Towing with Maverick Hybrid

[Glen Baker LLC]

This....

.......reminds me of a phrase
By author and entrepreneur William C Taylor
"Just because you can, doesn't mean you should"

This guy was heading to L.A. from Las Vegas with a car and a couple motorcycles in the container.

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[Manollo3]

Hello, 2025 FWD Hybrid here, this boat weighs 6,300 on the trailer. No issues until I was trying to go uphill on straight ice when a car slowed me down, lost enough traction to come to a gentle stop.

That looks like Florida but you are located in Texas. Where did you hit ice? Hope you did not tow that boat up north.

 

[Ranko Kohime]

That looks like Florida but you are located in Texas. Where did you hit ice? Hope you did not tow that boat up north.

In the Keys. Based in TX but I drive around the country, this was returning to the NE of TN, during the snowstorm in Jan/Feb, hit ice in SC. I would've been fine if a local who was scared of ice hadn't forced me to drive too slowly for the hill, I learned in OH winters.

ETA: I generally peruse the latest topics filter on the home page, and did not realize that I had wandered into the CA regional forum.

 

[winterc]

As equipped. But you can add aftermarket equipment.

Trailer is 2750 dry. 3200 as outfitted.

I ADDED a 7-pin connection and trailer brake controller. ($250)

I ADDED helper air bags to the rear springs. ($110)

I ADDED transmission temperature gauge and water temperature gauge and battery gauge, 70 gauges in all, with a ScanGauge III add on. So I'm confident I'm running well within limits. ($250)

I ADDED towing mirrors. ($60)

Top safe speed is 65 MPH.
I'm more comfortable at 60 MPH.
Truck will pull it at 40 MPH up a prolonged 6% grade without overheating. Slower than an F-250, sure. But still faster than most 18-Wheelers on mountain grades which is fine with me.

16 MPG at 65 MPH.
19 MPG at 55 MPH.

I know, same MPG as the EcoBoost when towing. But this is also my Daily Commuter vehicle and I'm getting 50 MPG on my daily grind and I'm pretty sure no EcoBoost driver is.

My concern would be insurance coverage if you have a serious accident regardless of mods and towing experience. But as always drive safe

 

[Maggie5618]

As equipped. But you can add aftermarket equipment.

Trailer is 2750 dry. 3200 as outfitted.

I ADDED a 7-pin connection and trailer brake controller. ($250)

I ADDED helper air bags to the rear springs. ($110)

I ADDED transmission temperature gauge and water temperature gauge and battery gauge, 70 gauges in all, with a ScanGauge III add on. So I'm confident I'm running well within limits. ($250)

I ADDED towing mirrors. ($60)

Top safe speed is 65 MPH.
I'm more comfortable at 60 MPH.
Truck will pull it at 40 MPH up a prolonged 6% grade without overheating. Slower than an F-250, sure. But still faster than most 18-Wheelers on mountain grades which is fine with me.

16 MPG at 65 MPH.
19 MPG at 55 MPH.

I know, same MPG as the EcoBoost when towing. But this is also my Daily Commuter vehicle and I'm getting 50 MPG on my daily grind and I'm pretty sure no EcoBoost driver is.

Wow, I must be driving all wrong. I don't get anywhere near 50 mpg with my '25 Hybrid XLT. Maybe my Mav doesn't love me. 50mpg is awesome.

 

[Mavster Mechanic]

Wow, I must be driving all wrong. I don't get anywhere near 50 mpg with my '25 Hybrid XLT. Maybe my Mav doesn't love me. 50mpg is awesome.

You're not driving wrong per se.

50 MPG happens in a climate where you don't need a heater, or air conditioning. Add to that roads and side streets that rarely exceed 45 MPH and you'll see 50 MPG.

 

[Ranko Kohime]

You're not driving wrong per se.

50 MPG happens in a climate where you don't need a heater, or air conditioning. Add to that roads and side streets that rarely exceed 45 MPH and you'll see 50 MPG.

Also, consider wind @Maggie5618

Dunno about Android, but on iOS open the weather app, tap the button at the bottom left when viewing the report for your location, tap at upper right and switch to wind. Zoom in a bit to see where the arrows are near you. I can get, on the same 650 mile route I regularly take dead head, anywhere from high 30's to closing in on 60, depending on how lucky I am.

 

[Hootbro]

For an additional data point (and unrelated to campers and such) I just finished a 1000 mile trip towing a loaded U-Haul 5x8 trailer with no issues. My route took me from Athens, GA to Vermont via I-85, I-77, I-81, I-78, I-287 and I-87. Those roads have some pretty steep hills (especially I-77 and I-81), well steep for the east coast, and I had no problem maintaining my target speed of 63 (plus or minus a couple) throughout. Mileage was just aroung 27 MPG on my AWD Hybrid. It's not a drive I wish to make again, but I would have no hesitation if I had to. One note: put a cloth or sponge over the handle on the trailer tongue when you lower the tailgate or it will dent the tailgate (ask me how I know.) I have no idea what the tongue weight or the total trailer weight was, but I do not have the 4K tow option. Handling was just fine (better with the trailer loaded) and no sign of engine temp increasing on hills. I used normal driving mode throughout as the tow mode ran the engine RPMs too high for my liking. Also, this was my first trip staying mostly out of the left lane rather than trying to maintain 70+, and I have to say that it was a much more relaxing trip than usual, even with the trailer.

I ran the exact same Uhaul setup a couple of weeks ago moving some stuff for a family member. With the same Hybrid AWD 2.5K rating, I went about 750 miles total in full TOW mode for the whole duration. Averaged about 26 MPG for the trip. Did notice that in in TOW mode, it was 100% hybrid mode for the whole trip with no electric mileage being recorded.

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