jimgunn

Hello Grandma, We had a similar problem with our Ford C-MAX when we were traveling full-time. We found 2 solutions. 1. We hooked up a charging system that used the motorhome electricity to keep the battery charged while traveling. The only problem with that solution was that we had to run the generator while traveling because the plug in the back of the motor home was live only when the generator was running. Eventually a Ford Service tech suggested a product known as a T.O.A.D. charge system. I installed this system myself. It hooked up to the car battery terminals and live to the motor coach battery. It was a fairly simple hook up when ready to travel. After installing this system, I never had a problem with the car battery after that and we were on the road for about 3 years after the install. We have been off the road since 2017 and I have not yet looked up this system on the internet. As I remember, the cost of the system was about $100 give or take a few dollars. What you have experienced is a nightmare for a full-time RV'er. Good luck, and I hope this information can be helpful to you. Jim Gunn

I towed a C-Max for 3 1/2 years. We had this problem occur on several occasions, always when turning a corner. The wobbling was violent and we had to stop in order to proceed. On the last occasion we were in Maine and went to a Ford dealer in Bangor. The dealer was of no help with this problem after holding the car for a week. When we got the car back, I went to a local RV repair facility and explained the problem. I only had the car with me but when I described the problem the owner of the shop suggested it might be a problem with the tow bar. It is hard to remember all of the incidents when this happened, but upon reflection it was always on a turn combined with a fairly sizeable elevation change. The owner of the repair facility suggested that I attend to cleaning and lubricating the tow bar so that it would flex to capacity with the elevation change on the turn. After I did that I never had another incident of this type in the next 18 months of towing. I don't know if this will fix your problem, but I offer it as a solution to a series of scary situations on the road. We are now off the road, but if we were to return, I would again tow the C-Max. The other major problem I had with this car was a battery drain while towing. I solved this problem with a T.O.A.D charge system that wired the chassis battery to the car battery. The installation was easy and kept the car battery in perfect condition once installed. The first year on the road I replaced the car battery and needed a jump start after towing the car 4-5 hours. I hope this information is useful to you and others. Jim Gunn

Hi Newbie, I have been towing a 2013 C-Max for two years. The only problem I have had has been the car battery discharges when towing. I tried a battery tender that was plugged in while towing. It didn't work. Ford recommended a product called "toad charge" which I purchased and installed myself. I have not had a problem since. I love the C-Max for a number of reasons, most importantly the ease of entry and exit for someone with back problems. Good luck in making your decision. Jim

We are in our second year of towing a 2013 C-Max SEL. We have had numerous problems with dead battery after towing for 3 - 4 hours. I talked with a customer service rep at Ford who said they are aware of this problem and recommend installation of a TOAD-CHARGE system sold by LSL Products. I have just ordered one from LSL and hope to get it installed in about 2 weeks. A 12 volt battery tender has not worked well although it has delayed the depletion of the battery. Even starting the car after 2 - 3 hours of towing did not help on our most recent trip.