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Ford Fiesta "Toad"

scotman

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#4
Welcome to the forum. You and Ellwood P. Dowd are the resident experts here! Most of us here don't (yet) have the required RV. The lightweight Fiesta is a perfect car for this. I had thought that the Smart for two would become a very popular "toad" choice for the RV community, but I have never seen one behind an RV. The Fiesta is a very comfortable pick.
Please discuss your hitch choice and what transmission option on the Fiesta. Also be interested in learning what you have to do to have brake lights function while towing and such.
I can't imagine that there is more than slight difference between manual transmission and Powershift automatic.
 

econoboxrocks

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#5
The Fiesta is a great pick for that. Smart cars are cute, but not as roomy. The Fiesta is a Ford, so parts and repairs are fairly cheap and easy to find.
 

Steam

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#6
Hi. I am actually considering using my 2018 Fiesta sedan for flat towing. I noticed your Fiesta has the lower mounted tow bar attachments in the lower grill (probably 14-3/8 inches above the pavement). Mine would have to go in the upper grill (22 inches above the pavement) because of the height of the hitch on the RV. The tow bar would then be about level without using a drop receiver that would scrape my driveway when pulling into the street. My Fiesta is an automatic. I understand the battery on mine would have to be disconnected while towing.......The center brake light seems to be the only item the installer wants to avoid dealing with.
 

scotman

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#7
Wish i could help you. There's definitely a particular set of actions involved with preparing a powershift Fiesta for flat towing.
I dont understand why the installer you consulted had an issue with the high mounted rear brake lamp.
 

Steam

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#8
Wish i could help you. There's definitely a particular set of actions involved with preparing a powershift Fiesta for flat towing.
I dont understand why the installer you consulted had an issue with the high mounted rear brake lamp.
The installer can deal with the high mounted rear brake lamp, but they consider it "custom work" to do so, probably because of several reasons: First, I will guess that most states only require brake lights on both sides, but the center brake light is not required. So they will want to only do the necessary work. Secondly, if the high mounted rear brake lamp is an LED, they may have to obtain a special kit for this, as the normal kit they use may not work with an LED. Thirdly, the 2018 Fiesta Owner's Manual describes this LED board as 'unservicable', and to consult Ford if there is a problem. Fourth, this LED strip is located in a different area of the car. Fifth, if they lack a wiring diagram, they may not know which wire to look for or it's location. If someone here has different info than this please share it.
 

Handy Andy

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#9
To me, this seems to be a "stalling" tactic, a means to determine how motivated you are to get the job done.

3rd level Brake is tied in with standard Brake, no special switch or wiring except for it's pigtail.

It's LED - it uses it's own dropping resistors and is a self contained low-current draw device that if your other brake lamps burn out or filaments quits - the LED should finish the job - which was the purpose of the 3rd level brake in the first place, to keep people from staring at the wrong end of the end - never paying attention to your hitting your brakes, they didn't - sort of (insurance) thing.
.
So the Ford uses 7 wire - 1 Brake, 2 Turn (Amber) - Tied (single) Backup and Tail (running) - 7th being option Brake or Charge (loop alarm if disconnected)

You can get Trailer wiring harness for it to help you sort this out. Don't need the 4-wire conversion - just a means to tap into the rear connector pigtails
 

Steam

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#10
Thanks for responding. I don't think the trailer company has any bad motives. I just think that based on their past experience with doing many of these wiring conversions, including a few Ford Fiestas of various years, they know from experience what issues these can run into......The RV has a 7-pole round connection. They never recommended a 4-wire conversion. They use a 7-pole to 6-pole harness.
 


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