Need towing advice

[GPSMan]

Hi Folks, Want to make sure I have the right brake controller on my ‘23 XL hybrid.
Will be pulling my 2,000 lb camper. thanks for any info, oldlawnman

Tekonsha P3 is what I use.
Have had it since 2008 and I've used it in several vehicles. Has quick connect plugs.

I like having visual indication it is working and it's programmable. There are others.

You won't have a "port" to connect to, so just get a wire "pigtail" and run your own power.

Quick connect to the unit, then just 4 wires to run:

1:Ground
2:12v continuous or tied to Accessory
3:Brake power output to brakes
4:Brake Pedal signal or high mount third brake light signal.

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[realshelby]

A 2000 lb "dry weight" trailer will be a few hundred pounds over that when ready to go camping.

A FWD Ecoboost has a Gross Combined Vehicle Weight Rating of about 6000 lbs. That means the weight of the Maverick, the trailer, passengers, all camping gear and necessities cannot exceed 6000 lbs.
The Maverick is probably 36-3700 lbs. The trailer is 2000 lbs. dry. So even at 5600 lbs for those you have 400 lbs for passengers and ALL the added stuff in the Maverick and trailer.
The GCVWR is actually more important than the "tow rating" in many cases. You could easily be 1000 lbs over when packed and ready to go......

 

[GPSMan]

It's amazing how many versions of "facts" are out there. Most incorrect or at best, partially correct.

I trust the unwavering laws of physics.
All other things being equal, weight and speed are inversely related.
You can trade one for the other.

At 112 MPH you should not be towing 1000 pounds. At 50 MPH you can tow 5000.

So before towing ask yourself:
"Do I have the self-discipline to slow down on the roads and highways?"

It would be more appropriate for auto makers to publish a weight vs. speed table. But would people follow it?

 

[RobertD]

As far as I know the tow rating from Ford is a FACT. Everything else is SPECULATION.

 

[GPSMan]

As far as I know the tow rating from Ford is a FACT. Everything else is SPECULATION.

But people don't know what it really means.

Look at the bumper to bumper warranty. Is Ford saying they are confident your climate control system will last at most 3yrs / 36,000 miles? Or at least 3yrs / 36,000 miles?

Is Ford saying the engine will last at most 5yrs / 60,000 miles? Or at least 5yrs / 60,000 miles?

Is Ford saying the Hybrid Battery will last at most 8yrs / 100,000 miles? Or at least 8yrs / 100,000 miles?

Is Ford saying the 2WD trucks will tow at most 2000 pounds? Or at least 2,000 pounds? With a quote "2000 pound tow rating" isn't it logical to expect the truck to tow at least this amount without damage and going a little over to be normal, reasonable, and expected?

Geez Louise- 9 out of 10 commenters feel the truck will snap in half and/or you'll kill your family and theirs if you hitch up 2001 pounds. It's irrational.

It has been stated by the manufacturer that the OPTIONAL (not government mandated) self reported tow ratings are to be used for comparison of vehicles on a level playing field. Just like the mandated MPG stickers. They don't have to be actual, the "YMMV" part of the statement, but a 42 MPG sticker is better than a 32 MPG sticker, and a 4k rating is better than a 2k rating. No debate there. But your towing ability will vary based on lots of circumstances just like your miles per gallon will vary.

So weird and irrational so many think "2001 lbs" will snap the rope or break the glass or something.

If you see an awesome trailer that's 2500 lbs and a crappy one that's 1500, ask what is going to give you and your loved ones more happiness: get the larger trailer and drive a little slower, or get the crappy trailer just so you can get there 20 minutes earlier on a 8 hour trip.

I know what I'd do.

Cheers.

 

[Dad's Car]

I prefer math, then decide what to do with the results. Use 2023 Ford RV & Trailer Towing Guide for information and the calculator on page 52 of 2022 Ford RV and Trailer Towing Guide.

 

[Shakesbear]

On the Ford website is a towing guide that shows ALL the calculations and limitations for towing with the Maverick. Download it, read it, follow it.

I utilized this guide to verify I could tow the trailer I am interested in. Dry weight is a pretty useless number. You need the GVWR of the trailer. That would include water in fresh, grey, black tanks, full propane bottle, extra 12v battery, all of your gear and supplies. It adds up real fast

 

[MakinDoForNow]

Perhaps with scan gage lll adjustments for headwinds and rolling resistance of trailers tires could be taken into account. Has anyone installed an aftermarket brake controller and used the (30 amp?) fuze labelled "aftermarket brake controller"????

 

[RobertD]

Look at the bumper to bumper warranty. Is Ford saying they are confident your climate control system will last at most 3yrs / 36,000 miles? Or at least 3yrs / 36,000 miles?

Is Ford saying the engine will last at most 5yrs / 60,000 miles? Or at least 5yrs / 60,000 miles?

Is Ford saying the Hybrid Battery will last at most 8yrs / 100,000 miles? Or at least 8yrs / 100,000 miles?

Ford with their warranties are not stating anything about the longevity of the vehicle. They are simply saying that if anything that is covered under the warranty for a certain time / mileage breaks and the vehicle has been properly maintained and used within its limits that Ford will repair it at their cost.

