Flat towing a new 2017 Ford Edge

[JackSprat]

Hey all, we just purchased a new 2017 Ford Edge SEL. Local dealer is installing base plate and electrical assemblies next Thursday and we will be picking it up next Friday with MH. I have some specific questions;

• Negative battery disconnect is recommended by Ford. Once installed on the battery post, how to work activate door locks?
• Read about adding battery disconnect switch to inside vehicle for convenience - attaches to + battery lead. Any issues vs attaching manual cutoff to - battery post?
• Ford recommends driving under 65mph. What is your driving speed?
• Is a mud/stone guard necessary with our class C? If so attach to RV or tow bar?
• We have a TPMS on MH, any need to add to toad?
• Any other info you want to share from experience?

[Tom-NC]

Hi,

One note about towing Ford Edge and that is I believe you are overweight for your Class C. The Edge must weigh in the neighborhood of 4000 lbs which I think will exceed the GCVW of the Class C. Your Class C GCVW will the weight of the class c plus the weight of the vehicle.

You can also check the plate on the Class C that will give you that info.

Good Luck!

[MRUSA14]

Originally Posted by JackSprat

Hey all, we just purchased a new 2017 Ford Edge SEL. Local dealer is installing base plate and electrical assemblies next Thursday and we will be picking it up next Friday with MH. I have some specific questions;

• Negative battery disconnect is recommended by Ford. Once installed on the battery post, how to work activate door locks?
• Read about adding battery disconnect switch to inside vehicle for convenience - attaches to + battery lead. Any issues vs attaching manual cutoff to - battery post?
• Ford recommends driving under 65mph. What is your driving speed?
• Is a mud/stone guard necessary with our class C? If so attach to RV or tow bar?
• We have a TPMS on MH, any need to add to toad?
• Any other info you want to share from experience?

I am just installing tow setup on my new 2018 Lincoln MKX which is similar to your Edge. Can't comment on all your questions but here are the issues that I know about based on 15 years experience towing other vehicles:

Battery disconnect: Much better to include a charge line from your RV battery to the Edge battery. It can be wired through the same connector that carries your light signals so no additional prep required for towing. Just make sure to include a 15A or (better) 30A fuse within 4 inches of EACH of the two batteries. This will keep your car battery charged all the time and you won't need to disconnect the car battery.

65MPH: I would adhere to this as going faster can destroy your transmission AND your car's warranty.

Mud/stone guard. I highly recommend the Protectatow guard. It will protect your car and is easy to install.

TPMS on toad? YES. Without a TPMS on toad you can have a flat tire on toad and never know it before serious damage is done. There are numerous TPMS systems out there, here is the one I use and it works well: https://eezrvproduct.com/t/tire-pressure-and-temperature-monitoring-systems-tpms-3.

You didn't mention a tow brake in the car, and I think that one is necessary in order to be both safe and responsible. You don't want to ever be in the sad position of injuring or killing someone when taking the precaution of using a tow brake would have prevented it.

[JesseS]

I would echo a lot of what MRUSA14 said, you can bypass all of the work installing the battery disconnect if you add a battery charging line to your tow connector as he described. Honda also recommends 65 for my CR-V but that is my preferred speed in any case, and if you want your toad to stay looking new I would highly suggest the rock guard. TPMS on all tires for sure, I had a slow leak on my toad and would have never known except for the alarm on the TPMS. Most states require a supplemental braking system on anything towed in excess of 1500 lbs weight. Good luck and be safe out there.

[777 Driver]

Check page 238 of your Owner's Manual where you'll find specific instructions regarding recreational towing.

Pay careful attention to those instructions.

ANY deviation from that protocol puts you at risk of violating your warranty.

Any RESPONSIBLE installer of your tow equipment will go over that information with you.

There are those in this forum who will tell you that they KNOW that you can install a charge line from the tow vehicle to the battery in your Edge which will allow you to tow without disconnecting the battery on your Edge.

That may be true. However, you need to be aware that if any damage to your transmission occurs that can be demonstrated by Ford to have been caused because you didn't follow their approved procedures will be your responsibility.

That being said, many have claimed to tow their Edges many, many miles with a charge line installed and no damage to their transmissions.

Do what you're comfortable with.

Take care,
Stu

[Gidyupgo]

JackSprat, we bought the Protectatow for 4 down towing our GMC Acadia and couldn't be more pleased. It really is simple to connect / disconnect once you get the eye-bolts on the bumper of your rig. On the car, I just made a small hole on the left and right corners off the lower spoiler or air dam and just put the snap hook there. When we get to camp and unhook I disconnect from the car air dam and fold it over the RV bumper and leave it attached. We don't drive on a lot of gravel roads, but stay in a lot of campgrounds where pebbles get stuck in the truck treads and you can hear the front ones banging against the fenderwells as they come loose, so now I feel confident that the Protectatow is protecting the car from any that come off the back tires.