Need some help.

[MoldyTaco]

On Friday I accepted a new job in Utah. I need to be there by August 1. So I am moving from California to Utah. I went to high school in Utah so it is like I am going home again. I am excited but I hate moving.

So here is my dilemma. I can rent a Uhaul truck and auto carrier to tow my truck. The smallest truck they will rent with the auto carrier is a 16’ truck. I do not have enough stuff to fill that size truck. I am kind of a minimalist. However, I think a 6x12 Uhaul cargo trailer would be perfect for my stuff. Plus it is nearly $1000 cheaper.

I have read through so many towing threads and to be honest I am a little exhausted. I have a 2020 XLT 4x2 no tow package with Eibach fronts set at 2.25, Eibach rear shocks, and 265/70/17 P-rated. I have a few questions.

First, can my Ranger tow loaded Uhaul 6x12 cargo trailer? Uhaul lists the empty trailer weight at 1920 lbs. I have no idea what my stuff weighs but there are no major appliances or exceedingly heavy furniture (I think my standard size couch weighs the most).

Second, should I be worried about the rear swatting too much?

Third, what would I need to purchase to be able to tow? I know a hitch, hitch insert with ball, and potentially wiring. Anything else?

I do not plan on towing very often in fact this may be the only time I tow with the Ranger. I am not new to towing in general but the last time I towed anything it was a 4x6 cargo trailer with a 2010 Dodge 2500 which was no problem.

I am weighing the overall cost (I.e., rental, fuel, parts and installation, etc.). Also, any helpful advice or tips is appreciated.

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[Bludrok]

A hitch should be fairly cheap on amazon or etrailer. You dont need a trailer brake controller, but it is recommended for towing over 3000 lbs. All that does is activate brakes on the trailer when braking. If the trailer you are hauling doesnt have brakes, a TBC won't do anything anyhow.

I am not sure about a wiring harness, but I think you have a 4 pin connector there already, right? If so, you can just hook it up directly to a 4 pin trailer, or need an adapter for 7 pin. The difference is the 7 pin has connections for trailer brakes.

Let me know if you need more info.

 

[Bludrok]

Here is a class 3 hitch ( Higher numbers rated for more weight)

 

[MoldyTaco]

ive done similiar moves before, and to be honest, i only took the essentials in the bed of the truck, sold the rest and got newer stuff at the other end.
i hate moving too

I am considering selling everything except a few things and buying new stuff when I get there. The cost is a little too much for my liking.

 

[AzScorpion]

On Friday I accepted a new job in Utah. I need to be there by August 1. So I am moving from California to Utah. I went to high school in Utah so it is like I am going home again. I am excited but I hate moving.

So here is my dilemma. I can rent a Uhaul truck and auto carrier to tow my truck. The smallest truck they will rent with the auto carrier is a 16’ truck. I do not have enough stuff to fill that size truck. I am kind of a minimalist. However, I think a 6x12 Uhaul cargo trailer would be perfect for my stuff. Plus it is nearly $1000 cheaper.

I have read through so many towing threads and to be honest I am a little exhausted. I have a 2020 XLT 4x2 no tow package with Eibach fronts set at 2.25, Eibach rear shocks, and 265/70/17 P-rated. I have a few questions.

First, can my Ranger tow loaded Uhaul 6x12 cargo trailer? Uhaul lists the empty trailer weight at 1920 lbs. I have no idea what my stuff weighs but there are no major appliances or exceedingly heavy furniture (I think my standard size couch weighs the most).

Second, should I be worried about the rear swatting too much?

Third, what would I need to purchase to be able to tow? I know a hitch, hitch insert with ball, and potentially wiring. Anything else?

I do not plan on towing very often in fact this may be the only time I tow with the Ranger. I am not new to towing in general but the last time I towed anything it was a 4x6 cargo trailer with a 2010 Dodge 2500 which was no problem.

I am weighing the overall cost (I.e., rental, fuel, parts and installation, etc.). Also, any helpful advice or tips is appreciated.

Steven, congratulations on your new job! I love UT and it's high on our list of places to move.

