Towing a 2015/2016 Ford Edge

[Kaz]

We've been looking to buy a 2015/2016 Ford Edge, which is listed as towable four-wheels-down in both the FMCA Towing Guide and the owner's manual. However, the owner's manual says that the battery cable has to be disconnected to tow. I was positive that the requirement was simply a technical addition drafted by a lawyer and assumed that I'd just pull a fuse or add one of those disconnect thingies. So I checked out the Roadmaster options and, believe it or not, Roadmaster says:

• Must a fuse be pulled to tow? NO.
• Fusemaster part number: NO.
• Must the battery be disconnected to tow? YES
• Is the vehicle known to drain the battery while towing? YES

The Roadmaster listing is different for '07-'14 Edges, although the disconnect is still not recommended.

Which means that all of the evidence is pointing to the fact that I would actually have to disconnect the battery cable. I've done a couple online searches and the reports are mixed, with some folks reporting that the battery drains, and some saying they haven't had the problem. I haven't found good information on the 2015 or 2016 models.

So I'm kinda stuck. I really like the Edge, but I'm not keen on disconnecting the battery cable. I suppose I could install a battery disconnect switch (like one of those blade-style disconnects), but that still wouldn't be my first choice. Can anyone tell me what I'm missing, or offer some guidance? I'd appreciate whatever wisdom anyone can offer.

Thanks muchos,
Skip

[JR45]

I just got a 2011 Ford Edge Sport getting it ready to tow with the Air Force One and installing the RaodMaster base plat.
To save the battery I will be installing this by RVibrake
http://www.rvibrake.com/Towed-Battery-Charger-p/tbc-12014.htm
JR

[2112]

We have a 2015 Ford Edge with the EcoBoost engine. The manual says this engine/tranny is NOT designed to be towed 4 down. There is other engine that is.

As far as losing your presets when disconnecting the battery, you don't. I have three Ford's, a 2005, 2011 and 2015. I disconnect the battery to equalize them every six months. They all retain their presets for radio, seat and mirror settings, etc.

[down_home]

I haven't read a 2015 manual.
We have a 13 Edge. A lot of people were putting the foot on the brake, as natural when they put key into the acceory or off position with trans in neutral and guess what the radio and lights and everything else, including odometer was working. It drained a lot of batteries. We did it one time.
So maybe they said to disconnect the batter for that reason.
We have a charge wire from Mh as, most or all others do to the battery. It powers tail lights blinkers brake lights etc. Supposedly the headlights won't work in the accessory position but we cut them of anyway and put the ac outside vent door, closing it, into recirculation mode before cutting off the engine into accessory mode.
You might call Ford Customer Care and inquire, Most Dealers guess or make stabs at it unless they sell several to RVers.
there have been others with 15s on the forum and hadn't mentioned disconnecting the battery.

[SuGar_Shack]

Oops! My previous post was supposed to read 2010 Ford Edge, not 2020. Must be my vision since those models aren't out yet. Also, would installing a switch to the battery and turning it OFF while towing disable the power steering or not? Supposed to leave ignition in the accessory position according to the manual.
Thanks

[Bumpyroad]

I remember seeing a "settings keeper" thingy that plugged into the cigarette lighter and had a 9 volt battery. supposedly kept settings ???
bumpy

[Kaz]

Thanks for all the replies. Since no contrary experience has surfaced, I guess I'll assume that the solution is a disconnect switch on the negative cable. I hope the presets are on an EPROM or backup battery or something so I won't lose those (although I'll check to be sure). And then the question becomes whether that added burden (minor as it is) changes my overall assessment. My sense is that it won't, but I'm still a ways off from making the purchase.

Thanks again,
Skip

[chevylover1965]

We're shopping for a new toad as well. We passed on the Edge because I would hate to lose all my presets every time I tow it. Also, the MyFord Sync has very bad reviews. Another issue that concerned me was the absence of 2016's and abundance of left over 2015's on the Ford lots. I'm not sure why that's the case.

[wcjeep]

We decided to pass on the Ford Edge. Sync 3 on the 2016 is a massive improvement over MyFordTouch on 2015 and below. Make sure your test drive is extensive. Some 2015+ Ford Edge have rattles. Be sure the interior trim is the same color. Also check all of the interior trim and external body panel gaps. Last I read the 2015+ is an entirely different platform. No information from 2014 and earlier is applicable.

[SuGar_Shack]

Our Toad is 2020 Ford Edge Limited AWD and manual gives explicit directions for flat towing. Says to leave the key on accessory and I assume that's for the power steering BUT we have also had battery drain issues. If you disconnect battery, won't that disable power steering too? I thought that perhaps battery drain came from one or two other possibles sources, such as wrong wire connection in electric cable plug RV to toad OR the StayandPlay braking system in the toad that has an off and on switch. Suggestions?

[sdianel_-acct_c]

my brother-in-law has a Saturn that also had to have the battery disconnected. He installed a disconnect switch inside the vehicle.

[Home_Skillet]

With the "key" off, there's no power to the electric power steering.

No mention of unhooking the battery here.

Go to Page 11

[Corkey05]

I haven't looked yet, but if Ford followed Chevy they have updated steering to electric. If the battery isn't disconnected it becomes a safety issue.

I'm ready to replace my Edge with a new one, but the battery issue threw me off too. My thinking so far is to simply install a cutoff switch similar to the cutoff on my MH batteries and make it simple.

I'm hoping one of the Ford techs on this board can chime in and give a good explanation. I don't mind disconnecting the battery, but would like to set it up as an easy fool proof method. Knowing "why" would sure help with the "how".

[Bumpyroad]

much ado over nothing. get a battery disconnect switch and get the vehicle you want. or wait till somebody posts "I have towed my Edge for 10,000,000 miles with the battery hooked up and it was just fine",
bumpy