Flat Towing a Maverick Hybrid?

[PKev]

Hello MTC,
I have an order in for a XLT Hybrid. I see where production has started on fleet vehicles but not yet retail orders.
I have an order # in the 2000's but I don't think that means much (lmk if anyone does know if order numbers are sequential). I'm told by the dealer that when my order comes up and a production date is set for the batch mine is in, that's when I'll get an email or some kind of notification - (maybe a VIN will show up in my FordPass account?) All in due time I suppose. I am patient, at least for now ;-)

My question for the MTC is related to flat towing this vehicle. The only reason I have an order in for this truck is that it is, by all accounts, flat towable with my 2021 Class C RV. Does anyone out there have experience actually rigging and towing your XLT Hybrid? I would love some feedback on this topic.

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[capo99]

I have purchased the Maverick Hybrid for the same reason. I'm a 2022 with VIN and build date that's been rolled over to 2023 so hopefully see it soon.

There are 2 baseplate options available. One from Roadmaster and the other from Blue Ox. I've linked videos to the installs below prepared by ETrailer. I think I prefer the Roadmaster install as it has the least amount of impact on the outside appearance. The Blue Ox kind of hacks up the front molding some. There are a few folks on here that have done the installs if you search the forums.

Roadmaster

Blue Ox

 

[PKev]

I'll definitely have someone install this for me. I have a RoadMaster tow set up for my Jeep. I wonder if the bar itself can be used with a new mounting kit for the vehicle. I also have a Brake Buddy set up for inside the jeep which is horrible. I hope to have a wired in assisted braking system if needed.
My dealer seems to know someone in our area who does these things. I'm going to call around once I get a VIN and target delivery date.
In the meantime I'll check out your videos.
Thanks!

 

[BradnChristine]

I'll definitely have someone install this for me. I have a RoadMaster tow set up for my Jeep. I wonder if the bar itself can be used with a new mounting kit for the vehicle. I also have a Brake Buddy set up for inside the jeep which is horrible. I hope to have a wired in assisted braking system if needed.
My dealer seems to know someone in our area who does these things. I'm going to call around once I get a VIN and target delivery date.
In the meantime I'll check out your videos.
Thanks!

ETrailer videos make baseplate installs easy to do, with minimal tools. Same with the light wiring. I just did my 2017 C-Max with my wife's help last year...once I knew my Maverick was being delayed. I've done 2 Ford Rangers, a Honda CR-V, a Chevy S-10, an Acura MDX and a 2015 Jeep Wranglerprior to the C-Max.

I continue to use my Brake Buddy Classic purchased around 2002, and will move it to the Maverick once it gets here. Not sure what you don't like about the Brake Buddy, but I'd certainly hate to have installed something in all of those vehicles when I can just carry the BB from one to the other.

 

[PKev]

Thanks for your input. I am the opposite of handy when it comes to things like that base plate. I watched the vid on how to do and it make sense, but I tend to make a mess of simple things like it.
WRT the brake buddy, my complaint is about the cable that connects to the box and then the input wired into the Jeep. Both connections got very loose very fast. They don't hold steady unless I use duct tape to secure the connections. Very Mcgyver. I need to call the the BB people and see if there's something I can do to improve it.

 

[daddio211]

Having towed trailers most of my life I just can't comprehend why a tow bar or a tow dolly is even a consideration.

No disrespect to anyone, but a tandem axle car trailer is SO much easier to deal with than either of the other options, and it's easier to back.

Sure they're a little more money but you're saving cubic dollars on unnecessary wear on the vehicle in tow.

 

[processwrench]

Having towed trailers most of my life I just can't comprehend why a tow bar or a tow dolly is even a consideration.

No disrespect to anyone, but a tandem axle car trailer is SO much easier to deal with than either of the other options, and it's easier to back.

Sure they're a little more money but you're saving cubic dollars on unnecessary wear on the vehicle in tow.

I suppose it depends, I camp mostly in state park campgrounds and often have to push the dolly kind off to the side to fit the rig and leave room in front for the car. I don't think most of the time there'd be room for a tandem axle trailer. Usually i have to unload/load in the access road blocking the path., so flat tow would be nice in those situations. Not to mention despite using multiple navigation apps plus good old fashioned maps I've gotten into two dead end situations where the only way out was to drop the car off the dolly, and unhook the dolly to turn my rig around then reconnect everything. I know a couple of guys that drive truck and they are a whole lot better than me at maneuvering around, but I'm not. So I got to make sure i make my mistakes recoverable.

 

[Jatrax]

Having towed trailers most of my life I just can't comprehend why a tow bar or a tow dolly is even a consideration.

