Parts Needed to Charge Battery of Towed Vehicle while Flat Towing

Question

Question:

Hello, I have received great advice from you and excellent parts and service from etrailor, so I am asking again! On our first tow adventure, we arrived home to discover we had a dead battery in our tow vehicle. I would like to avoid that in the future! I have been reading about systems that will help to maintain the battery while we are driving. I am currently using the Blue Ox Patriot II brake system. I am using magnetic tow lights that plug into the plug on the Coachmen Freelander RV.The Escape has to have the key in the accessory position while towing. Is there a relatively easy system to install for allowing me to charge the vehicle battery while we tow? If not, is there a more complicated system that might require some assistance for installing? Thank you

asked by: Ron H

0

Expert Reply:

I have exactly what you are looking for, but the ease of install can be a bit of a loaded question. If you are comfortable dealing with trailer wires such as the occasional splicing or battery terminal connection, then this install will be easier than falling asleep in a La-Z-Boy recliner. If you've never touched a trailer wire before, then I've attached a video that will hopefully put your mind at ease that you can do this yourself. This can definitely be a DIY type of installation.

To charge your battery while towing, you will want to add a battery charge line kit to your setup with part # RM-156-25. I attached a video of our installer showing this installation on a Ford Edge. This is not a vehicle specific product, so the installation process will be the same on your Ford Escape.

This process will require the trailer connector on your motorhome to have an active 12 volt battery charge pin too. Most of the time this isn't a problem on the motorhome side, but if you find that the battery isn't charging or that you don't have power on the 11 o'clock pin in your motorhome's trailer connector, then you will also want to install the the charge line kit for motorhomes, # RM-156-75. I've attached an installation video of this kit for you as well.

If you have any other questions or have any questions along the way, please feel free to reach out and I'll be happy to help.

expert reply by: John H

0

Ron H.

4/25/2020

Thank you John, but I think I need a little more information. It appears these installs require a 7 pin hookup on the tow vehicle and the motor home. Since I use the magnetic signal lights, I do not have a hook up on the Escape. My magnetic signal lights use a 4 pin that required me to install a 4 pin adapter to the 7 pin on my motor home. All parts purchased from E-trailer Is there some other type of adapter I could use on the motor home to give me access to charge wire and an alternate way to attach it to the Escape?

Chris R.

4/27/2020

Since you don't already have a connector at the front of your Escape, you will just need to add the Roadmaster 6-Way # RM-910030-7 to the Charge Line Kit # RM-156-25 John mentioned above. This will allow for the cleanest charging setup and can be easily unhooked when you're done towing.

Damon G.

10/11/2021

@ChrisR When I add the 6 pin on the towed vehicle, do I need to ground to the towed chassis? I also have the magnetic lights on my towed escape. Thanks

Les D.

10/25/2021

@DamonG The white wire coming out of the back of the 6-pin connector (in the 2-o'clock position) should ground to the towed vehicles frame. I have attached a page concerning all styles of connectors.

Helpful Links

faq-wiring.aspx

Kelly B.

5/18/2020

I installed this kit on my 2015 Equinox. Do I need the Roadmaster Single Park Light Diode Item # RM-690?

Chris R.

5/21/2020

The diode isn't needed when installing the charge line kit. The included circuit breaker will protect against potentially harmful backfeed.

Kelly B.

5/21/2020

@ChrisR I checked the circuit breaker with a meter and it has continuity both ways. How does this prevent backfeed?

Chris R.

5/25/2020

@KellyB I apologize - I wasn't thinking correctly. To completely prevent any backfeed, you would indeed need to add a diode like the Roadmaster # RM-690.

Answer 1

You would not be able to charge your battery through the wiring on your 4-way trailer connector. Since your truck has a 7-way connector, you could maintain the power to the battery but not charge it. To begin, you would need to cut off your 4-way…

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Answer 2

The Demco SBS Stay-IN-Play DUO #SM99251 is my favorite braking system by far and the one I recommend installing on your 2022 Ford Ranger, especially if you'll be towing multiple times a year. This system has a bit more of an involved installation…

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Answer 3

The best charge line kit for flat towing your vehicle is the Roadmaster Battery Charge Line Kit #RM-156-25. I have a hard time not recommending all things Roadmaster when it comes to the wiring for a flat tow system because of how much research…

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Answer 4

The correct Roadmaster base plate kit for your 2021 Ford Ranger is the part #RM-524459-5 Steve which also works great with the Roadmaster Sterling Tow Bar part #RM-576 that you are planning on using. For lighting you can use the diode kit, #RM-15267,…

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Answer 5

In order to flat-tow a 2021 Ford Ranger you'll need base plates, safety cables, tow bar, wiring harness, and supplemental braking system. I have attached my recommendations for these parts below. Roadmaster Direct-Connect Base Plate Kit part…

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Answer 6

We do carry a service/rebuild kit for the Roadmaster Falcon 2 Tow Bar #RM-520. You would want a Roadmaster Service Kit for Falcon 2 Towbar #RM910003-65. The lifespan of a tow bar will vary, it depends upon weights, road condition and how far out of…

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Answer 7

Yes, the Hopkins Tow Bar Wiring Kit part #HM77VR is a confirmed fit for your 2022 Ford F-150 platinum hybrid.

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Answer 8

For your 2008 Honda CR-V, you will want to start with the Blue Ox Base Plate Kit - Removable Arms #BX2246 which will be directly compatible with your tow bar. The tow bar you are describing is likely the old alpha or avail model, either of which will…

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Answer 9

When a vehicle is being towed it cannot operate its own lights. The diodes are a gateway with 2 inputs and one output. One input is the regular wiring on the vehicle. The other input is from the RV. Since vehicles being flat towed will not have…

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Answer 10

Hey Brian, this is a great question but the Roadmaster charge line kit part #RM-156-25 does not have anything built into it to detect when a battery is fully charged and then stop charging. Now with that said this does not have a high enough amperage…

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Answer 11

In regards to the Towed Vehicle Battery Charge Wire Kit for Demco Supplemental Braking Systems part #DM66VR, we must recommend you attach the power wire directly to the battery. Therefore, if the battery is in the truck you would likely need to…

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Answer 12

Hi Merrill! We do have options to adapter your Roadmaster All Terrain tow bar, but the D-rings are going to be the deciding factor. I have the three options listed below: Adapter for Jeep D-Ring Bumper Mounts to Roadmaster Motor Home Mount Tow Bars -…

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Parts Needed to Charge Battery of Towed Vehicle while Flat Towing

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