Best Flat Tow Setup For 2025 Ford Ranger

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Question:

Recommendation for flat towing setup for a 2025 Ford Ranger including lights and brakes. VIN is 1FTER4KP1SLE19716 Should not be needed but I am towing it with a 2007 Fleetwood Fiesta with a 7 pin plug and a brake controller.

asked by: Craig O

0

Expert Reply:

Hey Craig, thanks for reaching out. Yes we do have the parts you'll need to flat tow your 2025 Ford Ranger. Here is what I recommend:

- Roadmaster Direct-Connect Base Plate Kit - Removable Arms # RM23DQ

- etrailer XHD Non-Binding Tow Bar for Roadmaster Direct-Connect Base Plate - RV Mount - 10,500 lbs # e84ZR

- Roadmaster Smart Diode Kit for Variable Voltage LED Tail Lights - 7-Way to 6-Way Adapter Cord # RM38FR

- Roadmaster Battery Charge Line Kit for Towed Vehicles # RM-156-25

- Demco Stay-IN-Play Duo Flat Tow Brake System for RVs w/ Hydraulic Brakes - Proportional # SM99251

A few things to keep in mind here. The Diode wiring kit is intended for vehicles with LED taillights, and the charge line is required to keep the battery topped off. All of that will be run thru a 6-pin plug on the front of the truck, then connected to your motorhomes 7-way. The trailer brake controller is only for trailer towing and is not used for flat towing.

You may end up needing a drop hitch like part # BLU28XR to compensate for any height differences between the base plate arms and the hitch on your RV. Any difference of more than 3" will require a drop hitch. I also recommend getting a hitch lock # e98881 and a cover # e76FV to protect your tow bar.

Have you flat towed before? Or will this be your first time?

Where are you headed first after you get everything set up?

expert reply by: Jesse M

0

Roadmaster Direct-Connect Base Plate Kit
(click to enlarge)

Craig O.

6/2/2026

Jesse, Thank you for your recommendations. Some sheets, comments, and questions: - first time flat towing but have towed lots and lots of things. drove tow trucks and flatbeds towing a second car. - we plan on going cross country for months upon months -don’t love roadmaster brand, prefer blue ox for the tow bar - is there a diode kit that does not require splicing? Looking for minimum alteration to the Ranger. Don’t mind the wires but would prefer connections that plug in between existing plugs instead of getting spliced. - like the vacuum assist on the braking system but don’t love the amount of boxes and things to mount in the Ranger. Is there any other advantage to the Demco over the Patriot beyond the setup at tow time and storage? - already have the drop hitch from a tow dolly setup

Matt

6/3/2026

@CraigO I tow mine using a brake buddy. At first I was having issues with sensitivity and brake lockups on the ranger. I ended up switching the brake buddy to hybrid mode, which I believe is just low psi (10ish). It works fine after that. Assume the patriot would be similar. I spliced my taillights, there were rumors of a curt plug and play coming out, I dont know if it did.

Jesse M.

6/8/2026

@CraigO Awesome, sounds good! We do have Blue Ox options for the base plate and tow bar. Here they are: - Blue Ox Base Plate Kit - Removable Arms # BLU77ER - Blue Ox Alpha Non-Binding Tow Bar - RV Mount - 2" Hitch - 8,500 lbs # BX7380 As far as the wiring kit, we don't offer any custom plug-in options. Even if we did, I usually don't recommend those. We see a ton of issues with those and they just aren't durable or reliable. The diode kit will be your best bet - especially if you will be doing frequent trips and long distance. For the braking system, that really comes down to your preference. I like the Demco system for a few reasons. It installs permanently so you don't have to deal with setup/takedown every time. Plus its just super reliable and works every time on almost any vehicle. The Patriot # BLU37TR is a very solid system too. Its the best we offer as far as portable systems so if that's what you prefer, definitely go for it. Setting it up is not challenging at all once you get the hang of it. Let me know if there is anything else I can do to help!

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Answer 7

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Best Flat Tow Setup For 2025 Ford Ranger

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