Flat tow Ford F150 4x4

[youngj]

Hello, has anyone Flat towed a F150 behind a Baystar 2901 Ford v10, 5 spd auto with Tow mode? Advice or Suggestions? Many thanks, Jim

 

[Wemustrv]

We tow our 2012 F150 SuperCrew all over the country with no issues. We use a Blue Ox and Brake buddy system. Just follow set up directions. For mine you put foot on brake turn on key (not starting it) and shift to neutral. Next you rotate the 4 wheel drive dial 5 times and it will show message on the dash four wheel tow enabled. leave shifter in neutral turn key off do not remove it. You are good to go.

 

[youngj]

We tow our 2012 F150 SuperCrew all over the country with no issues. We use a Blue Ox and Brake buddy system. Just follow set up directions. For mine you put foot on brake turn on key (not starting it) and shift to neutral. Next you rotate the 4 wheel drive dial 5 times and it will show message on the dash four wheel tow enabled. leave shifter in neutral turn key off do not remove it. You are good to go.

Thank you, what model and size of RV do you tow with? Engine size?

 

[Sand-dog]

We tow our 2012 F150 SuperCrew all over the country with no issues. We use a Blue Ox and Brake buddy system. Just follow set up directions. For mine you put foot on brake turn on key (not starting it) and shift to neutral. Next you rotate the 4 wheel drive dial 5 times and it will show message on the dash four wheel tow enabled. leave shifter in neutral turn key off do not remove it. You are good to go.

I’m wondering if your battery was to go dead or become weak enough wwould the transmission automatically go back into a default. I know that’s happening with other brands that must have B-power for the trans to stay in neutral position. I think it’s a safety issue. That’s why we bought a jeep. I would love to tow my F150.

 

[Rollin Ollen]

Thank you, what model and size of RV do you tow with? Engine size?

If you have a look at WEMUSTRV's bio, it will show you that he runs a 40 foot Coachman Encore on a Freightliner with a 330HP Mercedes Engine. If you were to complete YOUR bio we all could see what you are about. Good to have you on board. Just an FYI, check YOUR owner's manual for YOUR pick up. It should tell you if it is safe to flat tow and how to set it up. Not all makes and models are the same. Year and production dates can make a difference.

Safe travels.

 

[John&Andrea]

I’m wondering if your battery was to go dead or become weak enough wwould the transmission automatically go back into a default. I know that’s happening with other brands that must have B-power for the trans to stay in neutral position. I think it’s a safety issue. That’s why we bought a jeep. I would love to tow my F150.

We tow a 2019 Ranger and I installed a battery charger on it. Hopefully we never have that problem.

 

[Joe Dutchstar]

Note the tow hitch rating on the vehicle you plan to tow with. Most gas rigs it’s 5000lbs.

 

[Boat Bum]

As ^ Joe said, you can tow up to 5k as it came from the factory.

 

[Roadglide117]

I tow a F150, I did use a RVI battery tender to keep my battery charged. Never had a problem starting after a 2 day trip. Blue Ox...RVI brake controller...I think RVI sold

 

[Joe doggs]

I’m wondering if your battery was to go dead or become weak enough wwould the transmission automatically go back into a default. I know that’s happening with other brands that must have B-power for the trans to stay in neutral position. I think it’s a safety issue. That’s why we bought a jeep. I would love to tow my F150.

I once did some research into flat towing a new ford raptor f150….the long and short ended up being that if the truck battery reached 10.8 volts,the transmission/transfer case could default to park and that situation had led to multiple fires reported with the raptor…..after reading the owners manual and confirming this problem,I shied away from it as I didn’t want to rely on the charge cord or there never being a problem in the towing wiring…..I would recommend reading the owners manual for the vehicle you are considering flat towing to be confident….best joe b

 

[John&Andrea]

Wire in a battery charger and should be fine.

 

[Roadglide117]

I flat a F150... never had a problem and my battery has been low that I needed to jumpstart. Since the few times low in installed a RVI charger and never had a problem with battery getting low. When I bought my truck I thought Rapter couldn't be flat towed..there a different beast than just an XLT.

