Fusion titanium towing Towing a Fusion Titanium

[mrbobcc]

I have a 2014 FusionTitanium. We bought it to tow behind the RV. Had a 2011 Fusion but 12 and above were no longer rated to be towed 4 down. The Titanium is. Question is, the 14 racks up mileage when being towed. Push button do, keyed Fusion do not. Run the car for 1 min, put in N and stop car, put button in assy mode. It seems as long as it is in assy mode wheels turn, miles get added. Does anybody know how to get around this? Can it be towed in N without putting it in assy mode? Is there a fuse that can be pulled? I read somewhere that the wheels sensors are sending info to the computer so miles are added. Help???

[Easy Rider]

The obvious solution is: Buy a dolly and tow it 2-down.

But I know that isn't the answer you are looking for.

 

I am in a position to seriously consider getting a class A and towing something behind it.

I don't see the logic behind screwing with the car/truck itself and drilling holes and mounting stuff to it when a dolly will tow anything you want to put on it.

Fusion this week.......Prius next week.......loan it to family members or friends and they can pull anything they want.......etc. etc.

Even a non-working vehicle if you are into car collecting.

 

Am I missing something ?? Other than maybe a little extra up front expense (which might catch up to you when you decide to trade cars) ??

Edited July 28, 2014 by Easy Rider

[mrbobcc]

We did that back in 07 when we brought our first RV. 40' Phaeton fresh from the factory with 2 newbie's inside....... We knew what the steering wheel did and where the door was and little else so off we went on a trip to Elkhart IN. Had a 03 Honda, rented a tow dolly and away we went. Soon to find out how much trouble a tow dolly is. We got in a couble spots that we had to back up and turn around. So unload the car, disconnect the dolly and man handle it out of the way turn the RV around reconnect the dolly, reload the car and go again. After doing the about 3 times my wife said NO DOLLY again. Went to the RV show in Feb ordered a tow bar, base plate and break kit for car. Now just drive the car up to the RV, pop in 2 pins plug in one connector and away you go. Tow bar and dolly are about the same cost in the big picture. Yes you can tow more cars with dolly and you have to change base plates for cars for towing. The tow bar takes up no space, and the dolly does. We stayed at a couble of places which space was really tight with RV, dolly, car in one camping spot. You also need a good chain and lock for your dolly. You take a day trip in the car, you may not have a dolly to come home to. So there are pro and con on both. Dolly can be used for more cars, tow bar is much more easy to deal with. I would suggest when you get there, rent a dolly for your first trip and see what you think. We are on our 3rd tow car. First was 03 honda then a 2011 Fusion, now a 2014 FusionTitanium. Base plates are around $349 on Amazon free shipping with Prime and you can install them yourself if you are good with tools.If I can give you more information please advise.l How ever you deside put on a protect a tow on to protect the front of the car. http://protectatow.tripod.com/

[hybridbear]

We did that back in 07 when we brought our first RV. 40' Phaeton fresh from the factory with 2 newbie's inside....... We knew what the steering wheel did and where the door was and little else so off we went on a trip to Elkhart IN. Had a 03 Honda, rented a tow dolly and away we went. Soon to find out how much trouble a tow dolly is. We got in a couble spots that we had to back up and turn around. So unload the car, disconnect the dolly and man handle it out of the way turn the RV around reconnect the dolly, reload the car and go again. After doing the about 3 times my wife said NO DOLLY again. Went to the RV show in Feb ordered a tow bar, base plate and break kit for car. Now just drive the car up to the RV, pop in 2 pins plug in one connector and away you go. Tow bar and dolly are about the same cost in the big picture. Yes you can tow more cars with dolly and you have to change base plates for cars for towing. The tow bar takes up no space, and the dolly does. We stayed at a couble of places which space was really tight with RV, dolly, car in one camping spot. You also need a good chain and lock for your dolly. You take a day trip in the car, you may not have a dolly to come home to. So there are pro and con on both. Dolly can be used for more cars, tow bar is much more easy to deal with. I would suggest when you get there, rent a dolly for your first trip and see what you think. We are on our 3rd tow car. First was 03 honda then a 2011 Fusion, now a 2014 FusionTitanium. Base plates are around $349 on Amazon free shipping with Prime and you can install them yourself if you are good with tools.If I can give you more information please advise.l How ever you deside put on a protect a tow on to protect the front of the car. http://protectatow.tripod.com/

Since you tow with 4 wheels down can you provide some insight into the OP's concern about the odometer racking up mileage while the car is towed?

[Texasota]

Went to the RV show in Feb ordered a tow bar, base plate and break kit for car. Now just drive the car up to the RV, pop in 2 pins plug in one connector and away you go. Tow bar and dolly are about the same cost in the big picture.

Does the tow bar not have the same issues with backing up the RV when the car is attached?

[Easy Rider]

The tow bar is worse. If you read the earlier posts carefully you will note that the advantage is being able to detach the car much quicker and easier.

I think it probably also makes the whole length a bit shorter.

 

Backing up something that has steerable wheels in the front of the rear unit (tow bar with 4 wheels on the ground) is MUCH more difficult than having a stiff unit back there like you have with a dolly. That is similar to backing a semi.......only the tractor is much longer and the trailer much shorter.

 

I strongly suspect that those using a tow bar never back up more than a few feet.

 

And to be fair, most people with a dolly probably don't either but with some serious practice the dolly should be the easier of the two to maneuver.

Edited July 29, 2014 by Easy Rider

[Ryan Goodlett]

A tow dolly swivels in two places. The hitch itself and the base plate that the wheels ride on. I know from experience when I tried to back up our 38' Allegro approx 50 ft with out disconnecting the car and dolly after pulling in head first at a shop to get a tire replaced on the bus. The car turned slightly on the dolly while the dolly was straight behind the bus. Put a dent in the car door. Went to a tow bar with a Ford Edge and haven't looked back.. Convenience is a big plus, not having to mess with trailer tires that blow out, straps that wear or magically loosen.

 

To the OP.... no idea on how to work around your issue.

[airbusguy]

Away on holidays. Just read this thread. My 2013 HyTi tows 4 down no miles added. Run for 1 minute , put in neutral, push button off. Do not put car in accessory position, just off.

If this is a non hybrid titanium, maybe go to the Fusion forum not hybrid/energi.

Edited August 5, 2014 by airbusguy

[mrbobcc]

No this is a hybrid / elect fusion. The Ford dealer today said to put it in off. Page 214 of the manual is confusing. Middle of the page it says to put it in off. Bottom of the same page it says to put it in accessory. So off it will be. Thanks for your reply it reinforces the dealer comments. Keep your tail up and wings level.

[airbusguy]

Haven't flown a tail dragger for decades. Last was a Citabria in '74. Still keep the rubber side down.