24 Maverick Hybrid Flat Towing 12 volt power

[AstroGeorge]

Here is the 2023 instruction:

And here is the 2024 instructions. Both are from the Ford manuals:

Note the differences. May or may not be important, as I believe the vehicles are identical...but since mine is a 2023, I put it into Reverse as instructed.

Very much appreciated

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[Suptrack]

That 1st picture is exactly what the manager showed me, removed the check mark and this will allow the accessory 12 volt to stay alive. Now maybe I was sold a bs story . I know about the 70 mph limit but didn't know anything about the 6 hr limit. I hope I didn't make a mistake buying this truck.

 

[BradnChristine]

That 1st picture is exactly what the manager showed me, removed the check mark and this will allow the accessory 12 volt to stay alive. Now maybe I was sold a bs story . I know about the 70 mph limit but didn't know anything about the 6 hr limit. I hope I didn't make a mistake buying this truck.

It is a great truck/tow vehicle. I even bought the second one for my wife's get-around vehicle and will set it up to tow if anything happens to my Maverick. You just have to do things correctly and it is great.

I've set up and towed 9 different vehicles. The Maverick checks all the boxes for me and is the best of all previous toweds:
It is light (I have a 4000 lb towing limit for my Transit 350-HD Class C;
4 doors so plenty of room for dog bed in the back and us in the front;
A real spare tire (missing from the C-Max);
A pickup bed to carry up to 250 lbs of "stuff" when being towed and still be under the 4000 lb limit (plus more routine duties, like 25 cement blocks for the yard).
40+ MPG, just like the 2 C-Maxes;
and it is flat towable.

The 6 hour stop is not time consuming. Takes less than 5 minutes to bring it out of NT, run it 3 minutes, and put it back into NT. I even manage to do that without removing the BrakeBuddy.

There are always issues to set up and learn about a new towed. Getting constant 12V wasn't hard to set up, and the chargewire connection was easy under the hood. The Neutral Tow process isn't difficult, but it is something that needs to be done exactly as the manual says, because these newer vehicles are a lot more complex than my 2015 Jeep that merely needs to have the transfer case put into Neutral and the transmission into park. It has a 12 v socket that remains live (but you have to pick the right socket). The Jeep is heavier and gets around 16 mpg, so I prefer the Maverick for longer trips where I want to do a lot of driving after parking the RV.

 

[First Sergeant]

While I agree with Brad 99 percent of the time, the only thing we differ on is towbaw/base plates. I certainly like the Demco and he is right about Blue-Ox, do not get that one as there are numerous issues with it failing. However, I have had Roadmaster many years on several different vehicles and never had an issue. Very well built. He is correct about the lower shutters needing to be removed on Roadmaster. A good installer can do that easily. I have had absolutely no cooling/heating issues with the engine and have about 6K miles on the truck and 2,500 or so towing it. It gets very cold here in Idaho and in the summer gets very hot, 99 today and will be over 100 for a few days later this week. Truck temp gauge never moves, stays in middle. I know others with Roadmaster with no issues. That said, if you are concerned about a possible warranty issue down the road that may involve anything to do with engine cooling/heating, you may want to consider Demco. Ford could use your missing shutters as an excuse to not cooperate with any claim. Also, If brad will chime in again, I think you may have to some amount of cutting on the front fascia? to get the Demco mounted properly. I concur with his assessment about towing the Mav. I have towed 5 vehicles. The easiest a Jeep LJ. Very simple and easy setup, but felt like a riding in a western wagon. The setup on the Mav is easy also, just remember a checklist and follow each step and you will have no problems. Like Brad says, easy when you stop for a breaks or fuel to run it for the few minutes. Very nice rig to have with us when we travel. Good luck!

