Question:
Hi. We just purchased a 2018 ford fiesta SE. A hatchback. Could you give me a complete list of what we would need to set it up to flat tow. We are leaning toward using blue ox unless for some reason you think something different would work better. We are also needing a duel hitch to mount a bike on the back of the motorhome as well. Thank you so much. In your suggestions could you give us an option for a portable braking system as well as a stay put one. Thanks
asked by: Meri
Expert Reply:
I would love to help you get absolutely everything that you need to flat tow your 2018 Ford Fiesta SE Hatchback. However, Blue Ox does not make a base plate kit for the non EcoBoost model therefore I recommend you use Roadmaster instead. I typically prefer Roadmaster anyhow as they offer more options for flat towing equipment. I have attached a list of all the parts you will need below:
Roadmaster Nighthawk All Terrain Tow Bar part # RM-676
Roadmaster Direct-Connect Base Plate Kit part # RM-524438-5
Roadmaster Tail Light Wiring Kit for Towed Vehicles part # RM-152-LED
Deka Lead Quick-Disconnect Battery Terminal part # DW05312 (Automatic Transmission Only)
Roadmaster Even Brake Portable Supplemental Braking System part # RM-9400 or Roadmaster InvisiBrake Supplemental Braking System part # RM-8700
Roadmaster Brake-Lite Relay Kit for Towed Vehicles part # RM-88400 (Roadmaster InvisiBrake Only)
Roadmaster Stop Light Switch Kit part # RM-751450 (Automatic Transmission Only)
Roadmaster Dual Hitch Receiver Adapter for Tow Bars part # RM-077-2 or part # RM-077-4
The Roadmaster Nighthawk All Terrain Tow Bar part # RM-676 is one of the best tow bars we offer. It has a non-binding and self-aligning design which makes for an extremely easy hookup. It also comes with safety cables and a wiring extension. This tow bar is then compatible with the Roadmaster Direct-Connect Base Plate Kit part # RM-524438-5. The Direct-Connect Base Plate Kit is a custom fit for your Fiesta and will provide you with removable arms which makes for a clean look while not in tow. The main difference between the Even Brake and InvisiBrake is that the Even Brake is portable and the InvisiBrake is not. This also means that the InvisiBrake will cost more to install.
I have attached a list of several other review videos on the above products for you as well.
Question:
The information you gave me is absolutely wonderful. I just want to be sure I do not order too much. Out of all the suggestions I believe I need all of them but just have to choose between the portable braking system or the invisi break. I just want to be sure that I need both the tail stop light kit and the inVisa brake brake light if I choose that system. I didn’t know if the tail light kit and the brake light system were the same thing but for both different braking systems. Also do you think I would need the 4 inch rise dual hitch or the 2 1/4 one. Which one would we need for the car to be in the correct positioning for the tow bar and also to install a four bike rack. Which if you wanted to suggest a four bike rack that would be helpful too. Thanks so much!
asked by: Meri
Expert Reply:
The Roadmaster Stop Light Switch Kit part # RM-751450 is only required if you have an automatic transmission, regardless if you are using the Roadmaster InvisiBrake Supplemental Braking System part # RM-8700 or the Roadmaster Even Brake Portable Supplemental Braking System part # RM-9400. The Roadmaster Stop Light Switch Kit part # RM-751450 is completetly different from the Roadmaster Tail Light Wiring Kit for Towed Vehicles part # RM-152-LED so you will still need this as well.
In order to determine what Roadmaster Dual Hitch Receiver Adapter you need, you will need measure from the ground to the center of the base plate kit on the vehicle and compare that distance to the measurement from the ground to the center of the trailer hitch on the motorhome. If this distance is not within 3" of one another then you will want to use on of the above high-low adapters until you are.
For a four bike rack that is rated for use on your motorhome, I recommend the Thule Hitching Post Pro part # TH934XTR which is an excellent option because it is lightweight so it's easy to use and it has anti-sway cradles to keep the bikes from coming into contact with one another.
Deka Lead Quick-Disconnect Battery Terminal - Universal Polarity
Roadmaster Dual Hitch Receiver Adapter for Tow Bars - 2" Hitches - 2-1/4" Rise/Drop
Roadmaster Dual Hitch Receiver Adapter, 2" or 4" Drop/Rise
Roadmaster Tail Light Wiring Kit for Towed Vehicles - LED Bulb and Socket - Red
Roadmaster Direct-Connect Base Plate Kit - Removable Arms
Roadmaster Stop Light Switch Kit
Roadmaster InvisiBrake Supplemental Braking System
Roadmaster Brake-Lite Relay Kit for Towed Vehicles
Roadmaster Even Brake Portable Supplemental Braking System - Proportional
Thule Hitching Post Pro Bike Rack for 4 Bikes - 1-1/4" and 2" Hitches
Roadmaster Nighthawk All-Terrain Tow Bar w/ LED Lights - Non-Binding - RV Mount - 8,000 lbs