Can You Flat Tow A Ford Maverick?

If you are an avid RV traveler, you have probably looked into what it would take to tow a smaller vehicle behind your RV. However, how you can tow a vehicle behind an RV will vary by the model of the vehicle being towed. Should you be considering towing a Ford Maverick, you might be wondering if this popular pickup truck can be flat towed. We researched the Ford Maverick from numerous popular sources, so you will have a definite answer before you hit the road.

In most cases, you cannot flat tow a Ford Maverick. You can, however, flat tow the hybrid edition of the Ford Maverick, but this requires some additional steps that most do not feel are worth the time. Rather than flat tow, Ford Maverick owners will opt for other methods of towing their pickup truck behind their RVs. 

Now that we know that most Ford Maverick pickup trucks cannot be flat towed, we'll take a closer look at this towing method. You might also be curious if flat towing is safe or if flat towing is even legal to do. Is flat towing hard on your tires? Are you able to reverse while flat towing a vehicle? For the answers to these questions and more, read ahead in this post to see what our research has uncovered. 

Close up of a useful 4x4 REAR TOW BAR with safety lock and some dried mud. Can You Flat Tow A Ford Maverick

What does flat towing mean?

Flat towing is the process of towing a vehicle in which all four wheels of the vehicle are on the ground. It is also referred to as "four-down towing" and "dinghy towing." The latter name is a reference to a large boat towing a smaller one behind it. That is why you might see the towed vehicle being referred to as the "dinghy" on some internet forums.

To flat tow, you'll need to attach a tow bar between the two vehicles. The tow bar is connected via a tow hitch and a tow hitch receiver. 

For a vehicle to be flat towed without damaging it, it must be configured in a certain way. Most of the time, vehicles with a manual transmission can be flat towed, as can many 4x4s. Front-wheel drive, rear-wheel drive, and all-wheel drive vehicles cannot usually be towed flat, as they will suffer severe transmission damage.

While there are some steps you can take with some of these vehicles to flat tow them safely, it can be a complicated process. Most people who own all-wheel drives, front-wheel, and rear-wheel drive vehicles opt for alternative towing methods behind their RVs. 

Itasca Sunova pulling a 2015 Jeep Wrangler in beautiful Newbury Park CA. Can You Flat Tow A Ford Maverick

Flat Towing the Ford Maverick

As we stated earlier, the Ford Maverick can only be flat towed if it is the hybrid model. The 2.0-liter EcoBoost14 The following conditions and steps must be taken to perform flat towing properly and safely:

new 2022 ford maverick vehicle displayed, Can-You-Flat-Tow-A-Ford-Maverick

  1. Do not exceed 70 mph
  2. Put the vehicle in "neutral tow" mode; follow these procedures found in the owner's manual
  3. If you're towing the vehicle a long distance, run the engine for one minute at the start of each day (or every 6 hours)

Is Flat Towing Safe?

Flat towing is a safe way to tow behind a larger vehicle, so long as specific criteria are met. Let's look at what it takes to make it happen safely.

Towing Capacity is not Exceeded

hand holding yellow car towing strap

Before you hook anything up to tow, you want to be absolutely certain that the vehicle you are towing with has a towing capacity that can handle it.

Your owner's manual will tell you what the towing capacity is, and you should adhere to it without exception. Exceeding this amount will damage the transmission, engine, radiator, and braking system of the tow vehicle. It also makes it harder to control, greatly increasing the likelihood of an accident.

The Driver is Experienced

If you've never driven an RV before, or are unsure of your ability to, don't attach anything to it. Get some experience driving the RV, getting a good feel on how it handles, the way it brakes, and so on.

Pulling a heavy weight behind it will change how it handles, of course. But jumping into an RV for the first time and being able to navigate it with a two-ton truck behind it will be quite challenging.

Practice before you tow. Then carefully try out flat towing another vehicle behind it. 

The Vehicle Being Towed is Safe to Tow

Should the vehicle being towed be in great condition, it makes for a much safer towing experience. If your vehicle has worn tires, a bad suspension system, or some structural defects, then it can increase the odds of there being a roadside issue. Before you attach your vehicle to an RV, inspect it carefully to ensure that it is tow-worthy. 

Is Flat Towing Illegal?

Flat towing is legal in all 50 U. S. states. However, you must follow certain safety precautions to be able to do so legally. The lights must all be in working order, from braking lights to turn signal lights. The plates on both vehicles must be legal and current. And most states require safety chains, as they add an extra layer of protection in keeping the vehicles attached. 

Is Flat Towing Hard on Tires?

auto towing by car rope tow

Flat towing isn't necessarily hard on your tires. The process doesn't harm them in any way at all. They are on the pavement and rotating like they normally would if you were driving the vehicle. 

