2019 Raptor Makes Off-Roading Easier with Trail Control

New F-150 Raptor can almost drive itself on the trails, leaving only the steering to the driver.

We have known for some time now that when the 2019 Ford Ranger arrives, it will feature Trail Control, but we learned today that the 2019 F-150 Raptor will also come with this new technology. Trail Control is basically cruise control for off-roading situations, with the truck handling the throttle and brakes while the driver handles the steering, taking the guess-work out of situations where the truck is likely to get stuck.

To showcase the function of the 2019 F-150 Raptor’s Trail Control, Ford has put together the video above and shared it to their YouTube channel, illustrating how well the system works in sticky situations.

Trail Control Explained

Trail Control in the 2019 Ford F-150 Raptor really is just like cruise control, except for off-road situations. The driver activates the system and sets the vehicle speed between 1 and 20 miles per hour. That sounds extremely slow, but keep in mind that this system is designed to be used in particularly rough footing. Once activated, the truck will use all of its gadgets to continue moving forward at the selected speed while the driver focuses on keeping the high performance F-150 on the desired path.

Should the truck get into a situation where it cannot continue forward, the information screen will prompt the driver to reduce speed to 1 mile per hour in order to prevent the truck from getting stuck. Once the speed is set that low, the truck can power each wheel separately to dig itself out of pretty much any situation. There are probably situations where the Trail Control system cannot save the day, but that would likely require some insane off-roading settings to find a path that will conquer the Raptor.

How It Helps

Imagine that you are a relative newcomer to the world of off-roading and you are blazing down a wooded trail in your new Ford F-150 Raptor. You come to a steep, sandy incline with loose footing. You power down in 4-Low, slowing climbing the hill with the tires spinning, sawing the steering wheel back and forth as you work to find a grip. When you get to a point where you simply cant make it any further up the hill, you roll back down the hill and try again, but if you didn’t know how to get up the hill the first time, you are likely to have problems on ensuing attempts.

That is where Trail Control comes in. With the system engaged, that new off-roader just needs to keep the truck pointed straight ahead while the computer systems handle the task of getting the F-150 up the hill.

Another situation is coming down a steep, loose incline, as the Trail Control system will get the F-150 down the hill at a safe speed. This can be a daunting challenge for new off-roaders, but the 2019 Raptor can handle that tricky task for the driver. Granted, it is an odd feeling to head down a steep, loose hill without touching the pedals, but the Trail Control system makes that possible while making off-roading easier and more fun.

The 2019 F-150 Raptor with Trail Control will reach dealerships later this year and this system will also be featured in the 2019 Ranger, so a variety of Ford truck owners will benefit from this technology.

Join the F-150 Online forums now!

Patrick Rall

"Before I was old enough to walk, my dad was taking me to various types of racing events, from local drag racing to the Daytona 500," says Patrick Rall, a lifetime automotive expert, diehard Dodge fan, and respected auto journalist for over 10 years. "He owned a repair shop and had a variety of performance cars when I was young, but by the time I was 16, he was ready to build me my first drag car – a 1983 Dodge Mirada that ran low 12s. I spent 10 years traveling around the country, racing with my dad by my side. While we live in different areas of the country, my dad still drag races at 80 years old in the car that he built when I was 16 while I race other vehicles, including my 2017 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat and my 1972 Dodge Demon 340.

"Although I went to college for accounting, my time in my dad’s shop growing up allowed me the knowledge to spend time working as a mechanic before getting my accounting degree, at which point I worked in the office of a dealership group. While I was working in the accounting world, I continued racing and taking pictures of cars at the track. Over time, I began showing off those pictures online and that led to my writing.

"Ten years ago, I left the accounting world to become a full-time automotive writer and I am living proof that if you love what you do, you will never “work” a day in your life," adds Rall, who has clocked in time as an auto mechanic, longtime drag racer and now automotive journalist who contributes to nearly a dozen popular auto websites dedicated to fellow enthusiasts.

"I love covering the automotive industry and everything involved with the job. I was fortunate to turn my love of the automotive world into a hobby that led to an exciting career, with my past of working as a mechanic and as an accountant in the automotive world provides me with a unique perspective of the industry.

"My experience drag racing for more than 20 years coupled with a newfound interest in road racing over the past decade allows me to push performance cars to their limit, while my role as a horse stable manager gives me vast experience towing and hauling with all of the newest trucks on the market today.

"Being based on Detroit," says Rall, "I never miss the North American International Auto Show, the Woodward Dream Cruise and Roadkill Nights, along with spending plenty of time raising hell on Detroit's Woodward Avenue with the best muscle car crowd in the world.

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