Not sure if this might be an option for you? When I moved out here I didn't have much stuff as I had already owned this house and it was pretty much furnished. I looked into PODS but they had weight restrictions so I ended up going with a ABF freight truck. You pay for the space you use (I think it was 6' minimum) and they give you a wall to put up and only you have the key for it, the rest gets filled with cargo. It turned out to be cheaper than a POD and there's no weight restrictions. Then you could drive your truck out and not deal with towing it.


https://www.hireahelper.com/moving-101/transportation/freight-moving-companies/abf-freight-u-pack/

 

[Bludrok]

Here is a wiring harness that will give you the 7 pin connector. You need it if installing a TBC. May want it regardless.

 

[MoldyTaco]

A hitch should be fairly cheap on amazon or etrailer. You dont need a trailer brake controller, but it is recommended for towing over 3000 lbs. All that does is activate brakes on the trailer when braking. If the trailer you are hauling doesnt have brakes, a TBC won't do anything anyhow.

I am not sure about a wiring harness, but I think you have a 4 pin connector there already, right? If so, you can just hook it up directly to a 4 pin trailer, or need an adapter for 7 pin. The difference is the 7 pin has connections for trailer brakes.

Let me know if you need more info.

According to Uhaul the trailer has automatic hydraulic surge brakes and wired with a 4-pin flat connector. I assume that means I do not need a 7-pin adapter. I think read somewhere on here that all of our trucks have a 4-pin already. I need to look next time I go outside.

 

[Bludrok]

According to Uhaul the trailer has automatic hydraulic surge brakes and wired with a 4-pin flat connector. I assume that means I do not need a 7-pin adapter. I think read somewhere on here that all of our trucks have a 4-pin already. I need to look next time I go outside.

Correct. And I believe you do have a 4 pin connector already, but I have a tow package, so I can't verify.

 

[MoldyTaco]

Steven, congratulations on your new job! I love UT and it's high on our list of places to move.

Not sure if this might be an option for you? When I moved out here I didn't have much stuff as I had already owned this house and it was pretty much furnished. I looked into PODS but they had weight restrictions so I ended up going with a ABF freight truck. You pay for the space you use (I think it was 6' minimum) and they give you a wall to put up and only you have the key for it, the rest gets filled with cargo. It turned out to be cheaper than a POD and there's no weight restrictions. Then you could drive your truck out and not deal with towing it.


https://www.hireahelper.com/moving-101/transportation/freight-moving-companies/abf-freight-u-pack/

I like this idea and the average cost does not seem too bad. The only issue I have is I do not know where they can put a POD or trailer. I live in a downtown area with little street parking and zero space inside the gates. I will have to request a free quote and see if they will come to look at my area and offer solutions.

 

[MikeyTX]

Why not have U-haul install a hitch ? Avg cost is $300.00 Towing caps are in the OM and on Fords web site.

 

[SICKQK]

Rent the trailer, install the hitch by yourself or with a buddy. It took me less than 30 minutes by myself. Just need a socket set (breaker bar is helpful) and a couple of C clamps.
https://www.etrailer.com/hitch-2020_Ford_Ranger.htm

 

[dondonbabyraptor]

I don't know anything about towing but congrats on the new job, it was teaching position IIRC? What field of studies? Utah is beautiful, I go yearly almost to Zion national park. 6 hour drive with a potential stop in Vegas to lose money and eat well, well lose more money by eating well but it's all in good fun.

 

[Stephen]

I like this idea and the average cost does not seem too bad. The only issue I have is I do not know where they can put a POD or trailer. I live in a downtown area with little street parking and zero space inside the gates. I will have to request a free quote and see if they will come to look at my area and offer solutions.

I did Ubox on a SC-WA move, and found the temp permits for getting the box dropped are pretty easy (even in Seattle) and fairly cheap ($30). We only put stuff in the car we thought might get damaged, but everything made it fine. Good luck!

 

[MikeyTX]

Is there not a knock out cap in center of the rear bumper for a hitch ball ? There should also be slotted tabs for the safety chains underneath. It is there on my Lariat even though I have the trailer package

 

[Racket]

A bumper mount hitch ball isn't going to give you much towing capacity and you need a drop to level the tongue of the trailer. I had a local company install my towing setup complete with the factory style 7 pin plug for under $500. It's not as pretty underneath as the Ford option but when I got my truck there was some type of shortage.

You can tow a 6x12 - at least I did over pretty low altitude level roads (1.5 inch front lift).

Having said that, I've used U-Pack a few times and it sure makes for stress-free moving.

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