Flat Towing causing Bike Rack with tail-lights issues

[Dave O]

Ok I’ve been flat towing my 2025 AWD Hybrid Maverick without any issues I just recently added a hitch mounted bike rack into the receiver on the Maverick with a taillight kit on the back of the bike rack using the four prong plug and it works great until I put the Maverick in “neutral tow” - I know when I use the four prong plug for the tail-lights on my bike rack the Maverick assumes I am towing a trailer so the the “cross track alert system” is disabled but the lights on the bike rack works fine.

When I connect the Maverick to my Motorhome and go into neutral tow the tail-lights on the Maverick works great but not the bike rack tail-lights.

I guess the Maverick thinks it can not tow anything if it’s being flat towed and that is communicated to the Maverick by the four prong plug being in use - I’m wondering if there is any work around so I can flat towed the Maverick and illuminate the bike racks tail lights - I’m scratching my head on this one

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[OleFordGuy]

Not 100% sure to be honest, but maybe using one of the curt wiring hardness adapter kits that are plug and play into your factory tail lights might work? I've seen those mentioned and recommended a lot with folks connecting the tail light bars below the tailgate and folks adding a hitch when one was not included from the factory. (Use the 4 pin connector that comes with it instead of the factory one)
Maybe some folks more knowledgeable than me on the subject can chime in. Good Luck !

https://www.etrailer.com/t1-2025_Fo...FbMejTjqfIxVg99A0nCBLlbOB2qxEdSXCf5XfcHqbpYsp

 

[Dave O]

Not 100% sure to be honest, but maybe using one of the curt wiring hardness adapter kits that are plug and play into your factory tail lights might work? I've seen those mentioned and recommended a lot with folks connecting the tail light bars below the tailgate and folks adding a hitch when one was not included from the factory. (Use the 4 pin connector that comes with it instead of the factory one)
Maybe some folks more knowledgeable than me on the subject can chime in. Good Luck !

https://www.etrailer.com/t1-2025_Fo...FbMejTjqfIxVg99A0nCBLlbOB2qxEdSXCf5XfcHqbpYsp

Thanks Craig I will look into one of their solutions and keep looking for other comments here - take care

 

[Cancunbadlands]

Ok I’ve been flat towing my 2025 AWD Hybrid Maverick without any issues I just recently added a hitch mounted bike rack into the receiver on the Maverick with a taillight kit on the back of the bike rack using the four prong plug and it works great until I put the Maverick in “neutral tow” - I know when I use the four prong plug for the tail-lights on my bike rack the Maverick assumes I am towing a trailer so the the “cross track alert system” is disabled but the lights on the bike rack works fine.

When I connect the Maverick to my Motorhome and go into neutral tow the tail-lights on the Maverick works great but not the bike rack tail-lights.

I guess the Maverick thinks it can not tow anything if it’s being flat towed and that is communicated to the Maverick by the four prong plug being in use - I’m wondering if there is any work around so I can flat towed the Maverick and illuminate the bike racks tail lights - I’m scratching my head on this one

Ford Campaign #26C10 (NHTSA #26V104) is a major safety recall issued in early 2026 involving over 4.3 million Ford and Lincoln vehicles. The recall addresses a software vulnerability in the Integrated Trailer Module (ITRM) that can cause a loss of trailer lighting and braking functions.

It's showing in my FordApp now

 

[Dave O]

Ford Campaign #26C10 (NHTSA #26V104) is a major safety recall issued in early 2026 involving over 4.3 million Ford and Lincoln vehicles. The recall addresses a software vulnerability in the Integrated Trailer Module (ITRM) that can cause a loss of trailer lighting and braking functions.

It's showing in my FordApp now

Thanks Cancun it’s in my FordApp as well I see maybe it’s corrected after an automatic update but I think I will take it to the dealership with my bike rack to prove the update is the fix

 

[MakinDoForNow]

Ford Campaign #26C10 (NHTSA #26V104) is a major safety recall issued in early 2026 involving over 4.3 million Ford and Lincoln vehicles. The recall addresses a software vulnerability in the Integrated Trailer Module (ITRM) that can cause a loss of trailer lighting and braking functions.

It's showing in my FordApp now

I received 26c10/26v104 recall letter in mail today (04/11/26) for both my hybrid 2022 mavericks. Software update not currently available, expected Q2 2026.

