g-man54

Those of us who have experienced having a dead battery at the end of the first day towing the Edge behind our RV can now purchase the after market trickle charger called the TOAD CHARGER. The best part is that FORD will reimburse you for the cost of this kit and may be willing to install it at no charge. The kit is called the TOAD CHARGER and is made in San Antonio, Tx. Cost is around $110.00. I chose to install it myself. THe kit consist of a 40 or 60 foot cable which connects to your RV vehicle battery/s and then into a small trickle charger mounted in the engine compartment of the Edge. THe time to install was less than 2 hours. This does NOT mean that FORD has found the cause for flat towed Edges batteries going dead or a fix for the problem. It is only a workable band-aid to the problem. Joe in Pensacola.

Good news (finally) from FORD. After months of complaining about the Edge Flat Towing problem, FORD has come up with a solution. This is NOT the Ford solution to the problem of batteries going dead after being flat towed only 8 hours or less, this is the trickle charger solution to this problem. Ford has yet come up with a fix to the problem but they are now at least acknowledging that the problem does exist and the best part is they will reimburse you for the purchase of the commercial trickle charger known as the TOAD CHARGER. Two weeks ago I received a check from FORD for the cost of the charger ($110.00). In addition, my local dealer was willing to install the TOAD CHARGER for free. I chose to install it myself and it took only about 2 hours. Two weeks ago I towed my Edge to central Florida and back and had no DEAD BATTERIES. This may be the end of my EDGE problem, but it still is a problem for FORD. Only when they re-write the owner's manual and instruct their mechanics and sales people about it will they be on the road to fixing the DEAD BATTERY problem.

Yes, I have been told by several other Edge owners that installing an after market trickle-charger like the "Toad Charger" is the fix for the dead battery problem. Unfortunately, this is not a FORD fix. Since I last wrote on this problem I have made some headway with the problem solvers at Ford. Each person I spoke with at each level has told me that this is the first they have ever heard of the dead battery-flat tow problem. I find this remarkable since there have been numerous posting of this problem on the Edge Forum over the past 12 months and also several postings of it on the Family Motor Coaching website. I also spoke with the owner of the "Toad Charger" in San Antonio, Tx. He states that he has sold several hundred Toad Chargers over the past several years and many have been to Edge owners. So, the problem is there for Ford to correct, not ME! My local Ford Service Manager advises that I tow the Edge with the key in the off or fully counter-clockwise direction. I'm planning a trip in two weeks and will try it. The requirement to run the engine every 200 to 300 miles still exist to "lube" the transmission so he says. The problem remains as do the questions: what is causing the battery to go dead after flat towing the Edge for 5-7 hours? Why is it necessary to have the key in the "Ford accessory position"? If so many Edge owners have reported this problem, why does Ford continue to say that the car can be flat towed behind an RV? and lastly, will this be the last Ford I buy? If anyone out there has had any luck in dealing with Ford about this problem I would like to hear from them. My cell phone is 850-232-4935. Joe in Pensacola.

If you have experienced towing your new Edge behind your RV and found the Edge battery dead at the end of the first day you are NOT alone. No one at Ford can explain why the battery goes dead when flat towed even when you follow the instructions in the owner's manual (page 234) to the letter. The manual is obviously in error and needs to be re-written. Running the Edge for 5 minutes at the start and periodically throughout the day does NOT keep it up! The manual also shows and mentions only 1 Accessory posiition (page 235). If there are 2 accessory positions on the ignition as some have stated then Ford needs to admit that and correct the manual. According to some, the first accessory position can only be located if you first turn the ignition on and then put the transmission in NEUTRAL. Then you turn the key counter-clockwise back until it stops. You are now in the first accessory position and according to some, in this position you will NOT experience any battery drain. If you do as the manual states and put the key in Ford accessory (Second) position you will experience as some have reported up to 12 amps of battery drain. I have tried to replicate this with a VOM and have had no luck. In the 1st. accessory position you will not be able to remove the key from the ignition. To do that, you must put your foot on the brake, move the shift lever to PARK and then you can turn the ignition to OFF and remove the key. For over 3 months now I have asked Ford three questions: 1. Why is it necessary to have the key in accessory when flat towing? 2. What is the phantom 1st. accessory position and how does it differ from the one on page 235? 3. If battery is so important to the flat towing of the Edge, what happens to it when it is towed with a dead battery? My service advisor is working on the answers but nothing has come back from Ford. One Ford service advisor told me to disconnect the negative battery terminal. This did save the battery but it also killed the backup (Roadmaster/BrakeMaster 9100) breaking system. Without battery the red light in the MH which monitors the braking system and the Break Away system will NOT function. So, I must have battery. Another issue has to do with installing a battery charger system (Toad Charger) in the Edge. If Ford says this is THE solution to the problem are they also saying that they approve it and that installing it will not void the Edge warranty? It would be nice if Ford put this in writing to cover the owners. My local Service Manager recently told me that the only sure way to fix this problem is to install the aftermarket trickle (Toad) charger. He says that doing so will NOT affect the warranty in any way. But he won't put it in writing. Since the problem appears to be inherent with the Edge why can't Ford find a fix? Why is it necessary for the owner to come up with the fix? It's called SERVICE people.

