FLAT TOWING PACKAGE

2016-2018 Ford Focus

The 2016-2018 Ford Focus's sleek, compact design makes it a popular model to flat tow behind a motorhome. Before you can hit the road with your Focus in tow, however, you'll need a few basic components, including base plates, a tow bar, safety cables, wiring, and a supplemental braking system. Fortunately, we've made it easy to get what you need, so you can hit the road without looking back. Check out our flat tow product recommendations for your vehicle below.

WHAT DO I NEED TO FLAT TOW A VEHICLE?

1. Base Plates

2. Tow Bars

3. Safety Cables

4. Tow Bar Wiring

5. Supplemental Braking System

6. Additional Components

What Do I Need to Flat Tow My 2016-2018 Ford Focus?

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. You can also purchase optional covers, screens, and guards to protect your vehicle and flat towing components from wear and tear.

We've put together packages for both the Ford Focus with adaptive cruise control and Hatchback ST models as well as the models with no adaptive cruise control. Check out both packages below.

Some restrictions apply to certain models of the Ford Focus. See section "Flat Tow Restrictions and Installation Notes" below.

Complete Package #1 by etrailer

WHY GO WITH ETRAILER'S CHOICE?

Blue Ox's Avail tow bar features long arms for easy maneuverability and a 10k lb weight capacity -- plus, safety cables are included
SMI's Stay-In-Play DUO braking system provides natural, proportional braking
Blue Ox's "hidden reinforcement" base plate design offers clean look

* Indicates Required Component

Stop Light Switch Kit*

# RM-751454

Battery Disconnect*

*REQUIRED for Automatic Transmission Models

Complete Package #2 by Blue Ox

WHY GO WITH BLUE OX?

Blue Ox's Alpha's tow bar features a swivel function and self-aligning design for easy hookup -- plus, safety cables are included
Blue Ox's Patriot II braking system's built-in supercapacitor provides backup power if a breakaway occurs
Blue Ox's "hidden reinforcement" base plate design offers clean look

* Indicates Required Component

Stop Light Switch Kit*

# RM-751454

Battery Disconnect*

*REQUIRED for Automatic Transmission Models

Flat Towing Package for 2016-2018 Ford Focus With Adaptive Cruise Control

The parts to flat tow a 2016-2018 Ford Focus with adaptive cruise control are different than the parts needed to flat tow a 2016-2018 Ford Focus without adaptive cruise control. To flat tow a 2016-2018 Ford Focus with adaptive cruise control you'll need a base plate, a tow bar, safety cables, tow bar wiring, supplemental braking system and possibly a high low adapter to tow level.

For the base plate I recommend Blue Ox Base Plate Kit part # BX2663 because of its removable bracket arms which gives it a nice clean look once installed...

View full answer...

-Heather A.

Complete Package #1 by Roadmaster

WHY GO WITH ROADMASTER?

Falcon All Terrain tow bar's Quick-Disconnect system makes hookup easy
InvisiBrake System provides vehicle battery charge while you're towing
Hidden bracket base plate design offers clean look

* Indicates Required Component

Roadmaster Wiring, Cables, & Cover*

*REQUIRED for Automatic Transmission Models

# RM-766

Stop Light Switch Kit*

Complete Package #2 by Demco

WHY GO WITH DEMCO?

Demco Commander II's independently adjustable tow bar arms make it easy to connect and disconnect -- plus, safety cables are included
SMI's Stay-In-Play DUO braking system provides natural, proportional braking
Tabless base plate design offers clean look

* Indicates Required Component

Demco Wiring & Cover*

# DM9523057

Braking System*

# SM99251

Stop Light Switch Kit*

# RM-751454

Battery Disconnect*

*REQUIRED for Automatic Transmission Models

Complete Package #3 by Blue Ox

WHY GO WITH BLUE OX?

Blue Ox's Avail tow bar features long arms for easy maneuverability -- plus, safety cables are included
Blue Ox's Patriot II braking system's built-in supercapacitor provides backup power if a breakaway occurs
Blue Ox's hidden bracket base plate design offers clean look

* Indicates Required Component

Blue Ox Wiring & Cover*

# BX88308

Braking System*

# BRK2016

Stop Light Switch Kit*

# RM-751454

Battery Disconnect*

*REQUIRED for Automatic Transmission Models

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 Expert Recommended kit just for your vehicle!

Complete Package #4 by etrailer

WHY GO WITH ETRAILER?

Roadmaster Nighthawk tow bar's hassle-free latches are easy to connect and release - plus, built-in LED lights illuminate the dark
SMI's Stay-In-Play DUO braking system provides natural, proportional braking
Roadmaster direct-connect base plates are easy to connect and practically invisible

* Indicates Required Component

Stop Light Switch Kit*

# RM-751454

Battery Disconnect*

*REQUIRED for Automatic Transmission Models

Best Complete Flat Towing System for 2016-2018 Ford Focus

In order to flat tow your 2016-2018 Ford Focus without adaptive cruise control I recommend starting with the Roadmaster EZ5 Base Plate Kit - Removable Arms # RM-524443-5. These base plates will give you a really clean look when installed and will work very well with the Roadmaster Nighthawk All Terrain, Non-Binding Tow Bar w/ LED Lights - RV Mount - 8K # RM-676. This tow bar is really nice with the integrated LED lights wiring connector and safety cables.

