Flat Tow Set Up Instructions

[Sir Tyne]

First, a big thank you to BradnChristine for his Neutral Tow set up instructions he posted earlier. I just completed my Demco tow bar setup on our 2024 Lariat Hybrid and went through his instructions before our first tow. At age 74, I wanted to be sure my wife could do it if for some reason I was not able to.

So I revised the list and tried to be extremely precise with each step. Reading about others that have gotten stuck in Neutral Tow by missing a step is what I wanted to avoid. Attached is a .pdf file that can be printed out front to back on one sheet. It can be trimmed to a 6" square and laminated for frequent use. Keep in mind this was done for a keyless 2024 Lariat so I don't know if anything would be different for an XL or XLT. I'll gladly revise it if anyone finds any issues in what I have here.

Flat Tow Setup Instructions (PDF)

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[BradnChristine]

First, a big thank you to BradnChristine for his Neutral Tow set up instructions he posted earlier. I just completed my Demco tow bar setup on our 2024 Lariat Hybrid and went through his instructions before our first tow. At age 74, I wanted to be sure my wife could do it if for some reason I was not able to.

So I revised the list and tried to be extremely precise with each step. Reading about others that have gotten stuck in Neutral Tow by missing a step is what I wanted to avoid. Attached is a .pdf file that can be printed out front to back on one sheet. It can be trimmed to a 6" square and laminated for frequent use. Keep in mind this was done for a keyless 2024 Lariat so I don't know if anything would be different for an XL or XLT. I'll gladly revise it if anyone finds any issues in what I have here.

Nicely done. I need to do a little revising, as when my wife last did it, she had a question. It was brake pedal pressing related, IIRC.

Be SURE to do step 16!!!!

And yes, the XL/XLTs without a push button have to make sure that the key is in the correct position as the sequence progresses. I think the "Stuck in NT" reports we've seen have been from XL/XLT owners with keys so far, if folks are following the manual.

Enjoy! I'm headed to 76 this fall. Seems impossible.

 

[Tom 71 Maverick 24]

I know that there are probably a number of legit reasons not to, but why not just get a double axle flatbed trailer and tow it that way? I'd feel a lot safer with the vehicle strapped down on a trailer than dealing with all the processes and procedures involved in flat towing.

Used to be simple - mark and remove the drive shaft and make sure the front hubs were unlocked.

 

[BradnChristine]

I know that there are probably a number of legit reasons not to, but why not just get a double axle flatbed trailer and tow it that way? I'd feel a lot safer with the vehicle strapped down on a trailer than dealing with all the processes and procedures involved in flat towing.

Used to be simple - mark and remove the drive shaft and make sure the front hubs were unlocked.

Two primary reasons:
1. Excess trailer weight as many RVs have a 4,000 lb or 5,000 lb weight limit.
2. Where to store the trailer when at a campground.

The Ford Neutral Tow process isn't that difficult...but it is precise.

 

[Tom 71 Maverick 24]

Two primary reasons:
1. Excess trailer weight as many RVs have a 4,000 lb or 5,000 lb weight limit.
2. Where to store the trailer when at a campground.

The Ford Neutral Tow process isn't that difficult...but it is precise.

Well, that makes sense then. Although you'd think that such a big vehicle would have something of a respectable towing capacity. And maybe the really big ones do. Trailer storage, I hadn't thought of that. Though it ought to be similar to if you're pulling a large travel trailer with an F-250 or something. Still have 2 vehicles basically.

Though the procedure isn't difficult, it is complicated enough that (as we've seen on these pages) one slipup results in a disaster. And it's not 100% logical, nor obvious as to what each step of the process is accomplishing.

 

[BradnChristine]

First, a big thank you to BradnChristine for his Neutral Tow set up instructions he posted earlier. I just completed my Demco tow bar setup on our 2024 Lariat Hybrid and went through his instructions before our first tow. At age 74, I wanted to be sure my wife could do it if for some reason I was not able to.

So I revised the list and tried to be extremely precise with each step. Reading about others that have gotten stuck in Neutral Tow by missing a step is what I wanted to avoid. Attached is a .pdf file that can be printed out front to back on one sheet. It can be trimmed to a 6" square and laminated for frequent use. Keep in mind this was done for a keyless 2024 Lariat so I don't know if anything would be different for an XL or XLT. I'll gladly revise it if anyone finds any issues in what I have here.

I do want to point out that there is a difference in the 2023 manual and the 2024 manual. It is found on Page 293 in each manual, but the instructions are DIFFERENT, and I've never been able to get reasoning/clarification. These instructions are relative to initial setup each day, and when you tow longer than 6 hours in a day.

The 2023 manual finishes with a Reverse to Neutral shift:

The 2024 Manual does not have you shifting into Reverse at all in the process:

From my days towing a 1998 Honda CR-V, I remember that the instructions were that the last shift when preparing for towing was from Drive to Neutral, with a warning to NEVER finish the process with a Reverse to Neutral switch. Very different transmission, of course, but the difference in manuals caught my eye.

 

[Sir Tyne]

I know that there are probably a number of legit reasons not to, but why not just get a double axle flatbed trailer and tow it that way? I'd feel a lot safer with the vehicle strapped down on a trailer than dealing with all the processes and procedures involved in flat towing.

Used to be simple - mark and remove the drive shaft and make sure the front hubs were unlocked.

Hi Tom, I'm guessing you don't understand what many of us are doing. The reason we bought Hybrid Mavericks is because they can be flat towed on all 4 wheels behind our motorhomes. I've flat towed another vehicle (MINI Cooper) for the last 7 years for about 60,000 miles. Our RV is 40' long and fills most campsites, so being able to quickly unhook our "toad" to set up camp is important. This fall we will be on the road from NC to UT to FL for 11 weeks. We'll be staying in 40 different campsites for from 1 to 6 days each. That would be a lot of work to deal with a trailer or tow dolly plus the Maverick and the RV (3 vehicles) each arrival and departure.

