FMCANationalOffice
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Posts posted by FMCANationalOffice
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FMCA was contacted this week by an FMCA member who spoke to Kia customer service and was told that the company would no longer recommend flat towing its 2016 and 2017 vehicles. FMCA has contacted Kia and asked whether the company has changed its stance on four-wheels-down towing, and we are awaiting a response. We will report that information here as soon as we receive it.
Each year, as we gather information for Family Motor Coaching magazine's towing guide, we contact Kia corporate and request information about towability of its vehicles. In each of the past two years, a Kia spokesman has confirmed that certain 2016 and 2017 model-year Kias are flat towable, and that information was published in January's towing guide. The most recent confirmation that certain 2017 model-year Kia vehicles can be flat towed came in November 2016.
In addition, while compiling the towing guide each of the past two years, we have asked Kia whether Technical Service Bulletin 018 has been updated. TSB 018 spells out requirements for flat towing Kia vehicles. It was last revised in 2015. No updates have been released since then.
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The 2017 Lincoln Continental is NOT approved for four-wheels-down towing, a Lincoln spokesman said today (February 17).
That is a reversal from the information published in the 2017 Lincoln owners manual (first printing) and in the Ford/Lincoln 2017 RV & Trailer Towing Guide.
Family Motor Coaching magazine relied on those sources, as well as email confirmation from a Lincoln media relations representative, when preparing "The 2017 Towing Lineup" that appears in the January 2017 issue. Our online towing guide will be corrected, and we will publish a correction in the magazine's April issue, which we're working on now.
It's unclear why Lincoln originally deemed the 2017 Continental towable four wheels down, and then reversed course. Family Motor Coaching has requested an explanation.
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All of our credit card processing systems are fully compliant with the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standards Council. This is also known as PCI Compliance. PCI Compliance was created to protect credit card data by creating standards for how credit card data is stored, processed and transmitted.Here is a great resource that can answer any questions anyone might have about PCI Compliance.
https://www.pcicomplianceguide.org/pci-faqs-2/#1 -
On 10/28/2016 at 7:11 PM, jeff753 said:Just saw RV Basics training course is available prior to Chandler Rally starting.
http://www.fmca.com/fmca-academy.html
Can we get some more details/schedule on the course provided for the $250/400?
We are finalizing details and will release more information on that page soon.
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Thanks, dons2346. You are correct. The Michelin Advantage tire program is staying, and FMCA also is working on a contract with Continental Tires. This will give members even more options.
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Family Motor Coaching magazine's 2017 Towables Guide will be published in the January 2017 issue. The digital version of the January issue, including the Towables Guide, will be available online in late December.
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On 9/30/2016 at 3:16 PM, Monk said:This has been quite an ordeal and no one seems to have a definitive answer. I hope someone here can verify what I have been told by Jeep.
I have a 2016 Cherokee. The flat towing kit has been installed. When the kit is activated, the power steering IS NOT activated. I understood that was the purpose of the relay powering the EPS. I just compared notes with a 2014 Jeep Cherokee owner in the FMCA campground. His 2014 Cherokee does activate the power steering when the relay is activated.
My dealer has checked the kit wiring again and also talked to Jeep. I have called Jeep Care three times and the say the power steering is not activated so I am at a loss as to where to get the right answer. Maybe the 2014 model behaves differently?
I don't want to start towing and tear up the Cherokee if the relay is not working as designed. If anyone on the forum has a 2016 Cherokee with the kit installed, please let me know if your power steering is active when the fuse is inserted.
Thanks, Lee
Lee, this is from a statement that Fiat Chrysler provided to FMCA in March 2016, regarding the resolution to the wobble problem: The company devised a "jumper wire harness and switch to ensure the vehicle's EPS (electric power steering) has power to function while it is being flat-towed."
If you feel you have received incorrect information from the Jeep Customer Assistance Center, I suggest that you call back and ask to speak to a supervisor. The number is (877) 426-5337.
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Each insurance policy has its own unique set of circumstances, and each carrier will consider those on an individual basis. And, rates can vary by locale. FMCA RVinsurance might not always be the least expensive option for all members.
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Our host applied a change to fix the issue where users weren't being logged in. The login was having difficulty retrieving and validating some information for FMCA.com. That happens from time to time when we make certain changes to the main website. We are considering bringing the forums in-house so we can have more control and avoid such issues in the future. Thanks for standing by.
