Just a simple question of "WHY?!"

[Frenchy]

I changed the tow vehicle to an F-250 to better paint the picture for you, that the stronger the vehicle, the less impact all those variables have while you're towing.
I explained why the guy at UHaul was correct. They rent trailers to people who show up to rent a trailer thinking their dishwasher, love seat, and bed frame weighs 20lbs. They actually weight 200lbs, and when they get home with the empty trailer they decide to move the ride-on lawnmower along with the dishwasher, love seat, and bed frame. Then, when their transmission blows apart, they blame UHaul.

When you change the tow vehicle you change the trailer as well. I don't care what size travel trailer you have as it's going to act completely different than a utility trailer. In reality you compare to Ugo to a Ferrari

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[Jason B]

My opinion is the ranger is capable of towing a lot more than 7500 lbs, and doing it safely. However, it can't do it AS safely once you exceed 7500 lbs. Since it says 7500 lbs in the manual, my insurance will pay out in an accident if I am towing less than that, but might not pay out if i was towing more than that.

It's also not how much the Ranger can pull, but also how much can the Ranger stop.

 

[Frenchy]

It's also not how much the Ranger can pull, but also how much can the Ranger stop.

Same thing applies for any vehicle out in the markets. Hence why I state that as long as you are towing within the safe rated manufacturer towing specifications chances are you should be fine.

 

[db_tanker]

Hey Grumpaw, I wasn't really grouping everyone into the same category...sorry if you got that impression? That is unless you are one of the ones who overloads the trailer, has it squatting and acting as squirrely as an oak tree in the summer, and rolling in the fast lane. You guys don't sound or act like that kind of operator though so I am gong to say nope...wasn't talking about you guys.

And I see you are in Virginia...not sure if you get down south and roll on I-10 but I can say that there are a PLETHORA of them...travel trailers, toy haulers, yard crews and what have you all over I-10, I-45, and all of the state highways around here, Louisiana and such that I see regularly. No regard and no cares given. Their main concern is if the ball is the right diameter and that is about it.

I worry and get upset because its not just me on the road but my loved-ones as well and that makes me WAY nervous

 

[Grumpaw]

It's also not how much the Ranger can pull, but also how much can the Ranger stop.

The Ranger nor any tow vehicle, does not "stop" the trailer (if talking about our travel/camper trailers). The combo "stops" as a combo, the trailer having it's own brakes. A properly set up brake controller will add the proper amount of "braking" to the trailer so the total rig stops as a unit.
If you set up the controller properly you shouldn't notice any difference in braking between solo and towing, and the controller itself has an emergency setting for a manual over-ride if needed.
Common mis-conception that a larger truck will stop a trailer faster or safer. YES, IF the trailer has no brakes.....NO IF the truck has a proper brake controller.

 

[Jhbryaniv]

Same thing applies for any vehicle out in the markets. Hence why I state that as long as you are towing within the safe rated manufacturer towing specifications chances are you should be fine.

That is how this becomes such a nuanced conversation though, me towing a 3500 LB trailer with my ranger is different than a person who tows the same trailer with a f350 vs a person coming from a corolla.

And toss in the type, size and loading of the trailer you have an infinitely large number of combinations.

I think the base line of - vehicle limits are this, it can tow that is good. As long as the person takes into account level of experience....

If someone bought a f350 to tow 10k lbs on day 1, having never towed before.... That's a nightmare in my mind....

 

[Grumpaw]

Hey Grumpaw, I wasn't really grouping everyone into the same category...sorry if you got that impression? That is unless you are one of the ones who overloads the trailer, has it squatting and acting as squirrely as an oak tree in the summer, and rolling in the fast lane. You guys don't sound or act like that kind of operator though so I am gong to say nope...wasn't talking about you guys.

And I see you are in Virginia...not sure if you get down south and roll on I-10 but I can say that there are a PLETHORA of them...travel trailers, toy haulers, yard crews and what have you all over I-10, I-45, and all of the state highways around here, Louisiana and such that I see regularly. No regard and no cares given. Their main concern is if the ball is the right diameter and that is about it.

I worry and get upset because its not just me on the road but my loved-ones as well and that makes me WAY nervous

We have been in 46 of the lower 48 states, Alaska, most of Canada, and on just about every interstate you care to name, and many many back roads. An yes, I have seen much of what you are referring too.
I have seen rv owners towing way over what they should or way over their ability, but they are a minority.
I'm on several rv forums, and like Ranger 5G, there are always newbies looking for advise/help to properly set a rig up, and if close enough even volunteer to help. (have done several set-ups myself)
As with any venture, you have to look at a total, and not makes assumptions that everyone does the same based on what a few do.

