Beep while being flat towed

[Al H]

Hi, we just did a flat tow test of our 2025 Lariat Hybrid. Went through the whole neutral tow procedure per the manual. I sat in the toad while my wife drove the RV around the parking lot so I could watch the supplemental braking system do its thing. That all worked fine. However, I noticed that the Maverick would occasionally give a warning ding and a message would appear on the dash. Before people ask - I didn't have the presence of mind to screen shot the message - and I guess my memory is aging :| - but it was something to the effect of "car turned off".

Is this normal behavior?

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[First Sergeant]

Hi, we just did a flat tow test of our 2025 Lariat Hybrid. Went through the whole neutral tow procedure per the manual. I sat in the toad while my wife drove the RV around the parking lot so I could watch the supplemental braking system do its thing. That all worked fine. However, I noticed that the Maverick would occasionally give a warning ding and a message would appear on the dash. Before people ask - I didn't have the presence of mind to screen shot the message - and I guess my memory is aging :| - but it was something to the effect of "car turned off".

Is this normal behavior?

Was your ignition in the off position? Has to be completely off. Easy with key ignition, just turn it off. With push button start, I would think when all dash lights are out is the off position. Not sure if you need to leave key fob in truck somewhere. Procedure is in the owners manual.

 

[First Sergeant]

Was your ignition in the off position? Has to be completely off. Easy with key ignition, just turn it off. With push button start, I would think when all dash lights are out is the off position. Not sure if you need to leave key fob in truck somewhere. Procedure is in the owners manual.

TOWING YOUR VEHICLE – INFORMATION MESSAGES - FWD

Message Descriptions

"Neutral Tow Engaged"
Reminder to switch off the ignition when in neutral tow.

"Turn Ignition Off for Towing"
Displays when neutral tow is active and you want to exit Neutral tow.

"Neutral tow engaged"
Depress Brake and Select
Park to Exit Neutral Tow

"Neutral Tow Remove"
Reminder to remove park brake when in neutral tow.

"Park Brake for Towing"
Neutral Tow Disengaged Displays when the neutral tow is off.

"Neutral Tow Enabled"
Displays when neutral tow is on.
Leave Transmission in
Neutral

 

[Al H]

Was your ignition in the off position? Has to be completely off. Easy with key ignition, just turn it off. With push button start, I would think when all dash lights are out is the off position. Not sure if you need to leave key fob in truck somewhere. Procedure is in the owners manual.

Yes, ignition was off. It's a key fob. Dash lights were off to start. We did not leave the fob in the truck though - do we think that it is a requirement?

 

[Al H]

TOWING YOUR VEHICLE – INFORMATION MESSAGES - FWD

Message Descriptions

"Neutral Tow Engaged"
Reminder to switch off the ignition when in neutral tow.

"Turn Ignition Off for Towing"
Displays when neutral tow is active and you want to exit Neutral tow.

"Neutral tow engaged"
Depress Brake and Select
Park to Exit Neutral Tow

"Neutral Tow Remove"
Reminder to remove park brake when in neutral tow.

"Park Brake for Towing"
Neutral Tow Disengaged Displays when the neutral tow is off.

"Neutral Tow Enabled"
Displays when neutral tow is on.
Leave Transmission in
Neutral

Thanks for the referenced info messages. (this is a great forum BTW ) The only one that would make sense given our scenario is that last one. Would it make sense that it continues to chime that message?

 

[First Sergeant]

Thanks for the referenced info messages. (this is a great forum BTW ) The only one that would make sense given our scenario is that last one. Would it make sense that it continues to chime that message?

Not sure why the chime is going off. My wife has ridden a few miles in the past in our Maverick to check braking functions and she said never heard anything. I have a 2023 XLT Hybrid, but I'm betting setup is the same and most likely the message screens. Interesting.

 

[KenE]

Hi, we just did a flat tow test of our 2025 Lariat Hybrid. Went through the whole neutral tow procedure per the manual. I sat in the toad while my wife drove the RV around the parking lot so I could watch the supplemental braking system do its thing. That all worked fine. However, I noticed that the Maverick would occasionally give a warning ding and a message would appear on the dash. Before people ask - I didn't have the presence of mind to screen shot the message - and I guess my memory is aging :| - but it was something to the effect of "car turned off".

