Parts Needed to Flat-Tow a 2016 Ford Focus
Question:
1. Looking at installing the SMI Stay-IN-Play DUO Supplemental Braking System (Item # SM99251) instead of the recommended Roadmaster InvisiBrake Supplemental Braking System (RM-8700) as there is a nice installation video for my toad on your web site and I like the features of the g-force actuation and an on-off system switch. Also if I understand it correctly, have 7 pin connector on motorhome which can provide 12V positive directly to trickle charge my toad battery (see related question 3 below) instead of using the motorhome running lights the InvisiBrake does. Your web site says the SMI Stay-IN-Play DUO is confirmed to fit the 2016 Focus. Is there anything I'm overlooking here or not understanding or will the SMI Stay-IN-Play DUO work just as well? 2. Understand regardless of the supplemental braking system chosen I need the Roadmaster Stop Light Switch Kit (# RM-751454) because my battery will be disconnected and there is no power going to the brake lights. Per Focus owner's manual the battery is disconnected on the negative terminal when the Focus is being towed. (Believe they say this because it is a manual disconnect/reconnect which can cause a connection spark if done on the positive side.) I'm thinking of installing the Roadmaster Battery Disconnect Switch (RM-766) on the positive side which looks like it uses an enclosed relay. Is this ok for my application? Also, is it correct to install any of the toad set-up 12V needs on the always hot side of the relay like the stop light switch and SMI Stay-IN-Play DUO? 3. With the toad battery being disconnected and the stop light switch and SMI Stay-IN-Play DUO drawing 12V power from the toad battery believe I need to be concerned about the toad battery going dead over time. Should I be installing a trickle charger from the motorhome? Is Roadmaster Battery Charge Line Kit (RM 156-25) correct for my set-up? 4. Unsure if I need a different wiring kit than that recommended Roadmaster Diode 7-Wire to 6-Wire Flexo-Coil Wiring Kit (RM-15267) to bring the charge line from motorhome 7 pin connector (using pin 4 I believe which is labeled “Aux 12V+ Charging” on my motorhome for the trickle charge line) to the RM156-25 6 pin side or do I do this by wiring to the corresponding pin off the 6 pin side? Sorry to say I'm not that familiar with 6 pin connector ends. Is it keyed? 5. The safety cables you folks recommended was the RoadMaster Single Hook Safety Cables (# RM-643) because the coiled design will prevent them from dragging however I noticed that the recommended Roadmaster Falcon tow bar includes Cable guides channels to hold and protect wires and safety cables. Will the coil cables fit in these channels or should I purchase uncoiled safety cables? If uncoiled, can you recommend length and part number. 6. What motorhome hitch to receiver and drop receiver to tow bar locked pins would you recommend? Prefer if I can get set of two with matched keys. Also, see related question 8 below, are the combined lock pins and anti-rattle mechanisms strong enough for my application? If so, please recommend which one(s). 7. My motorhome 2" hitch centerline is approximately 20.25 inches from the road. I’ll measure the base plate when installed on the Focus and order the proper drop receiver at that time but for now can you recommend a dual receiver where I can install a Thule T2 Classic (2 bikes) Rack on the receiver upper portion and the tow bar on the lower? 8. Do you recommend hitch Anti-Rattle tightening brackets for my set up? If so, how many? Is it one for motorhome to receiver, and second for receiver to tow bar? (BTW Thule T2 bike rack already has an anti-rattle pin attachment with a lock.) 9. And lastly, what kind of rock guard would you recommend for my set-up that I could install later? Is the Roadmaster Tow Defender Protective Screening (# RM-4750) a good choice? This would maybe be a later purchase. Thanks for your attention here to my additional very detailed questions. I want to make sure I'm understanding things correctly for what I need before placing an order!
asked by: Bob
Helpful Expert Reply:
In order to flat-tow a 2016 Ford Focus with all four wheels on the ground you are going to need a base plate kit, tow bar, safety cables, supplemental braking system, wiring harness, and possible high-low adapter. Before getting started, I highly recommend taking a look in the owner's manual for any specific procedures that must be done while in tow.
