Towing 2013 Ford Edge behind Class A

Dixie Flyer wrote:
Picked up the Ford Edge this morning and towed it home behind the motorhome. We will be leaving for Michigan in two weeks making a stop in Findlay, Ohio to visit some friends. It was thirty miles to home this morning on Interstate 85, didn't even know it was back there.

:) On smaller cars it is that way. I have a Toyota Yaris (standard). With the low weight it's like just a "nothing" back there. Still like the tow dolly as it eliminates a lot of steps. I know it cringes some people out but technically trailer brakes are not even needed... 2288 pounds...

Picked up the Ford Edge this morning and towed it home behind the motorhome. We will be leaving for Michigan in two weeks making a stop in Findlay, Ohio to visit some friends. It was thirty miles to home this morning on Interstate 85, didn't even know it was back there.

On our edge (2008) the key needs to be in the unlocked position so the steering wheel is free to turn and that the transmission can be in Neutral.
There is actually 2 accessory positions, the first is simply unlocked and nothing powered on (this is where it needs to be for towing) and in the second position the radio works etc.
How our manual reads is:
Hook up, put in neutral, ensure parking brake is off, turn key until is stops (all dash items and radio are off). Done.
Never have had the battery die on us.
Also had a non-chipped key made to tow with. Unlocks the Edge but will not start it.

nemo45 wrote:

Executive wrote:
Double check your owner's manual and/or Ford as some year model Edges were determined they could NOT be towed four down. Problems with the transmission.

The steering column must be unlocked to tow it, hence the position of the key. I'm not sure if you can pull a fuse to bypass the ignition set up or not. On GM cars the fuse must be pulled or you run down the battery. We installed a simple on/off switch that does just that. Put the key in acc and flip the switch and we are good to go. Play with your fuses or ask your Ford rep if that's possible. Otherwise there are several aftermarket ways to charge the battery while towing.....Dennis

Ditto!

Okay I talked with a Ford Tech and was given this explanation as to why the ignition key should be left on in the accessory position on the 2013 Ford Edge while towing. With the ignition key in the accessory position this allows the computer to keep track of the transmission fluid temperature. If the transmission fluid become too hot the fan will turn on that cools the fluid thus keeping the transmission from over heating causing damage to the transmission.

novi2some wrote:
On my 2014 Edge, there isn't any locking steering wheel feature. I toad it in neutral and key in the off position with no issues. The battery was not dead after 3 1/2 hours of towing.

My 2013 Ford Edge doesn't have a locking steering wheel either. The book says to turn the ignition key to the accessory position while towing with no explanation as to why.

On my 2014 Edge, there isn't any locking steering wheel feature. I toad it in neutral and key in the off position with no issues. The battery was not dead after 3 1/2 hours of towing.

We have navigation and push button ignition in our 2013 Edge. The battery would sometimes die on us. We now have a charging line from the coach to the car and have had no more dead batteries.

Executive wrote:
Double check your owner's manual and/or Ford as some year model Edges were determined they could NOT be towed four down. Problems with the transmission.

The steering column must be unlocked to tow it, hence the position of the key. I'm not sure if you can pull a fuse to bypass the ignition set up or not. On GM cars the fuse must be pulled or you run down the battery. We installed a simple on/off switch that does just that. Put the key in acc and flip the switch and we are good to go. Play with your fuses or ask your Ford rep if that's possible. Otherwise there are several aftermarket ways to charge the battery while towing.....Dennis

Ditto!

Double check your owner's manual and/or Ford as some year model Edges were determined they could NOT be towed four down. Problems with the transmission.

The steering column must be unlocked to tow it, hence the position of the key. I'm not sure if you can pull a fuse to bypass the ignition set up or not. On GM cars the fuse must be pulled or you run down the battery. We installed a simple on/off switch that does just that. Put the key in acc and flip the switch and we are good to go. Play with your fuses or ask your Ford rep if that's possible. Otherwise there are several aftermarket ways to charge the battery while towing.....Dennis

I would guess it would be so the front wheels will turn without the steering wheel being locked into place. And yes it will run the battery down. That is why we use a Toad Charge from lslproducts.