Recommended Parts to Flat Tow a 2017 Ford F-150 4x4 Behind and RV

Question:

I am about to purchase the Roadmaster tow bar, RM-676.. Wiring kit RM-154.. Base Plate EZ5, RM-524431-5.. Am I correct that these will fit and work properly on my 2017 Ford F150 4X4? Other than a brake package will I need any thing else? I have these items in my cart and ready to pull the trigger.

asked by: Freddy R

Expert Reply:

The Roadmaster Nighthawk # RM-676 is an excellent tow bar choice. It is indeed compatible with the EZ5 base plates, # RM-524431-5, for your 2017 Ford F-150. Since the tow bar comes with safety cables you will not need to add any of those to your order.

Lighting kit # RM-154 will also work with the truck. This lighting kit uses 4-Way flat connectors so to use it with the 6-Way end on the tow bar's wiring you will also need connector # RM-910030-7 to mount to the front of the truck. Then you would just cut off the 4-Way end from the RM-154 wiring kit and wire it to the back of this 6-Way. There is also a bracket, # RM-910030-5, to increase the mounting location options of the connector.

At the back of the 6-Way where the wires attach the brown running light wire will go in the 12 o'clock position. The white ground wire will go to the 9 o'clock position. The yellow left turn/brake light wire will go to the 7 o'clock position. And the green right turn/brake light wire will go to the 5 o'clock position.

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.

For the braking system to work properly relay # RM-88400 is required to prevent the towed vehicle's brake signal from overriding the turn signal from the RV when applying the brakes during a turn. The RM-88400 relay is not required when using magnetic tow lights.

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.