Trickle Charge for Towed Vehicle

[Kevin D Pem]

We tow a ‘15 Edge. We hook up in neutral, stop the engine by pushing the button (key fob model) and drive away. No need to put the car in accy position. We’ve towed for days without starting the car with no difficulty.

Anyone can do what they want. My guess is you may well regret it one day.

 

[Village Guy]

To kinda close this thread, here is what I have been able to figure out. Calling Ford Customer Service was a waste of time. Kept getting cut off and asked to fill out a survey. (I did and gave them all terrible ratings since I did not come close to getting any answers!) Based on what is in the manual, I am convinced that starting the vehicle and running for 5 min every 6 hrs and shifting to D, Then R before back to N has to indicate a concern with not lubricating the transmission. Since I was simply trying to confirm that was the reason for starting it up, I will just follow those instructions and not take any chances hurting the transmission.

I have called the company who installed my tow package and they tell me that I have the "battery tender" package (ie: there is power coming from the Chassis batter of the coach back to the Toad that is supposed to "help" keep the battery charged. Since my battery is over 3 years old, it very likely will not handle the drain, so my next step will be to replace the battery.

Then, after another test run, if the battery doesn't stay sufficiently charged, I will add a solar trickle charger.

Thanks to all who offered information and advise.

Happy RV'ing!

 

[TJ&LadyDi]

When replacing the battery, find the highest capacity one you can. Our 2014 Honda CR-V came with a barely sufficient battery. It has been replaced with the largest capacity one I could find; about 40% larger than the OEM.

TJ

 

[4RS]

I have a 2014 Ford Edge that I am towing behind my 2016 Newmar 3214. The car has to be started every 4-6 hrs and run to recharge the battery. We are planning a very long trip to Alaska this year and I think this will be a real pain when on the road for several days at a time. I want to try a trickle charger and have thought of everything from a small 110v battery maintainer that I would have to power from the coach while on the road, to (probably a better idea) getting a solar trickle charger. The problem is I have no idea how much the battery is being drained while going down the road (have to leave ACC on) and what size trickle charger I might need.

Anyone have any experience doing this with suggestions????

Thank You

I think the reason you need to stop every 6 hours is to lubricate your transaxle. You should hold the brake and put the car in drive for a few minutes to pump oil throughout the transaxle. I had a Edge that I pulled for years. I had a quick disconnect on the battery to shut down any power draw. The lights on the car were powered by the coach. I had a seperate light bar strapped to the roof rails on the car. It was a simple easy system for me. Read your owner's manual about towing.

 

[Rich W.]

We tow a ‘15 Edge. We hook up in neutral, stop the engine by pushing the button (key fob model) and drive away. No need to put the car in accy position. We’ve towed for days without starting the car with no difficulty.

I know this is a somewhat aged thread but Im thinking about towing my ‘16 Edge. What brake system did you choose?

 

[sheridany]

If you have a motorhome with air brakes, Air Force one is an excellent braking system. I have also had the RVI system and that worked well too.

 

[Rich W.]

I’m using the M&G air system on my jeep and I like it but that type of system wouldn't work with my Edge. I’ll take another look at AF1. Fortunately I have plenty of time to research this and do it right. I’m using the jeep as a toad until March but then I’m going to get into this. I‘ve just decided that once again I have too may vehicles - happens from time to time.

 

[Wemustrv]

I have a 2014 Ford Edge that I am towing behind my 2016 Newmar 3214. The car has to be started every 4-6 hrs and run to recharge the battery. We are planning a very long trip to Alaska this year and I think this will be a real pain when on the road for several days at a time. I want to try a trickle charger and have thought of everything from a small 110v battery maintainer that I would have to power from the coach while on the road, to (probably a better idea) getting a solar trickle charger. The problem is I have no idea how much the battery is being drained while going down the road (have to leave ACC on) and what size trickle charger I might need.

Anyone have any experience doing this with suggestions????

Thank You

do you has keyless start? The 7 pin connector has a power lead that will supply power to an under hood charger which is how I charge my F150 when we tow.