First Tow and I'm Impressed

[Bill Starlord]

After 23 years, 4 trucks and 5 RVs, we sold our truck and travel trailer last year, thinking we were done with RVing. Nope! After much research, brought a '23 XLT (1780lb payload) with tow package last month, no problems with anything so far. Brought a new KZ Connect C191MBSE travel trailer, which I picked up on Tuesday. Trailer dry weight is 4700lbs, hitch weight is 590lbs and its 22' long. After setting up my EQ hitch, by myself as dealer wanted $150 to "help" , pairing my Curt Echo brake controller, I headed home, a 90 mile drive thru the Texas Hill Country. I've got to say, I lost a little sleep the night before worrying about everything as I've always had HD trucks and 30' + RVs. Anyway, I was absolutely blown away by how well the Ranger towed. I didn't go over 60mph but going up hills, braking and just the feeling of control was superb. The 2.3 has plenty of power it seems. Didn't get to deal with the "big truck push" as I was on a two lane road so can't comment on that. I was planning on Bilstein 4600s and SUMOs in the rear and new 8-ply tires to replace the Bridgestone Dueler HTs but the RV towed so good, I'm going to take a few more short trips before pulling the trigger on those. After decking out the Ranger and RV, I need to slow down on the goodies, LOL. I was a little PO's after I got home from the RV dealer, noticed my RV panel said I had a full tank of fresh water. Yep, drained 45 gallons from the tank which sits forward of the axels a full 375 lbs. Wonder what my hitch weight was from that? Anyway, my experience so far is this combo seems to work and tow very well. We're heading on a 700 mile round trip in a couple of weeks so we'll see. I'll try to remember to do a follow-up post afterwards. Cheers!

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[Grumpaw]

After 23 years, 4 trucks and 5 RVs, we sold our truck and travel trailer last year, thinking we were done with RVing. Nope! After much research, brought a '23 XLT (1780lb payload) with tow package last month, no problems with anything so far. Brought a new KZ Connect C191MBSE travel trailer, which I picked up on Tuesday. Trailer dry weight is 4700lbs, hitch weight is 590lbs and its 22' long. After setting up my EQ hitch, by myself as dealer wanted $150 to "help" , pairing my Curt Echo brake controller, I headed home, a 90 mile drive thru the Texas Hill Country. I've got to say, I lost a little sleep the night before worrying about everything as I've always had HD trucks and 30' + RVs. Anyway, I was absolutely blown away by how well the Ranger towed. I didn't go over 60mph but going up hills, braking and just the feeling of control was superb. The 2.3 has plenty of power it seems. Didn't get to deal with the "big truck push" as I was on a two lane road so can't comment on that. I was planning on Bilstein 4600s and SUMOs in the rear and new 8-ply tires to replace the Bridgestone Dueler HTs but the RV towed so good, I'm going to take a few more short trips before pulling the trigger on those. After decking out the Ranger and RV, I need to slow down on the goodies, LOL. I was a little PO's after I got home from the RV dealer, noticed my RV panel said I had a full tank of fresh water. Yep, drained 45 gallons from the tank which sits forward of the axels a full 375 lbs. Wonder what my hitch weight was from that? Anyway, my experience so far is this combo seems to work and tow very well. We're heading on a 700 mile round trip in a couple of weeks so we'll see. I'll try to remember to do a follow-up post afterwards. Cheers!

Welcome to the forum.
Check out the towing section of the forum. You'll find many of us tow travel trailers that are larger and heavier than yours, myself included.
Some are 24-25 footers approaching 7000 lbs, myself included, and have found, when properly set up, do a great job of towing.
I went with a good set of rear shocks, the Blue Sumo's, and a set of Yokohama Geolander 10 ply tires as I found the OE Bridgestone Duelers not up to towing a heavy trailer with a 700 lb tongue weight.
Also added a Roadmaster Active Suspension setup, which helps a great deal with the handling.
All in all for your size trailer, you should have no problems.
Let me add, when towing use premium gas...the Ranger was designed to use premium. It will use regular, but, "meh". Your mpg will drop, a lot, but as with towing any type of shoe box shaped trailer, "it is what it is". Your previous experience with large trucks and trailers should have prepared you for that.
Also, if not aware, use the tow mode, and when climbing grades, you'll find if you down shift too and lock it in gear 6-8 depending on grade and length of grade, it will help a lot....very easy to maintain proper speed. "Sweet Spot" seems to be between 60 and 65 mph.
Safe travels with your rig.