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Tow car

Yahoo Message Number: 99148
Need anyone's thoughts or recommendations on a tow car. Looking to purchase a 2012 Ford Explorer XTL and wondering if anyone else is towing one. Book says it is OK.
Thanks

Robert Huffhines
2007 Tribute 81042

Re: Tow car

Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 99151
I would do thorough research on any Ford product before choosing it as my towed vehicle. I towed a 2012 Fusion for about seven months before switching to a Chevy Silverado. The Chevy is much better suited to tow. The Ford had battery issues and others have blown transmissions in their's. I have read that some Ford trucks have a diveshaft disconnect feature that just needs to have the activation switch installed at the dealer. I like the Chevy because the transfer case can be put in neutral. Then put the transmission in park and remove the key and it's ready to tow. Activating neutral in the transfer case of a Chevy disconnects the steering wheel lock for towing.
Britt

Intrigue 11836

Re: Tow car

Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 99152
Tow a Silverado 4 wheel drive. Push 2 Buttons on the dash and the tranny is in neutral.

Tom

2005 Inspire 51177

Re: Tow car

Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 99154
Not on the new Silverado/Sierra you must now also disconnect battery .

Buddy Bordes  06 Inspire 51887

Re: Tow car

Reply #5 –
Yahoo Message Number: 99155
I would concur.... We sold our beloved Lincoln Aviator which was NOT flat towable and after much research bought a Chevy Suburban.  I got the Air Force One air braking system (the best and least obtrusive, I think) and a Road master All Terrain II with the 10K capacity.  It all works flawlessly. While I hook up the tow bar and cable connections. my wife sits in the driver's seat with the laminated instructions:

www.wind-seeker.com/Suburban_flat_towing_instructions.pdf

and easily sets the transfer case into free-wheeling mode. We are currently enroute all the way to Florida.... we never have to worry about batteries, leaving the key in, starting the vehicle occasionally, or adding mileage to the odometer - all concerns with some of the vehicles on the flat towable dinghy guide from FMCA. Some of the others do equally well, like Jeep, but we wanted a big heavy 4WD duty vehicle with a big V8 for towing and launching our boat sometimes. The Suburban fit the bill perfectly. and carries a lot of stuff doubling as a handy utility trailer when we flat tow it. You need the Suburban with the 2 speed transfer case... the LTZ models ALL come that way.

Joseph Burkle

2010 Tiffin Allegro Bus 43QRP

43' quad slide tag axle ISL 425 HP pusher
formerly:

2008 Country Coach Inspire 360 Founders Edition
Wind-seeker.com

Re: Tow car

Reply #6 –
Yahoo Message Number: 99156
Robert,

I tow a 2004 Eddie Bower Explorer 4WD. The Ford folks had to install a  special neutral device to dis-engage the transfer case. I been towing it since  2008. No problems. At the end of the day I start the car a let it idle for about  5 minutes. The tow system is Blue OX. I order the base plate and a braking  system from M & G, had it all sent to the Ford Dealer for installation so  there would be no issues with insurance.

Michael Title
05 Inspire #51381

****************************************
Note:  do not reply to mtitle@...
Email: met6195@...

Michael  Title
B.C. Canada

CDN Cell: 604.741.3328

La Cañada, San Miguel De  Allende,
Guanajuato, Mexico

MEX Cell: [52]  415.100.1543

Re: Tow car

Reply #7 –
Yahoo Message Number: 99157
There seems to be quite a bit of confusion over towing a Ford 4 wheels down, and with good reason.  It varies by model type, model year and even equipment (AWD vs FWD).

I just bought a 1 year old 2014 Ford Explorer AWD with a 3.5L engine.  It is towable 4 wheels down.  The owners manual is here:  http://www.fordservicecontent.com/Ford_Content/Catalog/owner_information/2014-Explorer-Owners-Manual-version-3_om_EN-US_02_2014.pdf

Page 286-287 outlines the towing.  Note: you cannot tow a 2.0L which is FWD, only AWD 3.5L or 3.5L Ecoboost are towable with all 4 wheels down.

If you are towing with all four wheels on the ground, see the following instructions.
If you tow your vehicle with all four wheels on the ground: "¢ Tow only in the forward direction.
"¢ Release the parking brake.

"¢ Place the transmission in position N.
"¢ Place the ignition in the accessory position. See the Starting and Stopping the Engine chapter.

"¢ Do not exceed 65 mph (105 km/h).
"¢ Start the engine and allow it to run for five minutes at the beginning of each day and every six hours thereafter. With the engine running and your foot on the brake, shift into position D and then into position R before shifting back into position N.

The 2012 Explorer manual is here:  http://www.fordservicecontent.com/Ford_Content/catalog/owner_guides/12expog2e.pdf

Page 261 outlines the proper procedure

Front-wheel drive (FWD) vehicles can be towed with all four wheels on the ground or with the front wheels off the ground by using a tow dolly. If you are using a tow dolly follow the instructions specified by the equipment provider. If you are towing with all four wheels on the ground, refer to the towing instructions found at the end of this section.
Four-wheel drive (4WD) vehicles can be towed with all four wheels on the ground or with all four wheels off the ground using a vehicle transport trailer. Do not tow your 4WD vehicle with the front wheels off the ground (by using a tow dolly) and the rear wheels on the ground; this will cause damage to your 4WD system. If you are using a vehicle transport trailer, follow the instruction specified by the equipment provider. If you are towing with all four wheels on the ground, refer to the towing instructions found at the end of this section.
If you tow your vehicle with all four wheels on the ground: "¢ Tow only in the forward direction.
"¢ Release the parking brake.

"¢ Place the transmission shift lever in N (Neutral).
"¢ Place the ignition in the accessory position (refer to Starting in the Driving chapter).