 

[BradnChristine]

While I agree with Brad 99 percent of the time, the only thing we differ on is towbaw/base plates. I certainly like the Demco and he is right about Blue-Ox, do not get that one as there are numerous issues with it failing. However, I have had Roadmaster many years on several different vehicles and never had an issue. Very well built. He is correct about the lower shutters needing to be removed on Roadmaster. A good installer can do that easily. I have had absolutely no cooling/heating issues with the engine and have about 6K miles on the truck and 2,500 or so towing it. It gets very cold here in Idaho and in the summer gets very hot, 99 today and will be over 100 for a few days later this week. Truck temp gauge never moves, stays in middle. I know others with Roadmaster with no issues. That said, if you are concerned about a possible warranty issue down the road that may involve anything to do with engine cooling/heating, you may want to consider Demco. Ford could use your missing shutters as an excuse to not cooperate with any claim. Also, If brad will chime in again, I think you may have to some amount of cutting on the front fascia? to get the Demco mounted properly. I concur with his assessment about towing the Mav. I have towed 5 vehicles. The easiest a Jeep LJ. Very simple and easy setup, but felt like a riding in a western wagon. The setup on the Mav is easy also, just remember a checklist and follow each step and you will have no problems. Like Brad says, easy when you stop for a breaks or fuel to run it for the few minutes. Very nice rig to have with us when we travel. Good luck!

Thanks Dave. I agree that the Roadmaster is solid and safe...but that warranty issue concerned me. I bought an 8 year ESP warranty.

Ford states that the shutters are there for 2 reasons: EPA mileage and heating/cooling enhancement. I just would not trust Ford not to try to hang an issue on the missing shutter assembly per Roadmaster, should anything at all happen that some lawyer could link to heat. I do not see a real heat issue there, and if you don't fear a warranty issue, then Roadmaster would be fine.

But now that Demco produced their "notched" baseplate to avoid the active shutter interference....

Demco does not require any fascia cutting or modification. There are a couple little plastic interior pieces that need slight trimming, and then there is a rubber and plastic dam that plugs into the lower active shutter system. It needs cutouts for the baseplate. If I had it to do over, I would just leave that air dam off. Most of us have had to remove 2 more vanes on each side of the lower shutter system, but they are not damaged...only removed and replaceable if the baseplate were to be removed.

 

[Suptrack]

I've been convinced, it's the Demco baseplate that will installed on my Mav

 

[First Sergeant]

Thanks Dave. I agree that the Roadmaster is solid and safe...but that warranty issue concerned me. I bought an 8 year ESP warranty.

Ford states that the shutters are there for 2 reasons: EPA mileage and heating/cooling enhancement. I just would not trust Ford not to try to hang an issue on the missing shutter assembly per Roadmaster, should anything at all happen that some lawyer could link to heat. I do not see a real heat issue there, and if you don't fear a warranty issue, then Roadmaster would be fine.

But now that Demco produced their "notched" baseplate to avoid the active shutter interference....

Demco does not require any fascia cutting or modification. There are a couple little plastic interior pieces that need slight trimming, and then there is a rubber and plastic dam that plugs into the lower active shutter system. It needs cutouts for the baseplate. If I had it to do over, I would just leave that air dam off. Most of us have had to remove 2 more vanes on each side of the lower shutter system, but they are not damaged...only removed and replaceable if the baseplate were to be removed.

Thanks for the info on the notches. The good thing about just removing vanes is, if need be, can reinstall if one needs to take it in for any heat issue. I like that. I have done all my own past baseplate installs, but since I live only 5 hours from Roadmaster, we took a trip up there to get it installed, combined that with a short trip down the coast anyway. Just old and tired these days. Talked with install guy, very much on the ball. Explained my concern about the shutters. Said he gets that question a lot and that Roadmaster was considering a modification similar to the Demco. We shall see. Also, these guys are top notch with customer service. If you call, get a real person on the phone, willing to spend the time with you to work out any issues. I know most of the customer service people by name, not that I have had any big issues, mainly needed opinions or answers I could not find elsewhere. I have heard great things about Demco and would definitely consider them in any future installs. Blue-Ox I remember, used to be good quality stuff. Now? I will defer on my opinion. Seems they need to make some things "right" again.

