Can You Flat Tow A Ford Maverick? | RV Towing Facts

Yes, some Ford Maverick hybrid models can be flat towed four-down, while gas-only versions must ride on a dolly or full trailer.

RV owners love the idea of bringing a small pickup along, so it is natural to ask Can You Flat Tow A Ford Maverick? or whether it has to ride on a dolly or trailer. The short answer is that some Maverick hybrids allow flat towing with a specific procedure, while gasoline models need a dolly or trailer. Getting that detail right protects the transmission and your wallet.

Flat Towing A Ford Maverick Hybrid: Overview

Ford engineers built a special neutral tow feature into hybrid versions of the Maverick. When this feature is active, the truck can roll freely behind a motorhome without the engine running, and the transmission stays in a safe state. Ford pairs that feature with limits on speed and periodic engine run times, so owners need to follow the manual step by step instead of guesswork.

The owner manual for recent model years lays out those instructions under the recreational towing section. Ford also publishes a separate Ford RV and trailer towing guide that covers trailer weights, tongue loads, and equipment such as trailer brake controllers and tow packages.

Model Years And Drivetrains That Allow Flat Towing

Before you hook up a tow bar, you need to know exactly which Maverick you own. Engine type and drivetrain decide whether flat towing is possible at all. Hybrid models sit in one group, while the 2.0L EcoBoost gasoline trucks sit in another. Front wheel drive and all wheel drive matter as well, especially for 2025 models.

For 2022 through 2024, Ford owner information and aftermarket towing guides line up on the same point: only the hybrid Maverick can be towed four-down, and only when placed in the proper neutral tow mode. Gasoline EcoBoost trucks from those years are not rated for flat towing and should ride on a dolly or full trailer instead. An article from towing specialists at etrailer notes that the manual blocks flat towing on gas models, no matter whether they are front wheel drive or all wheel drive, due to transmission risk.

For 2025, Ford confirmed that all Maverick hybrid models, including the new all wheel drive hybrid, can be flat towed when neutral tow is engaged. Coverage from Ford focused outlets describes an early manual misprint that suggested otherwise, followed by confirmation from Ford that four-down towing is allowed for hybrids when the official procedure is followed.

Model Year And Engine Drivetrain Flat Tow Status
2022–2024 2.5L Hybrid Front Wheel Drive Yes, with neutral tow procedure
2022–2024 2.5L Hybrid All Wheel Drive Owner reports; confirm manual for your truck
2022–2024 2.0L EcoBoost Front Wheel Drive No, use tow dolly or trailer
2022–2024 2.0L EcoBoost All Wheel Drive No, use trailer with all wheels off ground
2025 2.5L Hybrid Front Wheel Drive Yes, with neutral tow procedure
2025 2.5L Hybrid All Wheel Drive Yes, with neutral tow procedure
2025 2.0L EcoBoost Front Wheel Drive No, use tow dolly or trailer
2025 2.0L EcoBoost All Wheel Drive No, use full trailer

The safest way to confirm your own truck is to check the recreational towing section of the exact owner manual for your year and region. Ford hosts digital versions of the Maverick manuals on its owner manual site, and those pages reflect the most recent corrections. You can search by year, model, or vehicle identification number so that you do not rely on generic lists.

Why Gasoline Mavericks Do Not Allow Flat Towing

A modern automatic transmission needs lubrication at many points while the vehicle moves. In a gas powered Maverick, the pump that circulates fluid runs only when the engine runs. When a truck like that rolls on all four wheels behind a motorhome with the engine off, internal parts can spin without enough oil flow, which leads to heat, wear, and failure. That is why Ford labels recreational flat towing as off limits for the EcoBoost models.

Leaving the transmission in neutral is not enough. Gear sets and bearings can still spin at road speed. Over time they build heat, and a few hours behind a coach at highway pace can ruin parts that would cost more than the tow setup itself.

Neutral Tow Mode On Maverick Hybrid Models

Hybrid Mavericks use a different setup. The transmission and hybrid system include software that can place the truck into a dedicated neutral tow mode. In that mode, the Maverick rolls freely, systems receive power as needed, and the transmission stays protected. The neutral tow routine shows up in the instrument cluster, and the truck confirms when it is ready for towing.

