Parts Needed to Flat Tow a 2014 Ford Focus Behind Different RVs

Question:

Hi I have a 2014 Ford Focus, Im seriously considering do drive away jobs for an rv company, I have to set up my car to be able to be towed by multiple different rvs, I want a good set up but my question is do I really have to have brake assist and if so which is recommended for my type of use thats not going to break the bank.

asked by: Warren M

Expert Reply:

Most state laws require supplemental braking on a vehicle that is being flat towed and they do check. The fines are steep so you are better off getting one not to mention it really is the safest approach.

We can save you money in other areas of a flat towing set up to offset the cost of a braking system. First you will need base plates for the 2014 Ford Focus. Blue Ox base plates # BX2633 fit non-ST models that do not have adaptive cruise control. For ST models use # BX2640.

For a compatible tow bar that is going to be very inexpensive you can use the Blue Ox Adventurer # BX7322. This is a coupler style tow bar that couples onto a ball like a trailer does. This is actually a good set up for you since you will be towing the Focus behind different RVs all the time which means you can use an adjustable ball mount for the different heights.

You will need to have the tow bar level when you are flat towing the vehicle and since the hitches on RVs are all going to be different heights an adjustable ball mount is the way to go. For a ball mount with a good amount of drop you could use MaxxTow ball mount # TK5007 which offers up to 10 inches of drop with 2 inches between height settings. For a compatible ball use # 63845.

You will also need safety cables since they do not come with the Adventurer tow bar, # C80151. For lighting you can use a simple magnetic kit such as # RM-2120. This will be a low-cost option and it is easy to set up and use and bypasses the vehicle wiring.

And that takes us to the braking system. 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.