 

[BradnChristine]

I've been convinced, it's the Demco baseplate that will installed on my Mav

You are benefitting from a few years now of development. Many folks needed to get a baseplate quicker, and the initial choice was Roadmaster or Blue Ox. Demco didn't get to market until 9/23 as they had trouble getting a test vehicle.

I was about ready to save my warranty and go with Blue Ox...changing the lower fascia to an FX4 Fascia for $400 to make it look good. That was before we started seeing the Blue Ox failures from outward pressure at a hard stop and the resultant bent/broken welds.

Luckily, Demco came out before I had to make a choice.

 

[BradnChristine]

Thanks for the info on the notches. The good thing about just removing vanes is, if need be, can reinstall if one needs to take it in for any heat issue. I like that. I have done all my own past baseplate installs, but since I live only 5 hours from Roadmaster, we took a trip up there to get it installed, combined that with a short trip down the coast anyway. Just old and tired these days. Talked with install guy, very much on the ball. Explained my concern about the shutters. Said he gets that question a lot and that Roadmaster was considering a modification similar to the Demco. We shall see. Also, these guys are top notch with customer service. If you call, get a real person on the phone, willing to spend the time with you to work out any issues. I know most of the customer service people by name, not that I have had any big issues, mainly needed opinions or answers I could not find elsewhere. I have heard great things about Demco and would definitely consider them in any future installs. Blue-Ox I remember, used to be good quality stuff. Now? I will defer on my opinion. Seems they need to make some things "right" again.

I've always been a Roadmaster fan before. I had Todd's RV in Gresham do my first C-Max as it was intimidating. Todd and Roadmaster seem tight.

Given the ugly new front end, and the low ACC radar unit on the 2025 Maverick prototypes, it looks like they are going to have to start all over again for those. I sure wish Ford would doa "towed" package. They'd solve all the issues and could certainly make a lot of extra by offering it on a vehicle thy tout as flat-towable. Probably less than $200 in parts for them (not including braking) and many folks would pay Ford 10-20 times that amount to have it tow-ready.

 

[First Sergeant]

Thanks for the info on the notches. The good thing about just removing vanes is, if need be, can reinstall if one needs to take it in for any heat issue. I like that. I have done all my own past baseplate installs, but since I live only 5 hours from Roadmaster, we took a trip up there to get it installed, combined that with a short trip down the coast anyway. Just old and tired these days. Talked with install guy, very much on the ball. Explained my concern about the shutters. Said he gets that question a lot and that Roadmaster was considering a modification similar to the Demco. We shall see. Also, these guys are top notch with customer service. If you call, get a real person on the phone, willing to spend the time with you to work out any issues. I know most of the customer service people by name, not that I have had any big issues, mainly needed opinions or answers I could not find elsewhere. I have heard great things about Demco and would definitely consider them in any future installs. Blue-Ox I remember, used to be good quality stuff. Now? I will defer on my opinion. Seems they need to make some things "right" again.

Forgot, I to got the 8 year warranty, normally I never consider it on a new vehicle. I researched extensively on here and other places last year before I bought my Mav. My concerns were more related to the recalls and electronic bug-a-boo's that were issues. No big issues so far, just the LED turn signal hyperflash thing, easily fixed with forscan. I have a current code POA37Generator Temp Sensor. I think it is "not real" Also says Malfunction Indicator Lamp is Off for this DTC? Weird. Still driving truck since May 28th of DTC code, no issues. Taking it in July 15 for that and will get all the other recalls done. Hope I don't regret this move! Thanks again for all your posts, I find them informative and helpful! Several others here also. This is a great site.

 

[BradnChristine]

Blue-Ox I remember, used to be good quality stuff. Now? I will defer on my opinion. Seems they need to make some things "right" again.

Well, hey...if you want to park at Blue Ox overnight, it's free in BFE Nebraska according to their website.

