This whole thing is just stupid. The biggest advancement in recent history for hitching is the mandating of back up cameras. No you don't see the ball it self when you are 30 feet away starting to back, but you know where the front of the trailer is and that is your aim point until you see the ball. Seemingly all cameras have trajectory lines when backing to even show you if you are lining up right as you are turning. The only thing manufactures need to do is put the camera on the center line of the truck. We all bitch about the cost of new trucks, well this is how it happens, the brands have stuff like this that is wholly un-needed but gets added as a mandatory option with a package you do want like tow mirrors and a high mount bake light camera and presto you've added 2 grand or what ever they want to charge to cost of the truck for something that was never needed in the first place.

Too many extra steps... shifting to neutral, holding a button, confirming hitch height... all unnecessary. Let people fail, we don't need a nanny state of extra steps.

Wow. Theres nothing "pro" about these gimmicks.

If you can’t line up your hitch without a computer you don’t need to be pulling a trailer because you’ll be doing stupid things a computer has no control over. Just because you might be able to pull a trigger doesn’t mean you should be trusted with a gun in your hand. Wake up people!!

Useless technology all you need is the back up camera