Parts Needed to Flat Tow a 2014 Ford Focus Behind a Motor Home  

Question:

Expert Reply:

Yes, you can flat tow your 2014 Ford Focus behind your Winnebago. I checked the owners manual online to verify this. There are some specific procedures that you will need to follow in the owners manual to flat tow your Focus (starting on page 201 in the owners manual).

You will need base plates, a two bar, safety cables, lighting, and supplemental braking to flat tow the Focus. For base plates you can use Blue Ox model # BX2633. Please note that there are no base plates for ST models. If you have an ST model then it will need to be put on a trailer.

The most popular compatible tow bar is the Alpha, # BX7380. It comes with safety cables as well. If you want something a little more economical you can use the Adventurer, # BX7322, but safety cables are not included so you will need to add some, # BX88196. Also with the Adventurer you will need to be lined up straight with both the Focus and Winnie on as level ground as possible; something not always possible when flat towing!

Next you will need a lighting solution. For a quick and easy solution you can use a magnetic light kit such as # RM-2120. For something more permanent I recommend the 6 diode kit, # 154-792-118158.

And finally, most states now require supplemental braking on the vehicle being flat towed. One of the easiest systems to set up and use is the Blue Ox Patriot proportional system, # BLU37TR. 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.

It does look like the battery has to be disconnected to flat tow your Focus. So I recommend a 12 volt outlet kit # RM-9332 to provide power to the braking system. To provide a maintenance charge to the Focus battery while towing I recommend running a wire from the positive battery terminal to the 12 volt pin in the vehicle side connector of kit # BX88206. Where the wires attach in the back the 12 volt circuit is in the 11 o'clock position.

I have also included 2 helpful links to our help articles on flat towing for you.

expert reply by: Michael H

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