Getting hitched to a trailer for the first time can feel pretty intimidating. Between weight ratings, sway control, and backing into tight spots, there’s a lot to learn. Ford’s bringing hands-on training to Tampa this January, and it might be exactly what nervous towers need to get comfortable.

• Ford Towing Bootcamp debuts at the Florida RV SuperShow January 14-18, 2026, offering three-hour training sessions with licensed instructors.
• Participants get behind-the-wheel practice with Ford trucks and trailers, learning everything from hitching basics to using Pro Trailer Backup Assist technology.
• Over 35% of truck owners want to tow but don’t know where to start, making this training particularly valuable.

What Makes This Training Different

Ford’s Towing Bootcamp isn’t your typical owner’s manual walkthrough. CDL-certified instructors lead small groups through actual towing scenarios, starting with the fundamentals and building up to real-world applications. You’re not watching videos or sitting through PowerPoint slides. You’re getting into a Ford F-150, hooking up a trailer, and learning by doing.

Each three-hour session kicks off with classroom education covering towing safety regulations, weight distribution, and proper hitching techniques. Then comes the fun part. Participants practice backing up trailers, navigating tight turns, and using Ford’s Pro Trailer Hitch Assist technology that basically takes the guesswork out of lining up your hitch ball.

Here’s what’s cool about Pro Trailer Hitch Assist. You select your trailer type on the truck’s screen, press and hold a button, and the truck handles the steering, acceleration, and braking to back up perfectly to your trailer. Camera views show you exactly what’s happening, which beats the old method of jumping in and out of your truck a dozen times to check alignment.

Why Tampa and Why Now

Florida RV SuperShow attracts massive crowds every year. We’re talking 1.3 million square feet of display space, 64 manufacturers, and thousands of people shopping for their first RV or upgrading to something bigger. It’s perfect for Ford to meet potential customers who might be browsing a Ford Expedition for sale or checking out the latest F-Series trucks.

Dave Kelly from the Florida RV Trade Association said they worked with Ford to create a five-day boot camp schedule at the fairgrounds. Both classroom sessions and hands-on practice will run throughout the show. Kelly mentioned that everyone Ford’s worked with told them they needed to be at Tampa, which tracks given its reputation as one of the nation’s largest RV events.

Timing works out really well from a buyer’s perspective, too. When you’re at an RV show surrounded by travel trailers, fifth wheels, and toy haulers, questions about towing capacity become really practical, really fast. Being able to take a training course right there, test out the technology, and then talk to dealers about matching your truck to the right trailer? Pretty convenient setup.

Who Should Sign Up

This training works for different skill levels. Complete beginners who’ve never towed anything bigger than a utility trailer can learn the basics without feeling overwhelmed. Experienced tower operators who want to understand modern towing technology get a chance to try features they might not use regularly.

One participant who went through the boot camp at a previous event talked about learning from an instructor named Darren, a Detroit native who drives semis professionally. Getting tips from someone who’s backed into loading docks for Amazon and Target brings real credibility to the whole experience. These aren’t salespeople reading from scripts. They’re people who tow for a living.

Ford’s onboard scales feature gets covered too, helping you avoid overloading your truck or trailer. You can check your payload and towing capacity right from the truck’s display before leaving the driveway. That kind of practical information prevents problems before they start.

Making the Investment Worthwhile

Registration runs through Ford’s website at fordtowingbootcamp.com. Show dates run from January 14-18, with RV industry day kicking things off on the 14th before public days start on the 15th. Adult admission to the SuperShow is $15 for a two-day pass, and parking runs $16 per RV per day.

If you’re already planning to attend the SuperShow to look at RVs, adding the boot camp to your schedule gives you practical skills to use immediately. You’re not just window shopping anymore. You’re preparing to actually tow whatever you end up buying. Confidence matters when you’re making a purchase that could run anywhere from $20,000 to $200,000.

Ready to Hit the Road

Ford Towing Bootcamp takes something that stresses a lot of people out and breaks it down into manageable steps. You leave with actual seat time, real instruction, and the confidence to hook up your own trailer without calling a friend for help. For anyone who’s been putting off RV ownership because towing seemed too complicated, this might be the push you need to finally take that trip you’ve been planning.