If hitting every thread gets Fords attention then so be it. So far, above the local dealer level Ford won't even acknowledge they have a problem. Until then, I'll continue being the squeaky wheel.

I bought my 2011 Edge for one reason.....I was told by the salesman that it was "Flat towable" behind my RV. I also did my homework on this subject and all sources supported what Ford says. The truth of the matter is that if you follow the owners manual to the letter you will NOT be able to start the Edge at the end of the first day. The car's battery will be DEAD! The manual needs to be re-written, the dealers and Ford mechanics need to be advised and Ford needs to find a FIX. My experiences with this dead battery problem can be read in many of the submissions in this forum. Based on the number of Edge owners with the same problem I would say the problem is inherent in the design and to date Ford cannot (will not) tell me what the cause is or how to fix it. Had I known about this problem before, I would have bought a Jeep product instead. Otherwise, I like the car. Not happy in Pensacola.

Question 1. Just curious as to whether of not anyone (technical) at FORD ever reads any of the Forum submissions? Question 2. Has anyone ever been contacted by Ford after mentioning a problem with their Edge on this forum? Question 3. If you were contacted, did you receive satisfaction with the problem? My experiences with Ford have been less than satisfactory. If you try to contact anyone technical at their headquarters you end up speaking with a yes-man in Orlando who has one answer for everything.... Take if back to your dealer and have them fix it. It doesn't occur to them that if I'm calling "headquarters" I must not have resolved the problem locally. I have a 2011 Edge Limited with 9,000 miles.

Dear Edge Dead Battery: Welcome to the club of 2011 Ford Edge dead battery owners. You are NOT alone. I too have experience this problem with flat towing my new Edge and finding the battery dead about noontime. I'll pass on what I have learned from Ford and others on the Forum. No one at Ford can explain why the battery goes dead when flat towed even when you follow the instructions in the owner's manual (page 234) to the letter. The manual is obviously in error and needs to be re-written. Running the Edge for 5 minutes at the start and periodically throughout the day does NOT keep it up! The manual also shows and mentions only 1 Accessory posiition (page 235). If there are 2 accessory positions on the ignition as some have stated then Ford needs to admit that and correct the manual. According to some, the first accessory position can only be located if you first turn the ignition on and then put the transmission in NEUTRAL. Then you turn the key counter-clockwise back until it stops. You are now in the first accessory position and according to some, in this position you will NOT experience any battery drain. If you do as the manual states and put the key in Ford accessory (Second) position you will experience as some have reported up to 12 amps of battery drain. I have tried to replicate this with a VOM and have had no luck. In the 1st. accessory position you will not be able to remove the key from the ignition. To do that, you must put your foot on the brake, move the shift lever to PARK and then you can turn the ignition to OFF and remove the key. For over 3 months now I have asked Ford three questions: 1. Why is it necessary to have the key in accessory when flat towing? 2. What is the phantom 1st. accessory position and how does it differ from the one on page 235? 3. If battery is so important to the flat towing of the Edge, what happens to it when it is towed with a dead battery? My service advisor is working on the answers but nothing has come back from Ford. One Ford service advisor told me to disconnect the negative battery terminal. This did save the battery but it also killed the backup (Roadmaster/BrakeMaster 9100) breaking system. Without battery the red light in the MH which monitors the braking system and the Break Away system will NOT function. So, I must have battery. Another issue has to do with installing a battery charger system (Toad Charger) in the Edge. If Ford says this is THE solution to the problem are they also saying that they approve it and that installing it will not void the Edge warranty? It would be nice if Ford put this in writing to cover the owners. Hope this helps. Let us know if you find a solution to the dead battery problem.

Dear Edge Dead Battery: Welcome to the club of 2011 Ford Edge dead battery owners. You are NOT alone. I too have experience this problem with flat towing my new Edge and finding the battery dead about noontime. I'll pass on what I have learned from Ford and others on the Forum. No one at Ford can explain why the battery goes dead when flat towed even when you follow the instructions in the owner's manual (page 234) to the letter. The manual is obviously in error and needs to be re-written. Running the Edge for 5 minutes at the start and periodically throughout the day does NOT keep it up! The manual also shows and mentions only 1 Accessory posiition (page 235). If there are 2 accessory positions on the ignition as some have stated then Ford needs to admit that and correct the manual. According to some, the first accessory position can only be located if you first turn the ignition on and then put the transmission in NEUTRAL. Then you turn the key counter-clockwise back until it stops. You are now in the first accessory position and according to some, in this position you will NOT experience any battery drain. If you do as the manual states and put the key in Ford accessory (Second) position you will experience as some have reported up to 12 amps of battery drain. I have tried to replicate this with a VOM and have had no luck. In the 1st. accessory position you will not be able to remove the key from the ignition. To do that, you must put your foot on the brake, move the shift lever to PARK and then you can turn the ignition to OFF and remove the key. For over 3 months now I have asked Ford three questions: 1. Why is it necessary to have the key in accessory when flat towing? 2. What is the phantom 1st. accessory position and how does it differ from the one on page 235? 3. If battery is so important to the flat towing of the Edge, what happens to it when it is towed with a dead battery? My service advisor is working on the answers but nothing has come back from Ford. One Ford service advisor told me to disconnect the negative battery terminal. This did save the battery but it also killed the backup (Roadmaster/BrakeMaster 9100) breaking system. Without battery the red light in the MH which monitors the braking system and the Break Away system will NOT function. So, I must have battery. Another issue has to do with installing a battery charger system (Toad Charger) in the Edge. If Ford says this is THE solution to the problem are they also saying that they approve it and that installing it will not void the Edge warranty? It would be nice if Ford put this in writing to cover the owners. Hope this helps. Let us know if you find a solution to the dead battery problem.

