Ford claims flat towing our 4 mo. old Bronco destroyed the transmission (not covering under warranty)

[Brian’sBronco]

So you can’t park the car on the trailer at these RV parks. Lol
I too don’t understand why people don’t uses trailers. Makes no sense to me to flat tow a vehicle.

You can if there’s room or if you don’t have to back in to the spot. There has been times when my 34’ motor home fit on the pad but had to park next to it or the Jeep would’ve been out in the road. Have I been at some campgrounds that I could’ve had a trailer and been fine, sure but why limit myself when these vehicles are designed from the manufacturer to be towed flat. Once again Ford has found a way to make something way more complicated than needs be and will try to weasel out of covering any unintentional damages.

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[PaBronco]

The Bronco can’t be flat towed. Sorry about your transmission. Live and learn.
https://www.blueox.com/what-vehicles-can-be-flat-towed/#:~:text=Typically, a car with rear,is suitable for flat towing.

Interesting that the Blue Ox info states.: "One of the most popular trucks for flat towing is the Ford F-150. " This statement is under a photo of a F150 Lightning which cannot be flat towed. I think that would confuse some people.

 

[BadlandsA51]

I trailer mine to trails that are long distance, I have flat towed Jeeps in the past. I am not a fan of flat tow because if you break on the trail most likely you can’t flat tow home.

I was talking to one of the risk management guys at the Utility Company I work for, he was telling me about how all the new cars and grucks these days essentially have a data recorder that tells fhem when it was put in drive, speed, when brakes are applied, turn signals etc...

This is something Iam sure Ford can track as to if the correct procedure was applied to engage flat tow.

Thats the only way they can deny a claim.

So what was your denial reason???

Silence is deafening.

That data recorder he was referring to is in the restraints control module and it only records in the event of air bag deployment. No other modules on the vehicle record with exception of the Powertrain Control Module, it records select parameters in the event of a DTC being stored. No module would record the process of selecting flat tow mode.

 

[swami37]

You can if there’s room or if you don’t have to back in to the spot. There has been times when my 34’ motor home fit on the pad but had to park next to it or the Jeep would’ve been out in the road. Have I been at some campgrounds that I could’ve had a trailer and been fine, sure but why limit myself when these vehicles are designed from the manufacturer to be towed flat. Once again Ford has found a way to make something way more complicated than needs be and will try to weasel out of covering any unintentional damages.

So that’s the problem. People can not back a trailer up.

 

[Az_Squatch_Bronco]

That data recorder he was referring to is in the restraints control module and it only records in the event of air bag deployment. No other modules on the vehicle record with exception of the Powertrain Control Module, it records select parameters in the event of a DTC being stored. No module would record the process of selecting flat tow mode.

Then my guess a DTC was recorded and whatever that code was, was why they denied the warranty claim.

 

[Az_Squatch_Bronco]

If this is a problem with the flat tow mode, it would be affecting other models as the technology used is probably the same throughout the Ford line up.

 

[Az_Squatch_Bronco]

There is this....which appears not be a warrantable issue. Not sure it's related.

 

[beuch]

Waited almost 3 years to get my Bronco. Had to forgo the hardtop. I had it for 3 weeks and the transmission went out. took 3 months to get a new tranny. I wonder if they just have problems with the transmissions? Never towed it or towed anything with it. 1032 miles on it.

 

[dgorsett]

Not once when pulling my Wrangler did I ever turn the key to unlock the steering wheel and never had any issues with my Jeep tracking behind the motor home.

Curious, what year? With my 2005 you had to turn key to first notch or steering would lock up in a sharp turn,

 

[BadlandsA51]

Then my guess a DTC was recorded and whatever that code was, was why they denied the warranty claim.

No DTCs will be recorded with the key off. The RCM can still record if power goes off in a collision, it has capacitor back-up power. No other modules do.

 

[Brian’sBronco]

Curious, what year? With my 2005 you had to turn key to first notch or steering would lock up in a sharp turn,

2014, pretty sure the JK and newer are non locking.
Not sure why Ford couldn’t have programmed the steering to unlock when Neutral Tow was engaged, would make knowing you we’re still in drive mode much easier.

 

[Brian’sBronco]

So that’s the problem. People can not back a trailer up.

Yep that’s it, just a bunch of idiots towing flat because trailers are too darn scary to back up.

 

[tfrazier]

Owner's manual states it can:

https://www.fordservicecontent.com/...A&div=f&vFilteringEnabled=False&buildtype=web

The Bronco can’t be flat towed. Sorry about your transmission. Live and learn.
https://www.blueox.com/what-vehicle..., a car with rear,is suitable for flat towing.

 

[tfrazier]

The Bronco can’t be flat towed. Sorry about your transmission. Live and learn.
https://www.blueox.com/what-vehicle..., a car with rear,is suitable for flat towing.

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