Is Ford saying the 2WD trucks will tow at most 2000 pounds?

Yes - for the Maverick truck. That is exactly what Ford is saying. Also Ford is saying for AWD trucks without the 4K towing package the most you can tow is 2K. Ford further iterates that the maximum allowed towing capacity can be further reduced depending on other factors such as the weight of people and cargo in the truck. Thanks to Dad's Car for the link to what Ford is saying about towing. The Ford RV & Trailer Towing Guide should give a person the information that they need to understand what Ford recommends when towing.

 

[Old Man]

No problem..I towed a 2950 RV from Fla to Deadwood SD with my XL 2022 Mavrick (not all wheel drive) and got 15.3 Mpg for the trip. It performed.

That's why many people towing are a danger on the road.

 

[GPSMan]

The Ford RV & Trailer Towing Guide should give a person the information that they need to understand what Ford recommends when towing.

And there it is distilled down to one sentence: "What Ford Recommends".

Like the 10,000 mile oil change interval.

Some will do it more often, some will do it less, and it does not mean only one way is correct. There are many variables and many acceptable options.

 

[GPSMan]

As a scientist and engineer I mostly discuss what CAN be done, how stuff works, and when able, the why behind it.

I refrain from telling people what to do or not do.

Example: weight and speed are trade offs. You CAN tow more IF you drive more slowly. If you do not wish to slow down, keeping your weight down is a good thing.

Example: the electrical connector is different between the 2k and 4k trucks, but all 2" hitch receivers have the same weight ratings. The 7 pin and brake controller CAN be added to any truck. As far as I've seen, the 2k and 4k trucks have the same brake pads, but someone who can document they are different brakes, please let me know. The 2k and 4k trucks have the same bed cargo ratings. The 2k and 4k trucks have basically the same vehicle curb weights.

If you look closely, and think critically, you will see the differences between 2k trucks and 4k trucks are to protect the engine/powertrain. They are not "safety" devices.

The theory that a 2k truck with brake controller is more dangerous than a 4k truck, in my well educated opinion, does not have data to back it up.

It's your choice if you want to risk overheating your otherwise comparatively equipped 2k truck by pulling more. Add a scan tool or other temperature gauge and you can eliminate the risk of overheating.

Real world testing shows slowing just 5 mph on a steep grade can prevent overheating. Slowing 5 mph is a small price to pay for pulling a much nicer trailer. If you ask me.

Cheers.

 

[GPSMan]

Perhaps with scan gage lll adjustments for headwinds and rolling resistance of trailers tires could be taken into account. Has anyone installed an aftermarket brake controller and used the (30 amp?) fuze labelled "aftermarket brake controller"????

Ford did not make it easy to add anything to the fuse box. This is the most complicated fuse box I've seen in any vehicle. Take apart your fuse box first. Then decide for yourself. Was a no go for me.

Since I tow only a few times a year, I remove the brake control when I don't need it. A) so it's not in the way, B) so it can't get stolen, and C) so there is no parasitic power draw.

I tapped the underseat battery and used my own in-line fuse.

 

[MakinDoForNow]

Ford did not make it easy to add anything to the fuse box. This is the most complicated fuse box I've seen in any vehicle. Take apart your fuse box first. Then decide for yourself. Was a no go for me.

Since I tow only a few times a year, I remove the brake control when I don't need it. A) so it's not in the way, B) so it can't get stolen, and C) so there is no parasitic power draw.

I tapped the underseat battery and used my own in-line fuse.

Just looking at outside of fuze box I have pretty much decided to go with Curts relay setup which has T-Plugs that attach between tail light harness and tail lights and requires a 30 amp fuzed circuit between battery positive and it's relay box located I rear area of vehicle. Then I will use Curt's inline 7 pin brake controller which uses cell phone app for driver access. Operator can move it between vehicles and trailers, selecting which combination he has used before or setting up any new pairs. This would provide in addition to trailers a separate 30 amp (or whatever wired for) circuit for rear power. I have not yet confirmed whether hot wire in the 7 pin plug is always hot or not but expect it to be also controlled by the relay. Could put a tap in the battery hot wire if desired. I have used Curt's 4 pin trailer version before with zero issues. Threat of theft of the inline brake controller between the vehicle plug and the trailer plug is a concern, of course. I think curt has an anti theft lock of some kind, but??

 

[Dad's Car]

Hey guys - towing neophyte here. I have a 2022 XL ecoboost AWD which I love! Towing capacity is 2000. How much weasel room above this number do I have? Really want to tow a 2000 lb camping trailer (dry weight). Thanks - I appreciate you.

After thinking about, fill in the Ford RV & Trailer Towing Guide very accurately. Don't forget the wife and kids will want to bring a bunch of stuff you didn't think about. Fill it in as if you have the 4K package. (You know you will exceed the 2K rating.) If the load is under the limits, will you have the discipline to drive so not to overheat the drive train? If the load is over the limits, will the tires, brakes, suspension, etc. do the job?

Let me put it this way. I had a 1969 LTD loaded with people and the boat loaded for needs of a week. When we arrived, the brakes faded. I do not want to feel that scared again.

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