I tow a 2007 Ford Edge too! I have a gas engine, and use vacuum from the engine to power my braking system. It is about $35 in junkyard parts, a old cruise control motor, vacuum relay, and some check valves. I had to buy a 50' air hose, and quick disconnect fittings for a air hose.
I have all wheel drive, so I can not tow it on a dolly, it must be flat towed. FWD cars can be towed on a dolly.
I used a kit of diodes to run the factory running lights from the motorhome, so when the left or right turn signals are on, they turn on the same side brake lights. I removed the lens, found the factory wire to the brake lamp, cut it, confirmed it was not the running light, and then put in the diode kit. It has two inputs (RV and car) and one output (the wire you cut). So all I have to do is hook up a 7 wire harness from the RV to the car, and I am ready to tow.
I have +12 from my brake pedal to the vacuum solenoid in the car, that applies vacuum to the cruise control motor, and it pulls a cable, that pulls the brake pedal to the floor. Works great, and I used the same system on my 1999 Honda CRV. Going down a mountain, I tested it once, and basically 'rode the brakes' by softly applying the motorhome brakes, just enough to activate the brake lights, and turn on the Edge braking system. When I got to the rest area at the bottom of the mountain, the brake pads where not 'excessive hot' - so the braking system is working without pulling to hard.
I used a 3" diameter CC motor from a junkyard Nissan car. It was not so large that there might be to much pull, and small enough to fit under the dash of my car.
I have had a Roadmaster tow bar mounted to my RV since the motorhome was new in 1997. I have towed a Manx dune buggy, Honda CRV, and now the Ford Edge with it. Most of the weight stays on the RV, and it hooks up in about 30 seconds. You do not need to have the car centered behind the RV, as the arms are 18" long collapsed, and about 36" long extended.
I hook up the arms, and push the car backwards until one bar locks (sometimes I get luck and both might lock) and then release the parking brake. Make the car ready to tow (having started the engine, put it in drive, then neutral, then shut off the engine (having let it warm the transmission fluid for at least 3 minutes and charge the battery too). In my 2007, the key stays in the car, and I can use the other key remote to lock the car, I have a steering wheel lock. I have heard that 2009 and later have no steering wheel lock, and use a computer security system, so without the key, you can not drive it. I don't know if you would need to leave the key in the later models, check your owners manual. As I pull forward, the car will pull against the unlocked arm, extend it fully, and they will both be locked! Sometimes I apply the brake to make sure it locks, say if going down a hill when hitching up.
When towing, no miles show up on the odometer!
Every 2-3 hours, I run the engine for a little bit, to lube the transmission, make sure that the battery stays charged. I have never had a dead battery (except the time I left my GPS display on over a 3 day weekend).
RoadmasterInc.comI also have a 'tow shield' to protect my car from rocks that might be kicked up by the rear wheels. Roadmaster now has a improved tow guard, I have not tried it, but it is a skirt to provide even more protection. It looks a little more difficult to install, so I will probably stick with the tow guard.. .
Have fun camping and sightseeing! The Edge makes a very comfortable car to drive and tow!
Fred.
Money can't buy happiness but somehow it's more comfortable to cry in a
Porsche or Country Coach!
If there's a WILL, I want to be in it!
I havn't been everywhere, but it's on my list.
Kangen.com Alkaline waterEscapees.com