 

[Jhbryaniv]

We have been in 46 of the lower 48 states, Alaska, most of Canada, and on just about every interstate you care to name, and many many back roads. An yes, I have seen much of what you are referring too.
I have seen rv owners towing way over what they should or way over their ability, but they are a minority.
I'm on several rv forums, and like Ranger 5G, there are always newbies looking for advise/help to properly set a rig up, and if close enough even volunteer to help. (have done several set-ups myself)
As with any venture, you have to look at a total, and not makes assumptions that everyone does the same based on what a few do.

We all make assumptions based on our experiences.

Me, I assume all rv's are overloaded unsafe monsters because of my experiences. I know that's not true, but I treat them all the same way. I cautiously pass them, so if they have an accident it is behind me and won't involve me.

Shrug

 

[subquark]

Everything you need to know, such as "no trailer is too long", can be learned right here:

From Wikipedia:
The trailer used in the film is the 1953 36-foot Redman New Moon model, which sold for US$5,345 (equivalent to $60,869 in 2023). The new car used to tow the trailer is a 1953 Mercury Monterey convertible with a 125 HP flathead V8 engine.

And trailer brakes, here's real trailer brakes! =D

 

[Canadian Ranger]

Please do not lump all of us into one of your categories.
Those of us who do tow large, heavy campers are well aware of how to gauge the trailers weight when empty and when adding belongings. We know what stuff weighs, how to load our rigs, and how to set the rig up for proper, safe towing.
Yes, I have seen other rigs go by me in the left lane as if they trying to attain a mach l limit, but that is not the norm, but the exception.
And, just because your not comfortable towing more than you are, do not try to claim you know better and that we should all conform to your standards. Just because I tow a trailer near the limit does not make me a hazard to others or a dangerous driver/tow'er.
If your satisified towing your 2500 lbs, fine, but do not berate those of us who tow 7000 lb trailers just because "YOU" think its unsafe.

This topic is one of those that's gonna get sucked into that Black Hole that ends up as more of a pissing match than an information thread....here we go again !!!

I accidently jumped into the Black Hole with both feet. I'm now going to take a couple of Advil and have a nap before my head explodes.

 

[Jhbryaniv]

I accidently jumped into the Black Hole with both feet. I'm now going to take a couple of Advil and have a nap before my head explodes.

Sissy

?

 

[Grumpaw]

We all make assumptions based on our experiences.

Me, I assume all rv's are overloaded unsafe monsters because of my experiences. I know that's not true, but I treat them all the same way. I cautiously pass them, so if they have an accident it is behind me and won't involve me.

Shrug

You know what the biggest safety hazard on trailers and being towed at high speeds is......the trailer tires !!!
Until just a few years ago when Goodyear came out with a proper made in USA high speed rated trailer tire, the vast majority of tires were affectionally called "China Bombs"....they came from China, and were known to frequently explode, causing major damage to the trailer and causing lots of accidents. Most were pumped up to the required 65 psi, but only rated for 70 mph or so, and many were way past their 7 year life span. Add to that the fact that the manufacturers equip their products with barely adequate axles/ratings, and yes, many are an accident looking for a place to happen.
I cringe when I'm tooting along at 60-65 mph in the right lane and a big rig like a huge pick up/5th wheel comes flying past me at 75-80 mph, knowing that there is a better than average chance it's equipped with the "bombs".

 

[db_tanker]

You know...there is one major thing here that I sometimes don't take into account that Grumpaw kind of hit on and made the fault/failure analysis part of my brain kick me...we never really notice anyone doing the RIGHT thing. We only note the ones who are liable to be the reason for our wreck (my wife says its the "final destination trailer" - not kidding lol)....the ones who are being idiotic. I know that here in Texas DPS or local PD/SD could pull them over for safety but then they would be busy doing just that with all the violations I see.

 

[dtech]

One tow over the line sweet Jesus, one tow over the line.........broken down on the roadside, sweet Mary one tow over the line.

 

[Jhbryaniv]

You know what the biggest safety hazard on trailers and being towed at high speeds is......the trailer tires !!!
Until just a few years ago when Goodyear came out with a proper made in USA high speed rated trailer tire, the vast majority of tires were affectionally called "China Bombs"....they came from China, and were known to frequently explode, causing major damage to the trailer and causing lots of accidents. Most were pumped up to the required 65 psi, but only rated for 70 mph or so, and many were way past their 7 year life span. Add to that the fact that the manufacturers equip their products with barely adequate axles/ratings, and yes, many are an accident looking for a place to happen.
I cringe when I'm tooting along at 60-65 mph in the right lane and a big rig like a huge pick up/5th wheel comes flying past me at 75-80 mph, knowing that there is a better than average chance it's equipped with the "bombs".

I'd argue the biggest safety Hazzard with a trailer is the owner/driver ?

A trailer used and towed within spec is fine.

When the owner/driver is out of spec is the problem...

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