What are you guys towing?

[awd.nv]

I’m currently in something almost identical to that. It tows quite good considering the tow rig. I’ll bet it did just fine for you.

Well that is good to hear. I know eventually we will want something a little bigger than our 19BH but I like the little ranger and didn't want to HAVE TO upgrade it.

My only concern is that on some of the longer climbs going from Vegas to Utah I can get close to 230F water temp in these summers. I got stuck behind a 45mph row of big rigs going up hill and decided to pass and saw temps touch 238F which barely moved the needle on the gauge, but still uncomfortable. Power wasn't an issue though but yikes. Don't want to blow a head gasket.

I really wish manufacturers didn't treat us like dumb owners and just tell us the safe operating range. These dummy gauges and lack of info we get on the cluster is annoying. For all I know 238F is nothing to worry about but my gut doesn't like it.

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[Arly]

Just finished building my all aluminum mini camper!

Gee, that looks LOTS like our camper. Yours might be smaller.

 

[daniel3507]

Misfire in cylinder 1 was the issue I was having. Pulled the code this evening. Will be taking it into the dealership

 

[J Haggerty (RADAR1)]

My only concern is that on some of the longer climbs going from Vegas to Utah I can get close to 230F water temp in these summers. I got stuck behind a 45mph row of big rigs going up hill and decided to pass and saw temps touch 238F which barely moved the needle on the gauge, but still uncomfortable. Power wasn't an issue though but yikes. Don't want to blow a head gasket.

Curious how you measure the actual temperature. I have an XLT and haven't been able to find out if there is a way for the Ranger to show me the actual fluid temperatures, or if I need to use an app and tap off the OBD plug? My base model Durango shows me water, oil, and trans temperatures, so I'm surprised that I can't find the same on a truck designed to tow 7,500 lbs.

 

[TechnicallyReal]

Picked up the new trailer on Wednesday. It was very windy so it was a good test.

Old trailer:
Jayco 174BH
3200 lbs from factory
7ft wide
18'~ box / 21' 8" total length

New trailer:
Jayco 264BH
4900 lbs from factory
8ft wide
25'~ box / 29' 5" total length

I have Eibach's in the rear and added a little bit of air to my tires (40 psi rear, 35 psi front). I'll probably add more air next time, especially in the front.

I towed the 174BH to the dealer without my Andersen hitch and the wind in open areas was shoving me around a lot, more than I've ever experienced with this truck & trailer before. Not sure how windy it was, but it was a lot more than any other trip I've taken it on.

I towed the 264BH home from the dealer with the Andersen hitch installed, although I allowed the dealer to set it up while I inspected the trailer, so I don't know how well adjusted it was. I was short on time and will readjust it on the weekend. Anyway the wind still managed to shove me around quite a bit but I would say I felt it less than I did with the 174BH without the Andersen. I didn't get pushed around by vehicles passing (not even semis), but the gusts of wind in open areas were definitely noticeable. At first it was uncomfortable but quickly got used to it. I was going about 95 km/h (60 mph) for the majority of both trips, and up to 115 km/h (71 mph) for a brief stretch.

Both trailers were empty seeing as it wasn't a recreational trip. Edit: wrong - new one was loaded with 400 lbs of water and I didn't realize it! We'll have to wait to see how things change once I adjust the hitch, add more air to my tires, and load some things into the front of the trailer (and people into the truck).

Loving the trailer so far, though.

 

[Big Blue]

Curious how you measure the actual temperature. I have an XLT and haven't been able to find out if there is a way for the Ranger to show me the actual fluid temperatures, or if I need to use an app and tap off the OBD plug? My base model Durango shows me water, oil, and trans temperatures, so I'm surprised that I can't find the same on a truck designed to tow 7,500 lbs.

I would say that most of us getting actual numbers are using and ODB reader and using a phone, tablet or aftermarket guage device to display the information. People with a tuner can also use that device to display guages.

The sad part is our trucks don't have a oil temp or pressure sender to read. I use the Torque Pro app to monitor Boost, Coolant Temp, Transmission Temp when towing.

 

[Big Blue]

Picked up the new trailer on Wednesday. It was very windy so it was a good test.

Old trailer:
Jayco 174BH
3200 lbs from factory
7ft wide
18'~ box / 21' 8" total length

New trailer:
Jayco 264BH
4900 lbs from factory
8ft wide
26'~ box / 29' 5" total length

I have Eibach's in the rear and added a little bit of air to my tires (40 psi rear, 35 psi front). I'll probably add more air next time, especially in the front.

I towed the 174BH to the dealer without my Andersen hitch and the wind in open areas was shoving me around a lot, more than I've ever experienced with this truck & trailer before. Not sure how windy it was, but it was a lot more than any other trip I've taken it on.

I towed the 264BH home from the dealer with the Andersen hitch installed, although I allowed the dealer to set it up while I inspected the trailer, so I don't know how well adjusted it was. I was short on time and will readjust it on the weekend. Anyway the wind still managed to shove me around quite a bit but I would say I felt it less than I did with the 174BH without the Andersen. I didn't get pushed around by vehicles passing (not even semis), but the gusts of wind in open areas were definitely noticeable. At first it was uncomfortable but quickly got used to it. I was going about 95 km/h (60 mph) for the majority of both trips, and up to 115 km/h (71 mph) for a brief stretch.

