2022 Ranger unstable towing

[paval3]

You didn't mention the length of your trailer.

Have to consider truck wheel base length of the SCRew. Longer wheel base truck will offer more stability, less sway.

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[Frenchy]

Instead of inflating your tires to the maximum how about you have them.set to where the manufacturer says to have them. You would be suprised to see how much the truck and trailer will love it when they have proper contact with the ground. I already know that factory tire pressure on the Ranger is 30 for P Rated tires and 38 for LT. For the trailer it depends on the manufacturer.

 

[BReeves61]

You didn't mention the length of your trailer.

Have to consider truck wheel base length of the SCRew. Longer wheel base truck will offer more stability, less sway.

its 22 ft coupler to bumper

 

[BReeves61]

Hi Bobby,

This is an unusual concern here on these forums...most folks marvel on how great the Ranger tows. So first thing is for you to visit your local Truck Stop Scales and weigh the trailer, Ranger and Trailer, and Ranger. This will help you with data, not guesstimates.

Bumpping tires to max is not advisable...There are load vs tire pressure charts for tire manufacturers... you are likely too high on pressure...again...you are guessing...

It sounds like you do not have the correct tongue load and are biased to the rear of the trailer.

There is a bit of help that I use on my RV. They are called Air Tabs and are vortex generators that work to smooth out air flow behind the RV... They move the center of pressure to be close to the polar moment of inertia thus reducing sway. Not very expensive and effective in my opinion...
You can see them on my Alfa RV here: https://www.airtab.com/airtab-applications.htm

Best,
Phil

thanks!!

 

[BReeves61]

Instead of inflating your tires to the maximum how about you have them.set to where the manufacturer says to have them. You would be suprised to see how much the truck and trailer will love it when they have proper contact with the ground. I already know that factory tire pressure on the Ranger is 30 for P Rated tires and 38 for LT. For the trailer it depends on the manufacturer.

my bridgestones say 51 psi max cold pressure. They seemed mushy at 36 psi which is what the door sticker says. I'll back them down and give it a try. Thanks!

 

[BReeves61]

The scLes are your friend here. Make sure your trailer is level, use a gen y hitch. I tow my fathers cargo trailer at 3000lbs no sway bar nothing, just safety chains. The ranger tows just fine. 70mph max, no tailgating just nice and easy and the truck does fine.
Make sure the weight is properly distributed. Make certain the wdh is set up correctly. I dont tow tt's, but its the same principle applies

Tow vehicle was a
2020 xlt 4x2

thanks!

 

[BReeves61]

I understand how you feel, and have experienced that with my 5,000 lb trailer. It was when the WDH (with build in sway - Fastway E2 600/6,000 hitch) was not set up with enough spring bar tension from the dealer. It was also not setup level (the trailer nose was too high up).

I highly recommend a few things:

• Get a WDH with built in sway and set it up to the exact instructions. Even then, you may need to tweak things. Something like my E2 or similar type (Equalizer, etc.). Many people love Andersen hitches also. I tweaked my hitch after each of the first 3-4 trips. I have it dialed now.
• You may need an aftermarket drop bar. The Ranger hitch is high. I have my E2 WDH on the lowest position. Even there, I wish I had one more setting lower.
• Replace your rear shocks. The Ranger shocks are too soft and underdampened. The rears are way worse than the front. $200-300 will get you a nice pair of rear shocks. An hour is enough time to install them yourself. If you don't off-road, go with Eibach or Bilstein. They are stiffer. If you off-road, get Fox. You can take it one step further and either get a rear sway bar for the truck or something like the Roadmaster Active Suspension. I have neither of these, but many will attest that they help.
• I agree with the brroberts above about the tanks. My grey and black are behind my trailer axle. I try to dump those before I drive any long distance. My fresh is directly over the trailer axle.

Then, there is the reality that you are towing with a mid-size truck. You will never be as smooth and carefree as in a full size. You get used to it. I have over 6,000 miles towing in the last 6 months across the western US. I used to get stressed when driving, but now I am relaxed (as long as it isn't very windy, lol).

thanks for the info!

