Flat Tow Set Up Instructions

[NatD]

Thank you for posting the pdf - I have a 2024 XLT. As mentioned above there are small changes.
I now have towed over 5k miles and want to add 2 pointers:

If you have a charger from the RV to the Maverick then disconnect the umbilical cord - I have issues if I have the charge coming in while doing the procedure. Then reconnect once in neutral tow.

If you get into an issue disconnect the battery of the Maverick for 15min. This will reset the system - all will be good.

Hope this helps

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[BradnChristine]

Thank you for posting the pdf - I have a 2024 XLT. As mentioned above there are small changes.
I now have towed over 5k miles and want to add 2 pointers:

If you have a charger from the RV to the Maverick then disconnect the umbilical cord - I have issues if I have the charge coming in while doing the procedure. Then reconnect once in neutral tow.

If you get into an issue disconnect the battery of the Maverick for 15min. This will reset the system - all will be good.

Hope this helps

I've seen others make this warning before...but I've always done all the "up-front" work BEFORE entering the cab to set up NT on my 2023. Thus I always have the umbilical cord connected before starting the inside process. (and I do have a chargewire connected to a Toad-Charge in the Maverick, and use diodes to connect the taillights.) What "issues" have you experienced?

 

[NatD]

It may only be with the Keyed versions.
When I would take it out of NT mode it would exit allowing me to drive, but not allowing me to get it back into NT mode.
It was out of NT mode - but didn't realize it???

Strange - but I have never had that issue again with disconnecting.

 

[Dad]

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)

Very helpful. Thanks for posting

 

[Bburg]

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.

Thanks for the information, I really appreicate it.
We are thinking about flat towing our Hybrid behind our Motor Home as well. I only have a 26 Winnebago Via Class A Motor Home. It has the Mercedes Sprinter 3500 disel engine . It is rated to tow 5K. Would this be enough?

What braking system are you using?

Thanks

 

[BradnChristine]

Thanks for the information, I really appreicate it.
We are thinking about flat towing our Hybrid behind our Motor Home as well. I only have a 26 Winnebago Via Class A Motor Home. It has the Mercedes Sprinter 3500 disel engine . It is rated to tow 5K. Would this be enough?

What braking system are you using?

Thanks

It weighs around 3750 lbs...and I easily tow it with my Leisure Travel Van Wonder with a Ford 350-HD chassis. There are others with the Sprinter based Unity LTVs towing them. We have 4000 lb towing capacity. Personally, I use an old Brake Buddy Classic...set as low as possible. As long as you don't violate the GCVWR of your Winnebago, you should be fine.

 

[Bburg]

Thanks, I saw one guy at the camp ground at Bowling Green, KY towing a car behing it and he said his motor braking system was enough to stop it without and additional braking system. Is that possible? Tow bar only and wiring,

 

[BradnChristine]

Thanks, I saw one guy at the camp ground at Bowling Green, KY towing a car behing it and he said his motor braking system was enough to stop it without and additional braking system. Is that possible? Tow bar only and wiring,

Possible?
Yes. Drive carefully and you'll never need or activate your supplemental braking.

Legal?
Not in most states. Here's one of many reference tools: https://rvibrake.com/pages/flat-towing-law

And I should add, there is always some nimnal who wants to tell you that if you are legal in your state, you are legal in any state. While that is true for your driver's license and registration, it is NOT legal for vehicle compliance requirements.

If for no other reason, prevention of a breakaway is the primary concern. That untethered vehicle could do a lot of damage, inury and death for which you would be responsible. A supplemental braking system is just part of the cost of towing.

 

[Headbanger]

Thanks for the information, I really appreicate it.
We are thinking about flat towing our Hybrid behind our Motor Home as well. I only have a 26 Winnebago Via Class A Motor Home. It has the Mercedes Sprinter 3500 disel engine . It is rated to tow 5K. Would this be enough?


Thanks

I dolly tow mine with an Entegra Qwest which adds another 500lbs to the mix and have no trouble. That Sprinter diesel is a workhorse. You’ll be fine flat towing.

 

[MikeC]

Thanks for the write up. I would add, turn off the parking brake.

 

[Crowman]

Thank you I been looking for something like this. Appreciate it. Good job.

 

[Tygger5]

I've seen others make this warning before...but I've always done all the "up-front" work BEFORE entering the cab to set up NT on my 2023. Thus I always have the umbilical cord connected before starting the inside process. (and I do have a chargewire connected to a Toad-Charge in the Maverick, and use diodes to connect the taillights.) What "issues" have you experienced?

Do you leave the RV running while setting up the NT mode? Or should it be turned off? Just wondering if that would make a difference with the umbilical RV charge line?

And thanks for all your input. I finally got my Demco baseplate installed. Your install notes were very helpful.

 

[Sir Tyne]

We hook up with the RV not running, but I don't think that is an issue either way. On our Tiffin with a Ford gas V8 chassis the charge line in the umbilical is hot all the time.

 

[BradnChristine]

Do you leave the RV running while setting up the NT mode? Or should it be turned off? Just wondering if that would make a difference with the umbilical RV charge line?

And thanks for all your input. I finally got my Demco baseplate installed. Your install notes were very helpful.

I think we've done the setup both ways. My wife and I usually set the safety cables, the light cord, and the breakaway cable after backing up the Maverick to lock the towbar in extended position, but I have put the light cord in before doing the NT process. Doesn't really have an impact. My rv (LTV Wonder) has a live charge wire when connected.

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