Both trailers were empty seeing as it wasn't a recreational trip. We'll have to wait to see how things change once I adjust the hitch, add more air to my tires, and load some things into the front of the trailer (and people into the truck).

Loving the trailer so far, though.

Nice looking setup. Get her loaded up and weighed so you get you balance right and the tongue weight right. The get the hitch setup. A little more tire pressure may help but make sure you keep enough weight transfer to the front axle. You biggest challenge will be cross winds, that length and the Ranger's short wheel base will make it interesting. Keep us informed on the first trip.

 

[ctechbob]

We rented this for the weekend to help us make our go no-go decision on buying one for ourselves. Wildwood 201BHXL. Only upgrade to the truck is 5100 rear shocks. Pulled it around today with no WD hitch or sway control, pulled just fine. Our potential new purchase will need it but for the shorter trip we pulled this smaller trailer to it was no big deal.

No, it's not level in that pic, I'd just dropped it off the truck and hadn't set it up yet.

 

[Big Blue]

We rented this for the weekend to help us make our go no-go decision on buying one for ourselves. Wildwood 201BHXL. Only upgrade to the truck is 5100 rear shocks. Pulled it around today with no WD hitch or away control, pulled just fine. Our potential new purchase will need it but for the shorter trip we pulled this smaller trailer to it was no big deal.

No, it's not level in that pic, I'd just dropped it off the truck and hadn't set it up yet.

Do not delude yourself that is not a "smaller trailer". You are looking at a trailer with a GVWR higher than the truck is rated for. A frontal area 145% of what the truck is rated for. That dry tongue weight may look good, but with recommended 10-15% of trailer GVW plus a WDH your going to be real near the max tongue weight rating. It may have towed OK on what ever short trip you pulled it on. Think about a longer trip on a freeway with gusting cross winds and semi traffic passing you at 70 mph while you go 55-60 mph, because if you go any faster your mileage will go even further into the tank than it already is. The Ranger has the guts to pull it, but does it have the size to control it when conditions demand it?

Not trying to scare you, I could give you situations that might. Trying to inform and warn you. Not all vacation travel is on sunny windless days in light traffic.

 

[Leftcoast]

Do not delude yourself that is not a "smaller trailer". You are looking at a trailer with a GVWR higher than the truck is rated for. A frontal area 145% of what the truck is rated for. That dry tongue weight may look good, but with recommended 10-15% of trailer GVW plus a WDH your going to be real near the max tongue weight rating. It may have towed OK on what ever short trip you pulled it on. Think about a longer trip on a freeway with gusting cross winds and semi traffic passing you at 70 mph while you go 55-60 mph, because if you go any faster your mileage will go even further into the tank than it already is. The Ranger has the guts to pull it, but does it have the size to control it when conditions demand it?

Not trying to scare you, I could give you situations that might. Trying to inform and warn you. Not all vacation travel is on sunny windless days in light traffic.

I agree with you on everything except the frontal area. The numbers don't make sense. A 2021 Ford Ranger has a maximum frontal area of 55 sq. ft. The maximum frontal area for a F-600 is 60 sq ft. pulling the same trailer. Ford doesn't make a non commercial truck that will pull an 8' wide x 10' tall travel trailer and be within their frontal area spec.

 

[Big Blue]

I agree with you on everything except the frontal area. The numbers don't make sense. A 2021 Ford Ranger has a maximum frontal area of 55 sq. ft. The maximum frontal area for a F-600 is 60 sq ft. pulling the same trailer. Ford doesn't make a non commercial truck that will pull an 8' wide x 10' tall travel trailer and be within their frontal area spec.

I agree with you the frontal area specs do not make much sense and are more recommendations than actual ratings. The main impact of frontal area is going to be fuel mileage. The more frontal area the worse mileage and the greater the hit as speed goes up. The biggest hit with these trailers is the side area. With wind/weather conditions and semi traffic, that is where you get into sway/control trouble with a smaller/lighter tow vehicle. Of course total system setup a towing experience play a part also.

 

[Slaughterbrau19]

I agree with you the frontal area specs do not make much sense and are more recommendations than actual ratings. The main impact of frontal area is going to be fuel mileage. The more frontal area the worse mileage and the greater the hit as speed goes up. The biggest hit with these trailers is the side area. With wind/weather conditions and semi traffic, that is where you get into sway/control trouble with a smaller/lighter tow vehicle. Of course total system setup a towing experience play a part also.

Ranger max frontal area: 55 sq-ft.
F-150 equipped to tow 7,700 lbs: 55 sq-ft.

Translation: If you can tow it with a towing-equipped V6 half-ton, you can tow it with a Ranger. Don't drive faster than 65 mph and plan on stopping for gas every two hours.

 

[Slaughterbrau19]

Keystone/Coleman 192RD

23' (19' box) solid-body travel trailer, 3,974 lbs dry weight. Like most TTs, it has a nearly 80 sq-ft frontal area. Driving a reasonable 60 mpg on flat roads, I'm getting 11 mpg. I consider anything in the double digits to be good.

Manage your expectations. Hauling a TT, even a small one like ours, is going to use a LOT of gas, unless you're fine with avoiding freeways and driving at 50 mph.

 

[Stic-o]

Just upgraded from my large pop up to a hybrid travel trailer. Same length and about the same weight, I just have more surface area now.

Just cleaned up the trailer and installed new decals all the way around.

 

[Deerhunder]

Towing my 21’ GatorTrax bass boat ?

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