 

[BReeves61]

I assume your trailer is tandem axle?
How fast do you tow?
What do you estimate payload to be on the Ranger when towing?
Don't forget that tongue weight is part of payload.
Start over with your set up and get your tongue weight to around 400 to 425 before adding your WDH.
Be sure the trailer is level with approximately equal weight on each axle.
It is also possible to over tighten a WDH so go back, start over, and read the manual.
Above all... moderate your speed when towing anything, no pickup with an RV trailer is as stable at the same top cruising speed as when not towing....period!

Its a single axle and I run 55- 60 max. I estimate our payload is about 1100 pounds total. The factory tongue weight is 540 lbs dry.

 

[BReeves61]

What is your tire pressure at on the truck? Might be too high. That can cause wiggle.

I had them a max cold psi 51. door sticker says 36 but they seemed mushy

 

[Grumpaw]

Its a single axle and I run 55- 60 max. I estimate our payload is about 1100 pounds total. The factory tongue weight is 540 lbs dry.

Thats part of the problem...single axle trailers are much more prone to the "wiggle" when being passed. And, even with properly set up truck/trailer combos, there will always be a little "wiggle" when vehicles pass you...the bigger the vehicle, like a semi, the more pronounced the wiggle.
Also, forget the "factory" dry weight. Most do not take into account the items put on the tongue after the build, like a 50 lb battery and a full propane tank/tanks. That can add 100 lbs to the tongue. Then you have the personal items you carry...anything loaded forward of the axle contributes to the tongue weight.
Need to get it weighed and find out true tongue weight to set the hitch up right.

 

[BReeves61]

Thats part of the problem...single axle trailers are much more prone to the "wiggle" when being passed. And, even with properly set up truck/trailer combos, there will always be a little "wiggle" when vehicles pass you...the bigger the vehicle, like a semi, the more pronounced the wiggle.
Also, forget the "factory" dry weight. Most do not take into account the items put on the tongue after the build, like a 50 lb battery and a full propane tank/tanks. That can add 100 lbs to the tongue. Then you have the personal items you carry...anything loaded forward of the axle contributes to the tongue weight.
Need to get it weighed and find out true tongue weight to set the hitch up right.

will do. Thanks!

 

[brroberts]

Definitely know your weights. Mine are based on actually weighing the truck and trailer as loaded for travel. Also EJH mentioned a valid point. My rear bump stops have been replaced with the Sumo blue, and my shocks are Bilstein 4600’s. I knew after a test drive I would immediately replace the rear shocks as soon as I got the truck.

 

[Floyd]

Its a single axle and I run 55- 60 max. I estimate our payload is about 1100 pounds total. The factory tongue weight is 540 lbs dry.

One thing , often overlooked with single axle trailers is tongue "attitude".
even slightly high (above level) can cause a sort of a duck waddle sway with very little input.
Level is good , but slightly low at the tongue tends to stabilize most single axle trailers.
If the trailer is properly loaded and weighs less than 3500 pounds , then it is likely that you should be running less initial tongue weight, maybe a hundred pounds less.
Shift maybe 60 pounds of weight from in front of the axle to the rear. and double check your actual payload to bring the actual payload within spec. remembering that tongue weight is part of payload.
The Ranger is supposed to tow 7500 pounds without a WDH when properly loaded, but the CrewCab is likely to be a bit less since the tongue weight rating on the SuperCab is 750#.


Sorry if these suggestions don't seem to apply to your situation or seem a bit elementary,
But it is a bit hard to do a set up on an internet post.

 

[WhyNot21]

my bridgestones say 51 psi max cold pressure. They seemed mushy at 36 psi which is what the door sticker says. I'll back them down and give it a try. Thanks!

36 psi? Are these trucks that different between brands of tires? My door shows 30 psi for my Hankooks.

 

[Peragrin]

36 psi? Are these trucks that different between brands of tires? My door shows 30 psi for my Hankooks.

yes the different size tires are at different PSI door stickers. my black apperance tires 265/60R18's are a 30 psi door sticker too, though when towing I pump it to 36-37 psi. and lower it back down afterwards.

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