"¢ Do not exceed 65 mph (105 km/h) "¢ Start the engine and allow it to run for five minutes at the beginning of each day and every six hours thereafter. With the engine running and your foot on the brake, shift into D (Drive) and then into R (Reverse) before shifting back into N (Neutral).

The instructions are essentially the same 2012 - 2014, probably because there has not really been a drivetrain/engine change since 2011. So I would say you are good to go!

I have been towing my 2007 Avalanche (soon to be replace with a 2015 F150), so I am not sure what we will tow.  I don't like the 65 mph restriction (although I rarely go over 65 mph) and we always stop more frequently than 6 hours, so the engine starting is not an issue.  It would just be nice to hit a button or flip a switch and go without any restrictions.

I will still use a battery charge wire to avoid any discharge issues.

Hope this helps! 
Dan

2006 Allure 430 with tag
#31344

Re: Tow car

Reply #8 –
Yahoo Message Number: 99158
I forgot to add my glowing endorsement for the Roadmaster Blackhawk 2 All Terrain tow bar!  It is a dream compared to what I had before (Blue Ox).

The vehicle adapters are easily 200% stronger and more heavy duty (I installed both myself, so easy to compare.) The blue ox had 2 through bolts through the frame per adapter.  The Roadmaster has the same 2 through bolts through the frame, but also has 2 other very heavy duty bolts per adapter. (a 3/4" and a 1/2")

I can hitch and unhitch much quicker.  I LOVE the cable and power guides on the tow arms, they keep everything neat and tidy.  I LOVE the Easy Hook Safety Cables.  They have the round ball on one end that slips into a keeper on the vehicle...incredibly ingenious!

I also have the X mount which has the full length steel crossbar, which keeps the arms spaced and self aligns to the pins on the vehicle.  A very nice feature.  These all seem like little things that aren't really needed, but all toll they add up to a complete easy to use package.  I will never use anything else.

I know many have Blue Ox and they do work, RoadMaster just made a better mousetrap, in my opinion.

Sounds like a commercial? Maybe :-).  And no I do not work for RoadMaster, just a VERY satisfied customer! LOL!!

Dan

2006 Allure 430 with tag
#31344

Re: Tow car

Reply #9 –
Yahoo Message Number: 99177
Robert,

I tow a 2012 Ford Explorer with my 2005 Inspire.

I have not had any issues towing this vehicle.
Well maybe one small issue, the battery would discharge

after about three days of towing. I added a charge circuit from my coach to the towed, all is well now.
The Explorer tracks nicely behind the coach.
RJ

2005 Inspire #51264

Tow car

Reply #10 –
Yahoo Message Number: 102402
I  would like to purchase a 2009 or 2010 Ford Expedition 4WD 'Eddie Bower' edition.  On my current 2004 Ford Explorer 4WD, I had to have a special 'switch/pump'  installed by Ford so that the transfer case can be disengaged so I can tow 4  wheels down.  Does anyone have any knowledge that there is such a 'switch' available for the  2009/2010 Expedition?

Thank  you kindly,

Michael  Title

05  Inspire #51381

Re: Tow car

Reply #11 –
Yahoo Message Number: 102403
If it has the shift on the fly capability, then it will probably need a Remco disconnect.

As I recall, a few years earlier then yours, a kit had to be installed by Ford to allow what I'll call the transfer case to be set for towing. I recall Ford stop installing them, but that you could still find them on EBay. I only mention this, in case your year may also need this added bit of electronics.

Not that their are not quite an amazing amount of knowledge on this board, but you might also want to post your question on IRV2 or RVnet Toad related section. It will probably get more hits from those that have been down this path before.

And finally, a link, where on page 12, it mentions the F150, but not the Expedition, as four down towable. But again, this would be 'stock'. Remco pumps may get you going...

https://www.fleet.ford.com/resources/ford/general/pdf/towingguides/09RVTTguide.pdf

Best of luck to you,

Smitty

04 Allure 31017
04 Allure Sold to a nice new owner! Now enjoying a 07 Magna Rembrandt 45' ISX600 #6775
"We're ONDROAD for THEJRNY!" (Toad and Coach license plates, say Hi if you see us!)

Re: Tow car

Reply #12 –
Yahoo Message Number: 102410
I was a Ford guy for more than 20 years and owned half a dozen of them... last was a Lincoln Aviator and we loved that car.  But when it came to flat towing we decided to switch to the Chevy Suburban.  Far, far better choice for flat towing. We bought a 2010 several years ago. If you get the one with the 2 speed transfer case, it is dead simple to flat tow... no extra installations, no steering wheel lock concerns, no periodic starting and shifting the tranny, doesn't advance the odometer.  It is MADE to flat tow.  If you want a big SUV, the Suburban or Tahoe is the way to go.  If you get the LTZ they ALL come with the 2 speed transfer case.  And installing the Air Force One air braking on it was pretty simple.  When you are ready to tow, you connect your tow bar and then  follow these simple instructions (from  the chevy manual)
www. Wind-seeker.com/Suburban_flat_towing_instructions.pdf I did hear that Chevy made it  a little trickier in later model years... I'm not sure when the changeover happened, but the 2010 is dead simple

Joseph Burkle

2010 Tiffin Allegro Bus 43QRP

43' quad slide tag axle ISL 425 HP pusher
formerly:

2008 Country Coach Inspire 360 Founders Edition
Wind-seeker.com

Re: Tow car

Reply #13 –
Yahoo Message Number: 102411
I agree with towing a Chevy. I tow a 2007 Silverado 4x4. Aside from hooking up the bars and related, it takes about one minute in the truck to set it up for towing.
Britt

2004 Intrigue 11836

www.cojobluegrass.com