Hi, new here. Hey, I am looking to tow my 2019 F150 4x4 behind a motor home. I have a Blue Ox brake 12v controller which sits in the truck while it is behind the MH. Problem is that the two 12v power plugs in the cab shut off after 90 minutes which is a problem for long trips. Any way to defeat the 90 minute limit or find full time 12v power inside the cab? Thanks, Joel

 

Only certain trim level F150's are flat towable. What trim is your F150?

 

Make sure to read up your owners manual information on how to flat tow.
There is probably more to towing than having 90 minutes of 12v Power for aux lighting.

 

Hi, It is only XL trim but it has the electronic transfer case.. I have towed it four wheels down the problem is, the two 12v outlets in the cab shut off after 90 minutes. When you put the transfer case into neutral, the instructions tell you to turn the key off as far as it will go. This leaves the steering wheel unlocked and keeps the 12V sockets alive for the 90 minutes. I use a Blue Ox Brake Box in the cab which needs 12V to operate. Once the two 12v plugs shut off, I loose the braking.

 

Hi, Yes, you are correct. To flat tow you need to put the transfer case into neutral, and there is a procedure for that in the manual.. I verified that and tried it personally before I bought the truck! The problem is that while you are in this tow "mode" the two 12v plugs in the cab are programmed to shut off after 90 minutes. I use a Blue Ox Brake Box in the cab which work the trucks brake pedal when needed. That box required 12v. After 90 minutes of towing the truck behind the MH (which I have done), I loose the truck brakes because the Blue Ox box shuts off due to lack of power. Through some other looking it appears that the 90 minute limit is "soft" and can be either changed or eliminated... I just don't know how to do that!!!

 

You will probably have to run a hot wire from the MH back to the truck to keep the BO box working. Suggest you go to a RV site that has lots of discussion on your particular MH model, etc., and post your question on how someone solved the problem or found a work around.

 

Agreed on needing 12V from the MH, or...

iI you've got LED lights, you could setup a utility battery as the power source. I've got Optronics GloLight brake lamps on my trailer, really bright lamps that pull just .518a park, 1.18a brake as a set. Any $20 10ah utility battery should easily give you a full day of towing. A better option, and if you don't have one you need to get one, is a portable starter, as you can plug them into either 12V or 110V to recharge.

Will have to look into the current draw on the brake device to determine your needs. 3A?

Even if you adjust power outlet time in FORScan, BMS won't ignore the the batt V shutoff point, and will kill power to save the battery.

 

Hi, Thanks for the great input. I've been looking at a few options. I have a Sears jump starter box with an outlet which I think I will just lay down on the floor of the cab and plug into. I've read up on FORScan but honestly that is way too expensive given I only have a Mac computer which is not compatible with that software. I checked with the dealer about adjusting the timeout value and they did not have a clue! Then I read another thread here where a guy jumpered the power point outlet which can be done in the engine compartment fuse box without too much trouble. The cleanest right now appears to be just using the old Sears Diehard jump starter... What I find interesting is that F150 4X4's are popular towed vehicles behind MHs so you would think Ford would make getting power to a brake box easier! Just venting... Thanks again!

 

wire direct to the battery using a 12v plug from amazon.

 

Ford operates on high volume, low profit margins. A super small volume product like flat tow brake wiring is well outside their ability.

The unicorn HDPP that Ford has dropped is at least two orders of magnitude greater in volume than F150's owners that want flat tow wiring.

We'll see lower step rails for shorter people before we see flat tow wiring integrated into these trucks.