Towing a travel trailer

[CAG]

I am looking at getting a Ranger to tow a Grand Design 23 LDE.

I am interested in you like towing thathow it works for those that either that trailer or a similar one. I am considering getting at 2024 with the 2.7 so knowing if the 2.3 might work would be very helpful.

Thanks Chris

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[emesel]

It would help to have the trailer GVWR and tongue weights.

 

[Old Red Replacement]

You will be pushing towing weight capacity, after adding supplies and water.

https://www.crestviewrv.com/product/new-2024-grand-design-imagine-xls-23lde-2283766-29

 

[CAG]

You will be pushing towing weight capacity, after adding supplies and water.

https://www.crestviewrv.com/product/new-2024-grand-design-imagine-xls-23lde-2283766-29

I agree if you maxed out at 7,000. The empty weight being 5,600 leaves alot carrying weight. I only plan on max 4 day trips so figure max of 1,000 lbs or 6,600 going down the road.

Ford, as others gives you a good safety margin. LT tires for example have a 10% safety margin, the they figure you are overloading the tires by 10% all the time.

That being said, I don't think you should exceed those routinely.

 

[EJH]

The 2.7L wait could be a while, and won't increase the tow capacity, just more power.

Be aware of tongue weight, which is often ~15% of the trailer weight. That is usually the limiting factor on our trucks.

I tow a 5,000 lb GVWR trailer and personally feel that is the max I'd want to do. My hitch weight is likely right at 700-750 lbs. I do use a WDH. Others here tow more than me though. If I could fit a F-150 in my life, I'd rather being towing with that. My driving is all west US, lots of mountains and elevation.

 

[raytwntrvlr]

Well, if you have not bought either the truck or trailer, you are smart to be asking around about this combo now. I have towed a few different trailer/truck combos through the years. In my humble opinion you should either go bigger on the truck or smaller on the trailer. The length and weight of the TT will make it a real challenge for the Ranger.

 

[CAG]

The 2.7L wait could be a while, and won't increase the tow capacity, just more power.

Be aware of tongue weight, which is often ~15% of the trailer weight. That is usually the limiting factor on our trucks.

I tow a 5,000 lb GVWR trailer and personally feel that is the max I'd want to do. My hitch weight is likely right at 700-750 lbs. I do use a WDH. Others here tow more than me though. If I could fit a F-150 in my life, I'd rather being towing with that. My driving is all west US, lots of mountains and elevation.

I am downsizing from a F-350 crewcab diesel 4x4 towing a Montana 5th wheel. Love the rig, tows great. But, the big truck is hard to park and we would like to go to national parks which we can't do now. Also in the PNW so mountains and narrow roads.

 

[Grumpaw]

I am downsizing from a F-350 crewcab diesel 4x4 towing a Montana 5th wheel. Love the rig, tows great. But, the big truck is hard to park and we would like to go to national parks which we can't do now. Also in the PNW so mountains and narrow roads.

Towing what you are now, your obviously experienced. I have been in your position, several years ago, and also downsized.
Our Jayco 24RL is very, very close to your planned Grand Design in weight, tongue weight, and payload. I have no problem at all towing it, and have been on flats, and mountains in the north east, and would have no qualms about towing in the western mountains.
There are several on here that also tow larger trailers who may also chime in with their insight.
As you probably know, you will have to make some additions to the Ranger, good set of shocks, upgrade the rear bump stops (most here use Sumo Blue's), maybe an upgrade to a better load range tire.
The rest, such as hitches, you should be familiar with even tho 5th and weight dist hitches are different.
Only other mod might be a set of air bags, a rear sway bar, or what I use and recommend, a Roadmaster Active Suspension System, which takes the place of both.
Just remember, the Ranges will be totally different than towing with the F-350...65mph is about the upper limit and the sweet spot is around 55-60 mph, and expect to get 10-12 mpg.
Also, many posts in this section about our rigs and experiences.

 

[Grandaccess]

The 2.7L wait could be a while, and won't increase the tow capacity, just more power.

Be aware of tongue weight, which is often ~15% of the trailer weight. That is usually the limiting factor on our trucks.

I tow a 5,000 lb GVWR trailer and personally feel that is the max I'd want to do. My hitch weight is likely right at 700-750 lbs. I do use a WDH. Others here tow more than me though. If I could fit a F-150 in my life, I'd rather being towing with that. My driving is all west US, lots of mountains and elevation.

