6,800 lbs with Surge Brakes?

[D Fresh]

I've towed about 5500 lbs on surge brakes with my Ranger. Jeep YJ on a Uhaul car transport. Truck did fine. As long as the trailer and brakes were well maintained I wouldn't hesitate to pull that boat.

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[fslec]

You're fine as long as long as you don't exceed max tongue weight of 750lbs. 10% is at 680lbs so you are getting close if that trailer isn't loaded properly. Exceed the 750lbs and steering can start to get questionable without a weight distribution hitch

 

[JohnnyO]

Should be okay.
Pretty much all boat trailers have surge brakes instead of electric because, you know, they go underwater.
Also a 6800 lb boat will tend to be more top-heavy than a camping trailer, so that's something to keep in mind too.

 

[BassRanger]

DOT 3 is only rated to 600 degrees while DOT 4 is rated to 1200 degrees (but is quite hydrophilic so must be changed frequently). Best of luck whatever you decide.

Brake fluid has wet and dry boiling temps. The DOT system has minimum ratings but they can vary wildly in their temperature ratings from brand to brand especially DOT 4.
DOT 3 is min dry 400F; wet 285F
DOT 4 is min dry 450F; wet 310F
DOT 5.1 is min dry 500F; wet 350F

Dot 5.1 is a good choice because its not hydrophilic and it has a higher temp rating. Run it on my mountain bike too.

DOT 5.1 is Hygroscopic, You're thinking of DOT 5 which isn't hygroscopic, but it is silicone based and not compatible with Glycol based fluids.

 

[ControlNode]

As mentioned, watch the tongue weight and be mindful of the altitude as it does have an impact on GCWR, try not to exceed that. I think if you are going over 2,000 ft you will only have an extra ~380lbs of compacity (including you as the driver) with that trailer hooked up to a Tremor. At 1,000-1,999 ft you have ~750lbs remaining and if you stay under 1,000 ft should have ~1,130lbs. But all of that is available GCWR, the payload free if tongue weight is at 750lbs is only about 710lbs, and of course may vary based on options and such on your truck.

 

[Frenchy]

As mentioned, watch the tongue weight and be mindful of the altitude as it does have an impact on GCWR, try not to exceed that. I think if you are going over 2,000 ft you will only have an extra ~380lbs of compacity (including you as the driver) with that trailer hooked up to a Tremor. At 1,000-1,999 ft you have ~750lbs remaining and if you stay under 1,000 ft should have ~1,130lbs. But all of that is available GCWR, the payload free if tongue weight is at 750lbs is only about 710lbs, and of course may vary based on options and such on your truck.

I myself and others would love for you to bring documentation proving that higher altitude will lower the towing capabilities.

 

[ControlNode]

I myself and others would love for you to bring documentation proving that higher altitude will lower the towing capabilities.

See page 222 (as shown at the bottom of the PDF, or 225/475 as shown by PDF viewer app) of the owner's manual. And it's not specific to tow compacity but the GCWR, but that is the sum of the truck and trailer weight, so it's very related.

Reduce the stipulated permitted gross combination mass by 3% for every additional 1,000 ft (300 m) in high altitude regions above 1,000 ft (300 m).

Also on page 221 you see the max tow speed is 62MPH.

 

[Frenchy]

See page 222 of the owner's manual.


Also on page 221 you see the max tow speed is 62MPH.

I did look at your reference and there us one big issue with that. If it were ture the we wouldnt be able to do ANYTHING with these trucks. I can already tell you that I have towed 5,500 LBS with no issue just above 10,000 FT. The truck did great. Also think of it this way. If a Semi has to follow the same rule then there is no way many places in the mountains would be able to get thier deliveries.

@P. A. Schilke if you are still active I woyld love your input on this

 

[CB750F]

I know not what I speak of but....
I towed my car on a u-haul, about 5,000lbs. I've only
towed 3 times in my life, that was the second time with the ranger.
I had no issues, would do again, it was a 3 hrs tow on mostly flat land.
I liked 55-60, felt good. 70 mph, not so much but I had to try....

 

[ControlNode]

I did look at your reference and there us one big issue with that. If it were ture the we wouldnt be able to do ANYTHING with these trucks. I can already tell you that I have towed 5,500 LBS with no issue just above 10,000 FT. The truck did great. Also think of it this way. If a Semi has to follow the same rule then there is no way many places in the mountains would be able to get thier deliveries.

@P. A. Schilke if you are still active I woyld love your input on this

Yeah, at 10,000-10,999ft altitude with a 180lb driver and nothing else in the truck (as mine in configured) my trailer would be limited to about 4100lb. I've got a spreadsheet that allows me to quickly enter the weights and alt of a trip and make sure I'm good by the book from Ford.

 

[P. A. Schilke]

I am embarrassed to bring this up this question, but after lots of reading on this forum, I figured I'd ask the specifics here. Yes, I know we have to factor in people, gear, tongue weight etc. I also understand this turn into a "could you" vs "should you" type of thing.

TLDR: Can the Ranger handle towing a boat and trailer with a combined gross weight of nearly 6,800 lbs with surge brakes?

Background: I am experienced with towing, using trailer brakes, using surge brakes, dealing with wind, etc. I have been hauling trailers of various size and weight for various purposes since I was 16 (now 37), and most of my work for the last 10 years has involved hauling a work barge long distances for various aquatic surveys. However, most of this towing has been with a 2500 HD Silverado. I traded my old truck for the Ranger because I wasn't hauling heavy trailers anymore. Now I may need to haul this 6,700-lb trailer about 2 times per year.

Hi UW,

The owners manual states 7500lbs. Most states have laws on what weight requires trailer brakes, but not the kind. So surge brakes on a trailer and boat would be okay if the surge brakes are in good working order...I will check my owner's manual tomorrow as storms are approaching.

Best,
Phil

 

[deleriumtremor]

clip... DOT 5.1 is Hygroscopic, You're thinking of DOT 5 which isn't hygroscopic, but it is silicone based and not compatible with Glycol based fluids.

Agree and really important points.

Also known as Hydrophilic (which also means it absorbs water from the air and why it needs to be changed periodically).

I figured you knew the term, just thought I would throw it out there so people aren't confused by Hydroscopic and Hydrophilic, which are used interchangeably in industry terminology.

 

[ControlNode]

Hi UW,

The owners manual states 7500lbs. Most states have laws on what weight requires trailer brakes, but not the kind. So surge brakes on a trailer and boat would be okay if the surge brakes are in good working order...I will check my owner's manual tomorrow as storms are approaching.

Best,
Phil

I think @Frenchy was wanting your input on the reduced GCWR at high altitude that I brought up and can be found in the owners manual.

 

[Jason B]

Weight wise, you should be OK. But how big is this boat that weighs 6800 lbs.? IYou should also consider frontal wind resistance, as many do when towing campers.

 

[P. A. Schilke]

Yeah, at 10,000-10,999ft altitude with a 180lb driver and nothing else in the truck (as mine in configured) my trailer would be limited to about 4100lb. I've got a spreadsheet that allows me to quickly enter the weights and alt of a trip and make sure I'm good by the book from Ford.

Hi Jason,

Chassis wise, the truck does not know it is at altitude. The motor does... The reduction in towing capacity you quoted is to maintain Sea Level performance. You can tow at altitude at 7500Lbs but you can expect degradation in performance.

Best,
Phil

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