Margaret Vroman Cook Posted May 27, 2015 Report Share Posted May 27, 2015 We are trying to decide whether to purchase a 2015 Ford Explorer or a 2015 Ford Edge for our new tow vehicle. The owner's manual (depending on which version of each manual) is requiring that the battery be disconnected whenever towing. Granted, a somewhat convenient disconnect could be installed, but we are hesitant to go to the extra effort in using this.Has anyone had any experience on using either of these vehicles as a tow vehicle? And, do you disconnect the battery when towing, or use a work-around? If the battery is disconnected, how do you power the supplemental brake and tow lights?And, does anyone have any knowledge on Ford's reasoning for disconnecting the battery? Local dealers only guess is that the battery will be drained if it is not disconnected. Couldn't we just run a charge line from the motor home to keep the tow vehicle battery charged as we have done in our Honda CRV? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnboy Posted June 20, 2015 Report Share Posted June 20, 2015 I purchased a 2015 Edge Titanium for towing behind the motorhome. We are going to Blue Ox in Nebraska to have baseplate fit to our vehicle. They will also install the lighting kit while there. Hopefully they will be able to answer other questions about battery disconnect. Additional question for us is that we are a keyless ignition so how is the alarm system disabled if battery is not disconnected and does the steeing wheel have a locking mechanism. Hopefully I will be much more knowledgeable afterward. Great vehicle as we really enjoy it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wisdomsp Posted July 21, 2015 Report Share Posted July 21, 2015 just a shot in the dark here, but if your towing your edge with all four wheels on the ground you will need to put the car in neutral. To do this you will need the key on. Ford has you disconnect the battery so that the computer and instrumentation is not draining the battery during towing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnboy Posted July 25, 2015 Report Share Posted July 25, 2015 A follow up on our trip to Blue Ox baseplate in Pender, NE. As mentioned before we participated in the FIT program and was chosen to see if there were differences between the Sport and Titanium models....there were none so the baseplate (BX2657) should fit all models. Our Edge managed to get on the average per the digital readouts 24.1 mpg and that was usually running at or a little above posted speed limits. We thought that was great. Also had them do the wiring with kit (BX8848) for brake/turn/running lights at the same time. Additionally I had them install a separate circuit connected to vehicle plug from coach to provide power to the Brake Buddy braking system because there would be no power within the vehicle once negative cable disconnected. It looks like a little cigarette lighter style plug. Once we were back in Rio Rancho I had a separate battery switch (MAC347011) installed so it is just a twist of a knob. Could not see trying to reach back in the engine compartment to disconnect/connect negative cable each time. The Edge we have is a keyless/button type so once I have no power I also have no perimeter alarm on vehicle and have to lock vehicle manually using the spare valet key or leave it unlocked while towing. Additionally I upgraded to the Blue Ox Avail towbar with the new design and additional 2" on the legs aiding in making tight turns if forced to do so. Widsomsp is absolutely correct about neutral and battery drain but also from the Ford Tech Center it was stated that in the event the battery was not disconnected there is the potential for the steering wheel to become locked. I don't know how that could happen but with electronics who knows and why I chose the switch to eliminate those battery drains. We love the Edge for towing and actually rolls or so it seems better that our previous CR-V. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jjwalkers Posted August 13, 2015 Report Share Posted August 13, 2015 Johnboy I own a 2015 Ford Edge Titanium and had the baseplate installed by a local RV business. They did a great job with that. When it came to the BX8848 wiring harness, they haven't figured that out yet. You also mentioned a MAC347011 as a neg battery disconnect which I haven't been able to locate. I have been in contact with Blueox about the BX8848 wiring and how to connect or tap into the vehicles wiring harness. Apparently since you had your wiring done at Blueox, 2 techs have called Blueox to say they can't find the vehicles brake wiring. Blueox is suppose to contact my installer and try to figure out the problem. I would like to talk to you about the items above I mentioned. Would you please call me at 931-839-8441 as I would like to see if your wiring system is still working good and not messing up anything in your vehicle. I will call you back on my dime when you call. Also about how whether the battery is holding up. Thanks John Walker Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jjwalkers Posted August 16, 2015 Report Share Posted August 16, 2015 UPDATE: Johnboy called me and was very helpful answering my questions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pauljoy Posted November 27, 2015 Report Share Posted November 27, 2015 Our 2015 Edge Sport is replacing or Jeep Liberty.....easy to set up to tow. So...if I pull the battery cable every time I tow, I will have to reset the clock, radio stations, seat memory, entry door combination, etc. There's got to be a better way, any ideas? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
enigma-2 Posted November 28, 2015 Report Share Posted November 28, 2015 (edited) Our 2015 Edge Sport is replacing or Jeep Liberty.....easy to set up to tow. So...if I pull the battery cable every time I tow, I will have to reset the clock, radio stations, seat memory, entry door combination, etc. There's got to be a better way, any ideas? I have an 09 MKX and don't know what has changed in the 15. So why are you disconnecting the battery? Owners manual simply states run engine for 5 minutes before towing each day and after 6 hours (to recharge battery). Edited November 28, 2015 by enigma-2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pauljoy Posted November 28, 2015 Report Share Posted November 28, 2015 Sorry but the 2015 Ford Edge Sport states that the neg. battery cable must be disconnected. I just want to know how others made out with all the things that are programmed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
enigma-2 Posted November 30, 2015 Report Share Posted November 30, 2015 Sorry but the 2015 Ford Edge Sport states that the neg. battery cable must be disconnected. I just want to know how others made out with all the things that are programmed.You are correct. I d/l Edge manuals & looks like _only_ the 2015 requires one to disconnect the battery.2012, 2913, 2014 & 2016 read like my 09, just run 5-minutes after 6 hours. Another reason to pass on the 2015. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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