The broad outline looks like this. First, park on level ground and connect your tow bar hardware. Next, switch the truck to accessory mode instead of starting the engine fully. Use the steering wheel controls to reach the settings menu, then pick the neutral tow item and follow the prompts on screen. The truck will ask you to press the brake pedal and move the shifter into neutral. Once the display confirms that neutral tow is active, you can switch the ignition off. On trucks with a traditional ignition lock, the metal insert stays in place while towing.

Ford owner information and towing specialists explain that neutral tow relies on battery power. For that reason, the manual tells owners to start the truck at the beginning of each travel day and at least every six hours on long legs. During that short break, you move the shifter into drive and back to neutral with your foot on the brake, then return the truck to neutral tow and let it run for a few minutes.

Speed, Distance, And Weight Limits For Flat Towing

Flat towing a Maverick behind an RV does not mean you can treat it like a trailer with no limits. Ford sets a maximum flat towing speed for the hybrid trucks, which owner manuals and towing guides list at about 70 miles per hour, or 113 kilometers per hour.

Ford also sets rules on how often you must stop and run the engine. Those breaks limit continuous rolling time and give you a chance to walk around the rig, feel the hubs, and look for any loose hardware. Many owners treat the six hour limit as the upper bound and prefer shorter stints so that they can catch small problems before they grow.

Flat Towing Limit Typical Maverick Hybrid Value On Road Meaning
Maximum flat tow speed About 70 mph (113 km/h) Plan cruise speeds below this cap
Engine run interval Start at least every 6 hours Combine checks with fuel and rest stops
Engine run time in neutral tow At least 3 minutes Lets fluid circulate before shutting down
Typical curb weight of Maverick Roughly 3,600–3,800 lb Confirm your door sticker for exact number
Maximum trailer rating when Maverick tows Up to 4,000 lb with tow package Draws from the Ford Maverick towing guide
Auxiliary braking Often required above 1,500–3,000 lb Many regions require a supplemental brake in the towed vehicle

Brake Systems, Safety Chains, And Legal Details

Flat towing rules do not stop at the truck itself. In many parts of North America, a towed vehicle that weighs more than a modest threshold must carry its own braking system that works in step with the motorhome brakes. The Ford RV and trailer towing guide recommends a separate functional brake system on any towed vehicle, whether you use a dolly, a tow bar, or a full trailer.

An auxiliary brake system shortens stopping distances and keeps stress off the coach brakes on long grades. Test the system on a quiet road before a long trip. Add rated safety chains or cables, wired lights that repeat the coach turn signals and brake lights, and a breakaway switch that can apply the brakes on the Maverick if the tow bar fails.

Laws differ by region, so before a long trip it pays to read the towing rules for the states, provinces, or countries you will cross. Many owners also keep a printed copy of the relevant Ford towing guide in the motorhome.

When A Tow Dolly Or Trailer Makes More Sense

If you drive a gasoline EcoBoost Maverick, flat towing is off the table. A tow dolly that lifts the front wheels is one answer for front wheel drive trucks, while a full trailer that carries all four wheels works for any drivetrain.

Some hybrid owners still choose a dolly or trailer. Long trips, heat, or large altitude changes can strain driveline parts even when neutral tow is active and speed stays within the cap. A full trailer also lets you back up more easily, since flat towing with a tow bar makes backing tricky for the tow bar itself.

Real World Tips For Towing A Maverick Behind An RV

Owners who tow Maverick hybrids behind motorhomes share a few habits that keep trips smooth. One is a written checklist taped near the RV driver seat. That list covers items such as confirming neutral tow status on the Maverick display, verifying that the steering wheel turns freely, checking that the parking brake is off, and confirming that tow bar pins and safety cables are locked.

Another habit is a walkaround at fuel stops. Drivers touch each wheel hub on the Maverick, confirm that the brake lights and turn signals still flash in sync with the motorhome, and look for any fresh wear on the safety cables or tow bar arms. Owners who tow often also pay close attention to wind and weather, since a Maverick rides high enough that gusts can move it around behind the coach.

References & Sources