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Honda has updated the Owner's Guides for the 2016 Civic Sedan (4-door) and 2016 Civic Coupe (2-door) to reflect that models with manual transmission CAN be flat towed behind a motorhome. You can access the Owner's Guides online: http://owners.honda.com/vehicles/warranty. Note that the Owner's Guide is a different publication than the owners manual, which has not yet been updated.
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Subaru of America (SOA) has responded to Family Motor Coaching magazine's request that the company clarify its position on flat-towing Subaru vehicles behind motorhomes.
"Moving forward, SOA cannot recommend dinghy towing. Our cars should be flat-bedded."
No further explanation was provided.
Based on this information, Subaru vehicles will NOT be included in Family Motor Coaching's 2017 Towables Guide, which will publish in January 2017. We have asked whether the recommendation also applies to vehicles from previous years. The response: "Right now, FHI (Subaru's parent company) is saying no dinghy towing, but we are still trying to get a clear explanation. So based on our current position, I must recommend towing all our cars on a flatbed."
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On 8/31/2016 at 2:40 PM, rojoco10 said:
We experienced the Death Wobble at least 10 times on our 2015 Georgetown while pulling our 2014 Jeep Latitude. We asked what caused it each time we went into a Camper World but no one was aware of what we were talking about. Finally, my spouse found an article in the July 2016 Motorhome issue called "Jeep Cherokee Wobble". It stated that to fix the problem we were to have a MOPAR wiring harness (part no. 68321424AB) installed. This also included a toggle switch mounted in the console between the seats and a 10 AMP fuse under the hood. No one was aware of this fix at the dealership so we ended up contacting FCA Customer Service, which assisted to make sure the fix was installed on our Jeep. To date everything has been completed and our first test drive went really well. Our longer trip is coming up in September so that will be the real test. To keep the battery charged during towing we have a trickle feed which is setup through the use of our Invisi-Brake. The dealership told us that this provides enough charge while in tow.In the February 2016 issue of Family Motor Coaching magazine, readers were made aware of this problem and Fiat Chrysler's plans to resolve it. And if you follow this thread to the beginning, you'll see that useful information was initially posted in January 2016.
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35 minutes ago, jimay5779 said:I see the KIA with manual transmission listed in the 2015 towing guide, but notably absent ( as well as many other previously mentioned ) standard transmission vehicles in the 2016 guide. Any one know the reason for this?
Not sure what you're referring to. Family Motor Coaching magazine's 2016 Towables Guide lists a number of Kia vehicles that are towable four wheels down.
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This is John Johnston, associate editor at Family Motor Coaching magazine. In November 2015 I received the email from Honda that wolfe10 posted above, which says the 2016 Civic Sedan LX and Civic Coupe LX -- when equipped with 6-speed manual transmission -- can be towed four wheels down. Since then, I've been occasionally checking with Honda to get updated owners manuals or other documentation. My contact at Honda describes the updates as a "slow, yet deliberate" process. On June 10, 2016, he sent me the updated 2016 Civic Sedan Owner's Guide (4-door). Please note that the Owner's Guide is a different publication than the owners manual. Below is a screen shot indicating that the Civic Sedan (4-door) manual transmission model can be towed behind a motorhome. My Honda contact said he expects other Civic Sedan and Coupe publications will be updated by the end of July, and when they are, I will post that information in the Forums.
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On 5/26/2016 at 5:19 PM, retiredblade said:I am puzzled, 2016 towing guide states that, as far as I can read says all Fords and Lincolns with auto trans. can be towed 4 wheels down, am I missing something?
The Towables Guide lists the specific Ford and Lincoln vehicles that can be towed four wheels down behind a motorhome. If a vehicle is listed in the Towables Guide, it can be flat towed. Someone previously posted a comment that ALL Ford vehicles can be flat towed, and that, of course, is incorrect.
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On 5/18/2016 at 8:49 AM, Takachsin said:To FMCANationalOffice Advanced Member,
In your post of April 22, the last paragraph states,
The flat-tow wiring kit already has been made available to some Cherokee owners. An FCA statement said: “FCA US has begun providing service to certain customers who advised the company of this issue before a solution was developed. That solution is now available for all in the retail environment. Going forward, customers intent on flat towing are urged to follow the revised user guide instructions and contact their dealers.”
