5th Wheel Towing

[mre]

In June and the first part of July this summer, we took a six-week RV tour of Great Britian (rvtoureurope.com). We stayed overnight at a campground in England and I spotted this 5th wheel and a Ranger. This really piqued my curiosity.

Having owned two 5th wheels, I knew without looking at the 5er weight and pin weigh as too exceeded the Ranger’s capacity though this is a lighter 5th wheel. No one was around to talk to at the time, so I did a little research and the English Ranger and verified that the weight ratings and tow capacity was the same as U.S Rangers. I knew I had to talk with the owner.

Thought we were leaving the next morning, but I managed to have a short conversation with him before we left He pretty much knew what I was going to ask. It turns out, according to him, he has towed this 5’er about 20,000 miles. The mods on the truck included upgrading the suspension, larger brakes, some sort of strengthening upgrade in the truck bed to accommodate the 5th wheel hitch, and larger tires.

I also ask him how the diesel engine handled it. He said he did want the diesel and opted for the gas 2.0 turbo (I didn’t know there was such a thing). I did clarify 2.0 and opposed to 2.3 used here in North America. I ask why. He said he didn’t want a six-speed auto that came with diesel but the 10-speed auto that comes with the gasser.

I would have liked to have a longer conversation with him, but the group was moving out and we had to leave.

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[OGMix376]

Wow that’s a pretty big haul, true it’s lighter than a lot of those type of big boy trailers.. it’s a shame you couldn’t get more details on the modifications required… most likely not too hard to figure out if pointed in the right direction.. funny that they preferred the gas over diesel where over here I’m sure quite a few folks who have rangers would’ve went D over G (myself included if DEF wasn’t a thing too though.). Nice to see the rangers capabilities are even further possibilities… although I’m sure you could throw enough money at most things to make them do unexpected things ?.
still cool….
Also they have a 2.0 gas engine and the 2.3? Or is the 2.3 usdm only… wonder if the 2.0 is closer to the RS engine (closed deck?)

 

[Grumpaw]

That looks like it's a 28-30 footer or so, and the GVWR of 5000 kg.....over 11,000 lbs, is waaaay to heavy for the Ranger. Even the 3500 kg or 7700 lbs (if that is the empty weight) is over the Rangers rating. And the 1500 kg....3300 lbs for the max hitch is absurd for the truck to handle.
Even with my experience, I wouldn't go anywhere near trying to properly and safely tow it.

 

[Joeiconic]

 

[DukeCanBuildit]

WAY TOO HIGH!

 

[mre]

Hmmmm! The video was made in 2012. It would be nice to have an update to see how the truck did.

 

[brroberts]

Some folks tow this with a Ranger5g, but not many. I have no doubt it would work well.

https://escapetrailer.com/21ft-5-trailer/

 

[Grumpaw]

There is a HUGE difference between that lightweight Escape and the two 5th wheels previously pictured.
Problem here in the US is that I don't think any company makes a 5th wheel hitch for the Ranger. There are "generic" models that could be made to fit, but nothing specific. One shown in the Escape pic most likely has a generic hitch that was found to fit....but has was posted, the bed floor of the Ranger would have to be braced/modified to be secure enough for a 5th wheel hitch mount.

 

[OGMix376]

..5th wheels are too big for rangers to pull.

Australia: hold ma beeer mate….
?

 

[Cmar]

In June and the first part of July this summer, we took a six-week RV tour of Great Britian (rvtoureurope.com). We stayed overnight at a campground in England and I spotted this 5th wheel and a Ranger. This really piqued my curiosity.

Having owned two 5th wheels, I knew without looking at the 5er weight and pin weigh as too exceeded the Ranger’s capacity though this is a lighter 5th wheel. No one was around to talk to at the time, so I did a little research and the English Ranger and verified that the weight ratings and tow capacity was the same as U.S Rangers. I knew I had to talk with the owner.

Thought we were leaving the next morning, but I managed to have a short conversation with him before we left He pretty much knew what I was going to ask. It turns out, according to him, he has towed this 5’er about 20,000 miles. The mods on the truck included upgrading the suspension, larger brakes, some sort of strengthening upgrade in the truck bed to accommodate the 5th wheel hitch, and larger tires.

I also ask him how the diesel engine handled it. He said he did want the diesel and opted for the gas 2.0 turbo (I didn’t know there was such a thing). I did clarify 2.0 and opposed to 2.3 used here in North America. I ask why. He said he didn’t want a six-speed auto that came with diesel but the 10-speed auto that comes with the gasser.

I would have liked to have a longer conversation with him, but the group was moving out and we had to leave.

I don't know of any 2.0 turbo petrol Ranger produced in global. There is a 2.0 single turbo diesel and 2.2 with the same six speed (6R80) auto which was released with the 3.2 diesel, and a 2.0 bi turbo diesel which is always paired with the 10 speed. Which is now the standard version here, and the 3.0 V6 diesel and petrol which are both released with the 10 speed. There was a 2.5 N/A petrol engine sold for a while but it was a slug, and fuel hog and was dropped years ago.

..5th wheels are too big for rangers to pull.

Australia: hold ma beeer mate….
?

..5th wheels are too big for rangers to pull.

Australia: hold ma beeer mate….
?

Believe it or not that would be a legal tow in Australia, over here Rangers can legally tow 3500kg with a GCM (Gross combined mass ) of 6000kg. Given an average mid model off the show room floor tares at about 2200- 2300 depending on trim that makes that trailer about ~2.5 tonne or 2500 Kg if you can believe his weighbridge numbers.
Which seems really light for such a big trailer. Legal - but I wouldn't want to do it.
For example my Jayco 19 ft Outback pop top tares at 1950 Kg and maxes out at 2.4 full, although I rarely load it up that much, but, it is a fairly strongly made semi- off road model. Being a dual axle the tow ball down weight is actually quite light, about 150 kg. My Ranger tows it easily.

 

[OGMix376]

Legality aside it’s still impressive..
But I do agree the buttpucker factor would likely cause a majority of rednecks in the USA to shy away from that challenge as well ?. Heaviest trailer I pull fully loaded didn’t go above 6500 pounds and that’s comfortable max load for me

Which seems really light for such a big trailer. Legal - but I wouldn't want to do it.

 

[Jason B]

Just the wind load on that trailer would scare me.

 

[brroberts]

There is a HUGE difference between that lightweight Escape and the two 5th wheels previously pictured.
Problem here in the US is that I don't think any company makes a 5th wheel hitch for the Ranger. There are "generic" models that could be made to fit, but nothing specific. One shown in the Escape pic most likely has a generic hitch that was found to fit....but has was posted, the bed floor of the Ranger would have to be braced/modified to be secure enough for a 5th wheel hitch mount.

I agree, but just one example of a 5th wheel you could tow. There are others, but not too many in the US market. Most tow the Escape with an F150, although I also know of at least one Taco.

 

[Friday yet?]

Hmmmm! The video was made in 2012. It would be nice to have an update to see how the truck did.

Assume the video in question was in post #4.... which disappeared before I saw this thread.

 

[Friday yet?]

While I would never tow that 5th wheel (or any) with the Ranger, just have to say....

Ford F***ing Ranger!!!!

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