Flat Towing 2014 Ford Fiesta

[Handy Andy]

Keep us posted, would like to know more of how this got put together.

 

[Johnnyringo]

Here you go!

 

[scotman]

It mounts so high. How is the steering connected? It looks like it's attached to the bumper beam. The steering linkage must be attached either at the knuckle or the tie rod ends.
I have always towed cars with either a dollie or a purpose built car trailer. I have exactly zero experience with flat towing. That's why I posted in this thread!

 

[Johnnyringo]

First, your statement " It mounts so high". What FACT do you base that on?. The hitch attachment height is within manufactures spec. The base plate attaches to the frame at the bumper beam height. Steering linkage? There is NO steering linkage attachment as the car follows the coach. I've towed this rig nearly 6000 miles without a single problem.,. Your statement "The steering linkage must be attached either at the knuckle or the tie rod ends" confirms your complete lack of knowledge of which you speak.. I strongly suggest you download installation instructions form BlueOX or Roadmaster,

 

[scotman]

First, your statement " It mounts so high". What FACT do you base that on?. The hitch attachment height is within manufactures spec. The base plate attaches to the frame at the bumper beam height. Steering linkage? There is NO steering linkage attachment as the car follows the coach. I've towed this rig nearly 6000 miles without a single problem.,. Your statement "The steering linkage must be attached either at the knuckle or the tie rod ends" confirms your complete lack of knowledge of which you speak.. I strongly suggest you download installation instructions form BlueOX or Roadmaster,

Yes. I have absolutely no knowledge of using a tow bar. That's why I responded to this thread. Prior to the images posted by you and another member i have never seen a fiesta prepared for flat towing. I also had no idea of the existence of the brands you guy's mention. I'm not critical of flat towing. Im curious. As are about two thousand other people. I am surprised at the large number of views!
Few enthusiast forums for small cars have any discussion about towing their cars. The Fiesta is just about perfect as a tag along set of wheels.

 

[Handy Andy]

Hey, thanks for posing this!

This works with an idea I've been looking into.

This comes as a kit...so kinda wanted to know how hard was it to install or did you go to a shop to have this done?

 

[TKep]

...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...

I just found this thread - and, yes, I tow a 2018 automatic Fiesta SE all wheels down. There are several steps that must be taken to set the transmission into neutral, and as a result, the key must remain - so I have a disconnect on the negative battery terminal. By the way, I have the Blue Ox Base plate and the connection points are higher that what your loadmaster is showing. I'm getting set for a trip and will post photos soon. Happy to answer any questions as this is my 4th motor coach and 3rd 'toad'.

 

[manbearpig]

Looks like a good way to shorten the already short life of the wheel bearings and struts to me. I'd rather wear them out driving it than pulling it.

 

[Handy Andy]

Good Choice!

But I've got questions! (???)

It's with the heights...​

So the Blue Ox uses Tow to Draw "rise" was about 15~18 inches up using the lower grille, while Curt it's closer to 22 inches, .using the upper grille.

Now I did see there are tabs and or flanges these kits come together with and formed for - but I am curious to know which is best for my needs...

​

You Chose Blue Ox, but they have below-the-bumper, What choice did you make - or did you have to settle for - to make this work?.

 

[TKep]

I used Blue Ox, but my install was at 22". See the pictures attached.

 

[TKep]

Because the receiver on my Winnebago Aspect 28T was lower than the base plate attachment points on the Fiesta, I had to have a drop receiver (inverted) to give me a safe connection. Safe means that the tow bar attachment on the car needs to be no more than 4" lower than the connection at the RV. My receiver on the RV was 15" above the ground. I added a 10" lift, making the connection on the RV at 25". The connecting points on the Fiesta are at 22", which is 3" lower and within spec for safety. I already owned the 10" drop receiver or I would have used an 8" one. At some point, I may exchange for an 8".

 

[scotman]

Looks like a good way to shorten the already short life of the wheel bearings and struts to me. I'd rather wear them out driving it than pulling it.

Struts are cheap. And as an owner of both the "basic" Fiesta and the "boosted" Fiesta ST i can say that the wheel bearings are also a consumable. If you attend track events or race the ST version, the front wheel bearings will cook themselves before very long. The basic Fiesta will also probably start giving you a growling sound by 60,000 miles in at least one of the front hubs. I will speculate the reason they fail is a side effect of the stability and nibble controls.
It's definitely a heat soak effect.

 

[scotman]

Because the receiver on my Winnebago Aspect 28T was lower than the base plate attachment points on the Fiesta, I had to have a drop receiver (inverted) to give me a safe connection. Safe means that the tow bar attachment on the car needs to be no more than 4" lower than the connection at the RV. My receiver on the RV was 15" above the ground. I added a 10" lift, making the connection on the RV at 25". The connecting points on the Fiesta are at 22", which is 3" lower and within spec for safety. I already owned the 10" drop receiver or I would have used an 8" one. At some point, I may exchange for an 8". View attachment 4486 View attachment 4487

Thank you for the detailed information about the tow bar hookup! As a seasoned veteran of flat towing, your Input on the subject is greatly appreciated. Most of us here are not experienced with the unique situation and equipment of flat towing.
The Fiesta, among other very small cars, is perfectly suited to be "brought along" as the family runabout for RV'ers.
I don't know what the specific things are that need to be done to the Powershift dual clutch transmission to prepare for flat towing. I have to believe that it is far less than what is needed to flat tow a conventional automatic transmission car because the dual clutch transmission is not hydraulically shifted. So there is no pump or geartrain lubrication issues with the DCT.
Thanks again Tim! Please keep in touch with us here on the forum.

