Towing a 1500lb camper trailer with hybrid?

[djarms12]

Thanks for your assistance with your information. Just what I needed to solve this problem.

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[lumonix]

But I've heard that towing can massively reduce the lifespan of a powertrain, especially if you're exceeding official ratings.

I can see exceeding the official ratings that all is out the window in regards to possible damage. But can you provide some actual information on the “massive lifespan reduction” on the powertrain when staying within the specs of Ford?

It seems to me that Ford would splatter that all over their manual if there was indeed “massive lifespan reduction” when using the truck as advertised?

 

[GPSMan]

Exactly.

And how hard do you (or Ford) think I'm pushing this truck getting 45 MPG or better 95% of the year?

 

[OneAlienBoi]

I can see exceeding the official ratings that all is out the window in regards to possible damage. But can you provide some actual information on the “massive lifespan reduction” on the powertrain when staying within the specs of Ford?

It seems to me that Ford would splatter that all over their manual if there was indeed “massive lifespan reduction” when using the truck as advertised?

I'll have to track it down. Looking through the owners manual, there was a section discussing how owners should inspect major components like the engine/transmission if they're frequently enduring the additional loads towing puts on them.

I also believe our explorers owners manual mentions how towing will accelerate wear and tear in these components. Which is a given, a vehicle towing a heavy trailer is going to be more strained than a unloaded vehicle.

I know it's not exactly what we were talking about, but for those curious, this is what it says about exceeding tow and payload limit capacity. I would take that warning pretty seriously, I don't want any of you to be slammed by an unexpected repair bill.

 

[BankableWhee]

I made a rudimentary calculator based off of Ford's towing guide on MS Excel, and I will attach it here if you are interested in playing around with that to figure out how much exactly you can tow and haul. The calculator is currently set up for a '22 Hybrid XLT with lux package, and depending on what trim level and packages your Maverick has, your Maximum Payload Rating will vary. As long as you return all true values, your theoretical configuration should work. I would suggest still referencing Ford's official guidance, because they are the official source of verifiable, updated information.

I would recommend using Ford's max towing calculator that they offer in their yearly towing and hauling literature. Search for "2022 Ford RV and Trailer Towing Guide" in Google and you should be able to find the PDF in the first few links.

As a side note, I think that the Ford Maverick Hybrid's owner's manual suggests a maximum towing speed of 55 mph, and I was able to get 30 mpg towing a 5x8 UHaul trailer at 55 mph on the highway.

 

[Ferroplasm]

I have both the original 4 pin and I added my own 7 pin.

(4 pin moved, and yes I'm missing a screw, lost one during install, no biggie and has been low priority to find a replacement)

4 of the 7 in the 7 are identical and are interconnected. You'll need to add 3 additional wires only.

1 continuous 12 volt power (or switches on with ignition)
1 for trailer brakes led to brake controller in cab
1 for reverse lamp on trailer (optional and if so equipped).

That install looks great. Care to do a write up? How did you connect to the brake controller and what controller are you using?

 

[JennyJoannSuebeeMcNash]

20 mpg @ 60 mph

What's the size of this trailer? I'm guessing 6x10? Do you have the 4K tow package? I don't, but this trailer is exactly what I'm considering.

 

[GPSMan]

7x12

I added aftermarket equipment.
Will tow an amount over 2 and under 4k. This is a hybrid.

 

[Ferroplasm]

So I've looked under the dash for a place to plug in a wiring harness, but m unable to find it. Can anyone else confirm whether the hybrid has somewhere to plug in a brake controller harness? If it has to be wired directly, how do I find which wires to tap into? Also, the main fuse box under the hood has a 30A fuse for an aftermarket brake controller in slot #40. Where is that power source actually located?

 

[GPSMan]

So I've looked under the dash for a place to plug in a wiring harness, but m unable to find it. Can anyone else confirm whether the hybrid has somewhere to plug in a brake controller harness? If it has to be wired directly, how do I find which wires to tap into? Also, the main fuse box under the hood has a 30A fuse for an aftermarket brake controller in slot #40. Where is that power source actually located?

The brakes on the trailer are run by:
One wire. (Positive voltage varied by the brake controller.)

There is no harness.
Buy your off the shelf brake controller.
It will have 3 input wires and 1 output wire.

