Our summer trip with new Maverick Toad

[Donald]

#4
"Neutral Tow Mode" Enabled following the directions like towing behind a motor home. I didn't have a motorhome handy so coasted down a slight decline WITHOUT THE TRUCK STARTED / RUNING. Dark dash. No "ready" light.

Video stops abruptly because the CAN network sending me data went to sleep. I had to stop the video and wake-up the network and restart the video. The fact the radio and CAN network even have ability to run in TOAD mode; explains some of the battery drain issues. The truck is ALIVE while in TOAD mode.

In TOAD mode generator and traction motor are spinning same as usual, because they must. There is no physical disconnect. The software only says "give no torque and do no generating". That and parking pawl out = simulated neutral.

Neutal TOAD MODE:
Coasting down a small decline 4-6 MPH:

Generator: -500 RPM
Traction Motor: +500 RPM
Gas Engine: 0 (off)

Two videos:

I think what you will find is the truck stays alive for 90 minutes after turning off the ignition which is why I had to wire a cigarette lighter plug directly to the jumper post to power my brake controller.

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[GPSMan]

I think what you will find is the truck stays alive for 90 minutes after turning off the ignition which is why I had to wire a cigarette lighter plug directly to the jumper post to power my brake controller.

Sounds possible.
But also lots of things can wake it up.
So the scary part, short of removing a battery cable, there's no real "off".

I have used electric brakes on trailers for years. Never had a toad. How do the brakes work on the toad?

 

[Donald]

Like JBryant, we are also in our mid-70s. I towed with a dolly for many years with my first motorhome and promised to myself that, if I ever got another one, I would tow four wheels down.

I’ve never looked back for the six years that we did four wheels down.

Now with a hybrid, I’ve discovered the perils of having the battery die, transmission go into park, and parking brake be applied, without being able to jump or charge. Mind you, I have an RVi battery charger installed so in theory, the motorhome is always charging my battery much more than what it can drain. Seems that the charger may have been the cause, RVi will investigate with my unit to be returned .

That, notwithstanding, I must say I’ve lost a little bit of faith in TopGun, because of what happened on our last trip. As posted elsewhere, it was only 88 miles each way. When we got home, and I disconnected, the final solution was to have a tow truck come in. It lifted the front wheels and mounted the rear wheels on a dolly. I can’t think of what would happen if instead of being at home it was somewhere on the road. Makes GPSmsn’s comments all the more valid, even though I can’t get under a tow dolly anymore. Get some popcorn and keep watching.

Wish we had a forum for Toads, to complement the towing one, as we’re more interested in the front end happenings, while that one focuses more on rear end issues. Maybe as more hybrids become toads.

Would a jump box work to get it going? We towed 1000 miles to Key West and 1000 miles back with zero issues. Have you had your 12 volt battery checked?

 

[Donald]

Sounds possible.
But also lots of things can wake it up.
So the scary part, short of removing a battery cable, there's no real "off".

I have used electric brakes on trailers for years. Never had a toad. How do the brakes work on the toad?

There are several brake controllers available. I opted for the portable system which mounts on the floor and hooks to the brake pedal. Some are permanently mounted. As far as I can see is, the only things that wake it up are, turn on the ignition or open the door. I timed the live on several times and it’s 90 minutes.

 

[Palms]

Would a jump box work to get it going? We towed 1000 miles to Key West and 1000 miles back with zero issues. Have you had your 12 volt battery checked?

Tried two different jump boxes, two different chargers, and jumping from my Mercedes. The battery was totally shot. The dealer discovered it had one bad cel but couldn’t be covered under warranty because the failure was “caused by an after-market external device. They said it was because the RVi was drawing an inordinate amount of current. Now TopGun has new battery and today wet changing out the RVi. Hopefully RVi will respond.
As a side note, the dealer said the jumping positive post can’t have anything connected. Apparently another “violation”. They disconnected the RVi and led bar. Having re-installed directly to under seat 12v. Led has relay and switch. Replacement RVi will have switch only to be active when towing… just in case

 

[Palms]

I think what you will find is the truck stays alive for 90 minutes after turning off the ignition which is why I had to wire a cigarette lighter plug directly to the jumper post to power my brake controller.

Me too but ran it off a tap under passenger footwell fuse box.

 

[GPSMan]

There are several brake controllers available. I opted for the portable system which mounts on the floor and hooks to the brake pedal. Some are permanently mounted. As far as I can see is, the only things that wake it up are, turn on the ignition or open the door. I timed the live on several times and it’s 90 minutes.

Hmmm, I'm pretty sure physically pumping the brake pedal wakes up the car, ignition key or no ignition key.

I just read one article (top of the google list) that says Hybrids are most difficult to manage and almost always you need a direct connect vacuum line system. This may be one reason people's batteries are dying?

My mind is getting blown on this... because still, aren't you folks with a toad sending 12v (14v) power to the Maverick also so the brake lamps don't drain the battery?

But I do think, in any case, the hybrid will use a lot of power, brakes, lamps, computers, wifi, modem, all that while being towed. Sounds like not a good candidate for a Toad.

 

[Donald]

Would a jump box work to get it going? We towed 1000 miles to Key West and 1000 miles back with zero issues. Have you had your 12 volt battery checked?

Like JBryant, we are also in our mid-70s. I towed with a dolly for many years with my first motorhome and promised to myself that, if I ever got another one, I would tow four wheels down.

I’ve never looked back for the six years that we did four wheels down.

Now with a hybrid, I’ve discovered the perils of having the battery die, transmission go into park, and parking brake be applied, without being able to jump or charge. Mind you, I have an RVi battery charger installed so in theory, the motorhome is always charging my battery much more than what it can drain. Seems that the charger may have been the cause, RVi will investigate with my unit to be returned .