For a base plate kit, I recommend the Roadmaster EZ5 Base Plate Kit part # RM-524443-5 as long as you do not have adaptive cruise control. This kit has removable arms for a clean look while not installed. For a tow bar that is compatible with this base plate kit I recommend the Roadmaster Falcon All Terrain Tow Bar part # RM-522 as it has extra-long telescoping arms which allow for better maneuverability and easier towing.
For a set of safety cables I recommend the RoadMaster Single Hook Safety Cables part # RM-643 because the coiled design will prevent them from dragging. For a supplemental braking system I recommend the Roadmaster InvisiBrake Supplemental Braking System part # RM-8700 with the Roadmaster Stop Light Switch Kit part # RM-751454 which will be out of sight once installed. This is a proportional system that will work the hydraulic brakes you have on your motorhome. Unfortunately, we do not really have anything that will allow you to adjust the system from inside the tow vehicle.
For a wiring harness that will work with the 7-way you have on your motorhome I recommend the Roadmaster Diode 7-Wire to 6-Wire Flexo-Coil Wiring Kit part # RM-15267. I have attached a help article that will help you determine if a high-low adapter is needed in addition to a list of our selection.
Products Referenced in This Question
Deka Lead Quick-Disconnect Battery Terminal - Universal Polarity
- Wiring
- Wire Connectors
- Quick Disconnects
- Deka
more information >
Roadmaster Diode 7-Wire to 6-Wire Flexo-Coil Wiring Kit
- Tow Bar Wiring
- Splices into Vehicle Wiring
- Diode Kit
- Universal
- Tail Light Mount
- Roadmaster
more information >
Roadmaster Battery Charge Line Kit for Towed Vehicles
- Accessories and Parts
- Tow Bar Wiring
- Battery Charge Line Kit
- Roadmaster
more information >
Roadmaster Battery Charge Line Kit for Motorhomes
- Accessories and Parts
- Tow Bar Wiring
- Battery Charge Line Kit
- Roadmaster
more information >
Roadmaster Hitch Lock for 2" Hitches - 4" Span - Qty 2
- Trailer Hitch Lock
- Standard Pin Lock
- Keyed Alike
- Chrome
- Fits 2 Inch Hitch
- Bent Pin
- 4 Inch Span
- Roadmaster
more information >
Roadmaster Falcon All-Terrain Tow Bar - Non-Binding - RV Mount - 2" Hitch - 6,000 lbs
- Tow Bar
- Hitch Mount Style
- Telescoping
- Steel
- 6000 lbs
- Fits Roadmaster Base Plates - Crossbar
- Fits Roadmaster Base Plates - Direct Connect
- Stores on RV
- Non-Binding
- Roadmaster
more information >
RoadMaster 68" Single Hook, Coiled Safety Cables - 6,000 lbs
- Safety Cables
- Coiled Cables
- 68 Inch Long
- 6000 lbs GTW
- Snap Hooks
- Coated Cables
- Roadmaster
more information >
Roadmaster 64" Single Hook, Straight Safety Cables - 8,000 lbs
- Safety Cables
- Straight Cables
- 64 Inch Long
- 8000 lbs GTW
- Snap Hooks
- Coated Cables
- Roadmaster
more information >
Roadmaster Stop Light Switch Kit - Ford
- Tow Bar Braking Systems
- Stop Light Switch
- Roadmaster
more information >
Roadmaster Battery Disconnect with Switch for Towed Vehicle w/ Flat Tow Brake System - Gas
- Accessories and Parts
- Tow Bar Wiring
- Auto Battery Disconnect
- Roadmaster
more information >
Roadmaster InvisiBrake Flat Tow Brake System - Preset
- Tow Bar Braking Systems
- Brake Systems
- Pre-Set System
- One Time Set-Up
- Fixed System
- Power Assist Brake Compatible
- Air Brakes
- Hydraulic Brakes
- Roadmaster
more information >
Demco Stay-IN-Play Duo Flat Tow Brake System for RVs w/ Hydraulic Brakes - Proportional
- Tow Bar Braking Systems
- Brake Systems
- Proportional System
- One Time Set-Up
- Fixed System
- Power Assist Brake Compatible
- Hydraulic Brakes
- Demco
more information >
Product Page this Question was Asked From
Roadmaster Direct-Connect Base Plate Kit - Removable Arms
- Base Plates
- Removable Drawbars
- Twist Lock Attachment
- Roadmaster
more information >
Featured Help Information
Instructions
Miscellaneous Media
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Bob
7/9/2018
