Flat Towing 2014 Ford Fiesta

[Elwood P. Dowd]

I'm towing a 2014 Ford Fiesta with manual transmission behind an RV. Are there any fuses that I need to or should remove before towing. I would like to conserve the Fiesta battery as much as possible.

 

[scotman]

I'm towing a 2014 Ford Fiesta with manual transmission behind an RV. Are there any fuses that I need to or should remove before towing. I would like to conserve the Fiesta battery as much as possible.

Can't think of a single thing from an electrical perspective. I haven't seen a Fiesta flat towed before, i have seen them being hauled on dollies.
I would just buy a set of magnetic tailights to set on the tail and one of those front end "Bra's" that Covercraft sells to protect the nose from road rash.
Do you have a rear camera so you can monitor the situation "back there"?

 

[Elwood P. Dowd]

Can't think of a single thing from an electrical perspective. I haven't seen a Fiesta flat towed before, i have seen them being hauled on dollies.
I would just buy a set of magnetic tailights to set on the tail and one of those front end "Bra's" that Covercraft sells to protect the nose from road rash.
Do you have a rear camera so you can monitor the situation "back there"?

Thanks for the reply...yes, flat towed for thousands of miles...manual trans, Roadmaster base plate and towbar, tail lights connected directly... my problem is, and I should have included it in the original post, the ignition must be left on to disengage the steering lock... so the battery discharges... you can pull a fuse in some cars to prevent that without having to disconnect the battery...but a battery disconnect may be the best answer... as long as that doesn't cause other problems... just have to reset the radio every time 😐...yes, have a rear view cam...

 

[scotman]

I never had to have the key in the ignition of my 11 SE Hatchback in order to turn the steering wheel. I have pushed it around my shop with no key in it, or even a battery! Have you confirmed that the steering wheel actually locks when the key is out?
I always have used the magnetic mount trailer lights if my dollie lights were acting up. My Demco car caddy has steering linkage. Any car i was towing would require me to unlock the steering to have the dollie turn. I have never had to do anything with the Fiesta in regards to having the key in the ignition and such. It's never locked. So, in that regard flat towing and using a dollie with a steering linkage design, are similar.

 

[Elwood P. Dowd]

... thanks...I just transferred previous car experience to the Fiesta... without checking... just checked... you solved my problem...👍😁

 

[scotman]

... thanks...I just transferred previous car experience to the Fiesta... without checking... just checked... you solved my problem...👍😁

Could you post up a few images of your tow bar set up and maybe one of the whole rig hooked up and ready to roll? I think many other people would benefit from that as well as your impressions of how well it tows!
I was originally planning to drag one of my Fiestas to Florida on my dollie behind my dads 5th wheel.
But, i decided to not go with the 5th wheel.
I've decided to get a Hodges ramp bed F350 and an Airstream Excella 1000 34 ft triaxle. Then i can just put a Fiesta on the deck and drag the silver bullet, minus the extra 14 feet of vehicle length.
I plan to try out several areas of Florida before i commit to any one area.

 

[LionsTooth]

I just dragged my 2015 SE HB from Denver to Sacramento on a dolly, last weekend; 1100 miles. I used a tow dolly. Third time I have used one to move cars. I used friends 4-door Tacoma and I hardly knew it was back there. Just be sure to check the straps at lease three times in the first hour or so; they take a while to find a "home" and sit properly. I never worry about the steering lock. Never even heard of that before...news to me, but I have never flat towed (all four wheels on the ground), before.

 

[scotman]

I just dragged my 2015 SE HB from Denver to Sacramento on a dolly, last weekend; 1100 miles. I used a tow dolly. Third time I have used one to move cars. I used friends 4-door Tacoma and I hardly knew it was back there. Just be sure to check the strap at lease three times in the first hour or so; they take a while to find a "home" and sit properly. I never worry about the steering lock. Never even heard of that before...news to me, but I have never flat towed (all four wheels on the ground), before.

View attachment 4140

I really don't like the characteristics of zero tongue weight and no possibility of backing the rig up, that comes as standard equipment with a tow dollie! I do like the dollie when i just need to snag a car and get it home easily in a trip of less than 200 miles.
I own and maintain my own dollie. A word of caution to anyone who decides to RENT a car dollie from anywhere, be very critical and inspect both tires very closely!
These things don't have provisions for a spare tire. So, the old phrase "Shit, out of luck" applies here like you wouldn't believe.

 

[Elwood P. Dowd]

Could you post up a few images of your tow bar set up and maybe one of the whole rig hooked up and ready to roll? I think many other people would benefit from that as well as your impressions of how well it tows!
I was originally planning to drag one of my Fiestas to Florida on my dollie behind my dads 5th wheel.
But, i decided to not go with the 5th wheel.
I've decided to get a Hodges ramp bed F350 and an Airstream Excella 1000 34 ft triaxle. Then i can just put a Fiesta on the deck and drag the silver bullet, minus the extra 14 feet of vehicle length.
I plan to try out several areas of Florida before i commit to any one area.

...next time I hook up I'll try to remember to take some photos...I just use a standard Roadmaster hitch and base plate on the toad... nothing special...I don't notice it back there... other than a clunk when starting and stopping, because the tow bar bushings need to be renewed...100,000/miles on the tow bar...also remember my Fiesta has a standard (manual) trans...I don't think you can tow automatic 4 wheels down...

 

[econoboxrocks]

Hello from Elkhart! Yeah, I wouldn't try to tow an auto. The manual's more fun, anyway.

 

[LionsTooth]

Are you at the Runoffs this weekend?

 

[scotman]

I wish i was. Other than being a bit too breezy for any fast qualifying, the weather is nice there.

 

[Elwood P. Dowd]

...Scotman...this is the rig photos...nothing exotic... don't notice car back there... except sometimes a clunk when starting or stopping... bushings need to be renewed...

 

[LionsTooth]

Is that clunk from the woman trying to get out?

 

[scotman]

Thanks for that pic, Elwood! The tow bar mounts higher than i had pictured in my mind. I would be searching for a full front end bra. The rocks and crap are going to make the front of your Fiesta look like the target of machine gun assassination attempt.

 

[Johnnyringo]

We tow a 2015 Fiesta SI. Nicked named it Clarabelle! Blue Ox set up (mistake), but it tows great! Rvi3 Brake (love it) Turn off key, trans in neutral and E brake off and go!

 

[scotman]

We tow a 2015 Fiesta SI. Nicked named it Clarabelle! Blue Ox set up (mistake), but it tows great! Rvi3 Brake (love it) Turn off key, trans in neutral and E brake off and go!

Could you post an image of the set up in ready to roll mode? Is your fiesta a manual transmission or Powershift dual clutch?

 

[Johnnyringo]

Are you looking for inside view with the Rvi and setup installed or?

 

[scotman]

Like the image posted by Elwood. I had never seen the tow bar setup on a Fiesta prior to the one he put on. Feel free to describe the driving experience. Many people have no idea how towing over two thousand pounds with almost no tongue weight feels. I have a Demco car caddy and an 18 foot, aluminum open deck car trailer.
I started this thread because I haven't seen a discussion about the various ways that we can transport our Fiesta's without either driving it or opening our wallets and paying for a tow truck.
Also, if you have the Powershift dual clutch transmission, is there any particular preparation or equipment required to flat tow it?

 

[Johnnyringo]

It may be next week before I can post photos. Hooking up and unhooking is a breeze. Towing, you can't tell it's back there!
I do NOT have have the powershift dual clutch trans. Just a standard 5 speed. Put it in neutral, release parking brake, key off and go!