Warning: EcoBoost Maverick cannot be flat-towed

[Hot Runr Guy]

Hmmm.....surge brake tow dollies can be backed up? Not the ones I have towed with!!!
There is a pin you have to put in the hitch to "LOCK" the surge brake out to back up on about any trailer/dolly with surge braking.

Sounds like tow dollies have advanced like boat trailers, and can now be had with a brake actuator that has an electrical solenoid on the brake (fluid) line, that closes when receiving a 12V DC signal provided by the tow vehicle backup lights. The solenoid keeps fluid from flowing to the dolly brake cylinders.

HRG

Sponsored

 

[realshelby]

Well, that sounds good. Would certainly be handy.
But just adds another "thing" to go bad sitting around. Which is just another thing to maintain considering the wheel bearings, braking systems, lights, appearance that all need attention on dollies and trailers.

 

[BradnChristine]

I have always Flat-towed. Even bought the first towed I had (a 1998 Honda CR-V) for that express purpose 6 months before buying the motorhome to go with it.

I'd never mess with a dolly or trailer, and my BrakeBuddy moves easily from one vehicle to the other. Connect the breakaway plug, plug it in to 12 volts and set it up. Done..

It has been a prerequisite that every vehicle I have bought since 1998 was flat-towable, and I put on baseplates. Two Rangers and a S-10 quad-cab 4x4 also needed driveshaft disconnects. Sportscars being the exception (SLK230 and MX-5 Miata), as I'd never want to tow them. Too low to the ground to risk.

Right now, there are 3 vehicles in the garage with baseplates, ready to go. I'll be down to 2 when the C-Max goes to its new owner...a Wrangler and a Maverick.

 

[BDennis]

Some spots do not have room for RV, truck AND two dolly. I am actually thinking about just using an aluminum car hauler. Same problem, but can find parking spot somewhere in campground. That way I can back up without unhooking if ever get blocked in

Flat tow your hybrid, but make sure your 7 pin connection has a charge line and that the seven pin on the Maverick connect to the battery so the motorhome keeps the hybrid Maverick fully charged. Yes to flat tow properly you need to add a seven pin connector on the front of your Maverick. I have done this for thousands of miles.
I had a tow dolly before my Maverick, pain in the #$&@, especially hooking up in the rain. Once you switch to flat towing you will never go back to a tow dolly.

 

[BDennis]

Even if you follow "The Procedure" some are reporting a major possible flaw in that the 12v power must remain active to prevent the possibility of truck dropping out of "I can be flat towed mode". They believe that if 12v dies during flat tow they will kill their truck. I believe that possibly they do not truly have their flat tow me set up. Maybe I expect too much from the programming. Perhaps with Fords approval, of course, a 12v backup source could be used, but where should it be connected and what exact voltage should it have?

Simple fix, add a charge line as part of the seven pin connector. Also when I had a dolly I had to make sure the the spot I reserved was long enough to accommodate the dolly.

Sponsored