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willthib's avatar
willthib
Explorer
Aug 03, 2016

Flat towing 2017 Lincoln MKZ - Please help!

Hi Forum!

This is my first post on RV.net. We're getting our RV and car together and I need some help with the towing situation.

I just got a 2017 Lincoln MKZ. It has a 3.0 L engine, and the manual clearly states that the car can be flat towed up to 65 MPH and there is an easy setting in the system menu to detach the drivetrain.

All this looks good, but I have no idea what to do with a base plate to install onto the 2017 MKZ. I was looking at going with the BlueOx, but they don't have anything in their manual except the 2016 MKZ. Any guidance would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Will
  • rv2go's avatar
    rv2go
    Explorer II
    Aug 03, 2016
    Welcome to the Forum. I am sure you will like it here.

    I would give Blue Ox a call. I am sure they are working on a base plate for the 2017's. Might have to wait for a while till they get into production.
  • ccxnola's avatar
    ccxnola
    Explorer
    Aug 03, 2016
    Get to Blue Ox ASAP! Sometimes, if you go there, they will provide an installation on a new vehicle (that does not have a product from them) to ensure their product and installation instructions for the new vehicle are correct and satisfactory.
  • willthib's avatar
    willthib
    Explorer
    Aug 04, 2016
    Thanks for the feedback guys. We're in New Hampshire now, but maybe I can convince my wife to follow behind the RV to Minnesota.

    I will be giving them a call tomorrow to see if they've already worked on the baseplate.
  • mike_phyllis's avatar
    mike_phyllis
    Explorer
    Jul 21, 2017
    I am getting a 2017 Lincoln MKZ and called Blue Ox. They have a base plate for 2017 models, but you will need to let them know if you have adaptive cruise control or not, as the baseplates are different.
  • willthib's avatar
    willthib
    Explorer
    Jul 21, 2017
    That is correct. We drove to Nebraska where blue ox is and they custom built the baseplate for our car. We have the 2017 3.0 engine with adaptive cruise control. I'm not sure if some of the other engine options have adaptive cruise control, but it definitely works with this combo.
  • mike_phyllis's avatar
    mike_phyllis
    Explorer
    Jul 31, 2017
    Unfortunately, the patriot braking system will not work as the accessory 12 volts all go dark when the last step in neutral tow mode is executed.
    5. Turn the ignition off by pressing the engine START button without pressing the brake pedal.
    If the process completes successfully:
    • The N on the push-button transmission blinks slowly
    • A confirmation message appears in the information display.
    Am going with SMI Stay-in-play duo, flip a switch and tow....

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