Flat Tow Tips (from 16K miles of towing behind RV)

[Tilzbow]

Some tips I’ll offer specific to the Bronco, feel free to add to the list. I’ve got a 2022 Badlands with a 2.7 and 4A.

I’ve towed my Bronco over 16,000 miles and hooked/unhooked it and put it in/out of flat tow mode without an issue over 100 times. I stopped pulling fuses after the software fix in late 2022 and haven’t had any issues with brakes locking (I’ve heard the 2025 requires the fuses to be pulled but won’t address that here). I keep a printed copy of the latest instructions in the Bronco and follow those exactly every time. Before each trip I’ll go into the manual online and print a new copy of the instructions just in case something changed that I’m not aware of.


Other tips I’ll offer:

1) Make sure the parking brake isn‘t engaged when pulling the Bronco in behind the RV to hook it up. (I won’t tell you I’ve never forgotten this step!)


2) Fully depress the brake pedal when putting the Bronco into flat tow mode. “Fully depress“ means push it all the way down and continue pushing hard, you‘ll feel it go further when the Bronco goes into flat tow mode and shuts off the EBB.


3) Shut off the RV so you can listen for the transmission to shift when the Bronco goes into flat tow mode. I hear this every time and I’m a 60 year old hunter who’s also attended a bunch of rock concerts so my hearing isn’t great. If you don’t hear it shift then take it out of flat tow mode and start over.


4) Make sure you complete the last step and shut the accessories off by pressing the start button without touching pedals. I personally think this is a critical step that’s easy to forget yet important to keep the battery from running down and creating an issue with the transmission and/or EBB.


5) Don‘t leave the key fob in the Bronco. There‘s zero reason to leave the keys in the Bronco when it‘s being towed but we all know if your keys are in your pocket or in the Bronco when you’re working around it (when washing it, etc) you’ll continually hear the Bronco make strange noises as it communicates with the Bronco. This could also contribute to battery drainage. I also never lock the doors.


6) When taking the Bronco out of flat tow mode again fully depress the brake pedal. I mean try to push that sucker through the floor board and hold it until the digital dash reads flat tow disengaged and the Bronco shows it’s in P for park. Since doing this on my current trip I’ve had zero issues with the Bronco doing that shift inhibit thing it had done in the past that’s hard to get corrected.

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[Fordified1]

Great info. I do lock mine with the fob and immediately stow the fob in the motorhome, is about the only thing I do different. Except after stopping for the night the next morning I take it out of tow mode start it and let it run for a bit to make sure the battery is fully charged then shut it off and put back in tow mode. Just guessing but we’ve probably towed it as many miles as we’ve driven it. 14k or so. I do not have the 4A transfer case and have the vacuum brake booster (2.3) so never had a brakes locking worry.

 

[grtharris]

By keeping the Fob in your pocket when you leave the Bronco, your will get a friendly couple of honks if you left it in accessory mode when you close the door. Just saying!!
I then keep the fobs in the motorhome.
[B]Tilzbow[/B] I definitely agree keeping the brake peddle well pressed until the shifting is done and you have cleared the warning displays.

 

[the quietman]

Setting up our 23 WT SAS 2.7 for flat towing with our 7.3 E450 Class C. Gotta admit its a little nerve wracking so I appreciate the heads up from folks who have done it.

 

[Dusty]

Regarding Item #5: you're doing it all wrong. The correct procedure is to leave the fob in your pocket, and then, just before leaving the house, go back inside for something you forgot, and out of habit hang the key fob on the key rack in the house. Then drive the RV, with Bronco in tow, a suitable distance (for me the KOA out in Palm Springs is just about right, an hour drive). Then try to find your Bronco key fob. Oh, so much fun! Especially the part about telling your wife. And dragging the whole works all the way back home to get the key fob, then driving all the way back. Then when you finally get settled in and are having an old fashioned and a cigar as you watch the sun go down, thanking your lucky stars that you didn't get all the way to Colorado before realizing what a bonehead you are.

