Recommendations When Flat-Towing 2014 Ford Focus With Automatic Transmission

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Question:

The focus owners manual states that to flat tow the negative cable must be removed from the battery. Are all the recomended tow-related parts powered indipendently, thus not needing the focus battery? \\

asked by: Steve S

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Expert Reply:

There are 5 main items you need when you are planning on flat-towing your 2014 Ford Focus. You will need base plates, a tow bar, safety cables, lighting on the vehicle, and most states now require supplemental brake systems.

For your Focus I recommend the Roadmaster EZ5 Base Plates, part # RM-524430-5. When you are not towing your Focus and you remove the front arms, the system is nearly invisible.

The tow bar I recommend is the RoadMaster Falcon 2 Tow Bar, part # RM-520. This tow bar has a 6,000 lb towing capacity.

The safety cables I recommend are the RoadMaster Single Hook, Coiled Safety Cables, part # Rm-643. These cable feature a spring hook on one end and a quick-link on the other.

For lighting I recommend the Optronics Tow Light Kit, part # TLL21RK. These bypass your Focus wiring and have magnetic bases that hold firmly to any metal surface.

Another wiring option you may want to take a look at is the Roadmaster Tow Bar Wiring, part # RM-155. This lets you bypass your vehicle wiring, and uses plugs and sockets inside the tail lights.

The supplemental brake system I recommend for your Focus is the Roadmaster Even Brake Portable Proportional Braking System, part # RM-9400. The supplemental brake system does require a 12 volt power source. Since you have to disconnect your battery per the owner's manual, you will have to use a couple of items that will run off the battery when it is disconnected. I recommend part # RM-9332. You would connect this to the battery, and this will give you the 12 volt power needed for the supplemental brake system.

I also recommend part # DW05312. This is a battery disconnect that attaches to the battery post. You can connect this to the positive post on the battery and it will cut off the power to the vehicle while it is being towed.

When working with electrical connectors I recommend using dielectric grease like part # 11755. This keeps dirt and moisture out of the electrical connections and helps prevent corrosion.

I have attached several helpful articles and videos you can check out that will explain flat-towing.

expert reply by: Jeffrey L

0

Answer 1

Your situation is a very common one and the solution you proposed is the easiest and most popular solution. Like you mentioned you'd be wiring up the separate taillights to function like combined ones. You'd need a total of 4 diodes which we…

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Answer 2

When flat towing your 2011 Kia Soul, there are a few things that are needed. You need base plates, a tow bar, safety cables, wiring for the towed vehicle lights, and a supplemental brake system. The base plates I recommend are the Blue Ox Base…

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Answer 3

On page 9-15 of the owner's manual I found information about towing your Crosstrek. The manual does say that the best method is to carry the vehicle on a flatbed. It does not specifically say flat-towing is not permitted, so I recommend checking…

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Answer 4

Yes I checked the online owners manual of your 2014 Ford Explorer and found that on page 283 you can flat tow the vehicle and all of the processes and guidelines are listed there. To flat tow your vehicle you will need to start with a base plate kit…

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Answer 5

In order to flat-tow a 2011 Chevrolet Cruze Eco you'll need a base plate kit, tow bar, safety cables, wiring harness, and a braking system. I have attached a list of these parts below. Blue Ox Base Plate Kit part #BX1697 Blue Ox Alpha 2…

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Answer 6

I found a copy of the owners manual online for the 2001 Chevy Tracker and found that you can flat tow it (see section 4-44 in the owners manual). There are specific procedures outlined in the manual that you will need to follow. There are at least 5…

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Answer 7

According to Honda, the 2010 Honda Accord cannot be flat towed with all 4 wheels on the ground. Your best option to tow your vehicle will be to use a tow dolly like the Roadmaster Tow Dolly w/ Electric Brakes, #RM-2050-1. The tow dolly will allow…

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Answer 8

I did some research and found that your 2014 Chevrolet Spark with an automatic transmission cannot be flat-towed behind your motorhome. In order to tow your Spark you will need to either use a transport dolly or use a tow dolly. I recommend the…

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Answer 9

Flat towing your Edge will require the following components: a tow bar, a quick-disconnect bar, vehicle base plates, safety cables, a light wiring system and a supplemental braking system. I have included several helpful FAQ articles concerning flat…

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Answer 10

The base plate kit that your 2015 Chevy Traverse requires is the Roadmaster part #523175-4 that you mentioned. This will work well with the Stowmaster Tow Bar part #RM-501. For safety cables you can use #RM-643. The coiled design helps keep the…

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Answer 11

The Roadmaster #RM-523160-5 Base Plate Kit is designed to fit your 2011 Chevy Equinox so that you can flat tow it behind your motorhome. Another option would be to use a tow dolly, #RM-2050-1. This tow dolly comes with electric brakes, safety cables,…

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Answer 12

I took a look at the online owner's manual for your 2014 Ford Escape and it states that it cannot actually be towed behind an RV with all 4 wheels on the ground. Towing the vehicle in this manner can damage the vehicle or transmission. This is…

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Recommendations When Flat-Towing 2014 Ford Focus With Automatic Transmission

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