Can Flat Towed 2014 Ford Focus be Started Periodically to Charge Battery

Updated 05/18/2015 | Published 05/15/2015

Products Featured in This Question

Roadmaster Sterling All-Terrain Tow Bar - Non-Binding - RV Mount - 2" Hitch - 8,000 lbs

(165)

$1375.00

Blue Ox Patriot Portable Flat Tow Brake System - Proportional

(579)

$1452.97

Question:

flat towing a 2014 ford focus can you stop and start motor every 3 hours and battery want go down and do you have to take out any fuses

asked by: Craig T

Expert Reply:

When flat towing a vehicle like your 2014 Ford Focus you can periodically stop the motorhome to allow you to run the Focus' engine to re-charge its battery. If you are using a supplementary braking system like the Blue Ox Patriot # BLU37TR this unit will draw its operating power from the toad's battery and running the engine for 15 or 20 minutes will recharge it.

I checked an online version of the owner's manual for the 2014 Focus and on pages 201 - 203 the preparation steps for flat towing the different versions of the car are detailed. You'll want to check your manual to ensure you have taken the necessary steps to ready your particular car for flat towing. The manual I reviewed makes no mention of the need to pull fuses.

The linked article on flat towing covers each of the components required for safe and legal flat towing, which include base plates, tow bar, safety cables, wiring/lighting and a supplementary braking system like the Patriot.

expert reply by: Adam R