What Parts Do I Need To Flat Tow A 2023 Ford F-150 With LED Lighting

Question:

Hello! I have a 2023 Ford F-150 That I want to set up to tow behind my motorhome. What parts am I going to need? The truck has LED lighting, is there any special kind of wiring I need for the brake lights? Also is there a to keep a charge going to the trucks battery? I have read a few things but I know you guys are the experts. Thanks in advance! I love etrailer

asked by: Pam

Expert Reply:

We can definitely get you set up. Lets start with the base plate and work our way from there.

For the baseplate I recommend the Roadmaster direct connect # RM38VR, which is custom fit for your 2023 F-150. The black powder coating is durable, and will blend nicely with the front of your vehicle. The twist lock arms are easily removable, so you will not have big metal pieces sticking out of the front of your car when not in use. This will be compatible with any Roadmaster brand tow bar.

The best tow bar you can get is the Roadmaster Nighthawk # RM-676. Non-binding aluminum arms are durable, lightweight and easy to handle. Built in LED lighting helps with visibility, especially when connecting/disconnecting the tow bar at night. This is rated for 8,000 lbs so it can easily handle an F-150. It also comes with your safety cables, electrical cord, and 6 pin plug for the front of the truck.

For the brake light wiring, I recommend the Roadmaster diode kit # RO44FR. This diode kit is made specifically for trucks like yours with variable voltage LED lighting. Smart diodes will allows the LED lighting to work normally when connected to your motorhome. You will also want the charge line kit # RM-156-25. All of this will be run to the 6 pin plug on the front of the truck. When you are ready to tow you can just hook up and go.

Next we will need to get you a supplemental braking system. I recommend the Blue Ox Patriot # BLU37TR. This fully wireless braking system is extremely user friendly and very easy to install. The brake box senses deceleration and will apply the brakes proportionally. You just connect the claw to the brake pedal and plug in to a 12v outlet. You will need to install an auxiliary 12v outlet # RM-9332. The 12v outlet in the truck will not be hot when the truck is being towed, so the 12v outlet kit will give you a hot 12v outlet to use.

The # RM-88400 relay is also required to prevent the towed vehicle's brake signal from overriding the turn signal from the RV when applying the brakes during a turn.

You may also need a drop hitch so your tow bar is level when towing. We really do not have a way to know if it will be needed until after your base plate is installed. I recommend going with the Blue Ox adjustable drop hitch # BLU28XR. This can be adjusted up to 8" of drop and will accommodate virtually any vehicle/motorhome combination.

That will cover all of the main components of your setup. it is recommended to get a cover # RM-055-3, and a locking hitch pin # e98882. I think of these parts as insurance for your tow bar. The Nighthawk is a high end tow bar and it is definitely worth protecting your investment.

I have included links to a few install videos below if you want to get a better idea of what is involved.