Stop every 6 hours rule for flat towing

[Paul Heintzinger]

Manual says to stop every six hours and start vehicle. Can I use a trickle charger run off a solar battery to avoid having to do this.?

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[Dave O]

I’ve never flat towed my Maverick for 6 hours straight without taking a safety break for fuel or food in addition to that I have a charge line connected from my RV to the Maverick so it’s never been a concern for me. I interpret that statement for other reasons than charging the battery I assume it for lubrication concerns like other Toad requirements. I’ve flat towed my 2025 Maverick close to 7,000 miles so far without any issues.

 

[MaverickDragon]

The manual is silent on the subject for why the truck should be started every 6 hours, but the robot answer may be correct for a change, and it agrees with @Dave O

Purpose of Starting the Ford Maverick Hybrid
The Ford Maverick hybrid must be started every 6 hours while being towed for several important reasons:

Lubrication of Drivetrain Components

• Prevent Wear: Starting the vehicle provides necessary lubrication to various drivetrain components. This is crucial to prevent wear and tear that can occur when the vehicle is in neutral for extended periods.

Ensuring Proper Functioning

• System Checks: Regularly starting the vehicle helps ensure that all systems are functioning correctly. This includes checking the vehicle's electronics and ensuring that the hybrid system is operational.

Avoiding Potential Issues

• Neutral Tow Mode: Keeping the vehicle started helps avoid potential problems related to being in neutral for too long. It ensures that the vehicle remains in a state ready for towing without complications.

To me, it sounds like a mix of insurance as well as avoiding potential issues.
While you could likely not do what is recommended, the effort of starting and running the engine for a few minutes every 6 hours just might outweigh the risk of destroying your drivetrain.

In that unfortunate event, that might also be cause for a warranty denial, as the car's onboard systems will be logging the vehicle activity while being towed.

 

[Paul Heintzinger]

I’ve never flat towed my Maverick for 6 hours straight without taking a safety break for fuel or food in addition to that I have a charge line connected from my RV to the Maverick so it’s never been a concern for me. I interpret that statement for other reasons than charging the battery I assume it for lubrication concerns like other Toad requirements. I’ve flat towed my 2025 Maverick close to 7,000 miles so far without any issues.

Makes sense. Thanks.

 

[Bert Rooster]

My take on this is: 6 hours of driving equals about 400 miles (average 65 mph) and close to or over 7 hours on the road (a fuel stop & a couple of rest stops, account for at least an hour). For me 400 miles is a good day. Stopping and starting the engine means disabling neutral tow and enabling it to travel again, kind of a pain. I'm at about 25 k miles towing the Maverick and this how I do it. The hardest part is the 70 mph speed limit, my MH is a "rolls hardly" - rolls downhill and hardly goes up hill There are times when I do exceed the 70 mph limit going downhill, not for very long, but it does happen.

Safe travels,

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