2025 AWD Hybrid - Flat Tow Protocol

[Dave O]

I can’t imagine that many have actually flat towed the 2025 Maverick AWD Hybrids since the baseplates are just getting to the market (I ordered my complete towing equipment package from RoadMaster yesterday 3/11) But interested if anyone has walked through the “neutral tow“ instructions.

After hitting the start button with my foot off the brake pedal so I’m in accessory mode (engine not running) and engaging neutral tow which I did it by depressing the neutral tow option on the display and holding it until the vehicle display confirms its engaged and then pushing the brake pedal and moving the transmission selector knob to the “neutral“ position then turned off the ignition accessory mode my truck was free wheeling and ready to tow

What then? Do I need to leave my keep fob in the truck or can I lock the truck and take the fob with me?

Dave O

Sponsored

 

[processwrench]

IF it's the same as 22-24 models you can lock the doors and take the fob with you

 

[Dave O]

IF it's the same as 22-24 models you can lock the doors and take the fob with you

That’s what I was hoping but each vehicle is different thank you

 

[Ted S]

Another question regarding protocol.

Th owners manual says after flat towing to wait 15 minutes without interacting with the vehicle before driving.

Any idea why this is so and if there will be an issue if you cut the time short?

I’m new to flat towing, have previously towed trailers.

 

[processwrench]

That's a new one, don't remember hearing that before. Check the 'flat tow instructions' sticky at the top of this folder. That's where I learned a bunch. There's a nice checklist by BradnChristine that a lot of folks, including me, use. Might need to edit for the 2025

 

[jorgy_bc]

Be careful.
AWD flat tow is "emergency" only. (Very short distance and slow)

"Recreational" towing is all wheels off the ground. Page 325.

 

[Dave O]

Be careful.
AWD flat tow is "emergency" only. (Very short distance and slow)

"Recreational" towing is all wheels off the ground. Page 325.

Glenn the 2025 Maverick AWD Hybrid is fully capable of being flat towed 4 wheels on the ground there was a lot of bad information out there early on but Ford Authority cleared that up but the 2025 Owner Manuals have not been updated at this point

if you go to vehicle setting and if you have the “neutral tow” option available you can safety drag this little truck behind an RV four wheels down I engaged the neutral tow on my 2025 AWD Hybrid and it works I am just waiting on my new RoadMaster Baseplate that I ordered on Tuesday to arrive to start towing my truck.

 

[Dave O]

i also don’t feel the three major baseplate manufacturers would come to market with baseplates to flat two the 2025 AWD Hybrids if they hadn’t confirmed its capabilities first

BlueOx is now selling their baseplate solution
‘RoadMaster is now selling their baseplate (shipping starts 3/21)
Demco still waiting on a 2025 to complete their engineering

 

[Ted S]

My 3 day old Lariat Hybrid in dash owners manual still states that the hybrid AWD cannot be flat towed. We all know that’s been disclaimed and this vehicle can be flat towed.

From the Ford web site I’ve downloaded the 2025 Maverick owners manual and it does give instructions for recreationally flat towing all hybrids.

In this same section under switching neutral tow off, step number 6 states:

Before starting the engine, wait 15 minutes with all doors closed without interacting with the vehicle.

My question is what’s that all about? Having never flat towed I cannot imagine why I’d have to wait 15 minutes before starting up the engine and driving away.

 

[Dave O]

My 3 day old Lariat Hybrid in dash owners manual still states that the hybrid AWD cannot be flat towed. We all know that’s been disclaimed and this vehicle can be flat towed.

From the Ford web site I’ve downloaded the 2025 Maverick owners manual and it does give instructions for recreationally flat towing all hybrids.

In this same section under switching neutral tow off, step number 6 states:

Before starting the engine, wait 15 minutes with all doors closed without interacting with the vehicle.

My question is what’s that all about? Having never flat towed I cannot imagine why I’d have to wait 15 minutes before starting up the engine and driving away.

I haven’t read this section of the upgraded 2025 owner’s manual yet but I will investigate this prior to hitting the road after my baseplate is installed. A lot of vehicles have different instructions or limitations when flat towing them, disconnecting the tow vehicle using a non-binding towbar doesn’t require interacting with the vehicle to disconnect it from the RV so even if that’s a requirement it’s doesn’t seem unreasonable- I guess like anything we’ll have to see how it goes…

 

[BradnChristine]

i also don’t feel the three major baseplate manufacturers would come to market with baseplates to flat two the 2025 AWD Hybrids if they hadn’t confirmed its capabilities first

BlueOx is now selling their baseplate solution
‘RoadMaster is now selling their baseplate (shipping starts 3/21)
Demco still waiting on a 2025 to complete their engineering

The old adage was true for the earlier baseplates: "Haste makes Waste."

Blue Ox and Roadmaster rushed to market for the 2022-2024 Maverick and both had/have issues with their baseplates. Demco took extra time and did not have the issues that the first 2 did.

If I had a 2025 to tow, I would definitely be waiting for Demco to do it right, instead of destroying the lower active shutter system as required by all Roadmaster installs.

 

[processwrench]

The 15min thing isn't a deal breaker but does detract a bit on flat tow attach/detach advantage. Still better than tow dolly though

 

[DDK]

Another question regarding protocol.

Th owners manual says after flat towing to wait 15 minutes without interacting with the vehicle before driving.

Any idea why this is so and if there will be an issue if you cut the time short?

I’m new to flat towing, have previously towed trailers.

This is my question also. You have to get in the vehicle to perform the steps. Does this mean you can’t open the doors to get out for 15 minutes? Needs to be written more clearly.

 

[ccottet]

I would really like an answer to why the 2025 Owners manual says to not drive the vehicle for 15 minutes after disengaging Neutral Tow. When disconnecting a tow vehicle from a motorhome after arriving at a campground it is often impossible to just leave it sit where it was unhooked for 15 minutes. What would happen if you did drive it a short distance to park it somewhere else?

 

[BradnChristine]

I would really like an answer to why the 2025 Owners manual says to not drive the vehicle for 15 minutes after disengaging Neutral Tow. When disconnecting a tow vehicle from a motorhome after arriving at a campground it is often impossible to just leave it sit where it was unhooked for 15 minutes. What would happen if you did drive it a short distance to park it somewhere else?

Those of us towing 2023s (and probably both 2022 and 2024) do not have any such constraints. I have never had any issues, and don't see any justification for that 15 minute nonsense on pretty much the same motor. I think there are many 2025 owners towing and ignoring that. I have never seen a response from Ford as to why, and we all know they screwed up the first owner's manual, stating that the AWD Hybrid was not flat towable.

Sponsored