Clarify Flat Towing note regarding starting vehicle every 6hrs

[Airerider]

Hi All:
Sorry in advance if I missed this during my thread search.
We recently began towing our '24 Lariat behind our RV. I've read about the neutral tow issues and so far we have not had that problem but I've also installed separate tail/turn signal bulbs running directly from the RV power socket to avoid tapping into the Mav's lighting wiring. We are also using the AirForce One braking system. Perhaps one/both of those have saved us from the getting out of NT mode issue. We have had a blow out while towing the Mav, but that's just one of those things that happens.

At any rate, in the manual, there is a note about starting the vehicle at the beginning of each tow session and every 6hrs or less. I'm hopeful you guys can shed some light on exactly what the purpose of this is and help to clarify this note in the manual so I can better understand what I'm supposed to do as I find the note somewhat confusing. Here is the note directly out of the manual:
Start your vehicle at the beginning of each day, and every six hours or fewer. With the vehicle on and your foot on the brake, shift into drive (D) and then back into Neutral (N). Before continuing to tow, switch neutral tow on and keep the vehicle on for three minutes.

I'm assuming that the purpose of this process is to provide lubrication to certain drivetrain components. And if that's incorrect, then that is likely the cause of some of my confusion.

First question is, when they say "start your vehicle", given we are all towing hybrids, does that mean get the engine running or just turning the car on so it's in "ready to drive" mode? The next instruction says to shift into drive and then back into neutral without any mention of how long to stay in each position. Since the car may have previously been in park (if doing this before towing) it may be necessary to move past Reverse and neutral to get to drive, which differs if doing this during the tow day and the transmission was left in neutral during the neutral tow procedure. The last line says put car back into neutral tow mode and keep the vehicle on for three minutes. But again, this is confusing because the last step of putting the car in neutral tow mode is turning it off. How do I keep the Mav "On" for three minutes after engaging neutral tow mode?

Thank you for any insight on this!

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[MakinDoForNow]

Hi All:
Sorry in advance if I missed this during my thread search.
We recently began towing our '24 Lariat behind our RV. I've read about the neutral tow issues and so far we have not had that problem but I've also installed separate tail/turn signal bulbs running directly from the RV power socket to avoid tapping into the Mav's lighting wiring. We are also using the AirForce One braking system. Perhaps one/both of those have saved us from the getting out of NT mode issue. We have had a blow out while towing the Mav, but that's just one of those things that happens.

At any rate, in the manual, there is a note about starting the vehicle at the beginning of each tow session and every 6hrs or less. I'm hopeful you guys can shed some light on exactly what the purpose of this is and help to clarify this note in the manual so I can better understand what I'm supposed to do as I find the note somewhat confusing. Here is the note directly out of the manual:
Start your vehicle at the beginning of each day, and every six hours or fewer. With the vehicle on and your foot on the brake, shift into drive (D) and then back into Neutral (N). Before continuing to tow, switch neutral tow on and keep the vehicle on for three minutes.

I'm assuming that the purpose of this process is to provide lubrication to certain drivetrain components. And if that's incorrect, then that is likely the cause of some of my confusion.

First question is, when they say "start your vehicle", given we are all towing hybrids, does that mean get the engine running or just turning the car on so it's in "ready to drive" mode? The next instruction says to shift into drive and then back into neutral without any mention of how long to stay in each position. Since the car may have previously been in park (if doing this before towing) it may be necessary to move past Reverse and neutral to get to drive, which differs if doing this during the tow day and the transmission was left in neutral during the neutral tow procedure. The last line says put car back into neutral tow mode and keep the vehicle on for three minutes. But again, this is confusing because the last step of putting the car in neutral tow mode is turning it off. How do I keep the Mav "On" for three minutes after engaging neutral tow mode?

Thank you for any insight on this!

Just a guess but would think that the last step in putting into tow mode should be after waiting for three minutes before turning off. Would be for time to insure computer has everything turned on or off and checked out for tow mode. I take the last three minutes mention just a reminder message that the vehicle time to setup should take a minimum of three minutes on time. Maybe not properly worded. As far as the six hour startup time since it's not long enough to charge battery it's possibly to pump transaxle fluid (electrical pump) and lube what needs to be done in the planetary gear set enhanced by minor exercise of planets. Possible that the six hours might be a safety step to insure bms doesn't initiate the truck locked 6 to 8 hours 12v battery learn procedure. (Does the learn procedure take up to 2 hours AFTER TRUCK HAS BEEN LOCKED FOR SIX HOURS? = only Ford knows, since it says six hours or less it has to be a maximum time dependent.). Just a thought.

 

[Airerider]

Thank you MakinDoForNow:
That's pretty much my interpretation and guess as to what's going on and the odd wording/order of events they list. But because of the many notes about following the tow mode guides to the letter in other posts, I thought it was worth seeing what folks had to say about this note, as it does seem to be confusing.

 

[Airerider]

If anyone has insight on whether it's important to get the engine running during this process, I'd appreciate it. Assuming all lubrication pumps are electric, it may not be necessary but if any are hydraulic or driven off the serpentine belt, perhaps it's important to get the engine running also.
Thanks again!

 

[pat carden]

Hi, well I may be over doing it, but I have towed for over 7000 miles with no problems, with that said, I follow the 6 hour rule, but I do make sure the motor is running, (put in park, and press the gas to the floor will start it) and I do sit there and go through the gears a few times, 5 mins or so, I then change it back into tow mode and turn it off like it tell you. Hope that helps, have fun.

 

[Airerider]

Thank you Pat, I did also just find another thread on this where starting the ICE seemed to be the general consensus also. I've been doing it both ways, but I think I'll divert to starting the ICE every time from now on as I don't think that can hurt.

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