Towing behind RV on a dolly

[Headbanger]

I don’t know if this applies to the Maverick as I’ve only towed it flat, but when I dolly tow my Prius I must have the steering wheel wrapped very very tightly by the seat belt, or I get the same kind of Christmas Tree warnings and errors. I slide the drivers seat all the way forward, wrap the steering wheel, then move the seat back to get the belt as tight as I can. No errors when the steering wheel is immobilized.

I've seen some other people do the same. What's the reasoning behind that? I thought the tow vehicle had to have the ability to steer in order to help the dolly. I know mine does.

Doesn't make sense though as the dolly wheels still drag around corners.

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[rmhopper]

When you leave the steering wheel free, the toad will cut into sharper turns and not follow as true behind the tow vehicle. Usually not a problem except in tight places like gas stations. But it seems some cars detect the steering motions while “off” as an error condition and you get the 4th of July warning lights when you start it. I don’t really know why—I just know that for the Prius I got those errors 100% of the time when the wheel wasn’t completely immobilized. On the other hand, they weren’t permanent, and cleared up within a few hundred yards of driving.

 

[Duckbill59]

I am sure glad I found this forum months ago! One quick search yesterday for the aftermath of having my Maverick towed and all the error lights on my dash as a result. I found this post describing my problem exactly, and the fix as described worked perfectly. My Maverick is 100% ready to go now. Thank you all so much!!

 

[MakinDoForNow]

We just returned from our first camping trip with our Hybrid Maverick in tow.
We towed it on our dolly with the truck turned off, e-brake turned off, not in tow mode.
When I got into the truck for the first time, I was greeted with a barrage of error messages. Anything from E-Brake fault over antilock brake fault to pre-collision assist not available. ABS light is on too.
After driving a few yards everything resets and the truck acts normal again.
Anyone here that might have an idea what is going on?

Front wheels on dolly. Earlier thread goes over the screens you are seeing. Screens apparently are related to anti theft tilt sensor detection. Some probably related to not being in tow mode. Computer appears to not be programmed for Dolly tow.

 

[Ron1967]

I've had the same issues with a Christmas tree on the dash with all sorts of chimes. I'm glad I found this site. I will be trying all the suggestions on the return trip.

 

[Rickthetech]

I have my 24 Lariat , and I've dolly towed since I got it, about 6 thousand towing miles. Like others have stated, Accessorie mode to shut off E-Brake, Off and leaving doors unlocked while towing seems to avoid all the nasty messages when first starting after tow.

I tried four down towing set up and it also still freaked out with messages regarding things not working. Obviously because it only saw rear wheels moving and nothing else!
It seems the moral of the story is to leave it unlocked when Dolly towing.

 

[Rickthetech]

I've dolly towed my 24 Mav Lariat hybrid over 7000 miles and it seems like regardless of having the fire unlocked, tow mode or not. It randomly reports messages related to the rear wheel rotation!

Then post start up, it smells hot. I can't pin point that smell, which dissipates soon.. ?
Also I hand an issue where if I move the shift know quickly from point to point, it periodically looses it's mind and thinks I'm not in drive, all the motion warnings in the world pop up. Like it's a total drivetrain sensor failure! My selling dealership plugged it in and couldn't find anything..
That seems to not happen of i always slowly and deliberately move the know from position to position..

It would be nice if Ford came up with a dolly/tow truck mode!! End these crazy messages and hard steering for the first 500 get until it realizes all the drivetrain sensors are working!!

Thoughts anyone?

 

[processwrench]

Is the smell like burning rubber? I've read people blame that the rubber particles thrown up from road surface and landing on exhaust. Then when you start the truck it burns it off. When I dolly towed I had a master tow dolly which has a large base, unlike say an ez-haul or roadmaster that's more open frame, so i never noticed it. Also maybe fumes from tow rig? Is the vent on recirculate?

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