Towing a trailer with the Mach-E : part one

[Eric_C_Boston]

Brakes on the trailer is very common in Europe. I read somewhere that it was a consideration of determining towing capacity of the MME in Europe versus North America.

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[dtbaker61]

Where do they hook the hitch up to on the vehicle, are there already pre-drilled holes? I really wanted to do something similar with my Mach-E but I'm new to hitches and towing so I'm worried about the towing and weight damaging the car if it wasn't designed with towing in mind.

I heard that the Mach-E in Europe can be purchased with a tow hitch so I'm wondering what's different about the models in North America and why we don't have this option.

yes, chassis rails and bumper bolts all ready for easy install... various posts on DIY installing Torklift hitches and others are in the 'DIY' section of the forum, just search for torklift

 

[mkhuffman]

yes, chassis rails and bumper bolts all ready for easy install... various posts on DIY installing Torklift hitches and others are in the 'DIY' section of the forum, just search for torklift

I installed a TorkLift hitch by myself and didn't raise the car.
https://www.macheforum.com/site/posts/304933/

 

[dtbaker61]

The problem here is that the US MME owners manual specifically states that it is not to be used for towing. That would be considered illegal on the road and potentially cause issues with insurance. If the other party in an accidental found out your accident was the result of an illegal modification you might be out a whole lot more than the $65 a day U-Haul truck you could have got.

Just a risk profile some choose to accept, like I do with speed limits. If I get caught speeding I know my consequences.

Page 262 of the owners manual:

my take on it is:
- if hitch is rated for load, and
- trailer is rated for load, and
- trailer is properly licensed, then

hitch plus trailer are not 'illegal' as they are licensed to be on the road, but *may* cause loss of warranty claim IF claimed failure can be shown to be caused by non-approved use by mfg.

non-approved is way different than illegal....
and non-approved use causation has to be shown to void specific warranty claim

....but I'm not a lawyer

 

[dtbaker61]

I love this forum cause I can see someone else try this dumb shit instead of me. Truly appreciate it.

I believe in putting the Utility in SUV classification.

 

[21st Century Pony]

Our son has a (used at our purchase) 2020 Audi E-Tron Quattro. I helped him out after the purchase by having Audi install their optional tow hitch package. One of the "unseen" Audi OEM hitch package installation mods was a modification to the electronics system, so that the BCM (or whatever module in the Audi) as well as the APIM listed "towing" as one of the road choices, and the computer modules compensated for the braking and weight with the Audi's air suspension. Additionally, the Audi's rear hatch kick-open rear sensor was moved to a bit to the left side so as to work despite the hitch's presence.

My point being, apart from the neat legal responsibilities discussion here and the physical limitations comments, we should keep in mind the question whether the European Mach E module(s) also have tow-related software modifications that are dormant or flat absent on our American Mach Es.

As I write this, I keep dreaming about a high-end teardrop trailer to buy and tow... with the Kid's Audi E-tron or with my Mach E. Maybe one of the Timberleaf teardrops...

 

[dtbaker61]

Our son has a (used at our purchase) 2020 Audi E-Tron Quattro. I helped him out after the purchase by having Audi install their optional tow hitch package. One of the "unseen" Audi OEM hitch package installation mods was a modification to the electronics system, so that the BCM (or whatever module in the Audi) as well as the APIM listed "towing" as one of the road choices, and the computer modules compensated for the braking and weight with the Audi's air suspension. Additionally, the Audi's rear hatch kick-open rear sensor was moved to a bit to the left side so as to work despite the hitch's presence.

My point being, apart from the neat legal responsibilities discussion here and the physical limitations comments, we should keep in mind the question whether the European Mach E module(s) also have tow-related software modifications that are dormant or flat absent on our American Mach Es.

