If you’ve ever had to back up a trailer, you know it’s not the most intuitive activity in the world. Getting the steering directions and steering just right is almost an art form for some to master, but it causes significant stress for many. This is especially true for new drivers, so to help, Ford may be planning a remote control feature that will allow owners to back up their truck and trailer using a smartphone app.
Engine 1 found a patent application dating back to mid-July 2022. Through a series of diagrams and notes, Ford is essentially laying out a plan to use a smartphone as a remote control. The app would display detailed camera angles and steering input guidance. Ford says the driver controls the steering angle by tilting the device. The whole thing looks very complicated on paper, but remote control of a truck and trailer will probably be more intuitive for many people than trying to do everything from the driver’s seat.
When the remote trailer towing app comes to market, it will be Ford’s second major tow assist feature. The carmaker already offers a Pro Trailer Backup Assist system in F-series trucks that allows the truck and trailer to be controlled via a rotary knob in the dashboard. The driver turns the knob in the direction he wants the trailer to go, and the truck does the rest.
People with more towing experience sometimes like to poke fun at others having trouble reversing a trailer. Still, these types of assistance systems can provide tangible benefits for people with mobility and other problems. Turning to reverse a trailer isn’t possible for everyone, so a remote control option can make towing possible for more people. Plus, it looks nice, so it could convince the naysayers.