Blue Ox or Roadmaster Parts to Flat Tow 2023 Ford Maverick

Updated 08/20/2024 | Published 09/21/2023

Products Featured in This Question

Roadmaster Direct-Connect Base Plate Kit - Removable Arms

(3324)

$575.00

Blue Ox Patriot Portable Flat Tow Brake System - Proportional

(396)

$1505.17

Blue Ox Base Plate Kit - Removable Arms

(4614)

$520.74

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

(751)

$954.80

Roadmaster 4-Diode Universal Wiring Kit for Towed Vehicles - 7-Way to 6-Way Coiled Adapter Cord

(3183)

$179.96

Question:

I am torn between buying a blue ox or a roadmaster tow system. I have a 2023 Ford Maverick Hybrid. With the Blue Ox, I dont like the fact that it requires you to make cuts in the bumper to install the base plate. With the Roadmaster, I am concerned about having to remove all or part of the active grill shudder system. Im not so much concerned about the warranty issue, but the degrading the integrity of the shudders and what they are designed to accomplish. Id appreciate your honest opinion here. Thanks.

asked by: Mike M

Expert Reply:

I prefer the Blue Ox flat towing setups over the Roadmaster kits as I have found them to be just a little easier to use and they are very well made. I wouldn't worry to much about the bumper cuts and it doesn't affect the shudder system like you mentioned either. So for your 2023 Ford Maverick I would go with the base plate kit part # BLU86HR.

In addition to the base plates, you will also need a compatible tow bar, safety cables, lighting, and supplemental braking to flat tow your vehicle. One of the most popular compatible tow bars is the Blue Ox Avail # BX7420 which comes with safety cables. The coiled design helps keep the cables off of the ground.

For lighting you can use the diode kit, # RM-15267, and not have to worry about cutting into the taillight housing. This will splice into your taillight wiring to allow your tow vehicle to control the taillight assemblies of the towed vehicle. This comes with a round 6-way connector that you will install on the front of your towed vehicle and enough coiled wire to go from there to the RV.

And finally, most states now require supplemental braking in the vehicle being flat towed. The easiest system to set up and use is the Blue Ox Patriot # BLU37TR, that applies 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.

expert reply by: Jameson C

Denis

4/3/2024

It seems like the recommended tow bar is overkill for this light-weight vehicle (Ford Maverick). It is rated for 10,000 # when the Maverick only weighs about 5100 # fully loaded. Wouldn't the e47ZR with 6000 # capacity be adequate? I don't see any other differences in the descriptions other than payload.

Jameson C.

4/8/2024

@Denis Yeah the etrailer tow bar part # e47ZR would also work great. I really like the Avail and it does have more than enough weight capacity but that doesn't really have a downside.

Denis

8/20/2024

When I look at a particular item in this list, towards the bottom of the page there are lots of other things that people bought when buying these items. E.g. Roadmaster Battery Charge Line Kit for Towed Vehicles, etrailer Hitch Pin Alignment Collar for Hitch Accessories - 2" Hitches, and others. Just want to make sure the four items (BLU37TR, BLU88XR, BX7420, and RM-15267) are the complete list I'll need for towing my 2024 Ford Maverick Hybrid truck.

Jameson C.

8/20/2024

@Denis I pulled up the owners manual of your vehicle and it doesn't state that the battery needs to be disconnected to flat tow so you do not need the battery disconnect.