depami

Does anyone know when this was implemented and what drive trains offer it?


Recreational Towing
Note: Put your climate control system in recirculated air mode to prevent exhaust fumes from entering your vehicle. See Climate Control (page 105).

Follow these guidelines if you have a need for recreational towing, such as towing your vehicle behind a motorhome. We designed these guidelines to prevent damage to your transmission.

Two-wheel Drive Vehicles
You cannot tow a two-wheel drive vehicle with any wheels on the ground as vehicle or transmission damage may occur. You must tow your vehicle with all four wheels off the ground, such as when using a car-hauling trailer.

Four-wheel Drive Vehicles
You can only tow a four-wheel drive vehicle with all wheels on the ground by placing the transfer case in its neutral position and engaging the four-wheel-down towing feature. Perform the steps outlined in the following section after positioning your vehicle behind the tow vehicle and properly securing them together.

Four-wheel-down Towing
1. Turn the ignition to the on position. Do not start the engine.
2. Press and hold the brake pedal.
3. Rotate the four-wheel drive switch to 2H.
4. Shift the transmission to position N.
5. Rotate the four-wheel drive switch from 2H to 4L and back to 2H five times within seven seconds.

Note: If completed successfully, the information display shows NEUTRAL TOW LEAVE IN N or NEUTRAL TOW ENABLED LEAVE TRANSMISSION IN NEUTRAL. This indicates that your vehicle is safe to tow with all wheels on the ground
Note: If you do not see the message in the display, you must perform the procedure again from the beginning.
Note: You may hear an audible noise as the transfer case shifts into its neutral position. This is normal.

6. Leave the transmission in position N and turn the ignition as far as it will go toward the off position (it will not turn fully off when the transmission is in position N. You must leave the key in the ignition while towing. To lock and unlock your vehicle, use the keyless entry keypad or extra set of keys.
7. Release the brake pedal.

WARNINGS
Do not disconnect the battery during recreational towing. Doing so will prevent the transfer case from shifting properly and may cause the vehicle to roll even if the transmission is in P (Park). Shifting the transfer case to its neutral position for recreational towing may cause the vehicle to be able to roll even if the transmission is in P (Park). The driver or others could be injured. Make sure the foot brake is depressed and the vehicle is in a secure and safe position while the transfer case is being shifted to its neutral position. Failing to put the transfer case in its neutral position will damage vehicle components.

Note: You can check four-wheel-down towing status at any time by opening the driver's door or turning the ignition to the accessory or on position and verifying the NEUTRAL TOW ENABLED message displays in the cluster.

To exit four-wheel-down towing and return the transfer case to its 2H position:
1. With your vehicle still properly secured to the tow vehicle, press and hold the brake pedal.
2. Turn the ignition to the on position. Do not start the engine.
3. Shift the transmission out of N and into any gear.
4. Release the brake pedal.

Note: If completed successfully, the instrument cluster displays 4X2, and NEUTRAL TOW DISABLED.
Note: If the indicator light and message do not display, you must perform the procedure again from the beginning.
Note: You may hear an audible noise as the transfer case shifts out of its neutral position. This is normal.

5. Apply the parking brake, and then disconnect the vehicle from the tow vehicle.
6. Release the parking brake, start the engine, and shift the transmission to position D to make sure the transfer case is out of position N.
7. If the transfer case does not successfully shift out of position N, set the parking brake until you can have your vehicle serviced.

depami

Nobody know what year this came to be?

depami

Bump.

My 2014 does it, my brother's 2011 doesn't.

Best we can tell, it started in 2012 but we are wondering if it can be applied to 2011.

No one on here knows anything about this?

1979vette

My 2013 King Ranch does.

Jeriko

my 13 XLT does it. I realize it's a redundant question, but your brother's 2011 is a 4x4, yes? What trim?

depami

2011 Lariat 4x4 EB.

He is buying an RV and want to tow his truck if this feature can be applied to a 2011.

Ricktwuhk

What you mention is dependent on whether the vehicle has a manual transfer case or an electronic transfer case. Manual transfer cases have always had this option on any vehicle to my knowledge.

The 2011 manual clearly says that if you have an electronic-shift transfer case, you cannot tow with your wheels on the ground. http://www.fordservicecontent.com/Fo.../11f12og3e.pdf

So the answer to your question appears to be that it started in 2012, but you'd have to check every version of manuals to see if that was correct.

Jeriko

I guess in recent years they added the accessibility of neutral towing onto the electronic 4x4. I know I can do it on my 13 XLT 302A with electronic SOTF controller. Sucks for OP that they didn't have it for the year specified, but that's life.

depami

Thanks for the comments guys.

What we're really trying to find out is what it would take to put this feature into the 2011 electronic transfer case. Is it just programming? Is it adding a solenoid? Or is it not possible with that transfer case?

Anyone know?

Wannafbody

I'd suggest calling a dealer.