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@hermanmullins, this may be one for you! Preparing my wife’s 2017 Ford Explorer Limited for flat towing behind our gasser motorhome. All weights, capacities and other items have been checked and validated. The chosen towing package includes the Blue Ox baseplate and ReadyBrute Elite towbar. Will be wiring the lights with diodes. Here are my questions: 1. Ford manual says to disconnect the battery negative cable. Does anyone really know why? Please not a guess or heard it somewhere, or just because the manual says so. If it is just to prevent the battery from running down I will install a toad charger. I would rather keep It connected and have the toad brake lights functional when the toad brakes are applied. 2. If I can leave the toad battery connected with a charger, why couldn’t I leave it in the accessory position (accessory mode with keyless ignition) and put the headlamps in parking lights mode. This would provide front and rear marker lights as well as tail lights. At this point all I would need to wire up are the turn signals. 3. Have ordered a full frontal bra cover to protect paint and windshield. Read an article where they did not recommend a vertical mounted tow shield or bra cover that blocked the transmission cooler as the transmission could overheat. What?? Hard to believe a toad transmission would generate much heat being towed. Anyone else experience this issue? Thanks in advance for any wisdom that can be shared. I typed all this on a smartphone so please excuse any typos or spell correct errors.

My 2016 Ford Explorer Owner's Manual instructions for flat towing include disconnecting the negative side of the battery. Does anyone know if this is to prevent battery drain or if there are systems that must be without power to prevent damage during flat towing. I have installed a trickle charger from the motorhome so battery drain shouldn't be an issue. If I have to remove the negative battery cable I'll have t run supplemental power to the RVi braking system I use. Thanks