I need clarification on the last sentence. When I purchased my 2015 Cherokee Trail Hawk on 04/14/2015 my intent at the time was to flat tow the Cherokee, which the sales manager was made aware of and even showed me in the owners manual the instructions on how to flat tow the Cherokee, so does does the last sentence refer to new purchases going forward, or does it apply to existing customers who purchased there Cherokee prior to when the solution was developed and have not yet experienced the wobble.
I don't think it is fair for FCA to sell me a vehicle that was approved for flat towing at time of purchase and now send me a card to insert in the owners manual that now says "Before towing, see your authorized dealer for the MOPAR flat towing kit," and want me to pay for the kit and installation.
According to Fiat Chrysler, the recommendation to install the flat-tow wiring kit and to follow the revised user guide instructions applies to ALL 2014-2016 Jeep Cherokees that will be flat towed behind a motorhome.
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A Fiat Chrysler spokesman today clarified some points regarding the Jeep Cherokee.
Fiat Chrysler recommends that the new towing accessory be installed on all 2014-2016 4x4 Jeep Cherokees that will be towed four wheels down behind a motorhome, regardless of when they were built.
Fiat Chrysler began mailing correspondence to Jeep Cherokee owners on April 22. Those letters continue to be sent in stages. Customers should abide by the information in the letter. Some Jeep owners have referred to an online service bulletin. Such service bulletins are intended for dealers only, and the initial service bulletin contained an error, which added to people's confusion.
All Jeep dealers have been notified about the new towing accessory, so it's okay to contact your dealer, ask if the part is available there, and schedule a time to have it installed.
This process involves the Cherokee. The Grand Cherokee is not affected.
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On 5/2/2016 at 1:20 PM, Grandriver said:I am in Canada and we just received the notice last Friday (April 29). It does not say we have to pay - but it does not say they won't be charging us.
We took delivery in Nov 2013. I noticed one comment in another forum that seemed to imply that this problem was created AFTER a change was made to the steering system.
We have only towed 2014 Limited ADII for 1500 miles and have not experienced the problem. Does anyone know if, in fact, there was a change to the steering system and whether or not the flat tow wiring kit will be necessary for early models?
We traded a 2011 Ford Escape because of the constant axe over our head with the frequently reported transmission burnouts. I almost went for an Edge but decided Ford did not deserve the business (they too over the Lube Pump for the Escape from Remco and the dealer quoted us $6000) and went for the Cherokee. No I wonder if that was a big mistake. We have had the differential and a half shaft replaced because it would not engage 4WD when the transmission fluid was warm.
Thanks
GR
A Fiat Chrysler US spokesman says the company recommends that the accessory kit be installed on all 2014-2016 4x4 Jeep Cherokees that will be flat towed.
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On 4/19/2016 at 7:11 AM, retiredblade said:On FMCA towing guide
It is incorrect that all Ford products can be towed four wheels down. Please refer to Family Motor Coaching magazine's Towables Guide for a listing of Ford vehicles that can be flat towed.
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5 hours ago, F448850 said:I would love to purchase FMCA's Road Assist Program but " Service is provided to change the tire with customer’s inflated spare." My RV does NOT have a spare tire.
Under the FMCA Roadside Assistance Program, powered by Vehicle Administrative Services (VAS), mobile tire service is provided if a spare is not available. That had been inadvertently omitted from the website but has been updated.
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On 4/5/2016 at 8:43 AM, FMCANationalOffice said:We are still waiting for Subaru to respond.
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Important information for owners of 2014-2016 Jeep Cherokees who flat tow that vehicle behind a motorhome:
Owners of 2014-2016 Jeep Cherokees should begin receiving notices about updated flat-towing procedures from Fiat Chrysler Automobiles US (FCA) starting today, April 22, a company official told Family Motor Coaching magazine. The notifications will be sent via U.S. mail. Cherokee owners in Canada also will be notified by mail “in due course,” according to an FCA official. The notifications will include revised towing procedures, which also appear in updated online user guides and owners manuals. The user guides and owners manuals can be accessed at www.jeep.com/en/owners/manuals/.
Once customers receive notification from FCA, they may contact their certified Jeep dealer to have a Mopar flat-tow wiring kit installed. The wiring kit is designed to resolve a problem that sometimes occurs when 2014-2016 Jeep Cherokees are towed four wheels down behind a motorhome. Owners have reported that under certain operating conditions — such as traveling bumpy or poorly maintained roads — the Cherokee sometimes wobbles significantly, raising safety concerns. The only way to stop the wobble, owners have said, is to bring the vehicle to a complete stop.