 

[dgorsett]

I am about 10K into towing mine and agree with all. I'm a 2.3 vacuum brakes and part time 4x4 so my anxiety is lower
I seldom hear the transfer case shift though, and the first time I stop I put my hand on the transmission and feel for heat

Don't get complacent, read word for word. Don't have help, but have someone review when complete. Don't set the parking brake during the process, it's unnecessary because you will be hooked to the RV.

 

[Go_UL_Cards]

I have a charge line from the RV and battery monitor to keep the battery charged. All the other steps you outlined are spot on. Haven't towed that many miles yet but no problems so far.
I also take a picture of surrounding area with 'tow mode enabled' still visible then another with the mileage. Before/after the trip.

I did discover that if you leave the Bronco 'on' and move it the mileage will change. I did this moving from storage to air hose to air up the RV tires and the mileage change by .2. No mileage changes any other time with the Bronco 'off'.

 

[userdude]

Regarding Item #5: you're doing it all wrong. The correct procedure is to leave the fob in your pocket, and then, just before leaving the house, go back inside for something you forgot, and out of habit hang the key fob on the key rack in the house. Then drive the RV, with Bronco in tow, a suitable distance (for me the KOA out in Palm Springs is just about right, an hour drive). Then try to find your Bronco key fob. Oh, so much fun! Especially the part about telling your wife. And dragging the whole works all the way back home to get the key fob, then driving all the way back. Then when you finally get settled in and are having an old fashioned and a cigar as you watch the sun go down, thanking your lucky stars that you didn't get all the way to Colorado before realizing what a bonehead you are.

I've never even flat towed and I've already done this three times... lol

 

[Tilzbow]

Here’s another one after seeing my old picture the admin added:

Get a stacker hitch receptacle and move the bike rack to the motorhome above the tow bar. It makes is so much easier because you don’t have to take the bike rack off the Bronco (I prefer not having to deal with bikes when parking, backing up or accessing the rear of the Bronco). This works great if you’re like us and almost always use the bikes from the campsite vs driving the Bronco to a bike trail. On the rare occasion I need to drive the Bronco to a biking area, I’ll move the rack to the Bronco.

I’ll add a picture in a while.

 

[timhood]

Regarding Item #5: you're doing it all wrong. The correct procedure is to leave the fob in your pocket, and then, just before leaving the house, go back inside for something you forgot, and out of habit hang the key fob on the key rack in the house. Then drive the RV, with Bronco in tow, a suitable distance (for me the KOA out in Palm Springs is just about right, an hour drive). Then try to find your Bronco key fob. Oh, so much fun! Especially the part about telling your wife. And dragging the whole works all the way back home to get the key fob, then driving all the way back. Then when you finally get settled in and are having an old fashioned and a cigar as you watch the sun go down, thanking your lucky stars that you didn't get all the way to Colorado before realizing what a bonehead you are.

Hypothetically speaking, of course.

 

[Bsenecal]

Some tips I’ll offer specific to the Bronco, feel free to add to the list. I’ve got a 2022 Badlands with a 2.7 and 4A.

I’ve towed my Bronco over 16,000 miles and hooked/unhooked it and put it in/out of flat tow mode without an issue over 100 times. I stopped pulling fuses after the software fix in late 2022 and haven’t had any issues with brakes locking (I’ve heard the 2025 requires the fuses to be pulled but won’t address that here). I keep a printed copy of the latest instructions in the Bronco and follow those exactly every time. Before each trip I’ll go into the manual online and print a new copy of the instructions just in case something changed that I’m not aware of.


Other tips I’ll offer:

1) Make sure the parking brake isn‘t engaged when pulling the Bronco in behind the RV to hook it up. (I won’t tell you I’ve never forgotten this step!)


