Help, Ford Explore battery dies when flat towing

[familyman5]

I have a 2014 Ford Explorer that is supposed to be able to Flat tow without pulling any fuses but the battery dies and less than four hours. I purchased this vehicle to tow behind our motorhome because it is supposed to be able to go six hours before needing to run the car engine for five minutes to recharge the battery. I just towed the vehicle on our first trip and after four hours the battery was completely dead. I followed the owners manual that said to put the key in the accessory position. Note that I am not using a braking system that requires any battery power and I had the battery checked at an auto parts store and it was fine. Can anyone help with this?

[down_home]

Sounds like you got it licked.,
Some forget to turn off the headlights, or close the ac outside vent,etc.
Our 10 Edge we didn't turn the key all the way back and ran the battery down.
We have a charge wire from the coach. The brake lights, turn indicators and at night the taillights still require electricity. So far with the 13 Edge we haven't run the battery down. Still stop every several hours and start the Edge and run it through the gears.

[familyman5]

Thanks again to all who have commented and shared their experience or opinions. My second towing experience with the explorer went much better. After about four hours the battery worked fine. As was suggested I turned the key back as far as I could go to the left instead of the first or accessory position where It was the first time. There is also a large LED screen that controls the radio, climate and navigation that I found through the menu where that screen can be turned off. I also turned the headlights to the off position instead of the auto position where they were the first time-although I towed mostly during the day the first time so I don't think they came on anyway. I'm not sure which one of these solved the problem but hopefully I am good to go from here. Thanks again for all the help! I am sure this will not be our last hurdle as we plan to be on the road for about four months 🙂

[dubdub07]

CA Traveler wrote:

dubdub07 wrote:
I do the POS cable because it is just closer. I just do not do the NEG cable because it can still connect the circuit by just touching metal and I do not want that. If the POS touches anything it won't do a thing. Preference.

Be safe and install a switch.

Well, 12 volts wont kill me and I already have a 10mm wrench.....so I didn't buy a switch. If it were my primary toad, I would. But I just don't tow the Taurus much. But when I do......that POS cable comes right off and I only leave it hand tight until we stop so I can put it on and take it off super quick....

Bill

[CA_Traveler]

dubdub07 wrote:
I do the POS cable because it is just closer. I just do not do the NEG cable because it can still connect the circuit by just touching metal and I do not want that. If the POS touches anything it won't do a thing. Preference.

Be safe and install a switch.

[dubdub07]

familyman5 wrote:

dubdub07 wrote:
It is an easy disconnect at the pos terminal. Just disconnect and don't worry about it. I have a 13 Taurus and have to do this. After your 5 minute run in the morn, just use a 10mm wrench and pull the cable off the battery. Much easier than jumping the battery.

Bill

Do you know if it matters if the positive or negative side is disconnected?
As someone stated above there are some cars that need to be flat towed without the battery been disconnected, not sure if the explorer is one of those. However if it can be towed with the battery disconnected then couldn't I just leave it in neutral and take the key out?

Yes, you could just take the key out. Mine is push button start, so I have to do the battery. It won't turn off. I do the POS cable because it is just closer. I just do not do the NEG cable because it can still connect the circuit by just touching metal and I do not want that. If the POS touches anything it won't do a thing. Preference.

Bill

[CA_Traveler]

familyman5 wrote:
Do you know if it matters if the positive or negative side is disconnected?
As someone stated above there are some cars that need to be flat towed without the battery been disconnected, not sure if the explorer is one of those. However if it can be towed with the battery disconnected then couldn't I just leave it in neutral and take the key out?

Absolutely no electrical difference. However, from a SAFETY standpoint disconnect the negative cable. Why? - Disconnect the positive cable first and connect it to the surrounding grounds with a wrench and you'll have instant sparks and possibly high heat and melting metal or possibly worst.

I don't know why one would disconnect a battery cable for multiple towing's versus adding a disconnect switch. I sure as hel* would not be removing battery cables for towing.

[RognBon]

Posted By wrote:
Auto lamp feature? Do you mean the light on the ceiling? If so yes I have this but it turns off when the door is closed

What I meant by "autolamp" is the headlights. Make sure the switch is in the off position or the headlights and dash lights may still come on.