That, notwithstanding, I must say I’ve lost a little bit of faith in TopGun, because of what happened on our last trip. As posted elsewhere, it was only 88 miles each way. When we got home, and I disconnected, the final solution was to have a tow truck come in. It lifted the front wheels and mounted the rear wheels on a dolly. I can’t think of what would happen if instead of being at home it was somewhere on the road. Makes GPSmsn’s comments all the more valid, even though I can’t get under a tow dolly anymore. Get some popcorn and keep watching.

Wish we had a forum for Toads, to complement the towing one, as we’re more interested in the front end happenings, while that one focuses more on rear end issues. Maybe as more hybrids become toads.

Hard to believe the battery went dead in 88 miles. There have been some issues related to poor soldering on some 12 volt connections at the jumper post causing dead batteries and deep sleep.

 

[Donald]

Hmmm, I'm pretty sure physically pumping the brake pedal wakes up the car, ignition key or no ignition key.

I just read one article (top of the google list) that says Hybrids are most difficult to manage and almost always you need a direct connect vacuum line system. This may be one reason people's batteries are dying?

My mind is getting blown on this... because still, aren't you folks with a toad sending 12v (14v) power to the Maverick also so the brake lamps don't drain the battery?

But I do think, in any case, the hybrid will use a lot of power, brakes, lamps, computers, wifi, modem, all that while being towed. Sounds like not a good candidate for a Toad.

Brake lights, running lights and turn signals are powered by the motorhome 12 volt system while the motorhome charges the Maverick battery. The only time the Maverick battery is needed for brakes is if the brake controller activates the brake pedal which isn’t very often.

 

[Donald]

Like JBryant, we are also in our mid-70s. I towed with a dolly for many years with my first motorhome and promised to myself that, if I ever got another one, I would tow four wheels down.

I’ve never looked back for the six years that we did four wheels down.

Now with a hybrid, I’ve discovered the perils of having the battery die, transmission go into park, and parking brake be applied, without being able to jump or charge. Mind you, I have an RVi battery charger installed so in theory, the motorhome is always charging my battery much more than what it can drain. Seems that the charger may have been the cause, RVi will investigate with my unit to be returned .

That, notwithstanding, I must say I’ve lost a little bit of faith in TopGun, because of what happened on our last trip. As posted elsewhere, it was only 88 miles each way. When we got home, and I disconnected, the final solution was to have a tow truck come in. It lifted the front wheels and mounted the rear wheels on a dolly. I can’t think of what would happen if instead of being at home it was somewhere on the road. Makes GPSmsn’s comments all the more valid, even though I can’t get under a tow dolly anymore. Get some popcorn and keep watching.

Wish we had a forum for Toads, to complement the towing one, as we’re more interested in the front end happenings, while that one focuses more on rear end issues. Maybe as more hybrids become toads.

Did you get a Deep Sleep notification on the Ford App?

 

[Palms]

Hard to believe the battery went dead in 88 miles. There have been some issues related to poor soldering on some 12 volt connections at the jumper post causing dead batteries and deep sleep.

I hear you but regrettably dealer/Ford have the last word, I’m down $400 and waiting for RVi to approve warranty exchange of charger. Maybe it’s like the Equinox thing where the RVI can’t be used happening on the Maverick as well, but too new to know?

 

[Palms]

Did you get a Deep Sleep notification on the Ford App?

Yes and a boatload of warning messages on dash.

 

[Donald]

Tried two different jump boxes, two different chargers, and jumping from my Mercedes. The battery was totally shot. The dealer discovered it had one bad cel but couldn’t be covered under warranty because the failure was “caused by an after-market external device. They said it was because the RVi was drawing an inordinate amount of current. Now TopGun has new battery and today wet changing out the RVi. Hopefully RVi will respond.
As a side note, the dealer said the jumping positive post can’t have anything connected. Apparently another “violation”. They disconnected the RVi and led bar. Having re-installed directly to under seat 12v. Led has relay and switch. Replacement RVi will have switch only to be active when towing… just in case

Thanks for the info. Guess I need to disconnect mine and go straight to the battery which is the same. Maybe get the dealer to write up something for RVi and get them to reimburse you for the battery cost. You may need to send in the charger and let rvi check it out.

 

[Donald]

I hear you but regrettably dealer/Ford have the last word, I’m down $400 and waiting for RVi to approve warranty exchange of charger. Maybe it’s like the Equinox thing where the RVI can’t be used happening on the Maverick as well, but too new to know?

I also have the rvi charger and so far no issues. Actually moved it from my Honda CRV.

 

[Donald]

Yes and a boatload of warning messages on dash.
[/QUOTE

Hmmm, I'm pretty sure physically pumping the brake pedal wakes up the car, ignition key or no ignition key.

I just read one article (top of the google list) that says Hybrids are most difficult to manage and almost always you need a direct connect vacuum line system. This may be one reason people's batteries are dying?

My mind is getting blown on this... because still, aren't you folks with a toad sending 12v (14v) power to the Maverick also so the brake lamps don't drain the battery?

But I do think, in any case, the hybrid will use a lot of power, brakes, lamps, computers, wifi, modem, all that while being towed. Sounds like not a good candidate for a Toad.

Did a test this afternoon. Plugged in my extra back up camera monitor into the cigarette lighter plug in the Maverick. Started the truck and the monitor came on. Turned off the truck and the monitor stayed on for 90 minutes. I opened the door and pumped the brakes and nothing came on inside the truck which leads me to believe after the 90 minutes the dash is not alive. Not sure what else could be drawing voltage.

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