Towing 4 Down

P. A. Schilke

Well-Known Member
First Name
Phil
Joined
Apr 3, 2019
Threads
141
Messages
7,012
Reaction score
36,169
Location
GV Arizona
Vehicle(s)
2019 Ranger FX4 Lariat 4x4, 2020 Lincoln Nautilus, 2005 Alfa Motorhome
Occupation
Engineer Retired
Vehicle Showcase
1
Hi Folks,

Just towed my Ranger behind our Diesel pusher motor home. Tucson area to Prescott on back roads. Ranger worked perfectly! Toe base plates from Roadmaster. Wiring of brake lights and turn signals worked as planned too! whew!

Best,
Phil Schilke
Ranger Vehicle Engineering
Ford Motor Company. Retired
Sponsored

 

Rmblaster

Active Member
First Name
Richard
Joined
Jun 1, 2019
Threads
0
Messages
39
Reaction score
31
Location
Norco
Vehicle(s)
2019 Ford Ranger
What wiring did you use for lights
 

woody

Active Member
First Name
dave
Joined
Apr 24, 2019
Threads
1
Messages
32
Reaction score
25
Location
huntsville ontario canada
Vehicle(s)
2019 ranger xl supercab 4 x 4 towed
took my ranger for a test ride behind the motor home and all worked great !
blue ox base plate and ready brake . home made wiring like a trailer connection front to back and installed a set of new led 1157 style lights in the blank on the stock tail lights .
never felt like it was back there

dave
 

Rmblaster

Active Member
First Name
Richard
Joined
Jun 1, 2019
Threads
0
Messages
39
Reaction score
31
Location
Norco
Vehicle(s)
2019 Ford Ranger
took my ranger for a test ride behind the motor home and all worked great !
blue ox base plate and ready brake . home made wiring like a trailer connection front to back and installed a set of new led 1157 style lights in the blank on the stock tail lights .
never felt like it was back there

dave

Got any pics on how you installed led lights on the stock taillights
 


Spenc

Member
First Name
Tad
Joined
Apr 24, 2019
Threads
1
Messages
13
Reaction score
29
Location
Homer Glen
Vehicle(s)
2019 Ranger Lariat FX4 Hot Pepper Red
I am using a brake buddy with my Ranger and am having a hard time getting the break away switch wires through the firewall. How did you get the wire through the firewall?
 

Rick - Saber

Well-Known Member
First Name
Rick
Joined
Apr 18, 2019
Threads
4
Messages
303
Reaction score
377
Location
NC
Vehicle(s)
Sport Ranger 4x4
Silly question, never been in a position to flat tow a vehicle. I remember a while back seeing a video on going into the menu settings to put the truck in neutral to tow it. Something I do not remember it addressing is what do you do with the keys while towing it.

If you have an actual key (not push button start) do you leave it in the ignition so the steering wheel remains unlocked? Granted you want the steering wheel straight as can be, does it not matter if the steering is locked when being towed? I'm guessing leaving keys in ignition is not a good thing and that you are not required to leave them in the towed vehicle.

Hmm. My initial thought was steering wheel unlocked might help it while being towed for making turns. Then I thought if you hit a pothole with one of the front wheels that turns the steering wheel enough that may not be a good thing either.
 

ExChief45

Well-Known Member
First Name
Scott
Joined
Jan 17, 2019
Threads
2
Messages
131
Reaction score
198
Location
Clinton, NJ
Vehicle(s)
2000 Chrysler Concorde
Occupation
Gas System Operations - Supervisor
Vehicle Showcase
1
I have not set up my Ranger for towing yet. However my Focus I was able to set it up and remove the key. The steering wheel needs to be unlocked or you will cause damage. Never had an issue with pot holes and towed that car for 3 years without issues, With proper tow bar set up the towed vehicle just follows right along.

10209183405679974.jpg
 

t4thfavor

Well-Known Member
First Name
Chance
Joined
Feb 5, 2019
Threads
32
Messages
2,593
Reaction score
2,328
Location
Michigan
Vehicle(s)
2019 Ranger XLT FX4 Fox 2.0, 2011 Ford Edge Sport
I am using a brake buddy with my Ranger and am having a hard time getting the break away switch wires through the firewall. How did you get the wire through the firewall?
Not for those type of wires, but I ran 2 #12 wires through the grommet where the hood release/wiring harness passes through. It's directly under and to the right of the brake booster/master cylinder. It can be found inside the cab right above where the e-brake would be on some vehicles.
 

woody

Active Member
First Name
dave
Joined
Apr 24, 2019
Threads
1
Messages
32
Reaction score
25
Location
huntsville ontario canada
Vehicle(s)
2019 ranger xl supercab 4 x 4 towed
I drilled a hole just to the driver side of the brake lines and it was close about 1/2 " away to line up the brake peddle

for a 4 banger there is not much room left under the hood for anything ?

dave
 
OP
OP
P. A. Schilke

P. A. Schilke

Well-Known Member
First Name
Phil
Joined
Apr 3, 2019
Threads
141
Messages
7,012
Reaction score
36,169
Location
GV Arizona
Vehicle(s)
2019 Ranger FX4 Lariat 4x4, 2020 Lincoln Nautilus, 2005 Alfa Motorhome
Occupation
Engineer Retired
Vehicle Showcase
1
I am using a brake buddy with my Ranger and am having a hard time getting the break away switch wires through the firewall. How did you get the wire through the firewall?
Hi,

I went through the large grommet for the14401 wiring harness.
Ran two sets of 4 conductor wire.

Best,
Phil Schilke
Ranger Vehicle Engineering
Ford Motor Company Retired
 

Spenc

Member
First Name
Tad
Joined
Apr 24, 2019
Threads
1
Messages
13
Reaction score
29
Location
Homer Glen
Vehicle(s)
2019 Ranger Lariat FX4 Hot Pepper Red
Thanks for the information. I was able to fish the wires through the grommet with a little luck. That grommet is packed tight! I tested everything and it is working good.

IMG_20190629_114911.jpg
 
OP
OP
P. A. Schilke

P. A. Schilke

Well-Known Member
First Name
Phil
Joined
Apr 3, 2019
Threads
141
Messages
7,012
Reaction score
36,169
Location
GV Arizona
Vehicle(s)
2019 Ranger FX4 Lariat 4x4, 2020 Lincoln Nautilus, 2005 Alfa Motorhome
Occupation
Engineer Retired
Vehicle Showcase
1
Thanks for the information. I was able to fish the wires through the grommet with a little luck. That grommet is packed tight! I tested everything and it is working good.

IMG_20190629_114911.jpg
Hi Tad,

Glad it worked! We just got back from spending a month in Flagstaff and Prescott to escape the 100° plus heat of Green Valley. Ranger towed 4 down very well!

best,
Phil Schilke
Ranger Vehicle Engineering
Ford Motor Co. Retired
 

BillinPCB

Well-Known Member
First Name
Bill
Joined
Dec 23, 2019
Threads
2
Messages
45
Reaction score
62
Location
Panama City Beach, FL
Vehicle(s)
1999 Miata, 2019 Ford Ranger Crew Cab XLT, 2019 Ford F53 Motorhome
took my ranger for a test ride behind the motor home and all worked great !
blue ox base plate and ready brake . home made wiring like a trailer connection front to back and installed a set of new led 1157 style lights in the blank on the stock tail lights .
never felt like it was back there

dave
How did you make the holes for those light sockets? I am guessing drill the correct dia. and then use a file to notch for the socket tabs - am I guessing correctly?
Sponsored

 
 



Top