1. Looking at installing the SMI Stay-IN-Play DUO Supplemental Braking System (Item # SM99251) instead of the recommended Roadmaster InvisiBrake Supplemental Braking System (RM-8700) as there is a nice installation video for my toad on your web site and I like the features of the g-force actuation and an on-off system switch. Also if I understand it correctly, have 7 pin connector on motorhome which can provide 12V positive directly to trickle charge my toad battery (see related question 3 below) instead of using the motorhome running lights the InvisiBrake does. Your web site says the SMI Stay-IN-Play DUO is confirmed to fit the 2016 Focus. Is there anything I'm overlooking here or not understanding or will the SMI Stay-IN-Play DUO work just as well? 2. Understand regardless of the supplemental braking system chosen I need the Roadmaster Stop Light Switch Kit (# RM-751454) because my battery will be disconnected and there is no power going to the brake lights. Per Focus owner's manual the battery is disconnected on the negative terminal when the Focus is being towed. (Believe they say this because it is a manual disconnect/reconnect which can cause a connection spark if done on the positive side.) I'm thinking of installing the Roadmaster Battery Disconnect Switch (RM-766) on the positive side which looks like it uses an enclosed relay. Is this ok for my application? Also, is it correct to install any of the toad set-up 12V needs on the always hot side of the relay like the stop light switch and SMI Stay-IN-Play DUO? 3. With the toad battery being disconnected and the stop light switch and SMI Stay-IN-Play DUO drawing 12V power from the toad battery believe I need to be concerned about the toad battery going dead over time. Should I be installing a trickle charger from the motorhome? Is Roadmaster Battery Charge Line Kit (RM 156-25) correct for my set-up? 4. Unsure if I need a different wiring kit than that recommended Roadmaster Diode 7-Wire to 6-Wire Flexo-Coil Wiring Kit (RM-15267) to bring the charge line from motorhome 7 pin connector (using pin 4 I believe which is labeled “Aux 12V+ Charging” on my motorhome for the trickle charge line) to the RM156-25 6 pin side or do I do this by wiring to the corresponding pin off the 6 pin side? Sorry to say I'm not that familiar with 6 pin connector ends. Is it keyed? 5. The safety cables you folks recommended was the RoadMaster Single Hook Safety Cables (# RM-643) because the coiled design will prevent them from dragging however I noticed that the recommended Roadmaster Falcon tow bar includes Cable guides channels to hold and protect wires and safety cables. Will the coil cables fit in these channels or should I purchase uncoiled safety cables? If uncoiled, can you recommend length and part number. 6. What motorhome hitch to receiver and drop receiver to tow bar locked pins would you recommend? Prefer if I can get set of two with matched keys. Also, see related question 8 below, are the combined lock pins and anti-rattle mechanisms strong enough for my application? If so, please recommend which one(s). 7. My motorhome 2" hitch centerline is approximately 20.25 inches from the road. I’ll measure the base plate when installed on the Focus and order the proper drop receiver at that time but for now can you recommend a dual receiver where I can install a Thule T2 Classic (2 bikes) Rack on the receiver upper portion and the tow bar on the lower? 8. Do you recommend hitch Anti-Rattle tightening brackets for my set up? If so, how many? Is it one for motorhome to receiver, and second for receiver to tow bar? (BTW Thule T2 bike rack already has an anti-rattle pin attachment with a lock.) 9. And lastly, what kind of rock guard would you recommend for my set-up that I could install later? Is the Roadmaster Tow Defender Protective Screening (# RM-4750) a good choice? This would maybe be a later purchase. Thanks for your attention here to my additional very detailed questions. I want to make sure I'm understanding things correctly for what I need before placing an order!