Brake Controller "box":

1. Chassis ground
2. 12 volt battery power
3. Brake signal
4. Voltage output to the brakes.

1&2 are no brainer.
4 you need to run a long wire from the control "box" to the trailer socket on the back bumper. Pretty close to no brainer.

#3 you have a couple options that require some thought. How do you tell the "box" you are braking?

One: You can tap the brake pedal switch- right there under your foot.

Two: in a lot of vehicle you can tap the brake lamp. But you can't in Maverick.
You can tap the brake lamp if your vehicle has SEPARATE bulbs for brake and turn signal. Maverick has an integrated unit, so your brakes would come on while you are turn signaling.

Three: you can tap the third high mounted brake lamp on the Maverick. This wire is only "hot" when you are truly braking. It's not on while you are signaling so it will work every time.

There are varius levels of sophistication when it comes to brake controllers. You should research them all.

There are even "wireless" ones, but that only saves you 1 wire, the brake wire. You still need to hardwire the other three to your truck to power the "box". So what's the big saving?

I have a Tekonsha P3. I got it 14 years ago and they still sell them so it must be a good unit.

 

[GPSMan]

This one is more sophisticated and comes with more features than Ford OEM and I really like it. You can move it, just like a radar detector from vehicle to vehicle. I've use it in six vehicles, even rented vehicles.

You can customize the settings for different types, sizes, and weights of vehicles.

I have a "plug n play" harness that goes into any vehicle pre-wired, like a U-haul rental or RV rental. Maverick Hybrid has no pre-wired harness so just run your own wire as stated above.

 

[Ferroplasm]

The brakes on the trailer are run by:
One wire. (Positive voltage varied by the brake controller.)

There is no harness.
Buy your off the shelf brake controller.
It will have 3 input wires and 1 output wire.

Brake Controller "box":

1. Chassis ground
2. 12 volt battery power
3. Brake signal
4. Voltage output to the brakes.

1&2 are no brainer.
4 you need to run a long wire from the control "box" to the trailer socket on the back bumper. Pretty close to no brainer.

#3 you have a couple options that require some thought. How do you tell the "box" you are braking?

One: You can tap the brake pedal switch- right there under your foot.

Two: in a lot of vehicle you can tap the brake lamp. But you can't in Maverick.
You can tap the brake lamp if your vehicle has SEPARATE bulbs for brake and turn signal. Maverick has an integrated unit, so your brakes would come on while you are turn signaling.

Three: you can tap the third high mounted brake lamp on the Maverick. This wire is only "hot" when you are truly braking. It's not on while you are signaling so it will work every time.

There are varius levels of sophistication when it comes to brake controllers. You should research them all.

There are even "wireless" ones, but that only saves you 1 wire, the brake wire. You still need to hardwire the other three to your truck to power the "box". So what's the big saving?

I have a Tekonsha P3. I got it 14 years ago and they still sell them so it must be a good unit.

This is the most useful comment about wiring the hybrid for a brake controller that I’ve read anywhere.

The fuse box under the hood has a location for an aftermarket brake controller. Any idea where that power wire is? Thanks a million.

 

[Stevebirss]

20 mpg @ 60 mph

This looks almost exactly like the trailer I own. Full of tools it’s pretty much 2000lbs. How have you found the hybrid for towing? How heavy is that trailer loaded and does it lag on hills?

 

[GPSMan]

I think it is as much a parachute effect than the weight that hurts your towing.

That said, reading the OBDII port on the trip, it takes about 55 horsepower to cruise at 60 mph on flat interstate.

Takes about 130 horsepower to climb a 7% grade at 55 mph. It did it without complaints on a 96 degree day.

Water got to 215°F on the 7% grade.
Water was 195°F all day long on flat sections. Of course I had air-conditioning on during most of that 96 degree day. Never considered turning it off to save power. Wasn't that strained for power.

I have trailer brakes, which ironically are mostly for city - stop n go. On the highway, the parachute effect is so great just lifting foot off the gas it slows nicely, even in 4% to 5% down-grade. I think I only tapped the brakes on a 6% and 7% downgrade.

The engine brake does a good job in the hybrid. I was impressed.

You should be gentle with it on hills.
I mainly went 50 mph uphill, no greater than 60 mph downhill, and 55 on flat highway.

 

[csuh13]

Hey, I saw you parked in the Park n' Ride in Castro Valley tonight. Next time you're in town, let me know and you can park in my cul-de-sac for the night. I'm just on the other side of the freeway.

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