Recommended Parts to Flat Tow a 2017 Ford Edge Titanium
Question:
I will be purchasing a 2017 Ford Edge Titanium soon. I will need to tow it frequently behind my motor home. According to the Owners Manual for the Edge, the negative battery cable must be disconnected while flat towing. The engine must be turned on and run for several minutes before flat towing, then again every 6 hours, and again right after towing. Disconnecting the battery would best be handled with a battery disconnect switch rather than removing a cable, however, if the battery is disconnected, everytime the car is towed, one would need to use the emergency key to open the door to open the hood to reconnect the battery. Then all of the presets seat positions, radio stations, phones, etc. would need to be re-established. Not a big issue once or twice a year. It is a big issue when it has to be done every two weeks or every day for several days. 1- Is disconnecting the battery required only to prevent it from draining while the car is being towed, or is there another reason? 2- Is there a way to keep the car battery charged while towing? If so, do you have a way to do this? Is this method satisfactory to Fords warranty? 3- How are the tail lights, stop lights, and turn signals operated while towing? Are the Ford factory lights activated? Is special wiring required? Are other lights added? If so, what, how, and where? 4- Are there any other issues that need to be addressed to flat tow a 2017 Edge?
asked by: Dale E
Expert Reply:
Yes, disconnecting the battery with a Quick-Disconnect, like the Deka part # DW05312, will be the easy way to go when it comes to disconnecting the battery on your 2017 Ford Edge so it can be flat towed.
Disconnecting the battery prevents it from draining while you are flat towing. Since the owner's manual states that the battery must be disconnected I strongly recommend following those instructions and not trying to get by it somehow. That is one of the down sides to flat towing with certain cars- you will have to reset some stuff when you are done.
The only other special instructions that I saw was where the Ford Edge owner's manual mentioned you can only flat tow an All-Terrain Titanium. If you were to get the Front-Wheel drive option then you will need to use a Tow Dolly, like part # RM-2050-1.
To flat tow your Edge you will need a base plate kit, a tow bar, safety cables, wiring for the lights, a supplemental braking system, and most likely a high-low adapter.
The base plates that I recommend going with are the Blue Ox # BX2667 which are confirmed to fit the Titanium version of the edge. I like this kit because it has removable arms which will give your Edge more of an OEM look when not towing.
For a tow bar I recommend using the Blue Ox Avail # BX7420. It is rated for 10,000 lbs and comes with safety cables.
For wiring I recommend using the Hopkins Custom Tail Light Wiring Kit # HM56011. This will simply plug into the tail lights on your Edge and you will just need to connect the 4-Pole harness to your motorhome for power. They bypass the wiring setup on your Edge and go straight to the tail lights.
Most states now require the use of a supplemental braking system in a vehicle that is being flat towed. Since you will be towing quite a lot I recommend using the SMI Stay-IN-Play DUO Supplemental System # SM99251. This system will just need to be installed one time instead of every time that you go to flat tow like you would have to do with the Roadmaster Even Brake # RM-9400. To complete the Stay-IN-Play setup you will also need the Roadmaster Stop Light Switch Kit # RM-751475.
You might need a High-Low adapter to make sure that your towing setup is level. I have attached a link to our selection that you can choose from if you need to.
I have attached some review videos that you can check out as well.
Products Referenced in This Question
Blue Ox Base Plate Kit - Removable Arms
- Base Plates
- Removable Drawbars
- Twist Lock Attachment
- Blue Ox
more information >
Blue Ox Avail Non-Binding Tow Bar - RV Mount - 2" Hitch - 10,000 lbs
- Tow Bar
- Hitch Mount Style
- Telescoping
- Steel
- 10000 lbs
- Fits Blue Ox Base Plates
- Stores on RV
- Non-Binding
- Blue Ox
more information >
Deka Lead Quick-Disconnect Battery Terminal - Universal Polarity
- Wiring
- Wire Connectors
- Quick Disconnects
- Deka
more information >
Roadmaster Tow Dolly with Electric Brakes - 4,250 lbs
- Trailers
- Tow Dolly
- Wheel Decks
- 4250 lbs
- Cars/Trucks/SUVs
- 8-1/2W x 12L Foot
- Powder Coated Steel
- Roadmaster
more information >
Roadmaster Stop Light Switch Kit
- Tow Bar Braking Systems
- Stop Light Switch
- Roadmaster
more information >
Roadmaster Even Brake Portable Flat Tow Brake System - Proportional
- Tow Bar Braking Systems
- Brake Systems
- Proportional System
- Recurring Set-Up
- Portable System
- Not Power Assist Brake Compatible
- Air Brakes
- Air Over Hydraulic 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
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 >
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