The cost of the wiring kit (parts and labor) is approximately $218, FCA said.FCA officials said that the wobble occurs because the vehicle’s electronic power steering system is inactive while the Cherokee is being flat towed with the ignition in the “off” position. As a result, the vehicle does not benefit from the system’s function.
The flat-tow wiring kit already has been made available to some Cherokee owners. An FCA statement said: “FCA US has begun providing service to certain customers who advised the company of this issue before a solution was developed. That solution is now available for all in the retail environment. Going forward, customers intent on flat towing are urged to follow the revised user guide instructions and contact their dealers.” -
Important information for owners of 2014-2016 Jeep Cherokees who flat tow that vehicle behind a motorhome:
Owners of 2014-2016 Jeep Cherokees should begin receiving notices about updated flat-towing procedures from Fiat Chrysler Automobiles US (FCA) starting today, April 22, a company official told Family Motor Coaching magazine. The notifications will be sent via U.S. mail. Cherokee owners in Canada also will be notified by mail “in due course,” according to an FCA official. The notifications will include revised towing procedures, which also appear in updated online user guides and owners manuals. The user guides and owners manuals can be accessed at www.jeep.com/en/owners/manuals/.
Once customers receive notification from FCA, they may contact their certified Jeep dealer to have a Mopar flat-tow wiring kit installed. The wiring kit is designed to resolve a problem that sometimes occurs when 2014-2016 Jeep Cherokees are towed four wheels down behind a motorhome. Owners have reported that under certain operating conditions — such as traveling bumpy or poorly maintained roads — the Cherokee sometimes wobbles significantly, raising safety concerns. The only way to stop the wobble, owners have said, is to bring the vehicle to a complete stop.
The cost of the wiring kit (parts and labor) is approximately $218, FCA said.FCA officials said that the wobble occurs because the vehicle’s electronic power steering system is inactive while the Cherokee is being flat towed with the ignition in the “off” position. As a result, the vehicle does not benefit from the system’s function.
The flat-tow wiring kit already has been made available to some Cherokee owners. An FCA statement said: “FCA US has begun providing service to certain customers who advised the company of this issue before a solution was developed. That solution is now available for all in the retail environment. Going forward, customers intent on flat towing are urged to follow the revised user guide instructions and contact their dealers.” -
Reposting this here for those who might not have seen it on another thread:
Family Motor Coaching magazine has published its annual Towables Guide since 1999, and each year, the list of vehicles that can be towed four wheels down behind a motorhome has included various Subaru models that are equipped with a manual transmission. The list is based on information FMC receives from each manufacturer, including Subaru. However, it appears Subaru is rethinking its position on flat towing.
Recently, FMC heard from several FMCA members who were told by Subaru employees that Subarus should not be flat towed behind a motorhome. FMC immediately contacted the company. Subaru’s corporate office is researching the matter and as of April 5 has not provided a definitive answer as to whether the company has changed its policy regarding flat towing. However, when an FMC editor called Subaru customer service, the Subaru representative said the company recommends towing via a flatbed trailer, except in emergency situations.
FMC will continue to seek clarification. When more information becomes available, it will be posted FMCA’s Forums and published in the magazine.
All-New 2017 Jeep Compass Is Not Flat Towable
in Toads-Towed Behind Motorhome
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In March 2017, the “All-New 2017 Jeep Compass” began appearing at dealerships.
For those who are searching for a vehicle to flat tow behind a motorhome, an important distinction must be made between the “All-New 2017 Jeep Compass” and the “2017 Jeep Compass.”
The “2017 Jeep Compass” (when equipped with manual transmission) can be towed four wheels down. It is included in “The 2017 Towing Lineup” (January 2017, page 46), Family Motor Coaching magazine’s annual list of vehicles that can be flat towed behind a motorhome without significant modifications. The 2017 Jeep Compass owners manual spells out the procedure for flat towing behind a motorhome. Production of that vehicle ceased in December 2016, according to a spokesman for Fiat Chrysler Automobiles U.S.
The “All-New 2017 Jeep Compass” is an entirely new vehicle from the ground up. The new vehicle’s owners manual specifies that the vehicle is NOT flat towable.
Always consult the most up-to-date version of a vehicle’s owners manual to determine whether the vehicle can be flat towed.