Do I Need a Charge Line Kit To Flat Tow My 2025 Ford Escape Plug-In Hybrid

Updated 12/20/2025 | Published 12/16/2025

Products Featured in This Question

Blue Ox Base Plate Kit - Removable Arms

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$588.15

Demco Stay-IN-Play Duo Braking System for RVs w/ Hydraulic Brakes - Wireless Monitor - Proportional

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$1349.00

Roadmaster Battery Charge Line Kit for Towed Vehicles

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$42.89

Question:

I plan to tow a 2025 ford escape plug in hybrid behind my Jayco Quest. I purchased the baseplate and magnetic lights from you. Do I need to install the wiring to charge the escape battery. A friend told me the the hybrid feature will charge the battery of the escape without the normaly recommended charge kit.

asked by: Bill C

Expert Reply:

Hey, Bill.

If you’re not installing a supplemental braking system, like part # DM86VR, then the answer is no, you won’t need to install a charge line kit (part # RM-156-25). You will, however, want to double-check your owner’s manual for the exact steps to put your Escape into Tow Mode. From what I found, once the vehicle is in Tow Mode it will then transition into Sleep Mode.

We do have an important note about that process:

Once the vehicle is set in Tow Mode, make sure to wait at least 10 minutes for it to enter Sleep Mode. If it isn’t fully in Sleep Mode, the system can over-brake and cause serious, non-warranty damage.

As for travel rules, it depends on where you’re driving. On the interstate, you just need to follow the laws of the state where your RV and towed vehicle are registered. Once you get off the interstate and onto state roads, your setup will need to comply with that specific state’s flat towing laws. Each state has its own let of laws, especially when it comes to whether a braking system is required, so it’s something to keep in mind as you plan your route.

Is this your first time venturing into a flat tow set up?

expert reply by: Gwendolyn Y

Part DM86VR
(click to enlarge)

Bill C.

12/17/2025

Thanks Gwendolyn. Yrs this is our first time towing so big learning curve for us. We will be using the RVi series 3 brake system in the Escape so will be plugging that into the cigarette lighter. Our friend said the hybrid feature of the Escape will charge the batteries so no need for supplemental charging. Is that correct? We have read the owners manual so know how to put it in towing mode but the manual does not address the question I have. Thanks.

Gwendolyn Y.

12/17/2025

@BillC If you're going to be using the RVi system you will need the charge line kit and a 12v outlet. Since your vehicle is going into a sleep mode all of your 12v outlets will not be getting power. Part # RM-9332 gets wired into the vehicle battery. Since you will be pulling power from the battery, you would also need charge line kit # RM-156-25 to supply power to the battery so that the RVi system doesn't drain the battery. I checked into some forums and a few technical information about your plug-in hybrid and nothing indicates that you would be getting a charge while the vehicle is in tow mode.

Bill

12/17/2025

@GwendolynY Thanks much Gwendolyn. I will order those parts.

Randy

12/18/2025

@BillC Bill somewhat unrelated to your question. Hit we have a 2023 Escape Hybrid, not plugin so it might be different. But we originally had some issues with the RVi braking due to it being configured incorrectly. Our vehicle has active brakes. Which has a much lower pressure applied than vacuum brakes. Douple check with RVi as to which yours has. Probably the same as ours. Our towed vehicles brakes would lock up until we configured it correctly. And believe me it was a frightening experience when applying the brakes only to have the towed vehicle lock up until you come to a complete stop.