Flat Tow failure

[pkanalyst]

True, wish my motorhome could handle a trailer and the bronco but just too heavy. And the hassle at every campground.... We travel around 300 miles a day, stay for a few days, go another 300 or so. Flat towing is so simple. Don't know what I'd do with trailer at most of the campgrounds we've been to. If I had known about this 4 months ago I would have never purchased Bronco. I was thinking about a tow dolly and rear driveshaft disconnect after someone mentioned it here. Tow dolly easy to store at campground and would solve weight problem. I just never thought they looked very safe.

I never wanted to get a trailer for the reasons you and others state. I dolly towed a FWD car for a while without any weight issues and it was plenty safe as long as you are diligent about following the steps, checking things over and maintaining your bearings, tires and brakes. But hooking and unhooking was a job and I do most of my RVing in the hot summer months. Some campgrounds were easy to accommodate the dolly especially if they had pull through sites for big rigs. If not, sometimes the dolly was a big pain on trips with multiple stops.
Flat towing is the whole reason I bought the Bronco. I’ve towed it for a few thousand miles and just became aware that this could be an issue. Doesn’t exactly make one confident that I should be doing this.

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[73Corvetteman]

I never wanted to get a trailer for the reasons you noticed others state. I dolly towed a FWD car for a while without any weight issues and it was plenty safe as long as you are diligent about following the steps, checking things over and maintaining your bearings, tires and brakes. But hooking and unhooking was a job and I do most of my RVing in the hot summer mone diligent ths. Some campgrounds were easy to accommodate the dolly especially if they had pull through sites for big rigs. If not, sometimes the dolly was a big pain on trips with multiple stops.
Flat towing is the whole reason I bought the Bronco. I’ve towed it for a few thousand miles and just became aware that this could be an issue. Doesn’t exactly make one confident that I should be doing this.

I hear you. Only thing I have noticed there have been no new reports that I can find this year. So either people have been more diligent performing the neutral tow process and ensuring battery voltage is maintained or Ford clandestinely updated the computer code to not change AWD modes if battery voltage drops too low. Or pure luck... We are leaving on a 2 month trip soon and I'm kinda nervous but I spoken to a lot of people that have towed successfully for many thousands of miles with no issues.
I think that maybe people are forgetting the last step in the process. Turn the ignition off. If left on the battery would run down quite a bit on a long trip. If they don't have a working charge line hooked to battery it could fall below the threshold that causes computers to do stupid things like disengage neutral tow mode. This is total speculation on my part.
I have installed a 4 camera mdvr 24/7 recording system in Bronco with one camera recording me do the neutral tow process and another mounted on steering colum recording the dash screen showing neutral tow mode enabled, transmission in neutral. If Ford denys warranty at least I have proof for court case.
I have spent the last 6 months trying to come up with some type of monitor to tell me if transmission starts turning when it shouldn't be but haven't come up with anything yet. I'm currently experimenting with a microphone to see if I can differentiate between transmission not turning or turning. People have suggested temperature sensor but I'm afraid by the time it registers heat there would be damage already done. Some have suggested unplugging shift motor on transfer case but don't know what might happen with computer then. There doesn't appear to be any solutions that I can find other than a trailer, a tow dolly with driveshaft disconnect on rear axle of Bronco, or just plain not flat towing it but like you that is the main reason I bought Bronco. And I love it other than this potential issue.
So my advice is use a checklist and video when you put in neutral tow mode. I think the odds are in our favor that nothing bad will happen ( other than the high blood pressure from stressing over it).

 

[Fordified1]

I’ve flat-towed to the beach and to Missouri so far. Heading to Silverton CO this Wednesday after work. 15+ hours and will boondock twice on the way up. I always disengage flat tow, and start the Bronco to let it charge the battery, test the transmission engagement, then go through the complete flat tow process before starting off in the morning. It definitely would be easy to forget to hit the ignition button that last time, but I believe it honks at you when you close the door.

 

[Fordified1]

I hear you. Only thing I have noticed there have been no new reports that I can find this year. So either people have been more diligent performing the neutral tow process and ensuring battery voltage is maintained or Ford clandestinely updated the computer code to not change AWD modes if battery voltage drops too low. Or pure luck... We are leaving on a 2 month trip soon and I'm kinda nervous but I spoken to a lot of people that have towed successfully for many thousands of miles with no issues.
I think that maybe people are forgetting the last step in the process. Turn the ignition off. If left on the battery would run down quite a bit on a long trip. If they don't have a working charge line hooked to battery it could fall below the threshold that causes computers to do stupid things like disengage neutral tow mode. This is total speculation on my part.
I have installed a 4 camera mdvr 24/7 recording system in Bronco with one camera recording me do the neutral tow process and another mounted on steering colum recording the dash screen showing neutral tow mode enabled, transmission in neutral. If Ford denys warranty at least I have proof for court case.
I have spent the last 6 months trying to come up with some type of monitor to tell me if transmission starts turning when it shouldn't be but haven't come up with anything yet. I'm currently experimenting with a microphone to see if I can differentiate between transmission not turning or turning. People have suggested temperature sensor but I'm afraid by the time it registers heat there would be damage already done. Some have suggested unplugging shift motor on transfer case but don't know what might happen with computer then. There doesn't appear to be any solutions that I can find other than a trailer, a tow dolly with driveshaft disconnect on rear axle of Bronco, or just plain not flat towing it but like you that is the main reason I bought Bronco. And I love it other than this potential issue.
So my advice is use a checklist and video when you put in neutral tow mode. I think the odds are in our favor that nothing bad will happen ( other than the high blood pressure from stressing over it).

