Flat Towing Package for 2011-2014 Ford F-150

Flat towing your beloved Ford F-150 behind your motorhome can be intimidating. Luckily, with the right components, flat towing your pickup can be a hassle-free experience. We've done the hard work for you and selected the best flat tow products for your truck. You can check out these custom pre-made packages below, or scroll down for tips on piecing together your own kit.Note: The information below pertains to most Ford F-150s, though compatibility with "special edition" models may vary (check our Fitguide for a confirmed fit).

Flat Towing Components:

• Base Plates
• Tow Bar
• Safety Cables
• Tow Bar Wiring
• Supplemental Braking System
• Additional Components

What Do I Need to Flat Tow My 2011-2014 Ford F-150?

Every flat-towed vehicle requires the same 5 components: base plates, a tow bar, safety cables, wiring, and a braking system.That said, there's plenty of variety in these products, plus additional parts that may be required for certain vehicles. Your Ford F-150, for instance, requires a brake-lite relay and charge line kit. You can also purchase optional covers, screens, and guards to protect your vehicle and flat towing components from wear and tear.Flat tow products are available for both standard and EcoBoost engines. We've hand-picked the best products confirmed to fit these models. The standard packages are listed first; scroll down to see packages for the EcoBoost models.

Standard Engine Packages

PACKAGE FOR STANDARD ENGINE BY

Required:

• Base Plates: 495-1A
• Tow Bars:RM-522
• Wiring, Cables, Cover:RM-9243-1
• Braking System:RM-8700
• Brake-Lite Relay: RM-88400

Optional Accessories:

• High-Low Adapter: Various
• Tow Defender:RM-4700
• Rock Guard:RM-4000

Why Go With Roadmaster?

• Falcon All Terrain tow bar's Quick-Disconnect system makes hookup easy
• InvisiBrake System provides integrated battery protection
• Hidden bracket base plate design with removable drawbars offers clean look

PACKAGE FOR STANDARD ENGINE BY

Required:

• Base Plates:DM9518296
• Tow Bar:DM9511010
• Wiring:DM9523057
• Braking System:SM99251
• Brake-Lite Relay : RM-88400
• Charge Line Kit:RM-156-25

Optional Accessories:

• High-Low Adapter:Various
• Sentry Deflector:DM9523135

Why Go With Demco?

• Demco Commander's independently adjustable tow bar arms make it easy to connect and disconnect
• SMI's Stay-In-Play DUO braking system provides natural, proportional braking
• No protruding brackets on base plates—hidden reinforcement offers clean design

PREFERRED KIT FOR STANDARD ENGINE

Required:

• Base Plates:495-3A
• Tow Bar:RM-676
• Wiring:HM56000
• Braking System:SM99251
• Brake-Lite Relay:RM-88400
• Charge Line Kit:RM-156-25

Optional Accessories:

• High-Low Adapter:Various
• Tow Bar Cover: RM-055-3
• Tow Defender:RM-4750

Why Go With etrailer Preferred?

• Roadmaster Nighthawk All Terrain tow bar includes LED lights and cable guides for easy hookup
• SMI's Stay-In-Play DUO provides natural, proportional braking
• Roadmaster's Direct-Connect base plate kit is virtually invisible—no quick-disconnect crossbar required

EcoBoost Engine

PACKAGE FOR ECOBOOST ENGINE BY

Required:

• Base Plates: RM-524431-4
• Tow Bar:RM-522
• Wiring, Cables, Cover:RM-9243-1
• Braking System: RM-8700
• Brake-Lite Relay:RM-88400

Optional Accessories:

• High-Low Adapter:Various
• Tow Defender:RM-4700
• Rock Guard:RM-4000

Why Go With Roadmaster?