But it would help if you kept in mind that every mile your vehicle is flat towed is another mile that you are putting on your vehicle's tires. It is normal wear and tear, of course, but every mile on those tires counts against their useful life. So whether you are driving your vehicle or having it flat towed, expect the same amount of wear.

The only method of towing that won't put wear on your tires is trailer towing. In this mode of towing, the entire vehicle is on a trailer, and the wheels are secured in place. No motion means no wear. 

burst tire on the road

Can you Reverse While Flat Towing?

You should never attempt to reverse while flat towing. They state that because the front wheels of the towed vehicle are unlocked and always following the tow vehicle's direction, that it will cause the two vehicles to jackknife. If you need to back up, it's best to disconnect the tow vehicle first, then back them up separately. 

The Camping Nerd points out that you can back up slowly and carefully in an emergency. But you would only be able to successfully do this if you were on a flat surface. This will work if you are only planning on reversing both vehicles for just a few feet. Anything more than that, and you're much better off disengaging your tow bar and reversing them one by one. 

Which 2021 Fords can be Flat Towed?

man helping woman by pulling her

In order for 2021 Ford vehicles to be safely flat towed, the manufacture must configure them in a certain way. They need to have a four-wheel-drive system, plus a two-speed transfer case.

The 2021 model Fords that can be flat towed are:

  • Ford Edge
  • Ford Expedition
  • Ford Expedition Max
  • Ford Explorer
  • Ford F-150
  • Ford F-150 Raptor
  • Ford F-250
  • F-350
  • F-450
  •  Ford Super Duty
  • Ford Fiesta
  • Ford Flex
  • Ford Ranger
  • Ford Focus 2.0L
  • Ford Fusion
  • Ford Bronco
  • Ford Escape Hybrid

Before you decide to tow any vehicle, consult its owner's manual. If it is able to be flat towed, then it will state it explicitly in this manual. If the manual does not mention it, or if it states that flat towing is not compatible, then you should not attempt it. There are other towing methods that you can utilize instead.

If you plan to flat tow any of the above vehicles, there might be certain extra steps you'll need to take in order to do this tow properly. This additional information will also be available in your owner's manual. 

 

In closing

new 2022 ford maverick vehicle displayed

While you aren't able to flat tow most models of the Ford Maverick, you can trailer tow it safely. For the model Fords that can be flat towed, you'll want to make sure that you take certain safety precautions. Doing so will make your flat tow legal, as well as make the highways safer for you and those you share the road with. Before you flat tow, consult your vehicle owner's manual, to make certain that flat towing is possible. 

If you enjoyed reading this post on the Ford Maverick, we believe you'll enjoy reading these other posts about other trucks from this popular automaker:

 Ford F150 Platinum Vs Limited: What Are The Differences?

How Much Can You Tow With a Ford Ranger? [With or without a towing package]

Can You Convert An F250 To An F350? [Pros, Cons, And How To]

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3 Comments

  1. some of the models you lost are not even made in 2021 or have 4 wheel drive models
    i suggest getting dealers to let you read or download a pdf owners manual before you buy

  2. The extra 8 steps to flat tow a hybrid Maverick take seconds, of course you still have to attach a baseplate like any other vehicle. How can you state that most won’t flat tow a hybrid Maverick, I am.
    RECREATIONALLY TOWING YOUR VEHICLE – HYBRID ELECTRIC VEHICLE (HEV)
    Follow these guidelines if you have a need for recreational towing. An example of recreational towing is towing your vehicle behind a motorhome. These guidelines ensure that you do not damage the transmission.
    Note: Put your climate control system in recirculated air mode to prevent exhaust fumes from entering your vehicle. See Climate Control (page 126).
    You can tow your vehicle with all four wheels on the ground under the following conditions:
    • You switch Neutral Tow on.
    • Your vehicle is facing forward for
    towing in a forward direction.
    • You release the parking brake.
    • You do not exceed 70 mph (113 km/h).
    Switching Neutral Tow On
    1. Switch your vehicle on in accessory
    mode.
    2. Press the menu button on the steering wheel to enter the information display main menu.
    3. Select Settings.
    4. Select Neutral Tow.
    5. Follow the instructions on the information display.
    6. Fully press the brake pedal.
    7. Shift into neutral (N).
    8. Switch the ignition off.
    Note: Switching neutral tow on requires battery power.
    Note: If the parking brake is applied, a message appears in the information display.
    Note: If your vehicle has an ignition key, you cannot remove the key from the ignition when the transmission is in neutral (N) and your vehicle is off.
    Note: Start the engine and allow it to run for a few minutes at the beginning of each day, and every six hours or fewer. With the engine running and your foot on the brake, shift into drive (D) and then into reverse (R) before shifting back into neutral (N). Before continuing to tow, switch neutral tow on.

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