Tow dolly vs flat towing. Pluses or negative

[MikeC]

When flat towing your Maverick have you notice your millage increasing? I now they say irs not going to increase but I have an extra 600 miles on my truck because of flat towing.

No it does not increase.

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[The Real Maverick]

When flat towing your Maverick have you notice your millage increasing? I now they say irs not going to increase but I have an extra 600 miles on my truck because of flat towing.

Here is a dirty little secret no one talks about.

Miles going up or not does not tell the story. Miles are computed by... a computer. If the computer is off or asleep or simply programmed not to record miles, it won't. It's not dependent on the wheels spinning. Or the transmission spinning.

Here's the punchline:

THE TRANSMISSION IS SPINNING WHILE FLAT TOWING. 15,000 RPM at 80 MPH in fact.

While I don't tow one, I would for sure, no doubt get a FWD and a dolly.

Spinning my eCVT 10,000 RPM and more unattended for thousands of miles makes me cringe. But that's me.

Dirty little secret: the hybrids have no true neutral tow. It is a simulation. There is no mechanical link removed between the wheels and the transmission while towing.

I am very aware Ford approves of doing this; and they are ok with it being done, apparently with no mileage limitation, but there is a speed limitation of 70 mph; and a time limit of about 5 hours between engine starts.

70 MPH speed limit is because your motor and generator are "freewheeling" without power while being dragged along. 5 hour time limit because some electronics stay active and you need to recharge the batteries, AND a 5 hour limit so you can circulate fluids and fresh lubricants about your transmission.

I tow WITH my hybrid. I do not tow it.
But if I needed to more than occasionally I would for sure go with the dolly for piece of mind and less wear & tear.

PS I have never seen a campsite charge for "three vehicles". Just two.
But I've only camped extensively west side of the Mississippi. My experience is no guarantee you won't come across it, but I don't think a vehicle on a dolly counts as two in most instances.

 

[jenningsjourney]

Dolly's are great until the first time you have to lay in wet grass/MUD to hook them up; got caught once in the 'unpredicted' rain.
Full time RVer for 14 years. I replaced my dolly with a 4-down system ($4,000-new). I would never go back to a dolly. Former Jayco FS31 owner towing a Honda CRV. Not full timing again..yet.
Proud new owner 2025 Maverick XL; 3474 pounds of towing; can't wait to get my camper!
Oh...the CRV mileage did not increase. May be that it could on the Maverick..?.

 

[Jah.]

If I was going to tow anything it would be a camper . that way it was at the camp site set up . have tow vehicle to drive . no wear or tear on additional vehicle . no additional storage issues at camp sites . Always stored camper at home so I could maintain/ prep when needed . Worked for me over 30 plus years . no longer camping . that's my opinion but each their own.

 

[TopDawg]

I have a question, if you tow on a dolly, does the truck mileage stay the same as when you started your trip, and if you flat tow, do you wind up with thousands of miles on a truck that has never been driven?

No mileage on dolly. Have over 40k dollying mine. No additional mileage. Only mileage is on rear tires and bearings. Can be hooked up/dropped in about same time to do same with flat tow.

 

[Lil mav]

I made the biggest mistake towing, I put the the parking brake on as I did the process if putting my truck in the yiw mode and thought I had tge parking beake off. Thanks to a gentleman that stopped me from leaving the campground because the parking break was still on. It cost me two new tires that had 1200 mile on them.

 

[TopDawg]

I made the biggest mistake towing, I put the the parking brake on as I did the process if putting my truck in the yiw mode and thought I had tge parking beake off. Thanks to a gentleman that stopped me from leaving the campground because the parking break was still on. It cost me two new tires that had 1200 mile on them.

Did the same first time.

 

[processwrench]

Checklist on something like an index card is a lifesaver (or at least a tire saver in this case)

 

[deputylynch]

I have a 35 foot Newmar RV and I "Flat Tow". I have towed many things and all sizes.
There are really 3 things I would recommend thinking about, when you make this decision.
1. If you choose to use a trailer, you now have 3 vehicles at your campsite. That only works in very few places and always cost extra.
2. Let your RV dealer install your towing equipment. This is not something to mess with.
3. If you choose to tow your Maverick, like I do, The "Ford Owners Manual" can be tricky to understand. I am adding an attachment that you can add to your phone so you always have it with you.
Good luck, and remember to "Keep the Fun in the Fundamentals"

Did you put a brake switch bypass relay in and if so how does that affect putting the vehicle into neutral tow mode?

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