Flat Towing - Strong “burnt” smell first drive after flat tow

[ScooterISU]

I have just flat towed my 2022 Big Bend over the past week in two 600 mile legs of a trip. I’m experiencing a strong “burnt” smell the first time I’ve driven it after each leg. Can’t tell if it’s a brake or oil smell. On the first leg , after initially smelling it the first time driving, it didn’t produce the smell driving it the rest of the week.

Has anyone experienced anything similar?

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[grtharris]

Road crud on the exhaust system. Leave you heater/ac off for a few minutes when you first drive the Bronco after towing.

 

[Ford Motor Company]

I have just flat towed my 2022 Big Bend over the past week in two 600 mile legs of a trip. I’m experiencing a strong “burnt” smell the first time I’ve driven it after each leg. Can’t tell if it’s a brake or oil smell. On the first leg , after initially smelling it the first time driving, it didn’t produce the smell driving it the rest of the week.

Has anyone experienced anything similar?

Hello! Could you privately message us with your VIN and the name and location of your Ford dealer so I can look into this burnt smell concern for you? Thank you!

 

[LRBTN]

Don’t worry about it. I towed Explorers and Jeeps behind motorhomes for over 50k miles. It is very common and as grtharris said it is road crud and will burn off. A frequent question on Motorhome forums.

 

[Ranbronc]

I toad from Florida to Moab took over 300 miles to burn off the crud,had to open the windows a few times it was so bad, just did a short trip and 30 minutes took care of it

 

[ScooterISU]

Thanks everyone for your replies. It makes me feel more comfortable that it’s not unusual. And the smell is pretty much gone the second day of driving it after the trip.

 

[Fordified1]

The smell is generated from the rv (tire debris and diesel smoke) and collects in the ac and heater ducts unless you make sure the system is in recirculate mode before you turn it off right before flat towing. Had the same issue with 2 other cars I flat towed and switching to recirculate or “max cool” before shutting it off solved the problem.

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