To finish the wiring on your vehicle side, I recommend the Roadmaster Universal Hy-Power Diode Wiring Kit # RM-152 which will splice into your Focus factory wiring to utilize it for a clean look while still protecting your vehicle electronics. . .

View full answer...

-Jason S.

Flat Tow Restrictions and Installation Notes

Restrictions: The Ford Focus should not be towed at speeds exceeding 70 mph. There are no distance restrictions when towing the vehicle. Please refer to owner's manual for more information.

Check your owner's manual to confirm flat towing capability. The following Ford Focus models should not be flat towed:

Focus Electric
Focus ST
Focus RS
1.0L EcoBoost®
I5 2.0L Automatic

Installation Notes: A common installation question we receive from customers regards the installation of the Automatic Battery Disconnect with Switch from Roadmaster, which is required to flat tow Ford Focus models with automatic transmissions. While the vehicle's manual states to disconnect the negative battery cable during flat towing, the Automatic Battery Disconnect instructs that the solenoid be installed in line of the positive battery cable.

The Automatic Battery Disconnect needs to be installed on the positive side of the battery so that the battery can still power certain aftermarket components needed for flat towing while cutting power to the OEM components. Aftermarket components such as supplemental braking systems typically pull power from the vechicle's battery. Some RVers also choose to run a charge line from their motorhome to their flat towed vehicle's battery while towing. Neither of these scenarios would work if the negative battery cable was disconnected during towing.

Generally, vehicle manufacturers suggest removing the negative battery cable for safety reasons. Using hand tools to remove the positive battery cable without first disconnecting the negative battery cable can result in sparks flying if the tool simultaneously makes contact with the positive battery terminal and a ground location, such as the vehicle frame. Roadmaster's Automatic Battery Disconnect with Switch allows you to avoid this dangerous situation and safely disconnect the battery with the simple flip of a switch.

Want to create your own flat towing package? Check out these product options below.

Base Plates for 2016-2018 Ford Focus

Base plates are the custom-fit attachment points that install on the frame of your vehicle and allow you to connect a tow bar to your vehicle. This is the part of a flat towing setup that is truly vehicle specific and custom fit for a particular vehicle and style.

Blue Ox Kit

# BX2663

Removable draw bars
No crossbar required
Hidden reinforcement for clean look
Compatible with Blue Ox tow bars
Made in USA

Fits: 2016-2018 Ford Focus with/without Adaptive Cruise Control: Sedan & Hatchback: S, SE, & Titanium
Installation: Bumper fascia must be removed and replaced during installation. Requires some trimming of bumper (fascia, plastic, and/or grille). Requires some minor drilling. Headlights must be removed and replaced during installation.

Roadmaster Crossbar-Style Kit

# RM-524443-4

Easily removable arms
Compatible with Quick Disconnects and all RM tow bars
Made in USA

Fits: Trimming of spoiler, air dam, grille or plastic fascia may be required on some models. Special tools required; see instructions.
Installation: Trimming of spoiler, air dam, grille or plastic fascia may be required. Not compatible with Guardian rock shield, Tow Defender # RM-4700, Stowaway, StowMaster, or StowMaster All Terrain. To use with Sterling tow bar, the Sterling cable anchors must be attached to vehicle frame or welded to receiver portion of bracket.

Roadmaster Direct Connect Kit

# RM-524443-5

WATCH VIDEO INSTALL

Easily removable arms
No crossbar required
Hidden reinforcement for clean look
Compatible with RM motorhome-mounted tow bars
Made in USA

Fits: 2016-2018 Ford Focus without Adaptive Cruise Control: Sedan & Hatchback - S, SE, & Titanium
Installation: Trimming of spoiler, air dam, grille or plastic fascia may be required. To use with Sterling tow bar, Sterling cable anchors must be attached to vehicle frame or welded to receiver portion of bracket. This bracket will not accommodate the Guardian rock shield, Tow Defender # RM-4700, Stowaway or the StowMaster and StowMaster All Terrain tow bars. Special tools required; see instructions.

Demco Classic Kit

# DM9519324

Removable draw bars
Clean, tabless design
Compatible with Demco tow bars
Made in USA

Fits: 2016-2018 Ford Focus without Adaptive Cruise Control: Sedan & Hatchback - S, SE, & Titanium

Browse All Base Plates Confirmed to Fit Your Vehicle

Tow Bars for 2016-2018 Ford Focus

Another necessary component of a flat towing setup is the tow bar. While tow bars are not a custom-fit component, it is important to make sure that the tow bar and base plates you choose for your Focus are compatible with each other. A good rule of thumb is to use a tow bar from the same manufacturer as your base plate kit. 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.

Tow bars come in two styles: those that mount on the motorhome (hitch mount style) and those that mount on the vehicle (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. On the other hand, those who RV less frequently may consider a vehicle-mounted tow bar for a more economical option.

Roadmaster Nighthawk All Terrain

FLAT TOWING PACKAGE

2016-2018 Ford Focus

Flat Tow Restrictions and Installation Notes

Base Plates for 2016-2018 Ford Focus

Tow Bars for 2016-2018 Ford Focus

Safety Cables for 2016-2018 Ford Focus

Tow Bar Wiring Kits for 2016-2018 Ford Focus

Supplemental Braking System for 2016-2018 Ford Focus

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