Since FORD has shown no interest in fixing the Dead Battery problem inherient in 2011 Edges being towed, I think a Class Action suite is in order. Let us know your thoughts. G-man54.

Dear Edge Dead Battery: Welcome to the club of 2011 Ford Edge dead battery owners. You are NOT alone. I too have experience this problem with flat towing my new Edge and finding the battery dead about noontime. I'll pass on what I have learned from Ford and others on the Forum. No one at Ford can explain why the battery goes dead when flat towed even when you follow the instructions in the owner's manual (page 234) to the letter. The manual is obviously in error and needs to be re-written. Running the Edge for 5 minutes at the start and periodically throughout the day does NOT keep it up! The manual also shows and mentions only 1 Accessory posiition (page 235). If there are 2 accessory positions on the ignition as some have stated then Ford needs to admit that and correct the manual. According to some, the first accessory position can only be located if you first turn the ignition on and then put the transmission in NEUTRAL. Then you turn the key counter-clockwise back until it stops. You are now in the first accessory position and according to some, in this position you will NOT experience any battery drain. If you do as the manual states and put the key in Ford accessory (Second) position you will experience as some have reported up to 12 amps of battery drain. I have tried to replicate this with a VOM and have had no luck. In the 1st. accessory position you will not be able to remove the key from the ignition. To do that, you must put your foot on the brake, move the shift lever to PARK and then you can turn the ignition to OFF and remove the key. For over 3 months now I have asked Ford three questions: 1. Why is it necessary to have the key in accessory when flat towing? 2. What is the phantom 1st. accessory position and how does it differ from the one on page 235? 3. If battery is so important to the flat towing of the Edge, what happens to it when it is towed with a dead battery? My service advisor is working on the answers but nothing has come back from Ford. One Ford service advisor told me to disconnect the negative battery terminal. This did save the battery but it also killed the backup (Roadmaster/BrakeMaster 9100) breaking system. Without battery the red light in the MH which monitors the braking system and the Break Away system will NOT function. So, I must have battery. Another issue has to do with installing a battery charger system (Toad Charger) in the Edge. If Ford says this is THE solution to the problem are they also saying that they approve it and that installing it will not void the Edge warranty? It would be nice if Ford put this in writing to cover the owners. Hope this helps. Let us know if you find a solution to the dead battery problem.

Dear Edge Dead Battery: Welcome to the club of 2011 Ford Edge dead battery owners. You are NOT alone. I too have experience this problem with flat towing my new Edge and finding the battery dead about noontime. I'll pass on what I have learned from Ford and others on the Forum. No one at Ford can explain why the battery goes dead when flat towed even when you follow the instructions in the owner's manual (page 234) to the letter. The manual is obviously in error and needs to be re-written. Running the Edge for 5 minutes at the start and periodically throughout the day does NOT keep it up! The manual also shows and mentions only 1 Accessory posiition (page 235). If there are 2 accessory positions on the ignition as some have stated then Ford needs to admit that and correct the manual. According to some, the first accessory position can only be located if you first turn the ignition on and then put the transmission in NEUTRAL. Then you turn the key counter-clockwise back until it stops. You are now in the first accessory position and according to some, in this position you will NOT experience any battery drain. If you do as the manual states and put the key in Ford accessory (Second) position you will experience as some have reported up to 12 amps of battery drain. I have tried to replicate this with a VOM and have had no luck. In the 1st. accessory position you will not be able to remove the key from the ignition. To do that, you must put your foot on the brake, move the shift lever to PARK and then you can turn the ignition to OFF and remove the key. For over 3 months now I have asked Ford three questions: 1. Why is it necessary to have the key in accessory when flat towing? 2. What is the phantom 1st. accessory position and how does it differ from the one on page 235? 3. If battery is so important to the flat towing of the Edge, what happens to it when it is towed with a dead battery? My service advisor is working on the answers but nothing has come back from Ford. One Ford service advisor told me to disconnect the negative battery terminal. This did save the battery but it also killed the backup (Roadmaster/BrakeMaster 9100) breaking system. Without battery the red light in the MH which monitors the braking system and the Break Away system will NOT function. So, I must have battery. Another issue has to do with installing a battery charger system (Toad Charger) in the Edge. If Ford says this is THE solution to the problem are they also saying that they approve it and that installing it will not void the Edge warranty? It would be nice if Ford put this in writing to cover the owners. Hope this helps. Let us know if you find a solution to the dead battery problem.