Can I Flat Tow a 2015 Ford F-150 with 4 Wheel Drive
Question:
Would flat towing a 2015 F150 Lariat 4x4 cause any damage to the automatic transmission?
asked by: Sandor
Expert Reply:
According to the owner's manual of the 2015 Ford F-150 you can tow the 4wd models with 4 wheels down by putting the transfer case in neutral and engaging the 4-wheels-down towing feature; there is detailed information on this process in the owner's manual that I recommend checking out but you can do this without damaging the transmission when the process is followed.
In order to perform this task you will also need base plates, a compatible tow bar, safety cables, tow bar wiring, supplemental braking and most likely a high/low adapter. For the base plates and tow bar, I recommend using the Roadmaster # RM-524431-5 base plates and the Roadmaster Nighthawk All-Terrain # RM-676, which are compatible together and the Nighthawk comes with safety cables integrated to eliminate needing to purchase those separately.
For wiring, the Hopkins Custom Tail Light Wiring Kit for Towed Vehicles # HM56009 provides you with a solution that will allow your F-150's tail lights to work in conjunction with your RV's; this is a plug and play installation, so no vehicle wiring will need to be spliced into.
Most states and provinces require supplemental braking by law, and adding a supplemental braking system helps relieve the stress on your RV's braking system by activating the towed vehicle's brakes in conjunction with the RV's. I recommend using the SMI Stay In Play Duo # SM99251 which will provide proportional braking to your F-150 and is compatible with RV's with hydraulic braking systems. You will also need the Roadmaster Brake-Lite Relay Kit # RM-88400 for the supplemental braking system to work properly and send a signal from the tow vehicle's brake lights, and you'll need the Roadmaster Charge Line Kit # RM-156-25 to keep the battery charged during towing. If your RV does not already have a charge line present you can install that using the # RM-156-75.
You may also need a high/low adapter, so I've linked our helpful article on how to properly measure to determine if one will be needed, as well as our entire selection of high/low adapters. I've also linked some installation and review videos of these parts for you to have a look at, as well.
Products Referenced in This Question
Hopkins Custom Tail Light Wiring Kit for Towed Vehicles
- Tow Bar Wiring
- Plugs into Vehicle Wiring
- Wiring Harness
- Custom
- Tail Light Mount
- Hopkins
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 Nighthawk All-Terrain Tow Bar w/ LED Lights - Non-Binding - RV Mount - 8,000 lbs
- Tow Bar
- Hitch Mount Style
- Telescoping
- Aluminum
- 8000 lbs
- Fits Roadmaster Base Plates - Direct Connect
- Stores on RV
- Non-Binding
- Roadmaster
more information >
Roadmaster Brake-Lite Relay Kit for Towed Vehicles
- Tow Bar Braking Systems
- Brake Light Relay
- 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 >
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