sjn7708
illinois
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i purchased a 2012 ford focus se hatchback to use as a dinghy. prior to purchase, i checked with the dealer, with Ford, with motorhome magazine and various other sites all of which said the car could be towed four wheels down with a tow bar, but I didnt check far enough. It even states in the owners manual that the car can be towed 4 wheels down. When I went to get the tow bar and base plate from demco, demco says it cant be towed four wheels down without a transmission pump etc. Couldnt believe it. Word to the wise, check with the manufacturer of the equipment you plan to use for towing, not just the car manufacturer. Besides a tow dolly, any suggestions?
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Beverley&Ken
Tottenham,Ontario
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If your owners manual, Ford Motor Company (not the dealer) say it is towable 4 down, then go for it. Also check with other tow bar manufacturers and Remco towing for their opinions. Could be that Demco has old info about your car or they are just trying to sell you more equipment than necessary.
Beverley and Ken
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rockhillmanor
On the Road
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Joined: 12/06/2003
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Was that info from a mechanic from a franchise installing demco?
Your car manual is usually the answer to towing questions.
Was there any info in the manual on the trans in regard to towing?
Go here and scroll down to Focus. Maybe this additional info will help you. Albeit even blueox states here to go by the manual.
http://blueox.com/bx-r-BaseplateProducts.aspx?ProductId=1402
Good luck hope you find out.
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dennislanier
Northeast Georgia
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Beverley&Ken wrote:If your owners manual, Ford Motor Company (not the dealer) say it is towable 4 down, then go for it. Also check with other tow bar manufacturers and Remco towing for their opinions. Could be that Demco has old info about your car or they are just trying to sell you more equipment than necessary.
Beverley and Ken
I completely agree with the above. The vehicle manufacturer is the last word on this, either yea or nay. It is certainly possible that Demco does not make the equipment for this vehicle, but that does NOT mean it is not towable. As suggested, check around with other tow equipment manufacturers and see what they have available. I would not give up and buy a tow dolly without exhausting all other possible options. Good luck and let us know what happens. I sure others will encouter this situation in the future.
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hotbyte
Barnesville GA
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Joined: 08/31/2004
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Manual might also say it can be flat towed for short distance with speed not to exceed some slower than highway speed. So, flat tow short distance at slow speed for emergencies only.
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sjn7708
illinois
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owners manual doesnt say anything about needing extra equipment for four down towing. only has speed limit no towing over 70 mph, which is why ibought the car because it had so few towing restrictions.
my rv dealer deals in demco, installs their products and they checked the demco info and called demco as well.
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skipnchar
Topeka or somewhere else
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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.
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sjn7708
illinois
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as an aside, i looked at the chevy cruze. last year gm said it could be towed four down only to find out that it could not. they even had to send out addendums to the owners manual stating that it could no longer be towed four down.
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philand
US
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I have an '11 ford escape, auto, fwd, V6. The dealer checked trnns fluid level and approved it to be towed. They (ford) wants to have the fluid level set correctly to avoid over heating. Some restrictions to speed and hrs between exercising are stated, but was not a problem for me.
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demoon
MA
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Well, Remco says the Honda Civic and Accord can be towed flat, but Honda says no way. The manuals in my 08 Accord and 12 Civic both say that towing in an emergency can be done, not to exceed 35mph. I have seen people towing both Civics and Accords flat, but I am not taking the chance.
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