No disrespect to anyone, but a tandem axle car trailer is SO much easier to deal with than either of the other options, and it's easier to back.

Sure they're a little more money but you're saving cubic dollars on unnecessary wear on the vehicle in tow.

Moving a car from point A to point B and unloading, yeah I agree a trailer is the easiest solution. But camping while towing a car on a trailer is a whole different situation. Flat tow is the only way to go IMHO. Many, many parks simply don't have the room for both your RV and a trailer / car. And even if they do you have to unload someplace, and then maneuver the trailer into place and then the car. Just a huge headache. Flat tow is much easier.

I have a trailer for when that is the best solution but when camping, I flat tow.

 

[BradnChristine]

Thanks for your input. I am the opposite of handy when it comes to things like that base plate. I watched the vid on how to do and it make sense, but I tend to make a mess of simple things like it.
WRT the brake buddy, my complaint is about the cable that connects to the box and then the input wired into the Jeep. Both connections got very loose very fast. They don't hold steady unless I use duct tape to secure the connections. Very Mcgyver. I need to call the the BB people and see if there's something I can do to improve it.

Sounds like a different version of the BB. Mine just plugs in to power and hooks over the brake pedal. The only other connection is an electrical connection to a standard breakaway switch.

 

[daddio211]

Moving a car from point A to point B and unloading, yeah I agree a trailer is the easiest solution. But camping while towing a car on a trailer is a whole different situation. Flat tow is the only way to go IMHO. Many, many parks simply don't have the room for both your RV and a trailer / car. And even if they do you have to unload someplace, and then maneuver the trailer into place and then the car. Just a huge headache. Flat tow is much easier.

I have a trailer for when that is the best solution but when camping, I flat tow.

This makes sense. I don't camp while towing so I didn't see this angle of the argument. I'm either driving my Jeep hunting and sleep in a tent or drive to our cabin and sleep there. I don't think I've stayed in a campground since I was a little kid... 45 plus years ago?

Thanks for the explanation.

 

[Jatrax]

Thanks for the explanation.

Most welcome. When I saw the OP I assumed motorhome towing, you assumed something else. Different use cases need different equipment.

It is really awesome that the Maverick can be flat towed, there are fewer and fewer vehicles that allow that these days. And the Maverick ticks a lot of boxes for someone flat towing behind a motorhome:

• It's weight is well under the capacity of most 'A' and 'C' class motorhomes
• Setting up for towing is simple and is done in the vehicle settings, unlike my current Jeep Cherokee which is a total cludge to set up
• Lots of cargo space in the bed and seats for 4
• Towing capacity of 2,000# means you can also light tow with it if needed
• Super gas mileage

I predict the Maverick will become a very popular vehicle in the motorhome community.

 

[PKev]

YES. Those are precisely my needs. I tow a Jeep wrangler now which is super easy to tow but a pig on gas and not the smoothest everyday ride. Looking forward to getting this set up. Just need a date now

 

[icegradner]

I have purchased the Maverick Hybrid for the same reason. I'm a 2022 with VIN and build date that's been rolled over to 2023 so hopefully see it soon.

There are 2 baseplate options available. One from Roadmaster and the other from Blue Ox. I've linked videos to the installs below prepared by ETrailer. I think I prefer the Roadmaster install as it has the least amount of impact on the outside appearance. The Blue Ox kind of hacks up the front molding some. There are a few folks on here that have done the installs if you search the forums.

Roadmaster

Blue Ox

My parents have a Blue Ox setup for their Class C RV, didn't seem to be much of an issue putting the required equipment on their 2013 CR-V, but they had a shop do it. That is a different vehicle of course, and I kind of wonder what mounting points one would use on the Maverick Hybrid for that setup when I park my Maverick beside their CR-V.

 

[capo99]

My parents have a Blue Ox setup for their Class C RV, didn't seem to be much of an issue putting the required equipment on their 2013 CR-V, but they had a shop do it. That is a different vehicle of course, and I kind of wonder what mounting points one would use on the Maverick Hybrid for that setup when I park my Maverick beside their CR-V.

Check out the video links in my original post. Gives you a good idea what’s involved and the mounting points.

I'm handy but think I would still get a shop to do the install. On the downside not a lot of shops out there that have done the install on a Maverick. Either Blue Ox or Roadmaster still require some butchering of the front trim. With that said I think it will make a great tow vehicle. I've got a class A Bay Star and can pull 5000 lbs. The Maverick comes in well below 4000 and an easy flat tow from what I found out so far so a no brainer for me.

 

[AutobahnSHO]

Hybrid Maverick checks off SOOOOO many boxes for us- when I saw it can be flat-towed that was just extra icing on the cake! (I dream of doing it some day)

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