What are you guys towing?

[gfitzge2]

I'm getting a new Ranger today and heard that you must have ~1000mi on tranny/engine before towing. I snowmobile and will need to tow next weekend, but at that point I expect only ~300mi on truck. Sled and trailer weigh ~2,000lbs. Would this be ok or am I putting the truck at risk?

This is from the owners manual.


"BREAKING-IN You need to break in new tires for approximately 300 mi (480 km). During this time, your vehicle may exhibit some unusual driving characteristics. Avoid driving too fast during the first 1,000 mi (1,600 km). Vary your speed frequently and change up through the gears early. Do not labor the engine. Do not tow during the first 1,000 mi (1,600 km). "

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[jzinckgra]

thanks.

 

[t4thfavor]

I'm getting a new Ranger today and heard that you must have ~1000mi on tranny/engine before towing. I snowmobile and will need to tow next weekend, but at that point I expect only ~300mi on truck. Sled and trailer weigh ~2,000lbs. Would this be ok or am I putting the truck at risk?

Sounds like you need to go on a decent length road trip. If the trailer is light (like 2000# or less) I wouldn't think twice about towing the trailer as long as you follow the other rules from above.

 

[grizzly]

2006

Tracker Grizzly 1860

 

[Blue Streak]

I'm getting a new Ranger today and heard that you must have ~1000mi on tranny/engine before towing. I snowmobile and will need to tow next weekend, but at that point I expect only ~300mi on truck. Sled and trailer weigh ~2,000lbs. Would this be ok or am I putting the truck at risk?

If you do tow don't take any photos or put anything on social media. Just saying.

 

[jzinckgra]

If you do tow don't take any photos or put anything on social media. Just saying.

Right! Out of curiosity, I know the truck knows when a trailer is attached. Is any information like truck mileage or otherwise stored in the black box?

 

[t4thfavor]

100% the truck will nanny you and tell Ford if you're in Tow/Haul mode. I'd avoid that, and just run the shifter yourself with the buttons in S mode.

 

[Blue Streak]

100% the truck will nanny you and tell Ford if you're in Tow/Haul mode. I'd avoid that, and just run the shifter yourself with the buttons in S mode.

Question. Just because you use tow mode does it know if you really have a trailer hooked up?

 

[t4thfavor]

Question. Just because you use tow mode does it know if you really have a trailer hooked up?

It knows, but you can get some kind of trailer plug adapter with a cigarette lighter adapter in it as "plausible deniability". The truck knows when the trailer has no battery, when the trailer has a lighting issue, when the trailer has working or non-working brakes. It knows a lot.

99.999% your truck will be just fine as long as you don't beat on it during it's break in while towing.

 

[TBR17]

2006

Tracker Grizzly 1860

Sweet Grizz. What size is that Merc?

 

[Blue Streak]

It knows, but you can get some kind of trailer plug adapter with a cigarette lighter adapter in it as "plausible deniability". The truck knows when the trailer has no battery, when the trailer has a lighting issue, when the trailer has working or non-working brakes. It knows a lot.

99.999% your truck will be just fine as long as you don't beat on it during it's break in while towing.

Thanks Chance. I know these computers are smarter than I. Towed with mine but way after the 1000 mile mark.

 

[Arly]

I'd say you folks are overly worried about this.....

 

[Blue Streak]

I'd say you folks are overly worried about this.....

Not worried I have over 26000 miles. Just curious.

 

[Leftcoast]

I'd say you folks are overly worried about this.....

It's the internet.

 

[Mustang2Ranger]

Question. Just because you use tow mode does it know if you really have a trailer hooked up?

The truck knows a trailer is connected when you put your foot on the brake for the first time with a trailer connected at the plug. That is what initiates the sequence/connection to the truck and all the messages pop up on the screen. Who knows, it may have some back end voodoo shit it records for Ford that I don't know about, this is just what I observed

Otherwise it would not be able to distinguish between a heavy load or a trailer with no plug connected. Say someone was careless and didn't hook up their trailer to the plug, only the hitch, or if they had a very small trailer such as a cement mixer. Truck wouldn't know

It is called the "tow haul indicator" in the Owner's manual. I interpret that as you can also use it for hauling. If I went to Home depot and got 1,500lbs of gravel put in the bed I would engage the button same as if I would towing my travel trailer. It changes upshift points, doesn't skip gears, and has more aggressive downshifting which is easier on the tranny/motor/brakes

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