Ford Motor Company has filed a patent for a remote trailer hitch assist system that could be used in future Ford pickups, Ford Authority has learned.
The patent was filed on March 17th, 2020, published on July 11th, 2023, and assigned serial number 11697414.
The Ford Authority Take
In the highly competitive world of pickups, Ford has filed a large number of patents in recent months as it aims to stay a step ahead of its rivals. That list includes filings for adjustable towing mirrors, a retractable drop leg trailer assist system, a trailer sideswipe avoidance system, a boat launching management system, and an auto-sliding fifth wheel hitch. In the realm of towing technology, The Blue Oval continues to innovate with features like Pro Trailer Hitch Assist, and now, the automaker has filed a patent for a remote trailer hitch assist system that could be used in future Ford pickups, too.
The idea behind this patent filing is quite familiar – to make the act of towing a little easier for everyone. In fact, the system outlined in this patent essentially seems like a remote controlled version of Trailer Hitch Assist, one that could be controlled by an app on one’s smartphone, from outside the vehicle if so desired.
As Ford points out in the patent, the act of aligning the hitch ball with a trailer and backing up in the proper direction is typically the biggest challenge for novices, which is precisely what a system like this could address directly. Being able to stand behind a vehicle when it’s backing up a trailer while controlling it with an app remotely could make this process far easier, making it viable for use in future Ford pickups.
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Comment
The backup camera system has a dotted black line that lines up nicely with the trailer ball. Most times I don’t need another person to help. So I don’t see this as something I would pay for. But the Pro Trailer backup assist is worth every penny and the reason I chose F150 over other pickups. I have 3 trailers and the system adapts to each one.