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Cooperhawk · 08-24-2017, 10:29 AM

I cannot get Acrobat to work on my computer right now, but here is a handy guide for Ford.

RV & Trailer Towing Guides | fleet.ford.com

Cooperhawk · 08-24-2017, 11:03 AM

I got it to open. Straight from Ford.

Many motorhome owners prefer the practicality of
having another vehicle along when they travel. In
fact, towing another vehicle behind the motorhome
has become more and more popular in recent years.
Furthermore, many of those who want to tow
another vehicle prefer one that can be easily towed
without a dolly or trailer. The car and truck models
shown in the chart at right can be towed with all four
wheels down. For safe operation, towed vehicles (or
dollies or trailers carrying them) should be equipped
with a separate functional brake system.

2015 SUVs and Trucks
Explorer 3.5L (FWD/AWD) N/A Yes (3)(4)(5)
Explorer 3.5L EcoBoost® (AWD) N/A Yes (3)(4)(5)
Expedition 4x4 N/A Yes (9)
F-150 4x4 N/A Yes (9)
F-250/F-350/F-450/F-550 Super Duty 4x4 N/A Yes (6)
(1) Maximum speed is 70 mph.
(2) Transmission must be in neutral during four-wheel-down towing (ignition must be “ON” before shifting into
neutral, see Owner’s Manual).
(3) All-wheel-drive/Intelligent 4WD vehicles cannot be towed on a dolly.
(4) Maximum speed with automatic transmission is 65 mph.
(5) Start the engine and allow it to run for five (5) minutes at the beginning of each day and every six (6) hours
thereafter.

bigben · 08-24-2017, 11:06 AM

First off sorry I didn't respond earlier. But here is our experience.

We've towed our 2013 Ford Explorer Limited for about 42,000+ miles. No issues except for a dead battery that is needed to operate your supplemental 12 volt system. We have the BlueOx tow bar, base plate and wiring harness. Started out with the BlueOx Autostop but I now refer to that as AutoJunk, it just didn't provide me the supplemental brakes that I wanted. After a white knuckler on Route 16 down into Ten Sleep, WY: we invested in a Brake Buddy Classic. It works great.

Hook up takes me about 3 minutes. Unhooking takes me about 1 minute. We don't like to drive more 5-6 hours per day, so stopping isn't an issue.

Procedure for our Explorer:

1. Before towing, start the engine and idle for about 5-10 minutes.

2. After hooking up tow bar and with the engine running, back up slightly to lock tow bar into place. Put shift selector into Park.

3. Put Shift selector into Drive and let set for about 15 seconds.

4. Put Shift Selector into Reverse and let set for about 15 seconds.

5. Put Shift Selector in Neutal and let set for about 15 seconds.

6. Turn engine off, leaving Shift Selector in Neutral.

7. Place Brake Buddy in position and plug into 12 volt. Follow Brake Buddy setup process.

A couple of additional lessons.

1. Make sure your battery is in a good solid charge state. If not, your supplemental brake system (if using 12 volts) won't work.

2. When unhooking. Sometimes tow bar pins cannot be removed from Base Plate. Easy answer. Wrap tow cables around tow bar release handles (making sure they are depressed) then move Explorer forward about 4 inches. Done.

Hope this helps.

Cooperhawk · 08-24-2017, 12:03 PM

Thanks, good advice.

Cooperhawk · 08-26-2017, 01:03 PM

OK, so now I"m planning on a Hopkins 39504 Brake Buddy. Thanks for the advice.

bigben · 08-26-2017, 07:05 PM

CopperHawk - good move on the Brake Buddy. The AutoStop just didn't do it for us.

Safetysteve5 · 09-24-2017, 12:10 PM

We tow a 2015 Ford Explorer with Blue Ox base plate and B/O Aladdin tow bar with SMI Air Force One toad braking. Even with a charge line we sometimes experience a dead on arrival toad battery. That is my only complaint with this setup. I also installed independent tail light bulbs in the existing housings to avoid tapping into the Explorer electrical system. The independent bulbs operate with the coach lights (tail, brake and turn signal) and then the Explorer brake lights also come on when the SMI proportional braking actually activates the Explorer brake pedal. I ran a wire to the coach dash from the Explorer brake light switch that activates a red light on the dash which confirms the brake pedal actually moved. Did entire towing setup myself and it went very well. Explorer tows like it isn't even there. Towing with a 2015 THOR Palazzo 33.3

Craig36 · 09-24-2017, 12:22 PM

I tow a 1998 Ford Explorer 4X4, but it required modification to tow.

Ask the service manager at a Ford dealership, and he can tell yours is towable as is, or if it needs modification.

Ford no longer sells the modification kit, but I have contact info for the company who made them fir Ford and they will sell you one, if needed.