Recommended Tow Bar and Related Parts to Flat Tow 2014 Lincoln MKZ

Question

Question:

i have. 2014 MKZ hybrid I plan to tow. Will this do the job ? Any problems with the installation ? Thks in advance.

asked by: Ivan R

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Expert Reply:

The curb weight of the 2014 Lincoln MKZ ranges from 4251-lbs to 4429-lbs depending on equipment so the Blue Ox car-mount Acclaim Tow Bar # BX4330 is suitable for flat towing it. The Acclaim tow bar includes the required safety cables which saves you that separate expense. The tow bar and safety cables are just two of the components needed for safe and legal flat towing. The other items include a light/wiring kit, base plates, a supplementary braking system, a high/low hitch adapter and often a wiring extension between the toad and the RV.

A great place to start your flat towing prep is the linked article that covers each of these main components. You'll also want to check your MKZ owner's manual for any guidance regarding flat towing this car. Some vehicles can require special equipment (like a transmission lube pump) or at least specific preparation steps to get them ready for being towed.

I reviewed an online copy of the MKZ owner's manual and on page 218 it indicates which versions of the car can be flat towed. Cars with the 2.0 liter engine cannot be flat towed with all four wheels on the ground, neither front-wheel-drive nor all-wheel-drive versions. Cars with the 3.7L engine CAN be flat towed with all wheels down up to 65-mph by using the Neutral Tow mode. Page 219 of the manual describes the process of putting the 3.7L MKZ into Neutral Tow mode.

For the non-hybrid 3.7L MKZ I recommend the Blue Ox base plate # BX2653 because it will connect with the Acclaim tow bar without need for adapters. For the easiest lighting solution you can use a set of magnetic lights such as # TL21RK which take only moment to install and remove. If you prefer a permanent type solution you could use the Roadmaster # RM-154 diode kit that will enable the car's own lights to operate when its towed.

For braking the MKZ I recommend Blue Ox's Patriot braking system # BLU37TR. This advanced unit offers portability, wireless installation and it even includes a trailer breakaway device. Our customers that purchased and use the Patriot rate it highly. The linked video shows installation in a 2014 MKX.

I included also a link to our high/low hitch adapters, such as the Roadmaster # RM-076. These are often required to keep your connected tow bar level with the ground, or at least within 3-inches above or below dead level.

expert reply by: Adam R

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Answer 1

The difference between the Class II and Class III hitches has to do with their Gross Trailer Weight (GTW), their Tongue Weight (TW), and their Hitch Receiver Size. Class II trailer hitch receivers have a 1-1/4 inch receiver and can be rated up to…

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Answer 2

A 4-Way trailer connector has the basic lighting functions only; running lights, left turn signal and brake lights, right turn signal and brake lights, and ground. A 7-Way has these functions and a 12 volt circuit, a circuit for electric trailer…

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Answer 3

Lance does have a proprietary plug, but many customers see a standard 6-way or 7-way round and notice it doesn't fit their factory 7-way as well. I've attached an article to help if you have one of the 7-way or 6-way round connectors which we…

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Answer 4

The OEM prep package consists of 4 "pucks" in the bed of the truck that will allow you to drop in puck style hitches for easy installation and removal, that gives you a completely clear bed when not in use. The B&W Companion OEM 5th…

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Answer 5

You will have to go with a sliding hitch to allow the trailer to make tight turns. For a trailer 8 feet wide the only bed length that's going to allow 90 degree turns without a slider is a stationary hitch. That being said you have two options.…

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Answer 6

In order to determine the torque rating for the lug nuts on your trailer you will need to know check out the chart I attached that shows all of the torque specs for all the trailer lugs available based on stud size, wheel material and wheel size.

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Answer 7

There is a trailer hitch receiver as well as a 4-way wiring harness that fit your 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee WL; that said, we don't have any way to reference a VIN so you'll need to confirm if you do have the WL, which is the new model of…

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Answer 8

Class I and Class II hitches both have a 1-1/4 inch receiver opening. The difference is that a Class I hitch has a lower tongue weight rating, usually 200 pounds and a lower towing rating, usually 2,000 pounds. A Class II hitch usually has a tongue…

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Answer 9

Hi Robert; hopefully your Roadmaster tow bar is one that attaches to direct-connect base plates as opposed to crossbar base plates; for example the 8,000 lb Roadmaster Sterling would be optimal. Assuming that, here is what you need to flat tow your…

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Answer 10

Yes, a trailer that is nose up can cause big problems. A level trailer is ideal and worth working toward for safety. The good news is that you can get the trailer almost exactly level with switching ball mounts. This is where an adjustable ball mount…

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Answer 11

When it comes to choosing between the Blue Ox Patriot #BLU37TR and the Brake Buddy Select 3 #HM39524, these systems are extremely similar in their setup and functionality. Both of these systems provide proportional braking in a compact and easy to…

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Answer 12

Both the Roadmaster and Blue Ox tow bars are great options. But if it was my decision to make I would go with the Blue Ox Avail part #BX7420 as we have found that the Blue Ox tow bars are a little easier to connect and disconnect from. Also this tow…

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