Flat towing behind RV

[mydogtony]

Hi, just joined and was not exactly sure where to post this question.

I plan to tow my 2014 Explorer behind my motorhome. I'm in the process of wiring the lights so they work in concert with the coach's. Dose anybody have any good ideas on where to penetrate the firewall. I'll need room for my four wire cable as well as an airline 1/4" for my braking system. Thanks in advance.

 

[01STrunner]

When we tow our Buick Enclave, we use a Brake Buddy system that is wireless and sets up in the drivers footwell. I don't know if you already have the braking system but just thought I'd mention that. Also, we had our wires for the lights run in trim pieces and into a 6 pin connector mounted hidden in the front bumper. Therefore we didn't have to go into the firewall at all.

 

[FR-425]

Welcome to this forum!

Where did you buy your towbar?

They should have a brake light "tap" kit. no need to go through the fire wall.

Air line? You will not want to be using your explorer's brakes while towing you'll ruin the transmission.

The 2014's require the ignition be left in the "accessory" position while towing to keep power to the transmission so it will stay in neutral. If you activate the brakes the ABS and traction control will activate and the transmission may shift into drive or worse reverse.

You must also run the engine for an hour every six hours to maintain the battery.

These transmissions are 100% electronic controlled so carefully read your owners manual on how to prepare it for flat towing.

Good luck and have fun on your trip (trips)

 

[mydogtony]

Thanks for the replies. The owner's manual is pretty specific about what's required for recreational towing. I haven't found anything in the book about not using the Explorer's brakes. If that's the case, and I'll need to do some further checking with Ford directly, then Ford should not even allow this vehicle to be towed. Towing a 5000 pound vehicle without brakes is an accident waiting to happen.

I currently pull a little Pontiac G6 without having braking hooked up. Although towing you don''t even know the vehicle is back there but when it comes time to stop, it sure does make a difference. I really need to have the Explorer's brakes work or Ford can have the vehicle back.

 

[mydogtony]

As for the braking system, I plan on using the SMI Air Force One system. This connects up with the air brake lines in my coach. Once installed, there is nothing to do when one want to tow other than connecting up the air line from a connector on the back of the coach to a connection on the front of the towed vehicle.

 

[FR-425]

It's allways possible but I think this is not the best choice for a flat tow vehicle, kinda pain in the neck. But if you can sort out the brakes and charge the battery off the coach while under way, you'll be love'n the Explorer for your adventures.

 

[01STrunner]

We've flat towed our enclave thousands of miles without issue. We always let it idle to charge the batteries and let the fluids circulate when we get to the campground.

 

[FR-425]

Got it,,

Not trying to talk you out of it, just wanted to make sure you knew what you were getting into.

It sounds like you know exactly what your doing with the towing situation.

So for your original question:

for sure there is a "body plug" in the drivers side floor pan under the carpet. That's an option but you'd have to pull up the carpet in your spanking new truck.

Most of the time there is room to go through where the washer hose passes through, should be easy to locate that.

 

[fordtow]

I purchased the wiring harness from Blu Ox and had the dealer wire it... it was not very expensive and they did a very clean job.

 

[fordtow]

Hi, I have a 2013 Explorer, I follow the towing with all four wheels down procedure in the manual and find that my battery is completely dead sometimes after 4 hours sometimes after 6 hours.... does anyone know if I can disconnect the battery after going through the procedure and tow with all four wheels down without damaging the car? by the way, I do not have a separate breaking system so no danger in the breaking system engaging while I'm on the road.

Thanks!!

 

[ostbob1]

Need help for towing 1999 behind RV.
The only instructions on how to engage or disengage the neutral tow feature I can find start with 2001 and up, and they apparently have a 4x4 auto push button which the instructions says has to be pushed in during the process. The 1999 only has a dial switch so I need to find out what is the proper methods using this type of switch. Does anyone know where to get the instructions at or know how to do it?
Owners manual says it can be done but need to see dealers and they don't know anything about it.