Is this normal behavior?

I have 2025 Lariet Hybrid & have flat towed several thousand miles behind my Motorhome. Never a need to leave key fob inside Maverick, always have it inside motorhome. Then outside I lock the Mav doors with fob. Flat towing with fob inside truck might trigger the sound you hear????

 

[First Sergeant]

I have 2025 Lariet Hybrid & have flat towed several thousand miles behind my Motorhome. Never a need to leave key fob inside Maverick, always have it inside motorhome. Then outside I lock the Mav doors with fob. Flat towing with fob inside truck might trigger the sound you hear????

Good call, I did not think of that. I have XLT so the key has to remain in the ignition. We lock the truck with the wifes key or remote fob.

 

[KenE]

Good call, I did not think of that. I have XLT so the key has to remain in the ignition. We lock the truck with the wifes key or remote fob.

And you make a great point abt the key ignition vs push button. Years past I flat towed other Fords, some required the key to remain in vehicle, but not the 25MY Mav. Our 'smart Technology' Fords keep us guessing.

 

[Ice Mav]

I have 2025 Lariet Hybrid & have flat towed several thousand miles behind my Motorhome. Never a need to leave key fob inside Maverick, always have it inside motorhome. Then outside I lock the Mav doors with fob. Flat towing with fob inside truck might trigger the sound you hear????

Hello, I would like to tap on your experience, I’m getting ready to set my 25 Lariat up for flat tow and was wondering if it’s better to install a battery charger for flat towing or if a simple charge line is sufficient? TIA

 

[First Sergeant]

Hello, I would like to tap on your experience, I’m getting ready to set my 25 Lariat up for flat tow and was wondering if it’s better to install a battery charger for flat towing or if a simple charge line is sufficient? TIA

For me a simple charge line has worked fine for several thousand miles. Nothing to break, just charges. I do plug in a battery maintainer for my Mav at home as we sometimes don't drive it for many days. That seems to work also, however we have got the "sleep issue" a few times, no dome lights and notification on the app. Truck starts all the time though and usually reading 12.4-12.6 volts. Not sure why it's sleeping, maybe like me just wants a nap from time to time? At least it doesn't snore. CPAP for a truck, ugg.

 

[Ice Mav]

For me a simple charge line has worked fine for several thousand miles. Nothing to break, just charges. I do plug in a battery maintainer for my Mav at home as we sometimes don't drive it for many days. That seems to work also, however we have got the "sleep issue" a few times, no dome lights and notification on the app. Truck starts all the time though and usually reading 12.4-12.6 volts. Not sure why it's sleeping, maybe like me just wants a nap from time to time? At least it doesn't snore. CPAP for a truck, ugg.

That’s what I was thinking, thanks for verifying “Top”

 

[First Sergeant]

That’s what I was thinking, thanks for verifying “Top”

Most welcome brother!

 

[KenE]

Hello, I would like to tap on your experience, I’m getting ready to set my 25 Lariat up for flat tow and was wondering if it’s better to install a battery charger for flat towing or if a simple charge line is sufficient? TIA

Sure can, I've been flat towing decades. The charge line from motorhome 7-pin connector to 6-pin Mav connector is sufficient. I use RVI Brake3 supplemental brake. Plus the charge line keeps 12v system charged, ensuring the Mav remains in tow mode.

 

[KenE]

For me a simple charge line has worked fine for several thousand miles. Nothing to break, just charges. I do plug in a battery maintainer for my Mav at home as we sometimes don't drive it for many days. That seems to work also, however we have got the "sleep issue" a few times, no dome lights and notification on the app. Truck starts all the time though and usually reading 12.4-12.6 volts. Not sure why it's sleeping, maybe like me just wants a nap from time to time? At least it doesn't snore. CPAP for a truck, ugg.

"Top" I think the sleep mode also includes a time factor in addition to the 12V battery charge. Or we're all just guessing how the puzzle works? I also use the battery tender when im not going to be driving the Mav for awhile.

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