Can a 2009 Ford F-150 Be Flat Towed with 4 Wheels on the Ground

Question:

I have an f 150 2009 ford . Can it be towed four wheels down , and does the tow bar bolt directly to the front bumper , or does it need a special bracket ?? Thanks.

asked by: George W

Expert Reply:

If you have a 4 wheel drive 2009 Ford F-150 with a manual shift transfer case your truck can be flat towed as-is. If you have a 2 wheel drive model you will need a drive shaft disconnect, or for electronic shifted 4 wheel drive you would need a lube pump. Both items we do not carry.

For a base plate kit you would need the part # 495-1A. This attaches to the front frame of the truck and not the bumper.

In addition to the base plates, you will also need a compatible tow bar, safety cables, lighting, and supplemental braking to flat tow your vehicle. The most popular compatible tow bar is the Falcon 2, # RM-520. For safety cables you can use # RM-643. The coiled design helps keep the cables off of the ground.

For lighting you can use the bulb and socket kit, # RM-152, and not have to worry about cutting and taillight sockets. You will also want the # BX88206 to connect this lighting solution to your tow vehicle. This comes with a round 6-way connector that you will install on the front of your towed vehicle and enough coiled wire to go from there to the RV.

And finally, most states now require supplemental braking in the vehicle being flat towed. The easiest system to set up and use is the Blue Ox Patriot II, # BRK2016, that applies the vehicle brakes in proportion to how much the tow vehicle is braking. This is the safest way to stop and it reduces wear and tear on both vehicles.

Most likely you will also need a high low adapter so that the tow bar will be level when you are flat towing. I attached a link to a page that has all of the ones we carry.

I have included a couple of helpful links to our articles on flat towing for you. Be sure to consult the vehicle owners manual for more specific information on flat towing your vehicle.