I tow huge loads almost every week more than 5k lbs and dont even know its back there .... and was checking yesterday and I was getting 20.4 mpg while doing it, I have yet to find the upper limit to this truck but when I do I will post what it is LOL, I have had well over a half ton "In The Bed" and didnt squat but a 1/2 inch

 

[CAG]

The 2.7L wait could be a while, and won't increase the tow capacity, just more power.

Be aware of tongue weight, which is often ~15% of the trailer weight. That is usually the limiting factor on our trucks.

I tow a 5,000 lb GVWR trailer and personally feel that is the max I'd want to do. My hitch weight is likely right at 700-750 lbs. I do use a WDH. Others here tow more than me though. If I could fit a F-150 in my life, I'd rather being towing with that. My driving is all west US, lots of mountains and elevation.

Hi, I know that towing capacity would not increase but we have lots of mountain passes, so wondering if the extra power is worth it.

Thanks, Chris

 

[EJH]

Hi, I know that towing capacity would increase but we have lots of mountain passes, so wondering if the extra power is worth it.

Thanks, Chris

IMHO, if I replace my Ranger and don't need a full-size, I will go for a 2.7L Tremor Ranger in a few years.

I think the extra power is worth it, but the availability date is TBD.

 

[raytwntrvlr]

The answer is... Keep your 350 and your life will be easier. Probably even get much better mileage and lower insurance and taxes. You may even get to say: "I can't tell it's ( your new TT) back there." and be telling the truth. That will never be the story with a Ranger. Even with all the mods you can throw at it.

 

[CAG]

The answer is... Keep your 350 and your life will be easier. Probably even get much better mileage and lower insurance and taxes. You may even get to say: "I can't tell it's ( your new TT) back there." and be telling the truth. That will never be the story with a Ranger. Even with all the mods you can throw at it.

So, interesting the Ranger will cheaper to insurance than than my 2002 f-350. Agree, I wouldn't know it was back there but finding places to park the f-350 crewcab long bed is a royal pain. Mileage might be the same except diesel is more here than gas.

 

[raytwntrvlr]

Oh yeah, parking and turning around an F350 crew cab long bed is something like navigating around an aircraft carrier. My brother who lived in Michigan drove his 7.3 until the body rusted away from the running gear. Pulled his 5th wheel many many miles. He loved that beast. His was just a 250 reg cab.

 

[ctechbob]

Towing what you are now, your obviously experienced. I have been in your position, several years ago, and also downsized.
Our Jayco 24RL is very, very close to your planned Grand Design in weight, tongue weight, and payload. I have no problem at all towing it, and have been on flats, and mountains in the north east, and would have no qualms about towing in the western mountains.
There are several on here that also tow larger trailers who may also chime in with their insight.
As you probably know, you will have to make some additions to the Ranger, good set of shocks, upgrade the rear bump stops (most here use Sumo Blue's), maybe an upgrade to a better load range tire.
The rest, such as hitches, you should be familiar with even tho 5th and weight dist hitches are different.
Only other mod might be a set of air bags, a rear sway bar, or what I use and recommend, a Roadmaster Active Suspension System, which takes the place of both.
Just remember, the Ranges will be totally different than towing with the F-350...65mph is about the upper limit and the sweet spot is around 55-60 mph, and expect to get 10-12 mpg.
Also, many posts in this section about our rigs and experiences.

To piggyback on what he said. I'm on the long side as well, but (A little) lighter than Grumpaw, although lately I have been adding some weight in that I'm carrying more water these days as well as a portable generator on the campers cargo rack. His is a lighter truck and he has that active suspension thing and a nicer set of tires, which I will probably go to once I wear though my spare set of Lariat Hankooks. I'll be doing a front set of Bilstein 4600's if they ever come back in stock to go with the 5100's on the rear, or 5100's if I can't wait.

All-in-all, the Ranger is capable, and capable of doing it safely and will maintain whatever speed you want to, up to the limit of your trailer tires if you want to pay for the fuel. All with the 'little' 2.3L.

I suspect the 2.7 is going to give up some payload capacity to the 2.3 since it will be a heavier engine but the same truck underneath, although according to Google it is only a 40 pound difference.

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