Flat Towing Maverick

[Jayandita]

Just wanted to see if anyone has been Flat towing their Hybrid Maverick?

One of the reasons we purchased ours was to flat tow behind our Motorhome. Just wanted to know if anyone had run into any issues? Curious about things like battery charging etc? Especially considering some of the battery issues.

Thanks in advance.

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[Clarkdonbran]

You can find threads on it in the search. I’ve seen a few people on here tow it. A couple horror stories too.

 

[Jayandita]

You can find threads on it in the search. I’ve seen a few people on here tow it. A couple horror stories too.

When I searched I found mentions of flat towing in threads on other topics, but I didn’t find anything with a topic on flat towing. Very possible I missed it or didn’t search the correct keyword. What I found mentioned they bought the truck to flat tow, but didn’t see any results of the experience.

would be very interested in the horror stories.

 

[Jayandita]

Just found this on google…

https://www.mavericktruckclub.com/forum/threads/anyone-flat-tow-their-maverick-yet.30805/

 

[InfoSports]

Something I think would sell a lot would be a small device to plug directly into the hitch electronics receptacle. A bluetooth device to communicate with magnetic tail lights.

Maybe somebody makes something like that.

 

[realshelby]

There are several threads on this forum alone that have MUCH detail on flat towing your Maverick! Look down through this section and you will find them. Note the one labeled "Public Service announcement-Blue Ox failure". I wrote that. Do NOT install a Blue Ox baseplate!!! Seems the Demco baseplate is the best choice by far. Then there is always a question about wiring in lights for the towed vehicle. Some will use diode kits. Some of those have had issues doing that. I use the auxiliary bulb socket/separate wiring for lighting. NO connections to factory Maverick wiring, so no chance of damage there. It is generally accepted that you must also install a battery charge wire from the coach to the Maverick. Most simply hook that to the jump post under the hood. This keeps the Low Voltage battery in the Maverick from discharging with a braking kit or other user of 12v being used.

 

[realshelby]

Something I think would sell a lot would be a small device to plug directly into the hitch electronics receptacle. A bluetooth device to communicate with magnetic tail lights.

Maybe somebody makes something like that.

There are lights that have a bluetooth dongle that plugs into the coach 4 pin outlet. That communicates with magnetic/some sort of stick on lighting at rear of toad.
Problem with these is how long the battery lasts, and in my opinion how far apart the lights actually are. I often go well over 500 miles a day....and NONE of these battery operated units will last that long.
In my opinion, after all is said and done, there is a LOT more work to trying to make a magnetic light work for you. Hooking it up, removing it, charging it, maybe charging DURING the days tow, then storing it. Take a couple hours and install the auxiliary bulb socket lighting and you literally may never have to touch it again.

 

[Dudley]

Owners Manual discusses this ...

 

[mavlooker]

There are lots of threads and Youtube videos on this topic. I went with Roadmaster All Terrain Tow bar and Baseplate and RVIBrake 2, RVI Battery Maintainer, RVI Breakaway, RVI Tire Patrol and Command Center. Wired in diodes and installed additional LED turn signals beneath tailgate for extra awareness to those behind me. Installed a dedicated rearview camera on MH to monitor Maverick while driving. Hope this helps.

 

[Don11]

I’ve been flat towing since May with no problems. I bought my roadmaster base plate and everything needed to tow the Maverick from Etrailer they know and sell everything you need. I would recommend you call them and tell them what your towing and they will tell you everything you need.

 

[BradnChristine]

I had a new revelation thanks to someone, somewhere here or on Facebook.

Background:
I don't just tow the Maverick, I tow other vehicles. Powering the old Brake Buddy Classic I've used for 20+ years has always been a challenge. My Jeep has a constantly-live 12 volt outlet to power the Brake Buddy...but it has no charge wire. The Maverick, on the other hand, has a charge wire, but I was planning on having to add an extra 12 v socket, running directly to the battery under the back seat...or out at the charging posts in the engine compartment. When I towed last summer, the brakebuddy was un-powered after the 30 minute delay, because I had no dedicated, always-on power.

The revelation:
Someone posted that they had a jump box that had a 12v outlet. Schumacher makes a variety from $100-$300 and Walmart has something similar. The person sets theirs in the passenger floor to provide power for their braking system. Great idea.

My solution:
I found the pictured ProStormer power box on Amazon that has a 201.6 watt-hour lithium battery and all sorts of outlets: 110v, 12v (10A), and various USB ports. Amazon says Currently Unavailable today, but I bought it just this week for $54.95. Now all I need is to set it on the passenger side of whatever towed and plug the BrakeBuddy into it. No extra socket; no dead battery worries.

When the compressor in the BrakeBuddy runs, it takes about 100watts (8.3 amps) and less than 2 minutes to charge from dead. 100w times 1/30hr equals 3.33 watt-hours. Thus with 201.6 wh, the thing is capable of recharging the BrakeBuddy 60 times before it needs recharging. That would be a LOT of assisted stops, as I always turn the sensitivity down low to not need supplemental braking except to stay legal. Also, if the Maverick ever breaks away from the coach, the BrakeBuddy's power would turn on and stay on for up to 60 minutes of brake pressure to stop.

I used the test button 3 times and this thing reports that after the three BrakeBuddy recharges, it still had over 95% capacity remaining.

This is going to be a game changer for me, as I did not want to tax the Maverick's battery, nor add anything to cause Ford warranty issues. This thing will charge via a 110 cord OR an included 12 volt cord. And as you can see, it reports its charge status.

 

[realshelby]

Still hard to beat a 12v charge wire to a lighter receptacle under the left dash area!

Gotta say I really like the Ready Brute mechanical brake system. NOTHING inside the car needs done to tow ( just the Ford stuff to put it in neutral tow). You clip one cable to the yoke on the front of the maverick, one cable to breakaway yoke on side near tow arm. Done with brake set up.

 

[Backdoctor]

Gotta say I really like the Ready Brute mechanical brake system. NOTHING inside the car needs done to tow ( just the Ford stuff to put it in neutral tow). You clip one cable to the yoke on the front of the maverick, one cable to breakaway yoke on side near tow arm. Done with brake set up.
[/QUOTE]

I would argue that there IS alteration to the cabin of the Maverick with the Ready Brute. You need to run a sheathed cable from the tow bar to the area under/behind the brake pedal so that the hydraulic force induced from from slowing pulls on the brake pedal to cause the Mav to slow as well. I feel a Brake buddy requires less intervention, simply running a charge wire to the battery post in the engine Bay, and a electric wire through the firewall
to operate the brake buddy. The sheathed cable needs to be kept relatively straight sso the forces aren't diminished by friction of the sheath on the cable.

 

[realshelby]

My post was meant to declare that when you hook up to tow.....there is NOTHING to do with braking that you have to do INSIDE the cab!

While you DO have to hook up the cable(s) when installing the tow base plate and lamp wiring, once done with that there is NO easier hook up that I have towed with!

 

[gwrace14651]

I actually purchased a ReadyBrute system. After struggling with where to drill the needed holes in the firewall I called around to a few recommended installers. No one wanted to touch the ReadyBrute on the hybrid. I just decided to go with the portable RVIBrake3 and their wireless breakaway system. A very simple easy to use system that can be moved from car to car. No holes needed in firewall and no steel cables. It was simple to run a dedicated 12 volt plug inside the cab through a rubber grommet installed at the factory. I will be selling both the ReadyBrake and Roadmaster baseplate if anyone is interested.

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