Flat Towing must pull fuses

[psdtime]

I've decided to live on the edge and not pull fuses. I mounted the AF1 on top of the fuse box with velcro, and it can just be laid aside.

As bad as the idea of pulling fuses is, the timeout you're supposed to wait for it to enter sleepy mode is a PITA as well.

I'm wondering now, why not just disconnect the battery totally? There's no draw, tail lights are powered by the coach, EBB is in-op anyway if we pull the fuses...

I agree that the 5 minute wait on both sides (connecting and disconnecting) might be the worst part. I remember having to hook up my Rubicon in a snow storm on the side of the road at 4:30am. It would have sucked if I had wait that extra 5 minutes. I do feel that disconnecting the battery would be worse however. Wouldn't you have to reprogram on the radio settings and such:? Also too, you would no longer be able to check if you were in flat tow mode. As much as I hate the idea of pulling fuses, I plan to see if I can add tape or something on them so I won't need tools to remove them. To be honest, I haven't even looked at them yet, so I don't know what type they are. I thought I was going to tow this weekend, but that plan changed, so I have time for more research.

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[Fordified1]

I'm wondering now, why not just disconnect the battery totally? There's no draw, tail lights are powered by the coach, EBB is in-op anyway if we pull the fuses...

Because then you risk the bigger issue of the Bronco possibly not staying in tow mode and destroying your transmission. Not sure you’re aware, but there is or was a software issue that caused the transfer case to shift back into gear while flat towing ruining the transmission, and in several cases Ford denied warranty, blaming it on the owners. Some believe it may have been because they didn’t have a charge line keeping the battery charged while towing. So unhooking the battery would be very risky I believe.

Curious, do you have an automatic transmission or standard?

 

[63GBPackerfan]

I've decided to live on the edge and not pull fuses. I mounted the AF1 on top of the fuse box with velcro, and it can just be laid aside.

As bad as the idea of pulling fuses is, the timeout you're supposed to wait for it to enter sleepy mode is a PITA as well.

I'm wondering now, why not just disconnect the battery totally? There's no draw, tail lights are powered by the coach, EBB is in-op anyway if we pull the fuses...

Unless they’ve fixed it, if your battery drains or is disconnected, the transmission will shift into Park (ask me how i know).

 

[dgorsett]

Because then you risk the bigger issue of the Bronco possibly not staying in tow mode and destroying your transmission. Not sure you’re aware, but there is or was a software issue that caused the transfer case to shift back into gear while flat towing ruining the transmission, and in several cases Ford denied warranty, blaming it on the owners. Some believe it may have been because they didn’t have a charge line keeping the battery charged while towing. So unhooking the battery would be very risky I believe.

Curious, do you have an automatic transmission or standard?

Good point. I made a comment in favor of a battery disco but deleted it upon seeing your post. One must look for unintended consequences.

 

[Oilbrnr]

I have a manual transmission.

The question is, if you put in tow/haul and then disconnect, when you reconnect the battery, can you can get it out of tow/haul.

 

[Oilbrnr]

Because then you risk the bigger issue of the Bronco possibly not staying in tow mode and destroying your transmission.

Curious, do you have an automatic transmission or standard?

The transfer case is not going to come out of neutral without battery power to the servo motor to actuate shifting.

I have a manual.

 

[Fordified1]

The transfer case is not going to come out of neutral without battery power to the servo motor to actuate shifting.

I have a manual.

The Advanced transfer case has a clutch inside that many of us believe is disengaged for flat tow. Are you positive it won’t automatically re-engage if voltage is lost? That being said. If you have a manual transmission, transmission damage is much less likely if the TC went back in gear.

 

[dgorsett]

The Advanced transfer case has a clutch inside that many of us believe is disengaged for flat tow. Are you positive it won’t automatically re-engage if voltage is lost? That being said. If you have a manual transmission, transmission damage is much less likely if the TC went back in gear.

If the 4wd clutch requires power to stay disengaged it would explain a lot, you would think it would default to disengaged however.

Apparently the output of the transmission sling some oil since we've never heard of a failure with a manual.

 

[psdtime]

Does anyone know that type of fuses they are? I would like to get some spares in case I drop one.

 

[Fordified1]

If the 4wd clutch requires power to stay disengaged it would explain a lot, you would think it would default to disengaged however.

Apparently the output of the transmission sling some oil since we've never heard of a failure with a manual.

I agree and really nobody knows for sure, it’s just taking a chance to unhook the battery that I would not be willing to take.

 

[JWN]

Does anyone know that type of fuses they are? I would like to get some spares in case I drop one.

I think these are Ford special. See pic.

 

[kcmusa]

As I read all this I am thinking this happens if the battery voltage drops to some level.
What if one adds some more battery?
maybe a cigarette lighter adapter to another battery in the cab.

 

[gmatonak]

As I read all this I am thinking this happens if the battery voltage drops to some level.
What if one adds some more battery?
maybe a cigarette lighter adapter to another battery in the cab.

I was thinking the same thing. I bought a Jackery Power station that can charge the Bronco battery from in the cab. Also I am confused by Fords statement “Note: If you are using a supplemental braking system, follow steps 9-14. If not, the activation process is complete, and your vehicle is ready to be towed.” In what scenario would you not be using a braking system when flat towing any vehicle over 3000lbs.

 

[psdtime]

I was thinking the same thing. I bought a Jackery Power station that can charge the Bronco battery from in the cab. Also I am confused by Fords statement “Note: If you are using a supplemental braking system, follow steps 9-14. If not, the activation process is complete, and your vehicle is ready to be towed.” In what scenario would you not be using a braking system when flat towing any vehicle over 3000lbs.

There might be some states that do not require it. I used to do it with my 2005 Rubicon LJ before I knew it was a law. Unfortunately, Ford isn't saying to make sure you keep your battery charged and you will be safe, they are saying to pull the fuses and leaving no gray area. You would think they could program it into the flat tow mode or whatever they call it. They probably have but just don't trust it as I think it was suggested already.

 

[Prescott Duner]

Does anyone know that type of fuses they are? I would like to get some spares in case I drop one.

These, from Amazon

28 Pcs 15A 20A 25A 30A 40A 50A 60A 32V Mini Slotted Automotive MCASE Shaped Cartridge Fuse Kit

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