sjn7708
illinois
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Joined: 05/02/2010
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called demco, baseplate maker- they had no clue
called REMCO, transmissionpump maker, they said 2012 focus ok for 4 wheel down towing without any mods.
called RV dealer back who had their technicians check with REMCO who gave them the ok for the 2012, which turns out is the first year ok'd by for for four down towing for the focus. I guess the rv dealer installation manual only went to 2011...
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gotsmart
Aberdeen, WA
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Joined: 02/20/2012
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Call Roadmaster and Blue Ox to see if they concur with Demco's opinion.
Don't take only Demco's word. If the other tow bar manufacturers have also fitted the car for a towbar and recommend a pump then it's probably a really good idea to install the pump.
2005 Cruise America 28R (Four Winds 28R) on a 2004 Ford E450 SD 6.8L V10 4R100
2009 smart fortwo Passion with Roadmaster "Falcon 2" towbar & tail light kit - pictures
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Leeblev
Pinole, CA
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Joined: 03/26/2004
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Let me add my experience. I looked at a Toyota small pickup to be towed 4 down. Was assured repeatedly by sales, mechanic, Service Mgr. that it was ok to tow 4 down.
Went to Camping World to get the towbar and related equipment and when they checked with Remco, found that it could not be towed. They did not want to sell me the equipment, even though I insisted that Toyota said ok.
Went back to the dealer and canceled my order and after they checked with higher ups in Toyota gave me my deposit back with this explanation:
Yes, the pickup can be towed 4 down, BUT YOU MUST STOP AND RUN THE ENGINE FOR 5 MINUTES EVERY 100 MILES!
So, if I were you, I would explore very carefully what the mfgr means when they say it can be towed 4 down.
My thanks to Camp world and Remco for causing me to explore deeper and preventing a serious problem from occurring. I did buy another brand and tow 4 down.
Lee
2001 36' Kountry Star DP
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turninghawk
Orlando, FL
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Joined: 09/11/2003
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Who knows, Demco could have old info, in that the new Focus is a totally new car (at least in the US) and shares nothing with the previous Focus (which was not a 4-down-er).
I'd check with another supplier.
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JohnnyT
Goshen New York
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Moved from class C forum
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wolfe10
Texas
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Though I don't see it in your write-up I assume this is a manual transmission Focus???
Brett Wolfe
1997 Safari Sahara 3540
EX: 1993 Foretravel 36' U-240
FMCA Forum: www.community.fmca.com/index
Diesel RV Club:http://www.dieselrvclub.org/
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Wills250psd
walnutcove NC
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Joined: 08/13/2011
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skipnchar wrote:Ford is the one paying the warranty bills. I know who I'D listen to. DO be sure you aren't just "headline reading" though. Read ALL of the information Ford provides on the subject including any provisional information. Getting information from a third party would be as silly as getting your insurance rates from a different insurance company. X2 fords word is the one I would take. they are the one that will have to fix it(or buy it back if they gave you false info and its in wrighting.JMHO will
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bukhrn
Lanexa, Va
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Joined: 03/20/2005
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wolfe10 wrote:Though I don't see it in your write-up I assume this is a manual transmission Focus??? If this were a manual transmission, it wouldn't need a pump, & this thread would be a moot point.
2007 Forester 2941DS
2005 KIA Spectra
Zamboni, Long Haired Mini Dachshund
You can have my RV, when you pry my cold dead fingers from the Steering Wheel
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DouglasC
Summerdale, AL
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I have towed a 2012 Ford Focus automatic for over 1,200 miles with no problems using instruction contained in the owner's manual. Roadmaster makes a base plate and that's what I have on my car.
Just because Demco hasn't choosen to make a base plate for this car does NOT make it NOT towable.
Doug
2006 Jayco Greyhawk Model 27DS
Towing 2012 Ford Fusion Hybrid with Brake Buddy
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sjn7708
illinois
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demco makes a baseplate, they just recommended a pump as well,.
the 2012 ford focus that i have is auto
the 2012 is an all new focus, so the 2010 info may not apply.
motorhome hagazine and ford say 2011 has restrictons but 2012 does not have any four down towing restrictions besides speed limit of 70 mph.
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