Flat Tow Components for 2023 Ford F150
Updated 09/10/2026 | Published 09/04/2026
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Question:
Hello ETrailer, I have a 2020 Diesel Pusher MH with A Spartan K2 equipped with AF1. I will be towing a F150. I also plan on caring standard bicycles with a Swagman bike rack, not attached to the F150. Below is a list of what I believe are the necessary parts. Could someone please confirm? Any additional advice wold be appreciated. Thank you for your time , Jim Charge Line Kit - RM-156-25 Tail Light kit - C63CR Demco Tabless base plate kit - DM 56MV XHD Tow Bar - E94ZR 7-way to 6-way - C59HR AFO Second Vehicle Kit - 6271 Dual Hitch - RM-077-8 I ordered an air hose from Demco direct for a Spartan chassis.
asked by: Jim S
Expert Reply:
Thanks for letting us help Jim. You're definitely most of the way there with your parts list. I do have a few recommendations and things I'd like you to verify before placing your order.
For the tow vehicle lighting, I would make one change. The Curt Universal Tail Light Wiring Kit # C63CR is not compatible with vehicles that use PWM (pulse-width modulation) wiring, which I believe is used on your 2023 Ford F-150. I'm not certain which individual lighting circuits on your truck use PWM, but I would avoid the possibility of compatibility issues with the Curt kit. Instead, I'd recommend the Roadmaster Smart Diode Kit # RM38FR if your F-150 has LED tail lights, or # RM26FR if it has incandescent tail lights. If you go with either of these Smart Diode kits, you will not need the # C63CR or # C59HR, since the Roadmaster kit includes the necessary wiring and connections.
You'll also need a dual hitch receiver that's approved for flat towing, such as the Roadmaster Dual Hitch Receiver Adapter # RM-077-8 you listed. The important thing here is making sure you select an adapter with the appropriate rise or drop so the tow bar remains as close to level as possible. The attachment points on the Demco Tabless Base Plate Kit # DM56MV will sit approximately 15-1/2 inches above the ground when installed on your F-150. Measure from the center of the receiver opening on your motorhome to the ground while the coach is parked on level ground. The difference between those two measurements will tell us how much rise or drop you need from the dual hitch adapter. You'll also want to keep in mind that using a hitch adapter reduces the available tongue weight capacity of the motorhome's receiver by as much as 50%. Make sure the reduced capacity is still sufficient for the combined weight of your Swagman bike rack and bicycles. Your F-150 contributes virtually no tongue weight while being flat towed because all four wheels remain on the ground, so the bike rack and bikes are the primary tongue weight load to consider.
Finally, I'd verify that your specific Swagman bike rack is approved for use on the back of a motorhome. Motorhome approved bike racks are built to withstand the increased bouncing and leverage that occurs at the rear of an RV. A rack that's rated only for passenger vehicle use may not be designed to handle those additional forces.
If you can send me the model number of your Swagman bike rack and the receiver height on your motorhome, I'd be happy to confirm both the bike rack compatibility and the correct rise/drop for your dual hitch adapter.
You put together a really solid parts list. Have you flat towed before or is this going to be your first time?
Greg S.
9/10/2026
I have the same tow bar. Not sure what the words "non-binding" mean in this case. If I stop the motorhome with the Jeep straight in line, the pins come out fairly easily. However, if it's not straight in line, I have to knock out at least one of the pins with a hammer. If that's what they mean by non-binding, then it's true. Otherwise, it's a little misleading.
Christopher H.
9/10/2026
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etrailer XHD Non-Binding Tow Bar - RV Mount - 2" Hitch - 10,500 lbs
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on Tow Bar
Jim S.
9/9/2026
Hey Christopher, Thanks you for your response. This is my first time flat towing. I had a 5th wheel prior and I used the Swagman on that and it is RV rated. As for the light kit, I ordered the C63cr, due in tomorrow. If I need a Diode Kit, I will order that. Here's my break down of the measurements: MH (Aired up) = 21 1/2", minus the 2" drop of adapter=19 1/2", minus 1 1/2 drop on tow bar =18", now add that the head of tow bar can be tilted down 2 - 2 1/2", I should be pretty much level. Jim S.