Dearborn, MI — Ford is adding a new arrow to its drive-assist quiver with an update to its BlueCruise system. In the 2027 F-150, drivers will be able to travel on select highways without keeping their hands on the wheel, even when a trailer is attached to the pickup.
Dubbed BlueCruise with towing, the technology will be offered on all 2027 F-150 models equipped with BlueCruise. It won't be reserved for the most expensive trims in the lineup. However, an active subscription or trial period will still be required to use it.
Auto123 visited the Ford Driving Dynamics Laboratory in Dearborn, Michigan, as part of the 2027 Ford F-150 unveiling. The facility houses a simulator that played a major role in developing this new feature.
By popular demand
BlueCruise launched in 2021 on the Ford Mustang Mach-E. Since deployed across nine Ford and Lincoln vehicle lineups, the system enables hands-free driving on predetermined sections of controlled-access highways, which the automaker calls Blue Zones.
Hands-free it may be, it is not actually an autonomous driving system. Drivers must remain attentive to the road and be ready to resume control of the vehicle at any time. An in-cabin camera monitors the driver's gaze to ensure compliance.
F-150 owners are among the most active users of BlueCruise at Ford. According to the automaker's internal data, they logged nearly 190 million kilometres in hands-free mode in 2025 alone.
That said, a major gap remained. According to an Ipsos survey cited by Ford, 76 percent of American F-150 owners say they use their truck for towing. The ability to retain BlueCruise functionality while towing a trailer was thus a top customer request.
Ford says it developed the feature so it can be used equally by a trade contractor hauling materials to a job site or a family pulling a travel trailer. When properly configured, BlueCruise can function with a towing capacity of up to 10,000 lb (4,536 kg).
More than 800 simulated combinations
Developing a hands-free system tailored for towing presented unique challenges. Trailer weight, cargo distribution, aerodynamic drag and crosswinds all influence the pickup truck's handling. These variables can alter steering response as well as acceleration and braking distances.
Ford logged thousands of kilometres of real-world testing with various truck and trailer combinations. Engineers drove in high-altitude environments, through tight bends and across regions exposed to strong crosswinds.
The simulator at the Driving Dynamics Laboratory allowed engineers to significantly expand the number of analyzed scenarios. It can recreate over 800 combinations and towing experiences by varying factors like trailer weight, dimensions, and load distribution.
"The simulator lets us test extreme conditions without compromising the safety of our engineers," said Sammy Omari, global head of infotainment and advanced driver-assist systems for Ford and Lincoln.
The tool allows engineers to repeat the exact same maneuver while altering only a single variable at a time. This enables them to measure vehicle responses more precisely and fine-tune the software before validating its performance on the open road.
There are restrictions and conditions…
Before activating BlueCruise with towing, drivers must create a profile specific to the trailer being towed, including precise dimensions. The vehicle will also verify certain data points before enabling hands-free driving.
If the combined weight of the vehicle and trailer exceeds allowable limits, or if the tire pressure monitoring warning light is illuminated, the system won’t activate. Ford notes that drivers remain ultimately responsible for inspecting the hitch, load and trailer setup.
BlueCruise will monitor trailer movements to detect potential sway. If sway persists, the system can reduce vehicle speed, enforce a lower speed limit or prompt the driver to take the wheel.
The maximum allowable speed in hands-free mode is capped at 121 km/h while towing. Without a trailer, BlueCruise operates up to roughly 129 km/h. Drivers must still obey posted speed limits, which may be lower for towing vehicles in certain states or provinces.
Certain BlueCruise functions will also be disabled while towing. Automatic hands-free lane changes will not be available. To pass another vehicle or change lanes, drivers must temporarily take back control of the steering wheel. The feature that automatically repositions the vehicle within its lane will also be disengaged.
As a precaution, the system will disengage when the vehicle approaches a detected construction zone, while issuing a prompt for the driver to return their hands to the wheel.
After the F-150, other models will follow
BlueCruise with towing will make its debut exclusively on the 2027 Ford F-150. Every unit equipped with BlueCruise technology will have access to the feature regardless of trim level, provided the truck and trailer configuration stays within specified limits.
Ford hasn’t yet specified which other models will receive the technology next, though the automaker confirms it intends to eventually roll it out to other vehicle lines.
