Towing behind RV on a dolly

[Klege]

I had a real struggle initially with the Demco plate. They said it was hard for them to get a test vehicle...and then they were so late to the game, they sort of rushed it after one install. The first baseplate they sent me was 3/4" too wide, and had small holes that would not allow for Ford's manufacturing variances. Demco sent me a second baseplate with my specifications and it was perfect. They also enlarged the holes (I think from about 5/16 to about 7/16) and I had no issues with it. It was easier than my C-Max, that's for sure, and I didn't need a prybar and all my strength like on my 2005 MDX. The S-10 install was like bolting on 2 trailer hitches and was super simple., like the Ranger (I set up a 1997 and later a 2001 Ranger).

I'm also hoping for a flat-towable hybrid AWD Maverick. The Rangers are heavier than my little Transit 350-HD wants to tow (it likes a 4,000 lb limit). But until then, the trusty 2015 Wrangler gets winter driving duty here.

Our Ranger is exactly 5000 lb with the Golf Cart on it. Just within the limits of our RV.

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[BradnChristine]

Our Ranger is exactly 5000 lb with the Golf Cart on it. Just within the limits of our RV.

The LTV (Transit 350-HD) has a GVWR of 11,000 lbs and a GCVWR of 15,000 lbs.
I have borrowed from the coach to tow a 4200 lb vehicle (the hitch is a Ford 7500 lb hitch), but that drops the LTV's capacity that 200 extra down to 1552 lbs. With the 3750 lb or thereabouts of the Maverick, I get my entire 1752 of carrying capacity.
My 2622 miles of towing got me 13.5 mpg back and forth over the Rockies, and I was quite happy with that.

 

[gwrace14651]

Not related to your error but we gave up dolly towing a long time ago. Way to much hassle. Much better off flat towing which is what we will be doing when Mav received.

 

[Crowman]

What do you mean my error? are you some kind of a joke

 

[TDM6157]

We Dolly Towed our 2023 Hybrid south this year. The only issue is the errors that display afterward. I also noted that there is much discussion on how to make them stop. So, in the spirit of completeness, I'll add one more.

Loading: I drive the truck onto the dolly. 2) Make sure the transmission is in park. 3) Make sure the parking is not on. 4) Turn off and remove the key 5) Strap the steering wheel. 6) Secure the vehicle to the dolly. Then begin my trip.

First tow: 60 mi - had the errors, driving reset the computer.
Second tow: 180 mi - had the errors, driving reset computer.
Third tow: 400+ mi - had the errors. I noticed that when the errors appear, there is a "OK" option. I chose the OK button on the dash to respond to each message before engaging the transmission. Didn't need to drive, the system responded as expected from the get-go.
Forth tow: 500+ mi - Started vehicle, no error messages at all. Everything working as expected. It was a moment of great joy!

We'll be doing our next move in about 5 days - I'll update then. Hopefully, this resolved the issue. But in fairness we are looking the Demco Baseplate as an option.

 

[BradnChristine]

We Dolly Towed our 2023 Hybrid south this year. The only issue is the errors that display afterward. I also noted that there is much discussion on how to make them stop. So, in the spirit of completeness, I'll add one more.

Loading: I drive the truck onto the dolly. 2) Make sure the transmission is in park. 3) Make sure the parking is not on. 4) Turn off and remove the key 5) Strap the steering wheel. 6) Secure the vehicle to the dolly. Then begin my trip.

First tow: 60 mi - had the errors, driving reset the computer.
Second tow: 180 mi - had the errors, driving reset computer.
Third tow: 400+ mi - had the errors. I noticed that when the errors appear, there is a "OK" option. I chose the OK button on the dash to respond to each message before engaging the transmission. Didn't need to drive, the system responded as expected from the get-go.
Forth tow: 500+ mi - Started vehicle, no error messages at all. Everything working as expected. It was a moment of great joy!

We'll be doing our next move in about 5 days - I'll update then. Hopefully, this resolved the issue. But in fairness we are looking the Demco Baseplate as an option.

No errors at all towing for 2622 miles with the Demco Baseplate, a Roadmaster Falcon 2 towbar and a Roadmaster RM-034 adaptor between the two. The pefect towed, as far as I'm concerned.

 

[AutobahnSHO]

What do you mean my error? are you some kind of a joke

If you put the truck on a dolly, it thinks because of the angle there is some kind of problem and you get lots of error messages in the Maverick.

 

[The Real Maverick]

If you put the truck on a dolly, it thinks because of the angle there is some kind of problem and you get lots of error messages in the Maverick.

I've read of this from a few people.
But the "errors" all seem to be false alarms and benign in the end.

The one bad case was someone towing on a dolly with the parking brake on. Remember, the parking brake can set automatically when it thinks you are parking on a hill, so be sure to un-do the parking brake should that occur and recheck every time.

