Dolly towing a AWD ecoboost

[fountain333]

I would like to tow my 25 AWD ecoboost on a dolly behind my motorhome. To make a long story short, put the vehicle in the air and took the rear driveshaft out. Before I put it in the air, i put it in neutral so I could spin the driveshaft and get all the bolts out. When rotating the drive shaft during removal, neither rear wheels would spin. There must be some driveline dog clutch that gets engaged and disengaged. Still proceeded to remove the rear shaft and during initial test drive it occurred to me as to why it couldnt be towed on a dolly if the rear end is disconnected from the driveshaft? I wonder if when put in park does it engage the rear drive shaft? I wish i would have investigated more before pulling the driveshaft. Does anyone have any insight? Yes i know ford says that they are not flat towable but i should think that with no rear shaft there isnt anything that could spin the transmission causing damage.

Thanks in advance

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[MaverickDragon]

Your profile says hybrid but you also have an EB ?
No first hand knowledge, but this thread seems to support the consensus that it should not be done, although the jury never seemed to reach a verdict on that thread, but then your specific circumstance was not addressed.

With the driveshaft removed from the rear, it's obvious that a front dolly towed Mav won't cause transmission damage, but for the rear end... I'd consult a higher authority.

A Ford tech might be able to shed some subject matter expert advice on the topic.
A member on this site might...
@Darryl - Any thoughts on an EB front dolly tow with rears on the ground while driveshaft disconnected ? Sorry in advance if this puts you on the spot.

 

[Pointyears]

I would like to tow my 25 AWD ecoboost on a dolly behind my motorhome. To make a long story short, put the vehicle in the air and took the rear driveshaft out. Before I put it in the air, i put it in neutral so I could spin the driveshaft and get all the bolts out. When rotating the drive shaft during removal, neither rear wheels would spin. There must be some driveline dog clutch that gets engaged and disengaged. Still proceeded to remove the rear shaft and during initial test drive it occurred to me as to why it couldnt be towed on a dolly if the rear end is disconnected from the driveshaft? I wonder if when put in park does it engage the rear drive shaft? I wish i would have investigated more before pulling the driveshaft. Does anyone have any insight? Yes i know ford says that they are not flat towable but i should think that with no rear shaft there isnt anything that could spin the transmission causing damage.

Thanks in advance

I traded in my AWD Escape for a hybrid Mav because every single person in and out of Ford said it couldn’t be flat or dolly towed. No one said “well if you just pop off the driveshaft…” I imagine an EB Mav is the same way since they’re soul sisters.

 

[Darryl]

Your profile says hybrid but you also have an EB ?
No first hand knowledge, but this thread seems to support the consensus that it should not be done, although the jury never seemed to reach a verdict on that thread, but then your specific circumstance was not addressed.

With the driveshaft removed from the rear, it's obvious that a front dolly towed Mav won't cause transmission damage, but for the rear end... I'd consult a higher authority.

A Ford tech might be able to shed some subject matter expert advice on the topic.
A member on this site might...
@Darryl - Any thoughts on an EB front dolly tow with rears on the ground while driveshaft disconnected ? Sorry in advance if this puts you on the spot.

My instinct is yes given that the rear differential is the same as used in the hybrid. But let me check so I can give a definite answer

 

[fountain333]

Your profile says hybrid but you also have an EB ?
No first hand knowledge, but this thread seems to support the consensus that it should not be done, although the jury never seemed to reach a verdict on that thread, but then your specific circumstance was not addressed.

With the driveshaft removed from the rear, it's obvious that a front dolly towed Mav won't cause transmission damage, but for the rear end... I'd consult a higher authority.

A Ford tech might be able to shed some subject matter expert advice on the topic.
A member on this site might...
@Darryl - Any thoughts on an EB front dolly tow with rears on the ground while driveshaft disconnected ? Sorry in advance if this puts you on the spot.

I originally joined the forum before i purchased the truck. I was looking specifically at a maverick for the front wheel drive to be able to tow behind my RV. I really wanted to like the hybrid but i compare it to brown rice. It was just dull and bland. The eco boost at least provided some level of fun to it. So started looking at eco boost trucks and you couldn't get the eco boost in just fwd unless you got a 26... The 26 didnt have the sliding rear window and also the interior color with that blue was something i just couldn't handle. Then the dealership offered me a swinging deal on a 25 lariat in space white with the blackout package and towing package that i couldn't refuse. So now here i am. I purchased what I was trying to avoid hahahaha what an idiot.. I do really like the truck and maybe this will damage it but i guess i will find out. I have been driving it around and put probably 100 miles on it now and there has been no difference with no rear shaft in it.

 

[fountain333]

My instinct is yes given that the rear differential is the same as used in the hybrid. But let me check so I can give a definite answer

I would be interested in seeing what you come up with. I have been driving the Mav now for about 100 miles with no rear shaft and there is no indication that there isnt a rear shaft in it. There is no noises, clunks or anything to note and ive been driving it with the radio off. There is also no warning lights or notifications. I will say that this truck has sounded "weird" from day one. It may be a normal sound for a awd eco boost. I am going to go to the dealership and go for a ride in another one to see if it does sound the same as mine does. The sound seems to come from the transmission and has a slight ratcheting sound to it that seems to go with ground speed. the only time it goes away is when no load is on the trans like under a gear change or when rolling up to a stop light and it drops out of gear at maybe 3mph or something like that but it does come back at an idle.. its odd..

 

[Howard]

There are clutches at each end of the driveshaft that disconnect it completely when it is not needed for power and it does not rotate when power is not being sent to the rear. There has been a video posted that shows this. It may be safe to tow without disconnecting but I don't think I'd want to test this on my Mav.

 

[rk06382]

I think the Ford says NO Tow-Dolly for AWD. I had a tow Dolly & almost purchased a 24 Maverick FWD Hybrid. But It was 350 miles away.

From Ford website:
Can I tow my Ford using a tow-dolly?

2025 Ford Towing Guide

Page 49

 

[Cherokee]

Get a nice aluminum flat bed trailer.
It’s obvious you can afford it.
Motorhomes are big dollar toys.

 

[Pointyears]

I think the Ford says NO Tow-Dolly for AWD. I had a tow Dolly & almost purchased a 24 Maverick FWD Hybrid. But It was 350 miles away.

From Ford website:
Can I tow my Ford using a tow-dolly?

2025 Ford Towing Guide

Page 49

That's interesting that they say "no" to dolly towing an AWD hybrid when it can be flat towed.

 

[fountain333]

As an update. I took the rear driveshaft out when the truck had approximately 500 miles on it and it has just under 4000 miles on it with probably 200 miles of being towed behind my rv on a tow dolly. There hasn't been any lights or warnings or even a single issue at all.

 

[Howard]

That's interesting that they say "no" to dolly towing an AWD hybrid when it can be flat towed.

Without the front axles turning when on a dolly, the bearings for the rear output shaft may not receive the lubrication needed.

This is the case in a 4WD with a Dana 20 transfer case. The bearing for the rear output shaft is above the lube level and depends on oil thrown up by the front shaft which is down in the lube, but it would not be turning when using a dolly. Again, flat towing is safe.

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