 

[Cory]

2018 F-150 Platinum Flat Tow instructions:

Ford Flat Tow
Four-wheel Drive Vehicles
You can only tow a four-wheel drive vehicle with all wheels on the ground by
placing the transfer case in its neutral position and engaging the four-wheel-down towing
feature.
Perform the steps outlined in the following section after positioning your vehicle behind the
tow vehicle and properly securing them together.
Note: Make sure you properly secure your vehicle to the tow vehicle.
Four-wheel-down Towing
1. Put the ignition in the on position, but do not start the engine.
If your vehicle has an ignition key, turn the key to on.
If your vehicle has intelligent access, press the engine START/STOP button once without
pressing the brake pedal.
2. Press and hold the brake pedal.
3. Rotate the four-wheel drive switch to 2H.
4. Shift the transmission to neutral (N).
5. Rotate the four-wheel drive switch from 2H to 4L and back to 2H five times within seven
seconds.
Note: If completed successfully, the information display confirms that your vehicle is in neutral
tow.
This indicates that your vehicle is safe to tow with all wheels on the ground.
Note: If you do not see the message in the display, you must perform the procedure again from
the beginning.
Note: You may hear an audible noise as the transfer case shifts into its neutral position.
This is normal.
6. Leave the transmission in neutral (N) and turn the ignition as far as it can go toward the off
position.
It does not turn fully off when the transmission is in neutral (N).
If your vehicle has an ignition key, you must leave the key in the ignition while towing.
To lock and unlock your vehicle, use the keyless entry keypad or an extra set of keys.
If your vehicle has intelligent access, press the engine START/STOP button once without
pressing the brake pedal.
You do not need to leave your keys in the vehicle. You can lock and unlock your vehicle as you
normally do.
7. Release the brake pedal.
WARNING: Do not disconnect the battery during recreational towing.
It prevents the transfer case from shifting properly and may cause the vehicle to roll,
even if the transmission is in park (P).
WARNING: Shifting the transfer case to its neutral position for recreational towing may cause
the
vehicle to roll, even if the transmission is in park (P). It may injure the driver and others.
Make sure you press the foot brake and the vehicle is in a secure, safe position when you shift
to neutral (N).
Note: Failing to put the transfer case in its neutral position while towing the vehicle can damage
vehicle components.
Note: You can check four-wheel-down towing status at any time by opening the driver's door or
turning the ignition to the accessory or on position.
A message displays in the information display confirming your vehicle is in neutral tow.
To exit four-wheel-down towing and return the transfer case to its 2H position:
1. With your vehicle still properly secured to the tow vehicle, put the ignition in the on position,
but do not start the engine.
If your vehicle has an ignition key, turn the key to on.
If your vehicle has intelligent access, press the engine START/STOP button once without
pressing the brake pedal.
2. Press and hold the brake pedal.
3. Place the transmission back into park (P).
4. Release the brake pedal.
Note: If completed successfully, the instrument cluster displays 4X2, and Neutral Tow Disabled.
Note: If the indicator light and message do not display, you must perform the procedure again
from the beginning.
Note: You may hear an audible noise as the transfer case shifts out of its neutral position, this is
normal.
Note: If Shift Delayed Pull Forward displays in the instrument cluster, transfer case gear tooth
blockage is present.
See the instructions following this section.
5. Apply the parking brake, then disconnect your vehicle from the tow vehicle.
6. Release the parking brake, start the engine, and shift the transmission into drive (D) to make
sure the transfer case is out of the neutral tow position.
7. If the transfer case does not successfully shift out of neutral (N), set the parking brake until
you can have your vehicle serviced.
Resolving the Shift Delayed Pull Forward Message
If the instrument cluster displays Shift Delayed Pull Forward, perform the following:
1. Press and hold the brake pedal.
2. Put the transmission into neutral (N), then start the engine.
3. With the engine running, shift the transmission into drive (D) and let the vehicle roll forward,
up to 3 ft (1 m).
You may hear an audible noise as the transfer case shifts out of its neutral position. This is
normal.
4. Make sure the instrument cluster displays Neutral Tow Disabled