As I write this, I keep dreaming about a high-end teardrop trailer to buy and tow... with the Kid's Audi E-tron or with my Mach E. Maybe one of the Timberleaf teardrops...

if you know what you want....
do it

 

[Rex]

I'm in the UK and I had the tow bar fitted. It is rated at 750Kg (1653 lbs). I purchased it for use with a bike rack and with a trailer. I've towed the trailer with ~500kg on board and not noticed any real difference. The bad thing was that the installation puts a relay box under the rear floor (in the gap to the real floor!). It was a poor looking add-on. I purchased some ABS and heat moulded it to cover the relay and make it look more reasonable and provide some protection.
I'd guess you must have a regulation somewhere that the MME cannot meet to get that warning in the manual.

https://shop.ford.co.uk/products/mustang-mach-e-detachable-tow-bar-09-2020

 

[ajmartineau]

I’ve had my hitch for a while but haven’t needed to use it. I’m planning a 1400 mile trip down to Prescott in August but I’m hoping I can just use my hitch basket.
How was the traffic on your trip to Leavenworth? We’re you at the speed limit? What is your normal miles/KwH for that trip?
Thanks

 

[21st Century Pony]

I'm in the UK and I had the tow bar fitted. It is rated at 750Kg (1653 lbs). I purchased it for use with a bike rack and with a trailer. I've towed the trailer with ~500kg on board and not noticed any real difference. The bad thing was that the installation puts a relay box under the rear floor (in the gap to the real floor!). It was a poor looking add-on. I purchased some ABS and heat moulded it to cover the relay and make it look more reasonable and provide some protection.
I'd guess you must have a regulation somewhere that the MME cannot meet to get that warning in the manual.

https://shop.ford.co.uk/products/mustang-mach-e-detachable-tow-bar-09-2020

Thank you Rex. Can you explain more (maybe with a sketch or a picture) about the poorly fitting relay box?

Also, does the trailer hitch interfere with your rear hatch kick-open module function?

And finally, what software modifications (if any) did the installation include?

Thanks in advance,

 

[21st Century Pony]

I'm in the UK and I had the tow bar fitted. It is rated at 750Kg (1653 lbs). I purchased it for use with a bike rack and with a trailer. I've towed the trailer with ~500kg on board and not noticed any real difference. The bad thing was that the installation puts a relay box under the rear floor (in the gap to the real floor!). It was a poor looking add-on. I purchased some ABS and heat moulded it to cover the relay and make it look more reasonable and provide some protection.
I'd guess you must have a regulation somewhere that the MME cannot meet to get that warning in the manual.

https://shop.ford.co.uk/products/mustang-mach-e-detachable-tow-bar-09-2020

And finally - what diameter is the steel ball on your Ford towing hitch?

 

[Rex]

Hi
Here is my posting about the fitting
https://www.macheforum.com/site/threads/tow-bar.12234/#post-340988

The kicker opening still worked but I only tested it once with the tow bar on as I hardly ever use kicker opening. I find carrying two heavy bags and trying to open with a kick makes me very unstable, it is safer to put a bag down!

It was fitted by a dealer so if he had to alter the software he didn't say anything.

I would say the hitch is very easy to fit and detach. Much easier than I had anticipated.

The ball size is the European standard of 50mm

I hope that helps.

 

[backwardsfish]

my take on it is:
- if hitch is rated for load, and
- trailer is rated for load, and
- trailer is properly licensed, then

hitch plus trailer are not 'illegal' as they are licensed to be on the road, but *may* cause loss of warranty claim IF claimed failure can be shown to be caused by non-approved use by mfg.

non-approved is way different than illegal....
and non-approved use causation has to be shown to void specific warranty claim

....but I'm not a lawyer

Agreed.

 

[Eric_C_Boston]

I'm in the UK and I had the tow bar fitted. It is rated at 750Kg (1653 lbs). I purchased it for use with a bike rack and with a trailer. I've towed the trailer with ~500kg on board and not noticed any real difference. The bad thing was that the installation puts a relay box under the rear floor (in the gap to the real floor!). It was a poor looking add-on. I purchased some ABS and heat moulded it to cover the relay and make it look more reasonable and provide some protection.
I'd guess you must have a regulation somewhere that the MME cannot meet to get that warning in the manual.

https://shop.ford.co.uk/products/mustang-mach-e-detachable-tow-bar-09-2020

That should be the TRM (Trailer Module). There is a procedure in FDRS so the car will recognize the module is present.

 

[Scott Miller]

Tylset, I’m in Seattle with an off grid lot in Leavenworth and plan on towing 2,500 lbs or less on the exact same route with our RWDX Mach E. Pretty fun to come across your post and thanks for doing the heavy lifting of testing the route! I’m curious if you’ve added the seven pin connector and purchased the tear drop trailer? Are you continuing to tow without issue? There are a few good YouTube videos on the subject since this thread was active last year…

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