Parts Needed to Flat Tow a 2016 Ford Fiesta SE Behind an RV

Published 02/22/2018

Products Featured in This Question

Roadmaster Nighthawk All-Terrain Tow Bar w/ LED Lights - Non-Binding - RV Mount - 8,000 lbs

(825)

$1545.00

Roadmaster 4-Diode Universal Wiring Kit for Towed Vehicles - 4-Way Flat Connectors

(3382)

$87.90

Roadmaster Universal Magnetic Tow Lights with 4-Way Flat Trailer Connector

(44)

$85.81

Roadmaster Crossbar-Style Base Plate Kit - Removable Arms

(2164)

$575.00

Roadmaster 64" Single Hook, Straight Safety Cables - 8,000 lbs

(361)

$58.90

Roadmaster Battery Disconnect for Towed Vehicle w/ Flat Tow Brake System - Gas Only

(404)

$203.90

Roadmaster Brake-Lite Relay Kit for Towed Vehicles

(731)

$48.04

Demco Stay-IN-Play Duo Flat Tow Brake System for RVs w/ Hydraulic Brakes - Proportional

(797)

$1245.50

Question:

Good Morning, please give me recommendations for towing the Fiesta. It does not have the Eco boost engine. It has a 1.6 L engine. Need everything for towing behind the motor home. I have no knowledge of any of this as I have never owned a motor home before. The vehicle weighs 2570 lbs. Look forward to your suggestions of equipment.

asked by: Jerry H

Expert Reply:

I will be happy to recommend the parts you will need to flat tow your 2016 Ford Fiesta behind your RV. The first item needed will be base plates. The base plates are what will mount to the Fiesta. They provide a safe attachment point for the tow bar. For these I recommend # RM-524438-4.

The tow bar is what connects the RV to the Fiesta. There are a lot of options but not to worry because I will recommend one that will work best with your Fiesta. Non-binding tow bars are the way to go for sure. Non-binding means that the RV and Fiesta won't have to be perfectly straight or on level ground to disconnect or connect the Fiesta to the RV. The Falcon All Terrain, # RM-522, is what I recommend.

Other parts needed include safety cables, lighting, and supplemental braking.

If you go with the Falcon All Terrain tow bar then you will need straight safety cables, # RM-645, because the tow bar features convenient safety cable channels for a clean look. The cables serve the same function as chains on a trailer. They are a failsafe in case the vehicle becomes somehow disconnected from the RV.

For lighting you could use a simple magnetic kit such as # RM-2120. Or for a more permanent solution that you won't have to set up every time you tow the vehicle you can use a diode kit # RM-154. Also if your Fiesta has a manual transmission you will also need automatic battery disconnect # RM-766.

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.

And if you have a manual transmission on the Fiesta then relay # RM-88400 is required to prevent the towed vehicle's brake signal from overriding the turn signal from the RV when applying the brakes during a turn. The RM-88400 relay is not required when using magnetic tow lights.

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.