Tow longevity

[Jason B]

More important than any tow rating is understanding the limitations of your setup. It amazes me that Ford is able to advertise a 7,500 Lb tow rating, while at the same time not offering a factory brake controller.

It states 7,500 lb tow rating 'When properly equipped'. Properly equipped means adding a TBC.

When I bought my Ranger, the salesman did ask if I was towing anything and that a TBC was recommended and could be installed there.

It makes absolutely zero sense that they offered a tow package and did not include (charge more if you have to) the brake controller already installed. Much easier to do it in assembly than to pull everything apart to get to a brake lamp (also ridiculous).

I think the problem is that the Aussie and Oceana Rangers don't have AEB, so a standard off the shelf TBC worked fine. But the US Ranger implemented AEB and there was no wiring provided to
get the brake signal, other than tapping into the CHMSL. No way Ford would allow a cut and splice into the existing wiring.

I have the Redarc in my Ranger because it integrates with the AEB. However, while they both work well, I get better control and smoother stops with my Tekonsha Prodigy 3 that cost less. I wish it worked with the Ranger AEB.

It integrates with the AEB only IF you also have the Lumen module connected to a brake signal other than the brake pedal switch. If AEB is activated, there is no brake signal from the pedal to the RedArc until YOU push the pedal. And FYI, the TBC module include in the OEM kit IS the RedArc plus the Lumen module.

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[yamahaSHO]

I think the problem is that the Aussie and Oceana Rangers don't have AEB, so a standard off the shelf TBC worked fine. But the US Ranger implemented AEB and there was no wiring provided to
get the brake signal, other than tapping into the CHMSL. No way Ford would allow a cut and splice into the existing wiring.

That's fine and all, but my truck was built in the US, with the optional tow package. I would have paid an extra $200 for them to put the wiring in at the factory.

 

[Jason B]

That's fine and all, but my truck was built in the US, with the optional tow package. I would have paid an extra $200 for them to put the wiring in at the factory.

So would I. I don't plan on towing, but had the dealer offered to add the TBC for $250 or so, instead of $500 I would have added it.

 

[ProtonDecay]

When you head to Tuk, plan your gas. Also, I think you mean Kenai peninsula. You won’t drive your Ranger to the Seward peninsula. I lived on the Seward peninsula 15 years and had property in Seward for 20 years.

Yes, thanks for that correction - looks like a fun time, but out of our range for this trip. And yes, fuel anxiety to Tuk is on my list of things to plan around. We'll keep checking as we head that way and adjust as needed. I am in the process of removing the LPG bits from our trailer - that will take a bit over 100lbs out and give room for a couple more gas cans if needed. Cheers

 

[ProtonDecay]

They certainly do, and I'd bet my camper that no one adheres to that one.

Bouncing around the net, it isn't just a Ford thing. Honda and MB both say 62, Toyota says 65.

I'm about 90% certain this is a liability thing. People are barely qualified to drive a car unloaded. Almost none of them bother to learn how to tow properly, so it makes sense to set a limit so they're not cranking down the highway at 80mph towing a death trailer. That way when they're wadded up at the bottom of a mountain after breaking the sound barrier they can't point the finger back at Ford and say they built an unsafe truck. Nope, you used it beyond our recommendation.

Yes, you're putting more heat into the system but I've seen no evidence towing at highway speed, even in GA here in the summer, that the cooling stack can't get rid of it. I know TFL ran into the issue with Andre's F150, but that was pretty edge-case and the truck protected itself.

If you use your brain, you're not going to hurt the truck.

On another note, this is an amusing excerpt from the 2022 Tundra Owners Manual.

"Your vehicle is designed primarily as a passenger-and-load-carrying vehicle. Towing a trailer can have an adverse impact on handling, performance, braking, durability, and fuel consumption."

They do, do an outstanding job laying out towing stuff. There's probably 10 pages explaining weights, how to load, how to hitch, etc.

Well, we do, nearly always ;-) . This is one of the reasons wifey refuses to drive across Nevada/Utah again - we've tried all the ways and stayed at many great places, but I can't blame her - that desert becomes mind numbing after a few hours at any speed, let alone 55-60.

The other limitation few people know of or observe is a 3% reduction in towing capacity for every 1,000 feet of elevation. We tend to violate that one a lot.

 

[grammat95]

It states 7,500 lb tow rating 'When properly equipped'. Properly equipped means adding a TBC.

When I bought my Ranger, the salesman did ask if I was towing anything and that a TBC was recommended and could be installed there.

Some dealerships are better than others. "Properly equipped" shouldn't mean buying an aftermarket TBC and tearing apart the interior of your truck to install it. Beating a dead horse here but I'm just hoping I don't have to do the same thing to a 6G in a couple years.

 

[ControlNode]

Thanks for the detailed response - glad to know there’s a little “extra” built into the design of the truck so towing at GVWR all across the country shouldn’t be an issue.

