I appreciate you fellows replying to Margaret. Our '97 Explorer, "Pearl", needed only a $100 Neutral Tow Kit installed to tow. I understood that the new Explorers of the last few years, at least the models we prefer, were towable without any additional contrivances like a Neutral Tow Kit. In our case the 4X4 or AWD Explorer suits better than the Edge, but I only wish it was still available with the air suspension Pearl has; the added ground clearance has taken me over mountain streams, rocks, and roads, mud, deep beach sand, and ice and rutted snow, and she's plowed through drifts to clear a way for the coach.
All that plus the fact that Pearl's hood and grill are already gravel-pocked from before I installed a Roadmaster Guardian, and we don't really want to risk beating up the front of a new car, has left us hanging on to dear Pearl. The older we get the more we appreciate her air suspension too - when parked, she lowers down for ease of ingress and egress, and airs up higher when started and with each successive change in 4X4 status.
The additional information about the battery charging issue on recent models is enlightening and appreciated. I may explore that with Ford if we ever do change toads, but the aftermarket charging device is certainly good to know about. The FMCA towing guide does not make mention of disconnecting the battery or any other effort needed to prevent discharge of either the Edge or the Explorer; only that the EcoBoost 2.0 4 cylinder is not towable four wheels down, for whatever reason. Perhaps the FMC editors should be alerted that another footnote is needed re. these particular cars.
-Joel