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Road Rambler · 01-05-2014, 08:26 PM

I just bought a 2013 Ford Explorer and will be towing it behind my motorhome. Does anyone have one they tow and know if it counts the miles while being towed and what you have to do before towing it. This Explorer is a four wheel drive automatic. Do I need a brake system on it even if I mostly use the engine brake on the motorhome to stop with ?

Harlee79 · 01-05-2014, 09:48 PM

It does not count miles. Refer to your manual, but I believe you need to move the trans in a certain order. set your air to recirculate. run a charge wire, even though the manual doesn't mention it. I traded my 2013 explorer, as I had many problems towing it, having much better luck with my Acadia.

Road Rambler · 01-06-2014, 08:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Harlee79

It does not count miles. Refer to your manual, but I believe you need to move the trans in a certain order. set your air to recirculate. run a charge wire, even though the manual doesn't mention it. I traded my 2013 explorer, as I had many problems towing it, having much better luck with my Acadia.

What kind of problem did you have ? How do you run a charge line ?

Dennis4809 · 01-06-2014, 08:21 AM

Our daughter has a 2013 Explorer AWD and when I checked the owners manual, it said that you could not tow unless on a trailer. No four down and no dolly. Does yours have a different drive system?

Dennis4809 · 01-06-2014, 08:27 AM

As for the brake, lots of discussion but most feel that most states require a supplemental brake system. My Susuki weighs less than 3,000 lbs and we use a Brake Buddy. Your Explorer weighs a lot more and I'd definitely use a brake system. Granted its rare but if it was to become disconnected, you'd want the break away switch to lock the brakes and hopefully not kill the folks in the oncoming lane.

Road Rambler · 01-06-2014, 08:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dennis4809

Our daughter has a 2013 Explorer AWD and when I checked the owners manual, it said that you could not tow unless on a trailer. No four down and no dolly. Does yours have a different drive system?

We have the four wheel drive. Manual says to put it in neutral and put in accessory mode. Not sure about how to put in that mode and someone mentioned a charge cable not sure about that either.

Dennis4809 · 01-06-2014, 08:59 AM

Many require the ignition switch to be in the accessory position so that the steering is not locked. Supplemental brakes often use a compressor so need electrical power. Plus when they push the brake pedal, the brake lights are on. A charge line from the motorhome to the toad battery will prevent a low or dead battery. Not a big deal as you should already have a line available in the plug on the back of your motorhome. Be easier to give good answers if you update your signature to include make/model/year of your motorhome.

Dennis

Dennis4809 · 01-06-2014, 09:02 AM

One other point, you say you have 4 wheel drive vs the AWD. Does that mean that you have a transfer that could be put in neutral. Many including our Dodge ans Susuki with 4 wheel drive only require that you put the transfer in neutral and the trans in park.

Dennis4809 · 01-06-2014, 09:08 AM

Here's a lot of good info on towing.

http://www.royrobinsonrv.com/images/...yGuide2013.pdf

Harlee79 · 01-06-2014, 08:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Road Rambler

What kind of problem did you have ? How do you run a charge line ?

Dead batteries, we had a limited so no key. When the battery goes dead enough it can, and for us did lose its sync with the key fob. So no way to start without re syncing the key fobs. Dealers require a tow to perform this, no fun while on vacation.

Charge line is a power connection from your rv to the toad battery to keep it from going dead. Ford manual doesn't mention it being required, but it absolutely is if you are towing for more than a few hours.

JohnBoyToo · 01-06-2014, 08:41 PM

We have the 13 Explorer Sport - great little fun vehicle with the twin turbos,
but I would never consider 4 down towing... even IF the manual and Ford says it's ok with 17 steps of stuff...

it's primarily front drive, but is somewhat of a hybrid AWD... (no transfer case, etc...)

Do you know you can plug your key in the center glove box ?
at least on ours there's a slot in the bottom front of the console... might look into what that does for you...

RVRon · 01-13-2014, 10:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnBoyToo

We have the 13 Explorer Sport - great little fun vehicle with the twin turbos, but I would never consider 4 down towing... even IF the manual and Ford says it's ok with 17 steps of stuff... it's primarily front drive, but is somewhat of a hybrid AWD... (no transfer case, etc...) ...

Is there some reason, mechanical or electrical or some other reason you wouldn't tow the Sport 4-down? In reading your post, I couldn't understand why you would not. The lists that I read did not exclude it.
I am seriously considering trading my Chevy Tahoe for a 2014 Sport and your post gave me some pause. Please explain ?

Dutch Star David · 01-13-2014, 10:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Road Rambler

I just bought a 2013 Ford Explorer and will be towing it behind my motorhome. Does anyone have one they tow and know if it counts the miles while being towed and what you have to do before towing it. This Explorer is a four wheel drive automatic. Do I need a brake system on it even if I mostly use the engine brake on the motorhome to stop with ?

Read the section in your owner's manual entitled "Recreational Towing." My 2012 manual specifically prohibits towing All WD four down but does have a procedure for towing Front WD four down. (2013 may be different so read your manual.) I do pull the negative battery cable when towing. If set up properly, break lights, etc. will work in synch with your MH lights.