 

[Hot Runr Guy]

I agree with the Curt harness to bypass the trailer error/not available concern. There are now (2) different harnesses for 2025's, since yours is a Lariat w/LED accent tailights, harness # 56477 would be the correct one.

https://www.curtmfg.com/part/56477

HRG

 

[Dave O]

I agree with the Curt harness to bypass the trailer error/not available concern. There are now (2) different harnesses for 2025's, since yours is a Lariat w/LED accent tailights, harness # 56477 would be the correct one.

https://www.curtmfg.com/part/56477

HRG

Thanks Terry I appreciate it

 

[MakinDoForNow]

Ok I’ve been flat towing my 2025 AWD Hybrid Maverick without any issues I just recently added a hitch mounted bike rack into the receiver on the Maverick with a taillight kit on the back of the bike rack using the four prong plug and it works great until I put the Maverick in “neutral tow” - I know when I use the four prong plug for the tail-lights on my bike rack the Maverick assumes I am towing a trailer so the the “cross track alert system” is disabled but the lights on the bike rack works fine.

When I connect the Maverick to my Motorhome and go into neutral tow the tail-lights on the Maverick works great but not the bike rack tail-lights.

I guess the Maverick thinks it can not tow anything if it’s being flat towed and that is communicated to the Maverick by the four prong plug being in use - I’m wondering if there is any work around so I can flat towed the Maverick and illuminate the bike racks tail lights - I’m scratching my head on this one

At one time there was a work around in a thread posted where op claimed only using only 3 of the four wires in the oem 4 way plug and powered something. Apparently the software at the time, at least, didn't think a trailer was attached. I have looked for that thread in the past but could not find it. Good luck. I think the curt relay using direct (or up to 30 amp circuit) to power from battery is the best current plan although I would just connect the bike rack to the vehicle you are driving while flat towing?

 

[MaverRick]

Thanks Terry I appreciate it

I was just wondering where you go biking? We have done various trails from Sanibel island all the way up to Jacksonville. We went to Key West last week but I didnt take the bikes down there.

 

[Dave O]

I was just wondering where you go biking? We have done various trails from Sanibel island all the way up to Jacksonville. We went to Key West last week but I didnt take the bikes down there.

I usually bring the e-bikes when we go RVing so a lot of State Parks and Campgrounds where ever we travel it’s a great way to get those workouts in we usually avoid any primitive trails but if the path is clear and clean we take them

they are great in the mountains since we are flat landers lol

 

[MaverRick]

I usually bring the e-bikes when we go RVing so a lot of State Parks and Campgrounds where ever we travel it’s a great way to get those workouts in we usually avoid any primitive trails but if the path is clear and clean we take them

We just do the paved trails but I also did some beach riding in Jacksonville. We’ve also done a few sections of the Florida coast to coast trail.

 

[Dave O]

We just do the paved trails but I also did some beach riding in Jacksonville. We’ve also done a few sections of the Florida coast to coast trail.

Yes that’s what we mostly do too and some beach riding we’ve been all over Florida so much to do and see here

 

[processwrench]

Ok I’ve been flat towing my 2025 AWD Hybrid Maverick without any issues I just recently added a hitch mounted bike rack into the receiver on the Maverick with a taillight kit on the back of the bike rack using the four prong plug and it works great until I put the Maverick in “neutral tow” - I know when I use the four prong plug for the tail-lights on my bike rack the Maverick assumes I am towing a trailer so the the “cross track alert system” is disabled but the lights on the bike rack works fine.

When I connect the Maverick to my Motorhome and go into neutral tow the tail-lights on the Maverick works great but not the bike rack tail-lights.

I guess the Maverick thinks it can not tow anything if it’s being flat towed and that is communicated to the Maverick by the four prong plug being in use - I’m wondering if there is any work around so I can flat towed the Maverick and illuminate the bike racks tail lights - I’m scratching my head on this one

I just added lights to the bike rack on my 2022, didn't even think to try it on the truck 4 pin plug because i figured the truck lights dont work, why should trailer, but now i wonder. For the flat tow lights i did the blue ox add a light, where you drill a hole in the taillight housing and install a seperate light. All the wires front ran from baseplate connector back to right behind drivers side tail light. So i just spliced in another 4 pin connector and ran it down next to the factory one. So i daily driver mode i plug into factory plug, in toad mode the new 4 pin i just ran.

 

[Dave O]

I just added lights to the bike rack on my 2022, didn't even think to try it on the truck 4 pin plug because i figured the truck lights dont work, why should trailer, but now i wonder. For the flat tow lights i did the blue ox add a light, where you drill a hole in the taillight housing and install a seperate light. All the wires front ran from baseplate connector back to right behind drivers side tail light. So i just spliced in another 4 pin connector and ran it down next to the factory one. So i daily driver mode i plug into factory plug, in toad mode the new 4 pin i just ran.

Good option thanks for the suggestion

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