I have towed, driven on 1,000 mile trips (2x 500 miles per day), gone off road and used 4-LO and my oil life monitor still predicts a 10,000 mile interval after 5,000 miles (50%) so I guess the regular “getting up to temp” is keeping the oil life monitor from counting down fast.

Swapped the rear axle fluid per the manual and haven’t touched anything else - this is a great driving truck and thank you for your efforts!

I'm guessing you intended to state "at GCWR all across the country", but even that would be not 100% accurate as that rating is at sea level. The manual states for every 1,000ft above sea level to remove 3% from the GCWR. For my Ranger the GCWR is 12,500lb. If I'm towing from Denver, CO to Breckenridge my GCWR is limited to only 8000lb due to +12,000ft elevation. With my truck as equipped and a few accessories with just myself in it (nothing else, no water, bags, tools), I'm only allowed a trailer weighing about 3,200lb while going over that pass between those points.

Edit: When I looked closer and saw there is a section over 12,000ft.

 

[Grumpaw]

I'm guessing you intended to state "at GCWR all across the country", but even that would be not 100% accurate as that rating is at sea level. The manual states for every 1,000ft above sea level to remove 3% from the GCWR. For my Ranger the GCWR is 12,500lb. If I'm towing from Denver, CO to Breckenridge my GCWR is limited to only 8375lb due to +11,000ft elevation. With my truck as equipped and a few accessories with just myself in it (nothing else, no water, bags, tools), I'm only allowed a trailer weighing about 3,600lb while going over that pass between those points.

BUT....you can eliminate all that by considering that there is less air resistance as you go higher (air is thinner) and adding helium to replace the air in your tires...that will "lighten" your Ranger and trailer, thus allowing you to tow and carry the maximum weight indicated by Ford !!!!

 

[rondowe]

No issues for me. I've been towing a 6200 lb. travel trailer for the last 4 months covering thousands of miles. I stay under all the Ranger weight specs (axles, towing, GVW, hitch weight) as confirmed by several CAT scale weighs. While towing I keep my speed around 55, don't use cruise control, and let the truck take it's time uphill. I usually only tow a few hundred miles at a time and stay in one place 1-2 weeks. Highest pass so far was 6000'. Mileage is normal when I'm not towing. A 7000lb trailer is within the towing spec but might have consequences if violating other specs such as hitch, rear axle, or total gross weight.
If you really care about this, ask your co-worker to document spec violations and divulge sources.

 

[Grumpaw]

After 99 posts, it all comes down to what each individual is comfortable towing.
If you tow and are comfortable towing a 3500 lb rig, and don't want to or are uncomfortable towing anything larger or heavies, thats fine.
On the flip side, there are those of us who tow a heavy, larger trailer, and are comfortable doing it.
As Phil posted, Ford does extensive tests on the range of weights and sizes of trailers/loads that can be safely carried/towed. They don't just arbitrarily pick a # and list it in the owners manual.
I tow a 7000 lb trailer with a 700 lb tongue weight, and a load in the bed, and am perfectly comfortable doing it.
Have towed it on interstates which is a breeze and no strain on the Ranger. I've towed both ways on I-70 out of Denver, not in the Ranger, but in heavier rigs towing 12-14,000 trailers, and have never had a problem, and would not hesitate to tow our present rig over the same route, with the Ranger.
If you want a real test, tow a trailer on the Blue Ridge Parkway or Skyline Drive...almost nothing but hills, curves, going up and down, from ranges of sea-level to 6500 feet...for over 400 miles. I have, and again, the Ranger is fully up to it.
It all comes down to your "comfort level".

 

[brroberts]

It integrates with the AEB only IF you also have the Lumen module connected to a brake signal other than the brake pedal switch. If AEB is activated, there is no brake signal from the pedal to the RedArc until YOU push the pedal. And FYI, the TBC module include in the OEM kit IS the RedArc plus the Lumen module.

Yes I know that. I have the pieces, and they are wired correctly. That’s why I have it, even though I prefer the P3.

 

[brroberts]

I too have run the Blue Ridge Parkway, and it handles just fine.

 

[ProtonDecay]

Oops I just answered my question on YouTube university. Thanks Phil..

Thanks for looking....I had no idea that J2807 existed. 12% - cool

 

[Montana Ranger]

I have a coworker that insists the Ranger 4 cylinder boosted engine will blow up within 500 miles with a 7000 pound trailer being towed.

I'm at almost 38,000 total miles, for which over 20,000 has been towing our near-7,000 lbs travel trailer. So I've exceeded your co-worker's expectation by at least 40 times.

 

[PNW Ranger]

Towed this. It’s over 5,000 lbs guessing around 6000? over 5,000 miles. Pre-maturely wore the spark plugs.
The drive was not very comfortable.
I added new suspension, ford 91 tune, mishimoto intercooler, tow mirrors and of course a damper. Now I hardly notice it.

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