My money is on Ford did a software update to address the issue but is keeping it secret because that would be an admission of fault.
Remember some Rangers had the same issue and a couple F150 Raptors burned to the ground. At least one of those took the motorhome with it. Just that one claim was probably worth over a million.

 

[grtharris]

I’ve flat-towed to the beach and to Missouri so far. Heading to Silverton CO this Wednesday after work. 15+ hours and will boondock twice on the way up. I always disengage flat tow, and start the Bronco to let it charge the battery, test the transmission engagement, then go through the complete flat tow process before starting off in the morning. It definitely would be easy to forget to hit the ignition button that last time, but I believe it honks at you when you close the door.

That a good reason to not disable the double honk and keep the key fob in your pocket,.

 

[73Corvetteman]

I’ve flat-towed to the beach and to Missouri so far. Heading to Silverton CO this Wednesday after work. 15+ hours and will boondock twice on the way up. I always disengage flat tow, and start the Bronco to let it charge the battery, test the transmission engagement, then go through the complete flat tow process before starting off in the morning. It definitely would be easy to forget to hit the ignition button that last time, but I believe it honks at you when you close the door.

And how many people would completely ignore that anyway.

 

[Ranbronc]

My money is on Ford did a software update to address the issue but is keeping it secret because that would be an admission of fault.
Remember some Rangers had the same issue and a couple F150 Raptors burned to the ground. At least one of those took the motorhome with it. Just that one claim was probably worth over a million.

I was thinking the same thing, I took mine for recalls awhile back and complained about the low Battey alerts after sitting a couple days , they did nothing to address it ( said not enough time cause it was not scheduled), I noticed past alerts are missing from my phone messages.
I did get a new alert 2 days ago after sitting for a couple days, first since taking it in a few months ago.

Last low battery alert has disappeared from my message list

 

[Cougs90]

After following the "flat tow" instructions to the letter and getting the "flat tow enabled" sign from our 2022 badlands, the transmission was destroyed to the tune of $10,000.00 as quoted by the ford tech. They have blamed me for the failure even though I followed fords instructions to the letter. I always received a "flat tow enabled" prompt on the dash board before the bronco was towed one foot. I had a fellow rv-er tell me a similar account just days before. [ i dismissed their claims because i had no issues until the failure]. If you know of any Bronco owner who had had a similar experience please contact me asap so i may formulate a course of action. maybe class-action.

Hello, my 2023 raptor bronco just experienced the same thing after following all neutral tow protocols..happened yesterday

 

[G6Bronco]

its happening all over the country. Unfortunately just to a few of us so they are blaming the consumers. ford has really dropped the ball.

 

[Fordified1]

its happening all over the country. Unfortunately just to a few of us so they are blaming the consumers. ford has really dropped the ball.

Post your link to HTSA again. Have you been in contact with any others who've had failures and denied warranty? What about a class action lawsuit?

 

[Runyon]

Hello, my 2023 raptor bronco just experienced the same thing after following all neutral tow protocols..happened yesterday

Yours is the first 23 I've heard about. Hoping this issue has been resolved. The only way that I proved mine was in tow mode was, I had pictures of the dash with GPS locations and matching up with my google location history. Also I had towed it over 600 miles and the odometer did not move. If it was in gear I don't think this could happen. I would make them show you exactly how you could of towed it improperly. Most techs know nothing about it, Once you have it on the dash not more you could do. I'm not sure if it was in gear if you would notice. I guess you could put it in neutral and tow without the transfer case in neutral. I really hate hearing this. After mine went through two transmissions and transfer case and they forgot my motor mount nuts during the repair , plus many other issues mine was turned back as a lemon. I'm getting a 24 and hoping this issue is solved. A couple questions, did your battery drop while towing? , did you have a charge system? Supplemental Brake System? How far did you tow it? Anyone else reading this, get a dash cam system with GPS, or take pictures for proof. By now they have to know this is an issue. They keep blaming the owners. I told them I'm sure the transmission looks like it was towed improperly but it wasn't my fault. Mine also over heated the engine, that was my first head scratcher it was complaining about over temp and it wasn't the transmission. I even opened the hood and nothing was warm I thought maybe it was just a faulty sensor. The next morning it started up with a big plume of blue smoke. My guess is the motor was turning and caused damage as well. I have heard of the being towed in improperly for real and the motor catching fire. I'd like more details about your issue. This really sucks.

 

[Cougs90]

Hi and thanks for your reply yes I do have supplemental breaks in a battery charging system hooked up per the hitch guys suggestion when installing the tow bar and all. I told it about 450 MI and I know I did the procedure correctly something obviously went wonky on it during the tow it's at a Ford dealer now I guess the battle will begin Monday

 

[Bsenecal]

Hi and thanks for your reply yes I do have supplemental breaks in a battery charging system hooked up per the hitch guys suggestion when installing the tow bar and all. I told it about 450 MI and I know I did the procedure correctly something obviously went wonky on it during the tow it's at a Ford dealer now I guess the battle will begin Monday

Good luck, sounds like some with this issue have been taken care of while others have not.
Brian

 

[Cougs90]

Thanks. Still can't belive it

 

[Cooperhawk]

I had a lot of difficulty getting our Outer Banks to display "Tow Mode" this morning. I called Ford and we walked through the procedure from the Manual together, and still no luck. Then I held the brake on as I selected it, and eureka, it engaged. The manual says hold the brake on and shift to Neutral, but it does not say continue holding the brake on as you select tow mode.

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