Flat towing an F-150

[Hawkeye]

Anyone flat towing a newer F 150 4x4? Just spent 2 hours trying to get the transfer case on my 2019 F 150 to shift to neutral. Did exactly what the manual spells out and have had no luck. Any advice would be greatly appreciated, Thanks

[CARLnJANIS]

Originally Posted by Hawkeye

Did exactly what the manual spells out and have had no luck. Any advice would be greatly appreciated, Thanks

In that case, I would take it to the dealer and let them show me what I was doing wrong. The manual may be incorrect.

[CptCook]

Mine was a 2013. A little older, but never an issue. I looked at your owner's manual. It is the same procedure as mine was....key in and on (but engine off), press and hold brake pedal, trans in neutral, turn the transfer case selector switch from 2H all the way to 4L and back again 5 times within 7 seconds. You do have to make sure you start in 2H, go all the way to 4L, then back all the way to 2H each of the 5 times, or it won't shift. Hope you get it working!

[CaptainGizmo]

My ‘17 Raptor has the Neutral Tow function in the dash menu!

This is different than other models, so check to see if you’re using the correct procedure, eg my ‘12 Raptor was activated by rotating the 4WD knob 5 times.

[Hawkeye]

I guess back to the dealer, I didn't know if there had been an update to the procedure or maybe a blown fuse?

[mricet1005]

I have 2018 and don’t have any major issue, but the timing on the 5 switches between 2H and 4L in 7 sec can be temperamental. I’ve had on occasion to try multiple times. Try adjusting speed of turning dial faster or slower to see if works.

On 2018 procedure - press start button without touching brake to turn on accessory power, put into 2H, put transmission into neutral with foot on brake, rotate the 4x4 selector switch as described above, should get message on dash that in neutral tow mode, press start button with foot off brake to turn power off.

As I said, works for me but timing sometimes finicky.

[Randyman1]

If memory serves me on mine, accessory power on without touching the brake pedal. Once powered up, then hold the brake pedal and shift trans into neutral, never taking your foot off the brake, rotate the 4x4 knob from 2h to 4l 5 times. While doing so it will show transfer case shift in progress in your dash display. The only time it won’t work for me this way is if I have the truck in a bind on a slope or if my towbar has tension on it from backing the truck up to latch it. You could have a problem, but having the power on first without touching the brake is possibly your problem?

[lwmcguire]

Originally Posted by Randyman1

If memory serves me on mine, accessory power on without touching the brake pedal. Once powered up, then hold the brake pedal and shift trans into neutral, never taking your foot off the brake, rotate the 4x4 knob from 2h to 4l 5 times. While doing so it will show transfer case shift in progress in your dash display. The only time it won’t work for me this way is if I have the truck in a bind on a slope or if my towbar has tension on it from backing the truck up to latch it. You could have a problem, but having the power on first without touching the brake is possibly your problem?

Only way it will work

Don't forget to turn accessory power off

[Ann n Gene]

I not only have to have my 2017 in neutral but also my foot on the brake, AND the engine can be running on mine, in fact always is when I do that. All JMHO

[danleininger]

Originally Posted by Randyman1

If memory serves me on mine, accessory power on without touching the brake pedal. Once powered up, then hold the brake pedal and shift trans into neutral, never taking your foot off the brake, rotate the 4x4 knob from 2h to 4l 5 times. While doing so it will show transfer case shift in progress in your dash display. The only time it won’t work for me this way is if I have the truck in a bind on a slope or if my towbar has tension on it from backing the truck up to latch it. You could have a problem, but having the power on first without touching the brake is possibly your problem?

Ditto

[lwmcguire]

Originally Posted by Ann n Gene

I not only have to have my 2017 in neutral but also my foot on the brake, AND the engine can be running on mine, in fact always is when I do that. All JMHO

Won't even begin to work with the engine running on mine

You put your foot on the brake after hitting the start button

Interesting you can put it in while running

Now taking it out I can have engine running

[Ann n Gene]

I try to take mine out by putting it to drive then reverse with the button pressed to on and no foot on brake so it doesn’t start to get it out of tow mode before starting. Otherwise I sometimes get a grinding sound of gears clashing when I first put it in gear. You can hear it shift out of tow mode if you listen close. Mine has always gone into tow mode easily with engine running. All JMHO

[lwmcguire]

Originally Posted by Ann n Gene

I try to take mine out by putting it to drive then reverse with the button pressed to on and no foot on brake so it doesn’t start to get it out of tow mode before starting. Otherwise I sometimes get a grinding sound of gears clashing when I first put it in gear. You can hear it shift out of tow mode if you listen close. Mine has always gone into tow mode easily with engine running. All JMHO

Interesting as it certainly is supposed be be shut off

Just checked mine to be sure and it will not shift to neautral with the engine running

Be curious if anyone else has tried this

Best way to take it out is same as to put it in neautral

[BPeas]

With our 2015 Platinum, after powering on to accessory without pressing the break pedal, we have to acknowledge any of the warnings by pressing ok. Then you can follow the instructions in the manual to apply the brake and place shifter in neutral. Then turn the 4 wheel selector from 2H to 4L and back to 2H 5 times in 7 seconds. It then should shift the transfer case into neutral. After the "transfer case is in tow mode" message shows up on the screen, be sure to turn off the power and take the non-default (can't remember the option) for the security system. That way on the 2015 the alarm doesn't go off when you start towing and the odometer doesn't increment the mileage of your trip.