Parts Needed and Guidelines to Flat Tow 2002 Ford F-150 V6 4.2L 5-Speed Manual Transmission

Question:

I have a 2002 Ford F150 XL with a 4.2L V-6 and a 5 speed manual transmission. Can I flat tow this vehicle without having to do anything further than leave the transmission in neutral and turn ignition key to unlock the steering wheel? I cannot find any information in the owners manual. I am the original owner of the truck and it currently has just under 85,000 miles on it.

asked by: Jim S

Helpful Expert Reply:

From my research, this is only true for RWD vehicles. So, as long as your 2002 Ford F-150 V6 4.2L 5-Speed Manual Transmission is a RWD, you can flat tow it as is, without any distance or speed restrictions and no other special instructions or additional parts are necessary. If you were unable to find this in your owner's manual, I highly suggest confirming the above information with a local Ford dealer.

To flat tow your truck, you will need a set of base plates, a tow-bar, safety cables, tow-bar wiring, and a supplemental braking system. I'll list my recommendations below:

# 492-1 - Roadmaster Crossbar-Style Base Plate Kit with Removable Arms
# RM-576 - Roadmaster Sterling All Terrain, Non-Binding Tow Bar *includes safety cables*
# HM56005 - Hopkins Custom Tail Light Wiring Kit for Towed Vehicles
# BLU37TR - Blue Ox Patriot Portable Braking System

# RM-88400 - Brake Light Relay - also needed when using a supplemental braking system to ensure your turn signals aren't overridden by your brake signal when making turns or changing lanes while slowing down.

I've attached a link to our selection of high-low adapters for you to browse through. You may need one to make up for the height difference between your truck and motor home.