Demco Flat-Tow Setup Instructions, with comparison to Blue Ox and Roadmaster

[phoneman01]

30 lbs according to Ford.

Thank you. I stand corrected.

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[Suptrack]

In the menu for the '24 Maverick, there is a setting to turn off the 30 minute accessory by which the accessory stays on. Before I signed for mine, I had the manager come out to the vehicle and show me how to go about it. There is a check mark that can be removed there by allowing the accessory to stay live.

 

[gwrace14651]

I finally completed my install. The 6 pin mount took some head scratching and wall staring but I figured out a good one...I hope. I used the huge bracket from Demco as a mounting plate for the much smaller bracket and "voila!" I have a front facing mount. Self tapping screws and bolts through both brackets secured everything well.

How difficult was it to bend that Demco bracket?

 

[phoneman01]

How difficult was it to bend that Demco bracket?

I didn't bend it. I bolted it to that other bracket and made a double 90.

 

[gwrace14651]

I didn't bend it. I bolted it to that other bracket and made a double 90.

Thank you for the clarification. Sometimes I can't see what's right in front of my eyes.

 

[phoneman01]

Thank you for the clarification. Sometimes I can't see what's right in front of my eyes.

The old "Why did I come into this room?" syndrome. Speaking as someone of advanced age; It doesen't ever get better.

 

[brlr2000]

I finally completed my install. The 6 pin mount took some head scratching and wall staring but I figured out a good one...I hope. I used the huge bracket from Demco as a mounting plate for the much smaller bracket and "voila!" I have a front facing mount. Self tapping screws and bolts through both brackets secured everything well.

What Brand 6-pin connector bracket is it that you used?

 

[phoneman01]

It was an old one that I had left over in my re-purpose box. I probably had it from an online order some time ago. It was most likely a Curt.

 

[MuleTrainMav]

There are quite a few threads in MTC about flat towing that I've been involved with, and I have gotten quite a few PMs about the install from members here as well as a Facebook group. So I made a file.

I had quickly put together a file in late January, but when I reviewed it, I realized that I had left a bit out. So I went back and tried to fill in the blanks today and remove typos.

Even if you do not want to attempt the relatively easy install, there may be some pointers you can see and share with your installer. It is a fairly easy install for the baseplate; wiring is always a pain.

My experience is that if you are in a hurry, buying directly from Demco was the fastest; and usually Tweetys is the least expensive.

Hope this helps someone here.

 

[MuleTrainMav]

Brad, thanks for breaking all this ground for us. I have ordered all the parts from eTrailer to install the Demco base plate and tried to get all the necessary wiring materials too. I will use the Roadmaster Nighthawk bars and the Blue Ox Patriot Portable Flat Tow Brake System - Proportional. I ordered the battery charge kit and the tail light diode system also. I checked eBay for the diode set your recommended but they are no longer available. My question for you is did you need the brake light switch mod to separate the coach turn signal and brake lights from the Maverick lights? eTrailer seems to state that this is necessary but in all my readings, you and no one else seems to mention adding this mod.

 

[MuleTrainMav]

Brad, thanks for breaking all this ground for us. I have ordered all the parts from eTrailer to install the Demco base plate and tried to get all the necessary wiring materials too. I will use the Roadmaster Nighthawk bars and the Blue Ox Patriot Portable Flat Tow Brake System - Proportional. I ordered the battery charge kit and the tail light diode system also. I checked eBay for the diode set your recommended but they are no longer available. My question for you is did you need the brake light switch mod to separate the coach turn signal and brake lights from the Maverick lights? eTrailer seems to state that this is necessary but in all my readings, you and no one else seems to mention adding this mod.

 

[MuleTrainMav]

Just to be clear, the following link is what I am referring to:

https://www.etrailer.com/Flat-Tow-Brake-System/Roadmaster/RM-88400.html

 

[BradnChristine]

Brad, thanks for breaking all this ground for us. I have ordered all the parts from eTrailer to install the Demco base plate and tried to get all the necessary wiring materials too. I will use the Roadmaster Nighthawk bars and the Blue Ox Patriot Portable Flat Tow Brake System - Proportional. I ordered the battery charge kit and the tail light diode system also. I checked eBay for the diode set your recommended but they are no longer available. My question for you is did you need the brake light switch mod to separate the coach turn signal and brake lights from the Maverick lights? eTrailer seems to state that this is necessary but in all my readings, you and no one else seems to mention adding this mod.

I do not use that light separation thing. It never used to be offered, as I've been towing since about 1999. As it has been explained to me, IF supplemental braking is being applied WHEN you are turning AND the turn signal light is on, your towed MIGHT give a false indication on the Maverick that you are only braking while your RV says you are turning.

First, I nearly never drive so that supplemental braking is actually used. I consider it needed 98%y for Legality, 1% In case of a breakaway, and 1% for an emergency. I got used to my old Class A with air over disk brakes and that couldn't even feel a towed if the brakes were locked up. Now that I have a much smaller 25' Ford Transit 350-HD based LTV, I continue to drive so as to not need/implement supplemental braking normally. Planning ahead is key.

However, I got into a situation in June in Elko, NV (they have the world's biggest instersections and world's shortest amber lights) where I did hit the brakes hard to stop and I PLANTED the Maverick and Transit. I actually did that twice that day in Elko and got to see that I needed to turn the BrakeBuddy WAY down in pressure; sensitivity is already as low as I can get it. It was also the only time the BrakeBuddy has activated in about 5500 miles, evidenced by the stop and the BB light on my dash.

All that to say that I cannot imagine activating supplemental braking while in a turn and causing the light indication confusion. The only thing happening in the Maverick while in a turn is the turn signal light activation from the RV. IF the supplemental braking is activating both brake lights, I would be stopped dead. Anyway, that's my take.

Sorry the diodes are no longer there. I think it was some guy who put them together for years. He must have gotten tired. I know Roadmaster makes diodes, and I think Hopkins likely does as well. I should have bought another set!

 

[MuleTrainMav]

Thanks for the reply and I see your point. I thought about just pulling the fuse to the brake switch, but I can't see or find a fuse on the 2024 Maverick. Another post said just pull the wire from the brake switch and leave it off while towing but then you have the problem of remembering to plug it back in to drive. Plus the effort is not trivial. Also, how long before you wear out the plug or socket and I cant be sure you wont set off some of those error msgs, etc. I think I will forgo this brake switch relay for the time being and see how it goes. As not any of the install posting I have read say anything about installing this relay, I guess many others feel the same as you do. Thanks again for your detailed sharing!

 

[MuleTrainMav]

Forgot to mention I am towing with a 2023 Winnebago View (6 cylinder Mercedes Sprinter), so I will be driving very carefully as you suggest.

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