Finally Getting Somewhere
First, thanks to Cory for handling my post here and forwarding it to Ford. I got a call from Ford today with a case number. It was somewhat humerous because the girl who I talked to told me she was not a technician and I told her it's so simply my wife would understand it. Not sure how that went over but she's talking to a tech and I expect a phone call back at some point.
So to recap, because this is NOT specific to my Explorer, it's also the Edge's and anyone's Ford for 2011.
Ford wants you to put your key in the ignition and into the accessory position for flat towing. I am assuming that the reason is to release the front wheels, but with the key in this position, there is an enormous drain on the battery and after 4-5 hours, your battery is going to be dead. Furthermore Ford wants you to stop every five hours and turn the engine over.
The question is, as I see it, does the vehicle need 12v power for any vehicle related component, if not, then you could disconnect the car battery and tow with the key in the ignition.
The problem is that any tow over 3,000lbs requires a breaking system. IF you are using a Brake Buddy or similar, you have to have 12v power.
So, with this in mind, one fix is to pull the fuse on the accessory lug and run out two wires where you wire in a SPST switch and a fuse holder. This will allow you to provide 12v to the vehicle and power your brake buddy but not your accessories.
Pending Ford's reply, what I likely am going to do is run a six way off the coach with the turn signal wires running through the car to the hatch area where I have magnetic tow lights. The 12v hot and common comming from the coach will power the Brake Buddy and the vehicle battery will be disconnected.
Either way, if anyone is still following this thead, I'll post Ford's reply and how I approach this fix.
I am at least glad that Ford finally understood that not every problem has to, or should go to the dealer that in some cases, it's just a waste of time. Mine is an hour away and didn't even know I could flat tow the car.