I pulled this out of the PDF version of the owner's manual. It was buried far enough in the manual that if I needed it in a hurry, I probably wouldn't find it. I printed it on a single page and stuffed the page at the front of my hard copy owner's manual. I also put it in a Word document which is attached to this post.

Four-wheel Drive Vehicles Equipped with an Electronic-shift Transfer Case
Only tow a four-wheel drive vehicle that has an electronic-shift transfer case with all wheels on the ground. To do this, place the transfer case in its neutral position and engage the four-wheel-down towing feature.
Perform the steps in the following section after positioning your vehicle behind the tow vehicle and properly securing them together.
Note: Make sure you properly secure your vehicle to the tow vehicle.

Four-wheel-down Towing

1. Put the ignition in the on position, but do not start the engine. If your vehicle has an ignition key, turn the key to on. If your vehicle has intelligent access, press the engine START/STOP button once without pressing the brake pedal.

2. Press and hold the brake pedal.

3. Rotate the four-wheel drive switch to 2H.

4. Shift the transmission to neutral (N).

5. Rotate the four-wheel drive switch from 2H to 4L and back to 2H five times within seven seconds.

Note: If completed successfully, the information display shows a message indicating that your vehicle is safe to tow with all wheels on the ground.

Note: If you do not see the message in the display, you must perform the procedure again from the beginning.

Note: You may hear an audible noise as the transfer case shifts into its neutral position. This is normal.

6. Leave the transmission in neutral (N) and turn the ignition as far as it will go toward the off position (it will not turn fully off when the transmission is in neutral). If your vehicle has an ignition key, you must leave the key in the ignition while towing. To lock and unlock your vehicle, use the keyless entry keypad or extra set of keys. If your vehicle has intelligent access, press the engine START/STOP button once without pressing the brake pedal. You do not need to leave your keys in the vehicle. You can lock and unlock your vehicle as you normally do.

7. Release the brake pedal.

Note: You can check four-wheel-down towing status at any time by opening the driver's door or turning the ignition to the accessory or on position and verifying a message displays in the cluster.



To exit four-wheel-down towing and return the transfer case to its 2H position:

1. With your vehicle still properly secured to the tow vehicle, put the ignition in the on position, but do not start the engine. If your vehicle has an ignition key, switch the key to on. If your vehicle has intelligent access, press the engine START/STOP button once without pressing the brake pedal.

2. Press and hold the brake pedal.

3. Shift the transmission out of neutral (N) and into any other gear.

4. Release the brake pedal.

Note: If completed successfully, the 2H indicator light illuminates and a confirmation message displays in the instrument cluster.

Note: If the indicator light and message do not display, you must perform the procedure again from the beginning.

Note: You may hear an audible noise as the transfer case shifts out of its neutral position. This is normal.

Note: If a message displays in the instrument cluster stating there is a shift delay, transfer case gear tooth blockage may be present. See Resolving the Shift Delay Issue after this section.

5. Apply the parking brake and disconnect the vehicle from the tow vehicle.

6. Release the parking brake, start the engine and shift the transmission to drive (D) to make sure the transfer case is out of neutral (N).

7. If the transfer case does not successfully shift out of neutral (N), set the parking brake until you can have your vehicle serviced.



Resolving the Shift Delay Issue

If the instrument cluster displays a shift delay message, See Information Messages (page 127). You need to perform the following steps:

1. Press and hold the brake pedal.

2. Put the transmission into neutral (N), and then start the engine.

3. With the engine running, shift the transmission to drive (D) and let the vehicle roll forward, up to 3 ft (1 m).

You may hear an audible noise as the transfer case shifts out of its neutral position. This is normal.

4. When the issue is resolved, the instrument cluster displays a message stating neutral tow is disabled.

 

Wow, I had no idea. Dont think I'd ever use it, but it's good to know. Thanks.

 

I'm a little confused? Are you saying I can't tow a trailer with 4x4 engaged unless I go through this step? And do you have to do this every time you need to tow while in 4x4?

 

The instructions are for if you need to tow the truck. As in, it is disabled and the only way to tow it is with all four wheels of the truck on the ground. I'll amend the first post with why the instructions are needed.

 

This information pertains to towing the truck itself behind a larger vehicle such as an RV. Does not pertain to scenarios in which the truck is towing another object.

 

Good to know but, I've never seen a superduty being towed with all wheels on the ground such as behind a Class A. I now have a new retirement goal.

 

There are some fantastic pictures on the forum.... I’ve seen them.

They always spark a debate because most folks here tow with the super duty. Towing a super duty is awesome, IMO...

 

Here’s the thread:

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...t-towed-3.html

bush pilot’s super C with plans for two motorcycles in the back sounds like my dream rig.

 

Thanks for the clarification. I will add the instructions to my book as well.

 

Great information Jim.
Thanks for posting it. I will add this to my hard copy package in the truck also.

 

Is this for all year models with the electric shifter on das or only 2017 and later as I think my 2015 manual says not to unless for short distances or remove tail shaft.
Frank.

 

Sorry, I can't help you. I have a 2017 and this came from the manual for that model year. These instructions are specific to the electronic shifting transfer case. Manual transfer case is different.

 

My '19 ESOF has similar instructions. Might be exactly the same but I didn't look that close.

 

I'm speculating here, but given that the 6r140 in the 2017+ is the same as 2011-2016, the instructions should work for both generations. Keep in mind that this is a transfer case setting, not necessarily a transmission setting. The transmission does get shifted to Neutral, but that's about it. If the transfer cases are different then all bets are off.

 

I just looked up the 2015 owners manual and it is definitely different. You shouldn’t tow a 2015 wheels-down unless you have the manual transfer case.