Recommended Flat-Tow Components for a 2012 Lincoln MKX

Updated 05/03/2018 | Published 05/02/2018

Products Featured in This Question

Blue Ox Base Plate Kit - Removable Arms

(4614)

$454.43

Blue Ox Patriot Portable Flat Tow Brake System - Proportional

(397)

$1505.17

Blue Ox Avail Non-Binding Tow Bar - RV Mount - 2" Hitch - 10,000 lbs

(751)

$954.80

Roadmaster Battery Charge Line Kit for Towed Vehicles

(1199)

$45.63

Universal Magnetic Tow Lights - 20' Wiring Harness with 4-Way Flat Trailer Connector

(200)

$61.88

Question:

I would like to flat tow our 2012 Lincoln MKX for 18 months before giving the car to my daughter to go to college. Because I will be replacing the car I would like to minimize what is actually hard installed. Besides the base plate, what is the minimum I would need to install or modify on the vehicle? I plan on using a Blue Ox Patriot 3 for supplemental braking. Can I run that off the vehicle battery for 6-8 hours, or do I need another power source? Can I get by with temporary brake/turn signal lights instead of hardwiring to the vehicles brake lights if so, what do you recommend? I just bought a 2007 Tiffin Phaeton and know the previous owner flat towed a vehicle, but have no other information. I will be buying a Blue Ox base plate and Avail tow bar. What else am I missing? Thank you!

asked by: Kevin

Helpful Expert Reply:

In order to flat-tow your 2012 Lincoln MKX behind a 2007 Tiffin Phaeton, you will need a base plate kit, tow bar, supplemental braking system, safety cables, flat-tow wiring, and a possible high-low adapter. I have attached my recommendations on each of the following for you below. These recommendations will be the ones that are least invasive to the toad vehicle meaning you can easily remove them when you send your daughter off to college.

Base Plate Kit: Blue Ox Base Plate Kit part # BX2625

Tow Bar: Blue Ox Avail Tow Bar part # BX7420 (Safety Cables Included)

Supplemental Braking System: Blue Ox Patriot part # BLU37TR

Flat-Tow Wiring: Heavy Duty Magnetic Tow Lights part # TL21RK

High-Low Adapter: See Article

The Blue Ox Patriot 2 will be able to run off of the vehicle's battery for 6-8 hours at a time but this would likely drain the battery when you go to start the vehicle. In order to eliminate this you can run a charge line kit from the tow vehicle to the toad with the Roadmaster Battery Charge Line Kit part # RM-156-25. The Heavy Duty Magnetic Tow Lights will be the best option for you as they will not require any modifications to the vehicle and will do an excellent job of letting those behind you see which signals the motorhome is using.

I have attached a few review/install videos on the above products for you as well.