2) Fully depress the brake pedal when putting the Bronco into flat tow mode. “Fully depress“ means push it all the way down and continue pushing hard, you‘ll feel it go further when the Bronco goes into flat tow mode and shuts off the EBB.


3) Shut off the RV so you can listen for the transmission to shift when the Bronco goes into flat tow mode. I hear this every time and I’m a 60 year old hunter who’s also attended a bunch of rock concerts so my hearing isn’t great. If you don’t hear it shift then take it out of flat tow mode and start over.


4) Make sure you complete the last step and shut the accessories off by pressing the start button without touching pedals. I personally think this is a critical step that’s easy to forget yet important to keep the battery from running down and creating an issue with the transmission and/or EBB.


5) Don‘t leave the key fob in the Bronco. There‘s zero reason to leave the keys in the Bronco when it‘s being towed but we all know if your keys are in your pocket or in the Bronco when you’re working around it (when washing it, etc) you’ll continually hear the Bronco make strange noises as it communicates with the Bronco. This could also contribute to battery drainage. I also never lock the doors.


6) When taking the Bronco out of flat tow mode again fully depress the brake pedal. I mean try to push that sucker through the floor board and hold it until the digital dash reads flat tow disengaged and the Bronco shows it’s in P for park. Since doing this on my current trip I’ve had zero issues with the Bronco doing that shift inhibit thing it had done in the past that’s hard to get corrected.

Great tips, you have a beautiful Dutch Star and nice 2 door Bronco. Hope to join you out on the road soon when my wife retires.
Brian

 

[labattbluebronco]

Thank you for the tips. The only step I didn't follow when I had my issue was to remove the key fob. If I ever get brave enough to try flat towing my bronco again, I will try that step.

 

[evofxdwg]

Thanks for the tips. In process of setting up our new 24 Badlands Sasquatch up for towing behind the Canyon Star. I will make up a checklist and laminate it. Probably include your extra steps about listening, depressing brake, and verifying 'off" as well.

Im also mulling over a Hall effect sensor to sense if a specific drive shaft is turning and send an alarm signal up the same wire I use at the motorhome dash (LED light) to positively indicate braking is applied. This idea came from another string here on flat towing but I dont think anyone has posted a circuit yet. Not even sure which drive shaft to sense yet.

 

[Tilzbow]

Here’s another one after seeing my old picture the admin added:

Get a stacker hitch receptacle and move the bike rack to the motorhome above the tow bar. It makes is so much easier because you don’t have to take the bike rack off the Bronco (I prefer not having to deal with bikes when parking, backing up or accessing the rear of the Bronco). This works great if you’re like us and almost always use the bikes from the campsite vs driving the Bronco to a bike trail. On the rare occasion I need to drive the Bronco to a biking area, I’ll move the rack to the Bronco.

I’ll add a picture in a while.

Here’s the picture of the stacker hitch. Because my Bronco’s bumper connection points are 29” off the ground I needed a 10” riser hitch for the tow bars. I had a welding shop that specializes in hitches weld a second receptacle 6” (center to center) above the 10” high one. I probably should’ve gone 7” so the tow bars are a little easier to stow. I really like this setup and haven’t had any issues with the bikes coming close to the Bronco even while making sharp turns.

 

[Fordified1]

Thanks for the tips. In process of setting up our new 24 Badlands Sasquatch up for towing behind the Canyon Star. I will make up a checklist and laminate it. Probably include your extra steps about listening, depressing brake, and verifying 'off" as well.

Im also mulling over a Hall effect sensor to sense if a specific drive shaft is turning and send an alarm signal up the same wire I use at the motorhome dash (LED light) to positively indicate braking is applied. This idea came from another string here on flat towing but I dont think anyone has posted a circuit yet. Not even sure which drive shaft to sense yet.

The only shaft that it would do you any good to sense whether it’s turning or not is the output shaft of the transmission, your driveshafts are going to turn. If you figure out a cost effective way to put a sensor on that transmission output shaft, you would be a hero .

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