I am curious, when you tow the Edge how many hours are you able to go? Do you have to stop every six hours and run the engine for five minutes as it states in the explorer manual?

Yes, the manual does recommend starting the engine every six hours to circulate the fluids, but I never tow for more than four or five hours, so I don't bother, and I have never had any issues.

[familyman5]

familyman5 wrote:

RognBon wrote:
Try turning the key all the way back to the left. Don't stop at the accessory position. This is how we tow our Ford Edge and it has worked for eight years with never a dead battery. Once the transmission is in neutral, turning the key all the way back will turn everything off and still leave the steering wheel unlocked.

Thanks for the suggestion. On my 2014 Explorer iturning it back as far as it will go to the left still keeps the dash lights on.

I am curious, when you tow the Edge how many hours are you able to go? Do you have to stop every six hours and run the engine for five minutes as it states in the explorer manual?

[familyman5]

RognBon wrote:
Does your Explorer have the autolamp feature? If so, make sure it is in the off position. Also, make sure the sound system is off and the air conditioner/heater fan controls are also off. My daughter has a 2014 Explorer. Since she was here picking up the grandkids, I checked and everything including the dash lights were off when I turned the key all the way back to the left. Sorry I can't be of more help.

Auto lamp feature? Do you mean the light on the ceiling? If so yes I have this but it turns off when the door is closed

[familyman5]

dubdub07 wrote:
It is an easy disconnect at the pos terminal. Just disconnect and don't worry about it. I have a 13 Taurus and have to do this. After your 5 minute run in the morn, just use a 10mm wrench and pull the cable off the battery. Much easier than jumping the battery.

Bill

Do you know if it matters if the positive or negative side is disconnected?
As someone stated above there are some cars that need to be flat towed without the battery been disconnected, not sure if the explorer is one of those. However if it can be towed with the battery disconnected then couldn't I just leave it in neutral and take the key out?

[dubdub07]

It is an easy disconnect at the pos terminal. Just disconnect and don't worry about it. I have a 13 Taurus and have to do this. After your 5 minute run in the morn, just use a 10mm wrench and pull the cable off the battery. Much easier than jumping the battery.

Bill

[RognBon]

Does your Explorer have the autolamp feature? If so, make sure it is in the off position. Also, make sure the sound system is off and the air conditioner/heater fan controls are also off. My daughter has a 2014 Explorer. Since she was here picking up the grandkids, I checked and everything including the dash lights were off when I turned the key all the way back to the left. Sorry I can't be of more help.

[familyman5]

RognBon wrote:
Try turning the key all the way back to the left. Don't stop at the accessory position. This is how we tow our Ford Edge and it has worked for eight years with never a dead battery. Once the transmission is in neutral, turning the key all the way back will turn everything off and still leave the steering wheel unlocked.

Thanks for the suggestion. On my 2014 Explorer iturning it back as far as it will go to the left still keeps the dash lights on.

[RognBon]

Try turning the key all the way back to the left. Don't stop at the accessory position. This is how we tow our Ford Edge and it has worked for eight years with never a dead battery. Once the transmission is in neutral, turning the key all the way back will turn everything off and still leave the steering wheel unlocked.

[olddog49]

familyman5 wrote:
I have a 2014 Ford Explorer that is supposed to be able to Flat tow without pulling any fuses but the battery dies and less than four hours. I purchased this vehicle to tow behind our motorhome because it is supposed to be able to go six hours before needing to run the car engine for five minutes to recharge the battery. I just towed the vehicle on our first trip and after four hours the battery was completely dead. I followed the owners manual that said to put the key in the accessory position. Note that I am not using a braking system that requires any battery power and I had the battery checked at an auto parts store and it was fine. Can anyone help with this?

I can only speak for the 2016 Explorer. Manual says to dis connect neg terminal. This model has an electric power steering, if you do not it will burn up the motor, pricy to replace. That said, Made a 6 hour trip with the neg. unhooked. Got set up at campground and re attached neg terminal, everything worked fine. No settings were lost as the ford service advisor said there would be. Maybe just lucky. Chargeline works great.