Flat Towing - best base plate for the Maverick?

[Terry52]

Check with your Ford dealer on warranty issues. Mine told me the active shutter system was part of the cooling system and could invalidate factory warranty on any cooling system related failures. Was planning on going with Roadmaster until I saw they completely remove the active shutter system. So you cut and remove no matter what system you go with.

Thanks for the warranty comment. I don’t have any real/verified info about how the Roadmaster may or may not affect warranty, but I can tell you the active shutter system is a two piece part, and you only need to remove the lower and smaller piece of this system to install the Roadmaster. So far I have towed the Maverick for not more than 5k miles and am completely satisfied with the towing experience. I really like the hardly noticeable look of the Roadmaster with the tow bars disconnected. Having driven the Maverick on 90 degree days and 15 degree days, I can not tell that removing the lower portion of the active shutter system has not affected any operations of the Maverick ie HVAC or engine cooling. I prefer this instead of cutting holes in the facia and having permanent bars protruding from the bumper!

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[BradnChristine]

Thanks for the warranty comment. I don’t have any real/verified info about how the Roadmaster may or may not affect warranty, but I can tell you the active shutter system is a two piece part, and you only need to remove the lower and smaller piece of this system to install the Roadmaster. So far I have towed the Maverick for not more than 5k miles and am completely satisfied with the towing experience. I really like the hardly noticeable look of the Roadmaster with the tow bars disconnected. Having driven the Maverick on 90 degree days and 15 degree days, I can not tell that removing the lower portion of the active shutter system has not affected any operations of the Maverick ie HVAC or engine cooling. I prefer this instead of cutting holes in the facia and having permanent bars protruding from the bumper!

I have ALWAYS used Roadmaster baseplates (7 or 8 of them), but this destruction of the active-shutter system will convert me to Blue Ox baseplates...and I will figure out an aesthetic solution to the bumper. I plan on buying a 10 yr ESP warranty and want to provide zero excuses for Ford to deny a claim. The Roadmaster Maverick design may be pretty to look at, but it is too destructive to the Maverick's system design. Here are a few links to read if you plan on using a Roadmaster baseplate.

https://www.mavericktruckclub.com/forum/threads/active-shutter-system-cel.29022/

https://www.autobytel.com/car-ownership/technology/what-are-ford-active-grille-shutters-123194/

https://www.f150mechanic.com/ford-f150-active-grille-shutter-system

 

[Jfrinehart]

Since those are the only two available baseplates for the Maverick, and Ford specifically tells you how to tow all four down behind an RV, which you can't do without a baseplate, why would Ford void a warranty? Any thoughts to whether Ford has given any instructions on how to "properly" install a baseplate to avoid messing up the warranty?

And...I have actually spoken with Ford on the phone and the person I spoke with had no clue about any of this, so if you find out any other information, we would appreciate your sharing.

Thanks!

 

[BradnChristine]

Since those are the only two available baseplates for the Maverick, and Ford specifically tells you how to tow all four down behind an RV, which you can't do without a baseplate, why would Ford void a warranty? Any thoughts to whether Ford has given any instructions on how to "properly" install a baseplate to avoid messing up the warranty?

And...I have actually spoken with Ford on the phone and the person I spoke with had no clue about any of this, so if you find out any other information, we would appreciate your sharing.

Thanks!

Ford hasn't offered any guidance that I've seen. Ford has never aimed any marketing at the RV market...The C-Max (2013-2018) was a perfect upgrade when Honda stopped approving flat-towing the CR-V after 2014, but Ford never exploited the RV market.

If Ford would actually consider its flat-towable Hybrids as useful as RV Toweds, they could easily charge up to $1,000 for a "towed package" that contained just baseplates and electric wiring with diodes...and sell a lot of vehicles optioned that way. It is labor-intensive to take the front end apart (as I did my C-Max last year) and then put on a $400-$500 baseplate, and fiddle with the tail light wiring, whichever method you use...I've used extra bulbs in the fixtures; magnetic light additions and diodes. I may try LED bars this time.

I would have happily spent $1000 at Ford to have all that done on my Maverick, and it likely would make Ford at LEAST $500 in profit to do it.

Edit: This all lets me think that maybe CAFE credits were the most important thing Ford was looking for in all of their Hybrid productions..

 

[BDennis]

On my 2022 the recall for the potential oil fire issue besides the holes in the engine shield is the removal of the lower shutters. Guess removing them voids nothing

 

[Donald]

Check with your Ford dealer on warranty issues. Mine told me the active shutter system was part of the cooling system and could invalidate factory warranty on any cooling system related failures. Was planning on going with Roadmaster until I saw they completely remove the active shutter system. So you cut and remove no matter what system you go with.

The recall calls for only removing 4 sections of the lovers. I verified on my 2023 that those were removed. Along with some additional vents in the bottom cover. All they do is reach in by hand and pull them out.

 

[BradnChristine]

The recall calls for only removing 4 sections of the lovers. I verified on my 2023 that those were removed. Along with some additional vents in the bottom cover. All they do is reach in by hand and pull them out.

I finally got a good look at my January built Maverick. The two/four vanes above are missing from mine as well. But Roadmaster requires a LOT more to be removed for its install.

I'm still waiting for a good resolution... 1. Win the lottery and buy an FX4 lower fascia for Blue Ox; 2. See what Demco comes up with as I think they are still working on it; 3. Wait til July and see if there will be a 2024 Hybrid AWD to set up instead. Glad I kept the C-Max to tow in the meantime.

 

[swtiming8]

I've always used/iinstalled Roadmaster baseplates...C-Max (2), Rangers(2), S-10, MDX, CR-V....but I see that Roadmaster makes you modify the active shutter system while Blue Ox does not. Once my 22 23 Maverick arrives, I will study more, but I think I may be wanting to put on the Blue Ox. Not sure how easy my Falcon 2 or Stowmaster will adapt to a Blue Ox. Might need yet another towbar.

Did research on the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act it says basically Ford can not cancel warranty for putting on the Roadmaster base plate without proving doing so caused an issue.

 

[swtiming8]

Check with your Ford dealer on warranty issues. Mine told me the active shutter system was part of the cooling system and could invalidate factory warranty on any cooling system related failures. Was planning on going with Roadmaster until I saw they completely remove the active shutter system. So you cut and remove no matter what system you go with.

Check the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act it says they can not invalidate the warranty without proving doing so caused damage to other parts.

 

[gwrace14651]

Check the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act it says they can not invalidate the warranty without proving doing so caused damage to other parts.

If memory serves I think Ford has reduced the number of shutters which could make the job easier and less intrusive. I like the look of the Road Master system over Blue Ox so will probably go that direction once I get the Mav.

 

[BradnChristine]

Check the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act it says they can not invalidate the warranty without proving doing so caused damage to other parts.

Good luck with that, fighting Ford's attorneys. That Roadmaster installation specifically requires destruction of an item that Ford says does a lot of things in the vehicle. That includes an increase in mileage, and proper maintenance of engine temperature, etc.

Won't take a Ford lawyer much to blame MANY faults on that item being a cause as it is labeled a temperature control device. But I don't want litigation anyway.

Installing a Blue Ox with or without the lower FX fascia is a better choice to me so as to not give Ford any reason to attribute any fault to the lack of lower Active shutter system.

 

[Bill Aggie]

Just purchased a 2022 Hybrid Maverick to pull behind my Motorhome. Just looking for advice for the best base plate for the Maverick,
Blue Ox or Roadmaster, or another option?

Thanks

Demco! I have a video posted here showing the installation.

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