Recommended Flat Towing System for 2017 Ford Explorer FWD with 3.5L

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Question:

I have a 2017 Ford Explorer Limited Edition. It is a front wheel drive w/ 3.5 liter engine. The dealer is giving me conflicting information on whether I can flat tow this vehicle. You guys have always been a good source for most anything tow related so can you help me with this? Can you flat tow this vehicle? Thanks.

asked by: Wes P

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Expert Reply:

According to your owners manual, you can absolutely flat tow your specific model. It is not recommended to tow this vehicle over 65 mph. You will also need to start the engine and allow it to run for five minutes at the beginning of each day and every six hours thereafter to help keep the moving parts properly lubricated. With the engine running and your foot on the brake, shift into D(Drive) and then into R(Reverse)before back into N(Neutral). You will need to follow specific towing procedures for your vehicle outlined in your owners manual.

For your base plates, I recommend the Blue Ox Base Plate Kit - Removable Arms # BX2668 which are a fit whether or not you have adaptive cruise control. I recommend using the threadlocker # LT37420 with this installation and have attached a video to assist. Then for a tow bar, I recommend the Blue Ox Alpha # BX7380 which comes with the safety cables needed.

For your tow bar wiring, I recommend the Roadmaster Diode 7-Wire to 6-Wire Flexo-Coil Wiring Kit # RM-15267. This system will give you a clean connection on the front of your Explorer and will utilize diodes to protect your factory wiring while still utilizing it for a clean look. You will also want the Roadmaster Automatic Battery Disconnect with Switch for Towed Vehicle w/ Supplemental Braking System # RM-766 because your battery will need to be disconnected each time and this system makes it so much easier and more convenient allowing you to simply flip a switch.

For your braking system, I recommend the SMI Stay-IN-Play DUO Supplemental Braking System - Proportional # SM99251. This system allows you to simply adjust once at installation and then you have a plug and play system that gives you reliable braking. It is our installation team's favorite to use because of the installation as well as the function. You will also need the Roadmaster Stop Light Switch Kit - Ford Explorer without Adjustable Pedals # RM-751000.

Finally, you will need a high-low adapter. I've attached a link to your options as well as an article to help you determine the correct fit for your vehicles.

expert reply by: Jason S

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Answer 1

First and foremost, if Jeep requires the battery to be disconnected while flat towing, you must follow these instructions in order to prevent damage to your vehicle. The main reason for disconnecting the negative battery cable when flat towing is to…

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Answer 2

The noise you're hearing is likely coming from your GR-630 regulator, and it's not a sign of anything actually being amiss; the humming noise is caused by the rubber diaphragm inside the regulator fluctuating normally to keep up with the…

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Answer 3

I found an online version of the owners manual for your 2017 Ford Explorer and pulled out the parts that talk about the flat towing procedures: If you tow your vehicle with all four wheels on the ground: Tow only in the forward direction. Release the…

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Answer 4

The Blue Ox base plate kit part #BX2409 is a confirmed fit for your 2014 Ram 1500 4x4 and would work great as it installs easily and is very easy to connect/disconnect from. In addition to the base plates, you will also need a compatible tow bar,…

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Answer 5

I did some checking and it looks like your 2017 Ford Explorer 4WD with a 3.5 liter engine is flat towable as-is as long as you follow the flat towing procedures outlined in the owners manual. Only restriction is that you have to stay under 65 mph and…

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Answer 6

According to the owner's manual, you can flat tow a 2018 Ford if and ONLY if it's equipped with the 3.5L engine. If you have the 4 cyl engine, you must use a tow dolly or a trailer. You'll want to consult your owner's manual for…

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Answer 7

When flat towing a vehicle with a tow bar like the Roadmaster Sterling All Terrain #RM-576 that you referenced, you will want to make sure the steering wheel on your vehicle is unlocked. Unlocking the steering wheel/front wheels will allow the towed…

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Answer 8

According to the online edition of the Ford Owner's manual for the 2016 Explorer (pages 249 and 250), certain versions of the vehicle can be flat towed under specific conditions. The adaptive cruise control feature does not factor in, but Ford…

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Answer 9

The first thing you will need to do is locate the slide-out relay control and unplug the wiring harness from the controller. Then find the slide-out motor. On the back side of the motor there should be a brake lever. Turn it counter-clockwise to the…

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Answer 10

For your 2017 Ford Explorer, you are going to need a couple of things to safely and effectively flat tow. The first thing you'll need is a base plate kit, to allow you to connect your towed vehicle to your tow vehicle. You can use the Blue Ox…

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Answer 11

In the towing guide you mentioned it does say that your 2016 Ford Explorer can be towed with all four wheels on the ground as long as you keep it under 65 mph. I would trust that since it comes straight from Ford and they could have changed their…

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Answer 12

I took a look at the online copy of the owner's manual of a 2011 Ford Explorer and it said that either the front-wheel drive or four-wheel drive model can be flat towed, but a drive-train disconnect was not mentioned. It did have specific steps…

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Recommended Flat Towing System for 2017 Ford Explorer FWD with 3.5L

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