Parts Needed to Flat Tow a 2001 Ford F-150 Behind an RV

Question:

Can I flat tow my 2001 f150 with an automatic transmission

asked by: Patrick N

Expert Reply:

I checked the owner's manual for the 2001 Ford F-150 and you can flat tow the truck as long as it is a 2-wheel drive model. Also there is this statement:

"If a distance of 80 km (50 miles) or a speed of 56 km (35 mph) must be exceeded, the drive shaft will have to be removed while the vehicle is being towed. Ford recommends the driveshaft be removed/installed only by a qualified technician. See your local dealer for driveshaft removal/installation."

And 4x4 vehicles with electronic shift on the fly cannot be towed with any wheels on the ground.

If you have the 2-wheel drive model and do the driveshaft disconnect it mentions then your will need 5 major components to flat tow the truck: base plates, tow bar, safety cables, lighting, and supplemental braking.

For base plates you can use # 492-1. For a compatible tow bar I recommend the Falcon All-Terrain # RM-522. This tow bar is rated for 6,000 pounds and it is a non-binding tow bar. This means that you will not have to be perfectly straight and level to hookup or disconnect.

The tow bar has safety cable channels so you will need to use straight cables, # RM-645, which will fit easily through the channels. For lighting diode kit # RM-15267 is a popular option. I have linked a video showing the install process.

You may also need a high/low adapter to keep the tow bar level. I have linked a help article showing how to measure and a link to the high/low adapters we carry.

And finally, most states now require supplemental braking on the vehicle being flat towed. One of the preferred systems for our installers and what I recommend is the SMI Stay-IN-Play DUO proportional system, # SM99251. It will apply the vehicle brakes in proportion to how much the tow vehicle is braking. This is the safest way to stop and it reduces wear and tear on both vehicles.

Be sure to consult your vehicle owners manual for specific information on flat towing the vehicle. I have also included some helpful links to our series of help articles on flat towing for you.