 

[Headbanger]

I just purchased the ACME dolly and will be using this thread as a reference. Once I figure out how to bleed the brakes, I'll be making a test run. My first trip isn't until June.

 

[Crowman]

We Dolly Towed our 2023 Hybrid south this year. The only issue is the errors that display afterward. I also noted that there is much discussion on how to make them stop. So, in the spirit of completeness, I'll add one more.

Loading: I drive the truck onto the dolly. 2) Make sure the transmission is in park. 3) Make sure the parking is not on. 4) Turn off and remove the key 5) Strap the steering wheel. 6) Secure the vehicle to the dolly. Then begin my trip.

First tow: 60 mi - had the errors, driving reset the computer.
Second tow: 180 mi - had the errors, driving reset computer.
Third tow: 400+ mi - had the errors. I noticed that when the errors appear, there is a "OK" option. I chose the OK button on the dash to respond to each message before engaging the transmission. Didn't need to drive, the system responded as expected from the get-go.
Forth tow: 500+ mi - Started vehicle, no error messages at all. Everything working as expected. It was a moment of great joy!

We'll be doing our next move in about 5 days - I'll update then. Hopefully, this resolved the issue. But in fairness we are looking the Demco Baseplate as an option.

so are you still using your tow dolly and what have you found out ? are you putting it in slippery mode? Does that make a difference? Have you had any problems using the tow dolly

 

[TDM6157]

We towed on a dolly about 4000 miles this year so far. We tried all the suggestions we found and nothing I did made any consistent difference. There was three or four times when the lights never blinked but I cannot tell you what circumstances caused it.

One thing I can say is that I have not experienced any issues with the vehicle. We just got it back from the dealer (recalls, software updates, etc.) and they did not report any issues with the truck.

I am not a big fan of dolly towing though. The dolly is very wide and many of the roads we traveled down south are very narrow and have no shoulder, freaked the wife out a bit. But... it worked just fine, and we will continue to use this system, at least for the foreseeable future.

I hope this helps, but I don't have anything exciting to share. I am hoping that the software updates addressed this issue but I'm not holding my breath.

 

[rclee]

Our Ranger is exactly 5000 lb with the Golf Cart on it. Just within the limits of our RV.

I have to ask you, how did you get the golf cart on the Maverick? I bet it is a little more difficult with the Ranger, because of the bed height.

 

[Klege]

I have to ask you, how did you get the golf cart on the Maverick? I bet it is a little more difficult with the Ranger, because of the bed height.

LOL, that is the part that I get attention with every time I load or unload. Obviously some long ramps. But the trick is the remote control for the golf cart. It's a Cricket Miniature Golf Cart. You can get that thing with a remote control option. Well spent money. I push a button and that thing drives itself up the ramp. The ranger is higher, but so far that has not been an issue.

 

[Headbanger]

I am not a big fan of dolly towing though. The dolly is very wide and many of the roads we traveled down south are very narrow and have no shoulder, freaked the wife out a bit. But... it worked just fine, and we will continue to use this system, at least for the foreseeable future.

I finally put mine together and used my F150 to tow it to get the brakes bled. I was really surprised at just how wide it really is. I can't even count how many times I was over either the center or berm line on the State Route road. This is going to be fun..
I can see it lasting a few trips before I simply cut my losses and go four down.. Thanks for sharing your experiences

 

[rmhopper]

We Dolly Towed our 2023 Hybrid south this year. The only issue is the errors that display afterward. I also noted that there is much discussion on how to make them stop. So, in the spirit of completeness, I'll add one more.

Loading: I drive the truck onto the dolly. 2) Make sure the transmission is in park. 3) Make sure the parking is not on. 4) Turn off and remove the key 5) Strap the steering wheel. 6) Secure the vehicle to the dolly. Then begin my trip.

First tow: 60 mi - had the errors, driving reset the computer.
Second tow: 180 mi - had the errors, driving reset computer.
Third tow: 400+ mi - had the errors. I noticed that when the errors appear, there is a "OK" option. I chose the OK button on the dash to respond to each message before engaging the transmission. Didn't need to drive, the system responded as expected from the get-go.
Forth tow: 500+ mi - Started vehicle, no error messages at all. Everything working as expected. It was a moment of great joy!

We'll be doing our next move in about 5 days - I'll update then. Hopefully, this resolved the issue. But in fairness we are looking the Demco Baseplate as an option.

I don’t know if this applies to the Maverick as I’ve only towed it flat, but when I dolly tow my Prius I must have the steering wheel wrapped very very tightly by the seat belt, or I get the same kind of Christmas Tree warnings and errors. I slide the drivers seat all the way forward, wrap the steering wheel, then move the seat back to get the belt as tight as I can. No errors when the steering wheel is immobilized.

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