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Towing 2015 Ford Explorer front wheel drive
When towing the Explorer the instructions are to leave it in accessory mode. I experience a dead battery more often than not. Any problems with installing a battery disconnect so as to disconnect the battery after putting the car in accessory mode?
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6 Replies
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Have used a battery disconnect on several units with the Explorer….
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Thanks, Jeff. I will check with Ford to see why it needs to go into accessory mode.
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Neal, could it be that Ford requires ACC mode so that steer wheels will turn, left-right-left, to steer and follow the track of the coach. A Prevost will drag around a towed vehicle even when the steer wheels are locked, such as when the ignition key if turned off. Don’t ask how I know, I just do. Experience is a wonderful teacher.
On my tow vehicle it calls for the ignition switch to be left in the unlocked off position. I had several trips where that position drained my towed vehicle’s battery. I installed an “el cheapo” disconnect to assess the effectiveness. Batteries have not been drained since. Last year’s long trip was from NC to Seattle, about five days. No problem.
If your Explorer has the new style started button, it has three positions. One is Off, two is ACC and the third is Run. It is possible that placing the button to ACC frees the steer wheels to “turn” with the coach. Oh yeah, have you read your vehicle manual’s section on towing? Answer might be there too.
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I wire my tow vehicle so the coach charging system charges the the battery on my tow vehicle thru the center(#7) prong on the 7 prong plug.
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In the ACC mode the radio and other acessories can be run with DC voltage to the engine. Do you have anything turned on with in the car?
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Thanks, I had used pin #7 to feed the battery off the bus however I did not take a ground to the battery through the center pin. Will try that.
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