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j_wackerly's avatar
j_wackerly
Explorer
Sep 12, 2021

2015 Ford Focus flat tow damage

I had a 2015 Ford Focus that Ford said it could be flat tow behind a RV . My Ford Focus came lose from my RV . The unibody broke from the weld . The whole front of car came off . The car was still under warranty and Ford would not fix it . I baseplate was installed per instructions . It was still attached to the front of the car when it came off . This car should not be flat towed . It could happen to any Ford Focus with the same unibody.
  • I used to have a 2015 Focus that I flat towed. I installed the base plate myself so I'm pretty familiar with the front of the car.

    I don't know exactly what happened to the OP, but I surmise from his description that the frame broke rearwards of the base frame attachment point.

    Like many base plates, it is attached with 6 bolts - 3 on each side. Additionally, the base plate is connected to the frame via two cables - not the safety cables between the car and coach. On the focus, those "internal" cables also attach to the frame, so if the frame gave way, the cables would go with it.

    Hopefully there was an aux brake system that stopped the car after it came loose.

    Having said all of that, I can't imagine Ford, or any other manufacturer for that matter, repairing something like that, warranty or not - even a frame that is just bent, results in a total write off.
  • Yes, what came loose? The whole front of the car does not explain it. To me the whole front of the car is the base of the windshield forward!
  • You said the Focus came loose from your RV. Was it involved in a crash after it came loose or, did the safety chains hold it?
    Did it come loose because the weld broke or did the weld break after it came loose?
    Sorry, I'm little confused.
  • More info please. Tow setup, speeds towed, brake system. What reason is Ford giving for denying warranty? Your Focus was a 2015, when did this happen? How many total miles had you towed the Focus?

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