Although it looks like a lot of steps to put the Maverick in Neutral Tow Mode, it only takes about 2 minutes in and 30 seconds out. It's just pushing buttons and pedals in the right order. Add that to 3 minutes hooking up the brake device to the brake pedal and 5 minutes hooking the Maverick to the RV, we only spend about 10 minutes to hook up. Compare that to crawling around strapping down the Maverick to a trailer or tow dolly (sometimes in the rain or mud) and then finding a way and place to put it in the campground.

Now if we were just moving or seasonally traveling from point to point a couple times a year, a rented trailer or tow dolly might be easier and less expensive.

 

[BradnChristine]

Well, that makes sense then. Although you'd think that such a big vehicle would have something of a respectable towing capacity. And maybe the really big ones do. Trailer storage, I hadn't thought of that. Though it ought to be similar to if you're pulling a large travel trailer with an F-250 or something. Still have 2 vehicles basically.

Though the procedure isn't difficult, it is complicated enough that (as we've seen on these pages) one slipup results in a disaster. And it's not 100% logical, nor obvious as to what each step of the process is accomplishing.

Depends on the RV. My old Foretravel Class A had a 10,000 towing capacity and a 34,000 lb GCVWR. My current LTV Wonder (Ford Transit 350-HD) has a 4,000 lb towing capacity and a 15,000 lb GCVWR.
...which is where Ford's Hybrids are perfect...C-Max, Maverick, Escape, Fusion Hybrid. They weigh generally between 3500 and 3800 lbs.

 

[Tom 71 Maverick 24]

Thanks, everyone, for giving me some insights as to the particulars on the subject.

As you can tell, I've never flat-towed a vehicle and don't really intend to do so (though you never know), but reading what y'all are writing, it makes a lot of sense as to why the option is chosen.

I've never towed anything that wasn't on a trailer - boats, yard maintenance equipment, dirt, mulch, furniture, wood and drywall - always on a trailer. So the concept is kind of new to me.

 

[BradnChristine]

Thanks, everyone, for giving me some insights as to the particulars on the subject.

As you can tell, I've never flat-towed a vehicle and don't really intend to do so (though you never know), but reading what y'all are writing, it makes a lot of sense as to why the option is chosen.

I've never towed anything that wasn't on a trailer - boats, yard maintenance equipment, dirt, mulch, furniture, wood and drywall - always on a trailer. So the concept is kind of new to me.

The Maverick Hybrid is such a great flat-tow choice. I've towed 9 different vehicles behind a motorhome for the last 25 years. We still have a Wrangler to tow, but lousy mileage and more weight (my Sahara is about 4200 lbs).

With the Maverick you can carry 4-5 people, put whatever you want in the bed, it has its own spare tire (C-Maxes have the stupid fix-a-flat and no spare), and if anything happens to stop your RV travel (tire, motor, electric problem), you have an easy way to provide for your own rescue.

Then there's the fuel mileage.... The ONLY thing I find missing is AWD. If they make a Flat-towable AWD Hybrid Maverick, I will be all over it...if the baseplate makers design a new baseplate around Ford's ugly (IMHO) 2025 changes.

 

[Lobstah]

Thanks, everyone, for giving me some insights as to the particulars on the subject.

As you can tell, I've never flat-towed a vehicle and don't really intend to do so (though you never know), but reading what y'all are writing, it makes a lot of sense as to why the option is chosen.

I've never towed anything that wasn't on a trailer - boats, yard maintenance equipment, dirt, mulch, furniture, wood and drywall - always on a trailer. So the concept is kind of new to me.

Towing 4 down is a dream, for many reasons listed above. Plus, I can drop my toad in just about 1 minute flat. I start the toad, take tension off the tow bar, disconnect from the toad, unhook the safety chains, disconnect the light harness, and I'm done. We've done it sometimes at gas stations, so it's a good skill to practice. Towing with a trailer is a whole nother kettle of fish Could we do it? Sure. But I'm not going to unless I have ZERO choice.

 

[MakinDoForNow]

I know that there are probably a number of legit reasons not to, but why not just get a double axle flatbed trailer and tow it that way? I'd feel a lot safer with the vehicle strapped down on a trailer than dealing with all the processes and procedures involved in flat towing.

Used to be simple - mark and remove the drive shaft and make sure the front hubs were unlocked.

For dippity do do why can we not have a big red = don't tow it, and green = tow it NOW Light on a "Flat Tow" button in the dash cubby.

 

[Twinboat]

Step #2A place selector back in Park.

You don't want to get out with the truck in neutral, it could roll away or squeeze you in between.

 

[BradnChristine]

Step #2A place selector back in Park.

You don't want to get out with the truck in neutral, it could roll away or squeeze you in between.

These steps are done AFTER connecting the tow bar. No need to ever put it in park while doing the process....bad juju.

 

[Tom 71 Maverick 24]

For dippity do do why can we not have a big red = don't tow it, and green = tow it NOW Light on a "Flat Tow" button in the dash cubby.

I kind of like that - or something nearly as simple. Not so simple that it can mistakenly be turned on, but simple enough that you don't need to go through so many steps to set it up.

I think of my F-150 as an example. It has a heated steering wheel. I found out that it had that feature some 2 years after I bought it, because instead of having a button on the climate control area where things like defrost, AC, fan speed, temperature, and such are located, they buried it in a menu on the touch screen. Almost like it was an afterthought.

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