What Parts are Needed to Flat Tow a 2011-2014 Ford F-150  

Question:

Expert Reply:

In order to flat tow a twelfth generation (2011-2014) Ford F-150 behind your RV, you will need a base plate kit, tow bar, safety cables, a lighting solution, a supplemental braking system, and most likely a high-low adapter.

Starting with the base plates, I recommend the Roadmaster EZ5 Base Plate Kit # RM-524431-5 if you have the EcoBoost or the Roadmaster MX Base Plate Kit # 495-3A if you don't have the EcoBoost. Both options feature a hidden bracket design that will provide a nice clean look when you aren't towing.

Then for a compatible tow bar, I really like the Roadmaster Nighthawk All Terrain Tow Bar # RM-676. This is an excellent, top-of-the-line tow bar that features a non-binding design for easy hookup, integrated LED lights that will illuminate with your RV tail lights, and extra long telescoping arms that will allow for easier towing during your trips. Safety cables are also included with this tow bar so they won't need to be obtained separately.

Adding a Tow Bar Cover # RM-055-3 is a good idea to keep the Nighthawk free of dirt and road grime. This will simply help the tow bar maintain its smooth, easy operation for as long as you use it.

For a lighting solution, I recommend going with the Hopkins Custom Tail Light Wiring Kit # HM56000. This no-splice, custom-fit harness will install by simply plugging into factory ports located behind the truck's tail lights. This will wire your F-150 so that it accepts the RV's basic signal lights for flat towing.

In order to get automatic, proportional braking on your F-150, I highly recommend the SMI Stay-IN-Play DUO Supplemental Braking System # SM99251. This system will activate as soon as your RV's brake lights go on and uses an inertia sensor to apply the brakes in your truck with the same intensity that you apply to them in the RV. The great thing about this particular system is that after the initial installation, you won't need to remove it when you aren't towing and there's nothing you need to turn back on when your ready for another trip. It will activate as soon as you hook up to the RV and the the operating unit stays hidden and out of the way when you're ready to drive the truck. You will just need to add the Brake-Lite Relay # RM-88400 in order to prevent the F-150's brake signal from overriding the turn signal from the RV when applying the brakes during a turn.

If you plan on towing the truck for a longer period of time, I do also recommend adding the Roadmaster Charge Line Kit # RM-156-25. This will allow you to maintain the charge of your truck's battery while in transit by using power from the RV's battery.

Lastly, you will likely need a high-low adapter like the Roadmaster # RM-076 in order to keep your tow bar in the "Safe Zone" (3 inches above level to 3 inches below level). This particular unit provides up to a 6 inch rise or a 6 inch drop. In order to see if this is sufficient for your setup, you will want to first measure from the ground up to the center of the trailer hitch receiver on the RV when it's parked on level ground. Then take a measurement on your F-150 from the ground up to the center point of the tabs/base plate where the tow bar will attach. The difference between these two measurements will be the rise or drop you need. If the above mentioned Roadmaster adapter does not feature the needed rise or drop, I have attached a link that will take you to our available selection that you can look through.

I have also attached instruction manuals and video demonstrations on the products mentioned that you can check out.

expert reply by: Chris R

0