Flat towing a maverick

[pmcdonald387]

Perhaps this has been addressed in past threads that I'm unaware of. I have a 2022 Lariat ecoboost with the towing package. It's my understanding that this truck cannot be flat towed behind my motorhome. I don't know whether that's the case but what I think I understand. I don't understand the details of why that may be true or what other options may be available to take my Maverick with me on my motorhome trips. I see all kinds of jeeps and 4 wheel drive trucks being flat towed behind RVs on the highway and wonder why they can do this but not my Mav. I would greatly appreciate reliable information from others in this forum about this topic.

Sponsored

 

[Dave O]

I have a 2025 Maverick AWD Hybrid that I’ve flat towed four wheels down nearly 7,000 mile without any issues I use a RoadMaster Base Plate and a RoadMaster NightHawk Towbar it’s been a great experience

 

[pmcdonald387]

Thanks. I understood for some reason the hybrid was capable of being flat towed but not the ecoboost. Still, don't know why.

 

[KO Stradivarius]

You should be reading the Owner's Manual, it's all there. The manual for my '25 Mav Hybrid clearly lays it out. You have an Ecoboost (the manual calls it "gasoline") so you cannot do "recreational towing" with all 4 wheels on the ground (the auto transmission is the issue). You need to get the drive wheels off of the ground to avoid damage.

Towing Your Vehicle - Gasoline: You cannot recreational tow your vehicle with all wheels on the ground because vehicle or transmission damage could occur.

If you have a FWD model:

Place the front wheels on a two-wheel tow dolly. If you are using a tow dolly, follow the instructions specified by the equipment provider.

If you have AWD, you need a flatbed trailer:

You cannot recreational tow your vehicle with all wheels on the ground because vehicle or transmission damage could occur. You must recreational tow your vehicle with all four wheels off the ground, such as when using a car-hauling trailer. Otherwise, you cannot recreational tow your vehicle.

The Hybrid is different, it has a "Neutral Tow" setting you select from the menu, with a detailed process that enables recreational 4-wheel towing.

People who tow vehicles behind RV's are either pulling manual trans vehicles (which can easily be put into neutral to roll freely), or I believe there are some vehicles with auto trans that are designed to enable flat-towing. I don't know the details, but according to the manual your Maverick isn't one of them.

But by all means, read your manual and check it out!

PS: There is an entire sub-forum on this site dedicated to towing:
https://www.mavericktruckclub.com/forum/forums/towing-flat-towing-hitches-hauling.16/

 

[Ken L]

Thanks. I understood for some reason the hybrid was capable of being flat towed but not the ecoboost. Still, don't know why.

Totally different transmissions in hybrid ‘Ecvt’ vs eco boost conventional automatic tranny. Most automatic transmissions today require the lubrication coming from the power input end (engine) to prevent transmission failure.
Ken

 

[mstrbill]

I see all kinds of jeeps and 4 wheel drive trucks being flat towed behind RVs on the highway and wonder why they can do this but not my Mav.

Because those vehicles have a transfer box, that can be put in neutral. Or they have disconnected the drive shafts

 

[KO Stradivarius]

Thanks. I understood for some reason the hybrid was capable of being flat towed but not the ecoboost. Still, don't know why.

Totally different transmissions in hybrid ‘Ecvt’ vs eco boost conventional automatic tranny. Most automatic transmissions today require the lubrication coming from the power input end (engine) to prevent transmission failure.
Ken

You answered why, basically. It's because the EB automatic transmission isn't capable of it. What more do you want to know? If you really must know the technical details, Google or AI is there for you.

 

[Dave O]

I have a 2025 Maverick AWD Hybrid I have flat towed it four wheels down behind my motorhome almost 7,000 miles so far with no issues - it probably the best toad I’ve owned and I’ve had more than a few

 

[Rob C]

Perhaps this has been addressed in past threads that I'm unaware of. I have a 2022 Lariat ecoboost with the towing package. It's my understanding that this truck cannot be flat towed behind my motorhome. I don't know whether that's the case but what I think I understand. I don't understand the details of why that may be true or what other options may be available to take my Maverick with me on my motorhome trips. I see all kinds of jeeps and 4 wheel drive trucks being flat towed behind RVs on the highway and wonder why they can do this but not my Mav. I would greatly appreciate reliable information from others in this forum about this topic.

It has to do with how the transmission is lubricated. Most modern transmissions require the engine to be running to adequately lubricate the gears/shafts/bearings. When the wheels are turning, some internals of the transmission are turning and without the engine running, they do not get properly lubricated. Some 4x4 vehicles have the ability to isolate the transmission from the wheels. This allows the wheels to free spin without spinning anything in the transmission. Others may have had modifications done to ensure the transmission is properly lubricated by installing a secondary oil pump system that can run off the RV charge line. It varies from vehicle to vehicle and model to model and often times varies by trim packages. It is something you must pay close attention to when looking to purchase a vehicle these days if you intend to flat tow it.

You have two options to take your FWD Ecoboost Maverick with you. You can put it on a tow dolly OR put it on a trailer. Both of these options prevents the transmission internals from spinning when towing. If you want to flat towing, you will need a different truck than your current version.

 

[pmcdonald387]

It has to do with how the transmission is lubricated. Most modern transmissions require the engine to be running to adequately lubricate the gears/shafts/bearings. When the wheels are turning, some internals of the transmission are turning and without the engine running, they do not get properly lubricated. Some 4x4 vehicles have the ability to isolate the transmission from the wheels. This allows the wheels to free spin without spinning anything in the transmission. Others may have had modifications done to ensure the transmission is properly lubricated by installing a secondary oil pump system that can run off the RV charge line. It varies from vehicle to vehicle and model to model and often times varies by trim packages. It is something you must pay close attention to when looking to purchase a vehicle these days if you intend to flat tow it.

You have two options to take your FWD Ecoboost Maverick with you. You can put it on a tow dolly OR put it on a trailer. Both of these options prevents the transmission internals from spinning when towing. If you want to flat towing, you will need a different truck than your current version.

 

[pmcdonald387]

Thanks, this very helpful. I'm confused though by your suggestion that one option is using a tow dolly which I understand is NOT an option and all wheels must be off the ground on a trailer.

 

[KO Stradivarius]

Thanks, this very helpful. I'm confused though by your suggestion that one option is using a tow dolly which I understand is NOT an option and all wheels must be off the ground on a trailer.

He's exactly right. My earlier post quotes the Owner's Manual which laid it out on a silver platter. The drive wheels must be off the ground. If you have a 2WD/FWD then you can use a tow dolly, or a full trailer if you'd like. If you have AWD then you need a full trailer. Have you read the manual? Have you stated what kind drivetrain your truck has?

 

[pmcdonald387]

He's exactly right. My earlier post quotes the Owner's Manual which laid it out on a silver platter. The drive wheels must be off the ground. If you have a 2WD/FWD then you can use a tow dolly, or a full trailer if you'd like. If you have AWD then you need a full trailer. Have you read the manual? Have you stated what kind drivetrain your truck has?

 

[pmcdonald387]

Well thanks for the silver platter. It still doesn't explain why I see 4 wheel drive jeeps and trucks being flat towed behind RVs on the highway which was my original quandary.

 

[KO Stradivarius]

Well thanks for the silver platter. It still doesn't explain why I see 4 wheel drive jeeps and trucks being flat towed behind RVs on the highway which was my original quandary.

That was answered, too.
Basically here: https://www.mavericktruckclub.com/forum/threads/flat-towing-a-maverick.81208/post-1344359

You even thanked him for it less than an hour ago.

Sponsored