Preparing to Tow a Travel Trailer

[MattMc7]

I am about to complete the purchase of our first travel trailer. I have some towing experience (tow a pontoon boat with the truck and utility trailer) but this will be a fairly new adventure. I've done a TON of research on this forum and elsewhere on the towing capabilities to ensure we stay well within boundaries, and we are comfortable with our first TT. We settled on a Grand Design Transcend One 151BH, quick stats: UVW 3,550 GVWR 4,420, Hitch 490, Length 19' 8''.

Here is the crux of my question - What preventative maintenance, accessories, other "things" those of you that are experienced would suggest before I embark on putting some more taxing miles on my rig. I've got a 22' Lariat Tremor with 28K on it. Knock on all the wood within a one-mile radius it has been flawless thus far.

Here is what I have so far/will be doing this month before pick-up (excluding RV specific, just focusing on truck here):
OEM Trailer Brake Controller
Tow Mirrors
WDH/Anti-Sway
Oil Change/Tire Rotation/Brake inspection

And I am considering doing an early transmission service...because if you're a member of this forum you become quite terrified every time a new transmission failure thread pops up.

What am I missing? What else would you all suggest? Thanks!

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[k1w1t1m]

Picking the TBC is where you will want to research. I have read on this forum that the OEM TBC is no longer available. In all actuality any brake controller will work but none available right now will pick up signals from the automatic emergency braking. For most of us it's not a problem as we are more cautious when towing.

 

[WhyNot21]

Congrats and welcome to the first time travel trailer owner group! We just bought a new Vintage 23RSS, which is close in spec's to yours. So far, I've added a Teckonsha Brake Controller, a Fastway e2 8k WDH, a Furrion Vision S camera and some cheap add-on mirrors. I had it hooked up to the the truck last weekend, just to make sure the hitch and brake controller were good to go. I'm actually questioning the mirror needs, but will make that decision after driving it around a bit. Ours is 6" narrower than yours, though.

As far as the other things, I agree with the oil/filter change and having the brakes checked. If you haven't rotated your tires recently, probably a good idea. I'm not going to worry about my trans until it starts acting up. I do only have 10k miles on our '21, though.

Lots of very experienced people here, so I'll be checking in on their replies to your thread for pointers. Happy camping!

 

[Raygunn]

Howdy Matt,

You should be fine with the measures you're taking. I've towed this little rig (~4500lbs) through the Colorado mountains, Arizona, New Mexico, Arkansas, and Tennessee in the Smokies. My truck is approaching 60k miles. I did have the transmission serviced at 50k instead of 100k. At the advice of Grumpaw on this forum, I installed a Roadactive suspension (very easy install) just to beef up the rear a bit.

https://activesuspension.com/products/ford-ranger-pickup-2018-2021

Also for peace of mind, it's worth it to go to your nearest truck stop and get weighed after you load up.

 

[brroberts]

Sounds like you have a good plan. Get your WDH sorted out and weigh truck and trailer so your weights are correct. As far as suspension, I have 4600’s on the rear with blue Sumos’s replacing the stock bump stops. For a brake controller, if I could not get the Ford spec Redarc tied into the AEB, I’d definitely want a Tekonsha Prodigy 3. My thoughts - works great for me. I’m sure others have their preferences. I have an Equalizer WDH, but would also consider the Blue Ox Sway Pro.

 

[Stevedbvik1]

I wouldn’t worry about the rear suspension as the Tremor has much beefier springs and the Fox shocks. We pull a 28’ overall length and right around 6000lbs with our Tremor and no issues with the suspension. But try it out yourself to make sure you’re comfortable with it.

 

[Josh Stretch]

You can get an OBD2 Bluetooth device and an app on your phone that lets you set up a custom dash on your phone with gauges for things like transmission temperature, battery voltage, oil temp, etc. You can use an old phone and just monitor these things more closely when you’re towing so you can pull over if anything starts getting too high or low.

 

[MattMc7]

Picking the TBC is where you will want to research. I have read on this forum that the OEM TBC is no longer available. In all actuality any brake controller will work but none available right now will pick up signals from the automatic emergency braking. For most of us it's not a problem as we are more cautious when towing.

Thanks! I called my local dealer last week and they said they would have the controller in a week and I’m scheduled to install 2/24. I did not think to ask them if it is the OEM or other. I’ll find out and update if they are still able to order the OEM TBC.

 

[MattMc7]

I wouldn’t worry about the rear suspension as the Tremor has much beefier springs and the Fox shocks. We pull a 28’ overall length and right around 6000lbs with our Tremor and no issues with the suspension. But try it out yourself to make sure you’re comfortable with it.

Nice! Glad to hear the Tremor is doing well with that size trailer!

 

[Nellieg]

Small blind spot mirror mounted disks... The towing blind spot detector is good but I find idiots like to merge into your blind spot and if you are changing into a lane it can be an issue in assuming the blind spot sensors will be enough

 

[Grumpaw]

I looked up the specs' for your GD 151BH and you should not have any problems towing. All specs are well within the Rangers capacity., and as you tow you'll find out if you need or don't need any additional equipment.
Only item I would add is a set of tow mirrors, Your GD 151BH is a full 8 feet wide, and the stock mirrors will be useless due to the Ranger being so narrow.
If you are planning only an occasional tow than a set of clamp on's may be OK, and some here use them with no problem.
If, like me and a few others here plan to tow frequently, then look at a set of ClearView extendable mirrors. Expensive, yes, but they are top quality, and easily gets rid of the blind spots when towing.
I have a set and wouldn't be without them.

 

[MattMc7]

I looked up the specs' for your GD 151BH and you should not have any problems towing. All specs are well within the Rangers capacity., and as you tow you'll find out if you need or don't need any additional equipment.
Only item I would add is a set of tow mirrors, Your GD 151BH is a full 8 feet wide, and the stock mirrors will be useless due to the Ranger being so narrow.
If you are planning only an occasional tow than a set of clamp on's may be OK, and some here use them with no problem.
If, like me and a few others here plan to tow frequently, then look at a set of ClearView extendable mirrors. Expensive, yes, but they are top quality, and easily gets rid of the blind spots when towing.
I have a set and wouldn't be without them.

Thank you! I do have some clamp ons that I always throw on when I tow the pontoon boat as it is also 8ft wide. I agree, no chance I would tow without them! I’ll look into the ClearViews.

 

[Frenchy]

For the most part you have everything right. For the truck maintenance, simply open the Owners Manual and go to the Maintenance Section. Follow the Severe Service Schedule and you should be good.

 

[ctechbob]

I think everyone has pretty much covered everything. If you are going to be towing often, 30,000 trans fluid changes would be my recommendation. A dose of Lubegard Platinum to go with it as well. Seems to give the best chance for the trans living a long(er) and happier life.

 

[jflogerzi]

Tow mirrors are not needed. Just get the small mirrors you attach to OEM mirrors. I tow my car trailer with these and have no problem. I think its an 18-20 foot trailer

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