 

[TKep]

Thank you for the detailed information about the tow bar hookup! As a seasoned veteran of flat towing, your Input on the subject is greatly appreciated. Most of us here are not experienced with the unique situation and equipment of flat towing.
The Fiesta, among other very small cars, is perfectly suited to be "brought along" as the family runabout for RV'ers.
I don't know what the specific things are that need to be done to the Powershift dual clutch transmission to prepare for flat towing. I have to believe that it is far less than what is needed to flat tow a conventional automatic transmission car because the dual clutch transmission is not hydraulically shifted. So there is no pump or geartrain lubrication issues with the DCT.
Thanks again Tim! Please keep in touch with us here on the forum.

I cannot speak to other years or models... however, my owner's manual is quite specific. I wrote out my own check list and it is copied below. I have shot a 40 second video of the process, as that is all the time it takes.

1 Switch the ignition to ON (II) position (2 clicks)
2 Press the Brake Pedal, then move the gearshift to the Neutral position
3 Continue pressing on the Brake, while waiting for the message indicating that the TRANSMISSION IS READY in the information & entertainment display to complete
4 Switch the ignition OFF and Release the Brake Pedal - Your KEY will remain in the ignition. (have a spare key)
5 Disconnect the Negative Cable from the Battery

I have towed for 2 days at a time with this procedure, however a couple of notes are helpful here. Be alert to the fact that once you disengage the transmission, your Fiesta is going to free-roll downhill rather quickly. So, I always connect the tow bar and wiring between the RV and the Fiesta before doing these steps. Once the battery is disconnected, you cannot lock the doors (except the driver's door with the key) or open the trunk. So, you may wish to lock all of the doors and get whatever you need to put in or out of the trunk before disconnecting the battery.

DO NOT LEAVE THE PARKING BRAKE SET - you will smoke your tires if you try to tow with the parking brake on (first hand knowledge). BTW, I did NOT do this with my Fiesta - it happened with my previous 'toad'.

Another tip: - Upon arrival, try to disconnect the tow bar when you are straight and level. If there is tension on the tow bar, you'll have difficulty separating the Fiesta from the bar. Here is an instance where I MAY set the parking brake AFTER checking which way the Fiesta will roll upon disconnection.

1 - Reconnect the Negative terminal to the battery - This will require getting into your Fiesta in order to pull the hood release (ergo the spare key, or you have left the doors unlocked)
2 - Start the Fiesta and put the transmission back into park

Only the date and time need to be reset upon reconnecting the battery. The Radio remembers set stations, but defaults back to AM 1.

 

[Handy Andy]

You are Awesome sir!

Thank you.

Happy camping!

 

[scotman]

Thank you Tim! That is some solid gold information right there!
Do you have any plans to have a specialist shop do some complimentary graphics on the Fiesta? She looks kinda naked back there behind your elaborately striped RV!

 

[Elwood P. Dowd]

Struts are cheap. And as an owner of both the "basic" Fiesta and the "boosted" Fiesta ST i can say that the wheel bearings are also a consumable. If you attend track events or race the ST version, the front wheel bearings will cook themselves before very long. The basic Fiesta will also probably start giving you a growling sound by 60,000 miles in at least one of the front hubs. I will speculate the reason they fail is a side effect of the stability and nibble controls.
It's definitely a heat soak effect.

...thanks scotman, comes with the territory...you pay to play...

 

[Elwood P. Dowd]

I just found this thread - and, yes, I tow a 2018 automatic Fiesta SE all wheels down. There are several steps that must be taken to set the transmission into neutral, and as a result, the key must remain - so I have a disconnect on the negative battery terminal. By the way, I have the Blue Ox Base plate and the connection points are higher that what your loadmaster is showing. I'm getting set for a trip and will post photos soon. Happy to answer any questions as this is my 4th motor coach and 3rd 'toad'.

...thanks for the heads up...I have not seen information about towing an automatic Fiesta 4 down...will be most useful when I need to shop for a different car...

 

[scotman]

...thanks scotman, comes with the territory...you pay to play...

Yeah. But I think that the people who tow their Fiesta will be exempt from the issues to a degree. Because the car is not running and the ignition is off. If nibble controls and ABS are not active, the Fiesta is just freewheeling! So, no heat soak from brakes or ABS being used.

 

[FREDK]

Hello-
Just bought a 2014 SE with auto trans to flat tow. Base plate, wiring harness and breakaway alarm have been installed. I hooked up the car to the tow bar and wiring harnesses yesterday and realized that with the battery disconnected I have no brake lights. For an AT car the battery must be disconnected. Is there a fix for this like wiring the brake lights to always be hot? Any danger in this?