• Falcon All Terrain tow bar's Quick-Disconnect system makes hookup easy
• InvisiBrake System provides integrated battery protection
• Hidden bracket base plate design offers clean look

PREFERRED KIT FOR ECOBOOST ENGINE BY

Required:

• Base Plates:RM-524431-5
• Tow Bar: RM-676
• Wiring: HM56000
• Braking System:SM99251
• Brake-Lite Relay: RM-88400
• Charge Line Kit:RM-156-25

Optional Accessories:

• High-Low Adapter:Various
• Tow Bar Cover:RM-055-3
• Tow Defender:RM-4750

Why Go With etrailer Preferred?

• Roadmaster's Direct-Connect base plate kit is virtually invisible—no quick-disconnect crossbar required
• Roadmaster Nighthawk All Terrain tow bar includes LED lights and cable guides for easy hookup
• SMI's Stay-In-Play DUO provides natural, proportional braking

How do we select our etrailer preferred packages?You ask. We answer.

Through our "Ask an Expert" system, our customers often ask which flat tow products we recommend for their vehicle. Our experts hand-select the top products available based on brand quality, durability, ease of use, and convenience. In order to help even more customers find the best products, we took the top products hand-picked by our Experts and created our etrailer Preferred Kit just for your vehicle. See why our Expert Chris R. recommends these products!View Expert Q&A

This package was hand-picked for you by Chris R.

Choosing Your Own Flat Tow Package

We recommend the above products for their value, quality, and ease of use. However, if you choose to go with another option, keep the following considerations in mind:

1

Base Plate/Tow Bar Compatibility

It's important to make sure your tow bar and base plates are compatible with each other. A good rule of thumb is to use the same manufacturer for both. If you have base plates or a tow bar of one brand and wish to use a counterpart from a different manufacturer, you will likely need an adapter. Check out our base plate adapter table for help on choosing the correct product. Shop Base Plates

2

Hitch Mount vs. Coupler Mount Tow Bars

Tow bars come in two styles: motorhome-mounted (hitch mount style) and vehicle-mounted (coupler style). For frequent RVers, motorhome-mounted tow bars are generally preferable. They provide a more stable connection, are easy to adjust, and do not require a separate coupler. For those who RV less frequently, a vehicle-mounted tow bar is a more economical option. Watch: Best Tow Bar Options Shop Tow Bars

3

Safety Cable Capacity and Style

Safety cables come in a variety of capacities, so keep the weight of your vehicle in mind when choosing a product. Blue Ox, Demco, and certain premium Roadmaster tow bars include safety cables, and you can also purchase them separately. Shop Safety Cables

4

Hardwired vs. Removable Tail Light Kits

There are a variety of wiring harness available. You can use your existing tail lights by installing a kit that plugs or splices into your F-150's current wiring. There are also kits available that allow you to bypass your vehicle's wiring altogether. Many of these kits are also removable, which can be a benefit if you plan to tow infrequently. However, if you plan on frequent towing, a permanent hardwired kit is usually a better option. Shop Wiring

5

Braking System Types

When it comes to supplemental braking systems, you'll want to consider what type of brakes you have (air, hydraulic, or air over hydraulic). You'll also need to choose between fixed and portable systems. If you plan on towing infrequently, or if you plan on towing multiple vehicles, consider a portable system. However, if you're looking for something more permanent that does not have to be removed or replaced, you'll likely want to go with a fixed system. Shop Braking Systems

6

Additional Components

In addition to your 5 main components, you'll also need a few additional parts to make your setup fully functional.

Required:

• Brake-Lite Relay: Keeps truck's brake signal from overriding turn signal sent by RV.
• Charge Line Kit: Maintains the battery charge in your towed vehicle (not required when using the Roadmaster Invisibrake, which provides its own charge).

A variety of optional screens, covers, and other accessories are also available for your vehicle and flat tow components.

Optional:

• High-Low Adapters: Allows your tow bar to remain level.
• Tow Bar Cover: Keeps dirt and road grime off the tow bar when it's not in use.
• Protective Screens: Deflects rocks, gravel, and road debris down and away from your towed vehicle.

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Related Products

Shop Base Plates

Shop Wiring

Shop Braking Systems

Written by: Amber S.Updated On: 3/11/19