Parts Needed to Flat Tow a 2017 Ford Explorer Behind an RV

Question:

I want to use these base plates to tow my 17 Explorer behind my RV. It has active cruise. Dealer said it does NOT have active air shutters. What else will I need?

asked by: S

Expert Reply:

The Roadmaster EZ5 base plates # RM-524446-5 will fit your 2017 Ford Explorer with adaptive cruise control and without active air shutters. You will also need a tow bar, safety cables, lighting, and supplemental braking to complete the flat towing set up.

For a tow bar I recommend the Falcon 2 # RM-520. It is rated for 6,000 pounds which will cover the curb weight of your vehicle which at most is 5,000 pounds. For safety cables I recommend # RM-643. The coiled design will help keep the cables off of the ground.

For lighting I recommend the 6-diode kit # 154-792-118158. It was designed for use with vehicles that have separate brake and turn signals. 4-Pole flat loop and wiring converter included. It also appears that the battery has to be disconnected to flat tow the vehicle. To make this easier I recommend the automatic battery disconnect # RM-766 which will disengage the vehicle battery when you plug the Explorer up to the RV.

You may also need a high/low adapter to keep the tow bar level. I have linked a help article showing how to measure and a link to the high/low adapters we carry.

And finally, most states now require supplemental braking on the vehicle being flat towed. One of the preferred systems for our installers and what I recommend is the SMI Stay-IN-Play DUO proportional system, # SM99251. It will apply the vehicle brakes in proportion to how much the tow vehicle is braking. This is the safest way to stop and it reduces wear and tear on both vehicles.

Be sure to consult your vehicle owners manual for specific information on flat towing the vehicle. I have also included some helpful links to our series of help articles on flat towing for you.