 

[BradnChristine]

Forgot, I to got the 8 year warranty, normally I never consider it on a new vehicle. I researched extensively on here and other places last year before I bought my Mav. My concerns were more related to the recalls and electronic bug-a-boo's that were issues. No big issues so far, just the LED turn signal hyperflash thing, easily fixed with forscan. I have a current code POA37Generator Temp Sensor. I think it is "not real" Also says Malfunction Indicator Lamp is Off for this DTC? Weird. Still driving truck since May 28th of DTC code, no issues. Taking it in July 15 for that and will get all the other recalls done. Hope I don't regret this move! Thanks again for all your posts, I find them informative and helpful! Several others here also. This is a great site.

I've been lucky. No CELs on the 2023 or 2024 except the ones I caused when installing the baseplate on the 2023.
I was testing the diodes I had installed in the tail lights and turned the truck on to verify they worked properly. I had the fascia off...which meant the front light and temperature sensor were unplugged. I also had the PAD off. Got a string of codes, but my cheap little Panlong OBD II reader (about $15) took care of them with a free app. Gave me quite a lump in my throat when I got all the alerts.

I'm avoiding the latest re-programming recall. I'll be towing it for the third trip in September and don't want to risk the limp mode problems being reported after the reprogramming.

 

[First Sergeant]

I've always been a Roadmaster fan before. I had Todd's RV in Gresham do my first C-Max as it was intimidating. Todd and Roadmaster seem tight.

Given the ugly new front end, and the low ACC radar unit on the 2025 Maverick prototypes, it looks like they are going to have to start all over again for those. I sure wish Ford would doa "towed" package. They'd solve all the issues and could certainly make a lot of extra by offering it on a vehicle thy tout as flat-towable. Probably less than $200 in parts for them (not including braking) and many folks would pay Ford 10-20 times that amount to have it tow-ready.

Used to live in Troutdale in the mid 80's, the Army had me on assignment in Portland. Good thing about Roadmaster is they are there in Vancouver and I am in Idaho (right on the Oregon border). One thing that kind of raised the hair on my neck about Roadmaster.
I had to call and order the little round rubber inserts for the front tubes. (and they were not free!) And I spent how much there for the install/parts? C'mon man! Those rubber buttons cost them, what, .50 cents? Pretty close if I need work done though. I did get those rubber "buttons" installed all by myself! Hahaha! Excellent idea about the add on package for flat tow! Ford is missing out on the $$$.

 

[First Sergeant]

Well, hey...if you want to park at Blue Ox overnight, it's free in BFE Nebraska according to their website.

Wife is from North Platte. We stay away from Nebraska if at all possible, too many relatives. We stayed at Roadmaster overnight also, they ran a 120V line out to the coach for us. Pretty nice of them.

 

[BradnChristine]

Used to live in Troutdale in the mid 80's, the Army had me on assignment in Portland. Good thing about Roadmaster is they are there in Vancouver and I am in Idaho (right on the Oregon border). One thing that kind of raised the hair on my neck about Roadmaster.
I had to call and order the little round rubber inserts for the front tubes. (and they were not free!) And I spent how much there for the install/parts? C'mon man! Those rubber buttons cost them, what, .50 cents? Pretty close if I need work done though. I did get those rubber "buttons" installed all by myself! Hahaha! Excellent idea about the add on package for flat tow! Ford is missing out on the $$$.

Ford has never taken advantage of the RV towing community. The Honda CR-V had a large share of the market (except for the Wrangler folks). I towed a 1998 CR-V for a while as my first towed.

When Honda stopped approving the CR-V for flat towing in (or after) 2014, Ford was perfectly positioned to tell folks about their little 2013-2018 Hybrid C-Max and how it would be a perfect replacement (or the Fusion Hybrid). They ignored the market completely and to this day, many folks think that you cannot tow them because you cannot tow a Prius Hybrid and they think the C-Max is essentially the same technology...it isn't.

DEMCO gives you free "buttons" and they even say DEMCO on them.

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