How to Use Trail Control and Trail One-Pedal Drive (Gen 2 2019–2020, Gen 3)
Ford's own demo covers the basics in ninety seconds. Here's the part that actually matters: the speed limits differ between Gen 2 and Gen 3, and it's easy to assume they don't.
Video: Using Trail Control™ | Ford How-To | Ford by Ford Motor Company on YouTube.
RaptorCentral isn't affiliated with the creator; the steps below are our own write-up.
Who this is for
Trail Control manages throttle and braking at individual wheels to hold a constant speed off-road so you can focus on steering, per Ford's own description. It's available on the 2019–2020 Gen 2 Raptor and on the Gen 3 (2021+) — but not on the 2017 Gen 2, which has hill descent control instead of Trail Control, and we don't have a verified answer for 2018. The speed limits that define how Trail Control behaves actually differ between Gen 2 and Gen 3, which is the single most useful thing to know before you try it on the trail. Gen 3 also adds Trail One-Pedal Drive, a related but separate feature this guide also covers.
Tools
- None — this is a feature walkthrough, not a repair
Parts
No parts required for this job.
Steps
Confirm your truck actually has Trail Control
The 2017 Gen 2 Raptor has hill descent control rather than Trail Control, per Ford's own 2017 supplement. The 2019 and 2020 Gen 2, and every Gen 3, have Trail Control. If you're not sure about a 2018, check your own supplement — we don't have a verified figure for that year.
Get into the right drive mode and gear
Trail Control needs the truck in Drive, Neutral or Reverse, and it isn't available with the parking brake applied, Pro Trailer Backup Assist active, cruise control on, or a door open. Select 4L for low-speed technical terrain, or 2WD/4H for faster going, depending on the trail.
Press the Trail Control button to turn it on
A single press switches it on. Pressing the button again switches it off, and it also switches off automatically if your speed goes above the gear's shutoff threshold.
Set your target speed with the steering wheel toggle
Use the +/- toggle on the steering wheel to set the speed you want to hold — a quick tap makes a small adjustment, holding it down makes a larger one.
Let the system manage throttle and braking while you steer
With a target speed set, Trail Control manages the throttle and brakes at each wheel to hold that pace, leaving you free to focus entirely on steering. Hearing the ABS pump cycle while it works is normal, not a malfunction.
Use the brake pedal to adjust speed without canceling
Pressing the brake pedal while Trail Control is active adjusts the set speed down rather than switching the system off outright — useful for a quick slow-down over an obstacle without having to re-engage the whole system afterward.
Know your gear's speed limits
On a 2019 Gen 2, Trail Control works up to 20 mph in 2WD/4H, up to 10 mph in 4L, and up to 5 mph in reverse, switching off above 42 mph. On a Gen 3, the limits are slightly different: up to 20 mph in 2H/4H, up to 9 mph in 4L, and up to 5 mph in reverse, switching off above 40 mph. The difference between 10 mph and 9 mph in 4L, and 42 mph and 40 mph for shutoff, is small but real — don't assume a Gen 2 habit carries over exactly to a Gen 3, or the reverse.
Cancel when you're done, or let the speed threshold do it for you
Press the Trail Control button again to turn it off manually, or simply exceed the shutoff speed for your gear and it'll disengage on its own. Either way, remember it's an aid, not a replacement for the parking brake, and it doesn't control speed well on extremely steep slopes or in very low-traction situations — stay attentive rather than treating it as autopilot.
Gen 3 owners: try Trail One-Pedal Drive separately
Trail One-Pedal Drive is a Gen 3-only feature, distinct from Trail Control — with it active, lifting off the accelerator slows the truck and can bring it to a stop, sometimes with a brake assist. It only works in 4H or 4L, isn't available with cruise control or Trail Control active, and switches off above 30 mph or if you leave 4H/4L. It doesn't automatically brake for every situation, and Ford's guidance is that it's best suited to slippery or loose surfaces — on dry, hard surfaces it can cause vibration, driveline bind, or extra wear, so don't use it on pavement.
Specs
| Trail Control limits (Gen 2, 2019) | Up to 20 mph in 2WD/4H, up to 10 mph in 4L, up to 5 mph in reverse; shuts off above 42 mph Source: Ford 2019 F-150 Raptor Supplement |
|---|---|
| Trail Control limits (Gen 3) | Up to 20 mph in 2H/4H, up to 9 mph in 4L, up to 5 mph in reverse; shuts off above 40 mph Source: Ford 2022 F-150 Owner's Manual |
| Trail One-Pedal Drive (Gen 3 only) | 4H or 4L only; unavailable with cruise control or Trail Control; shuts off above 30 mph Source: Ford 2022 F-150 Owner's Manual |
Safety notes
- Trail Control is an aid, not a replacement for the parking brake, and it doesn't reliably control speed on extremely steep slopes or in very low-traction conditions.
- The 2017 Gen 2 Raptor has hill descent control instead of Trail Control — know which feature your truck actually has before relying on it.
- Trail One-Pedal Drive does not automatically brake for every situation and is intended for slippery or loose surfaces; using it on dry, hard pavement can cause vibration, driveline bind or extra wear.
- Trail Control isn't available with the parking brake applied, Pro Trailer Backup Assist active, cruise control on, or a door open.
Owner questions
- Does my Raptor have Trail Control?
- The 2019 and 2020 Gen 2, and every Gen 3, have it. The 2017 Gen 2 has hill descent control instead. We don't have a verified answer for the 2018 model year — check your own supplement.
- Are the speed limits the same on Gen 2 and Gen 3?
- Close, but not identical. The 2019 Gen 2 tops out at 10 mph in 4L and shuts off above 42 mph; the Gen 3 tops out at 9 mph in 4L and shuts off above 40 mph.
- What's Trail One-Pedal Drive?
- A Gen 3-only feature where lifting off the accelerator slows or stops the truck, sometimes with brake assist, so you drive technical terrain using only the accelerator pedal. It's separate from Trail Control and has its own availability limits.
- Does Trail Control replace the parking brake?
- No — Ford describes it as an aid, and it specifically doesn't replace the parking brake or reliably manage speed on very steep or low-traction terrain.
- Can I use Trail One-Pedal Drive on pavement?
- It's intended for slippery or loose surfaces. On dry, hard pavement, Ford notes it can cause vibration, driveline bind, or extra wear — so it's not meant for everyday on-road driving.