How Much Can You ACTUALLY Tow?

[raytwntrvlr]

So those of us with a narrower trailer are fine with standard mirrors and a rear facing camera. Those with 8 foot wide trailers favor Clearview mirrors. If my trailer was 8ft wide and not seven feet wide, I would likely have both.

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[Deleted User 61245811]

Great info. I’m just starting to explore the realm of TT towing as that’s an easy way to save money on vacations (renting the TT from a nearby outfit).

I was considering taking my stock 265/65/17 tires up to 275/70/17s. I figure that negatively impacts towing, but is that anything to worry about with our Rangers, or is it a negligible impact?

I tow about 7200lbs fully loaded TT. 8.5' wide because the wife insisted on a king bed. It also has a tip out. I have 285/70/17s on my Ranger and it has absolutely no problem with the trailer. The only issue I have is stopping at every gas station because I only get 10mpg

while towing and the tank is tiny.

 

[Grumpaw]

Here's ours....Jayco 24RL. Ready for a trip, runs around 7000 lbs. Full size 8 foot wide, with a slide out.
Running Yokohama G-015, 265/70/17, 10 ply rated tires. Went with the 10 ply and got rid of a lot of the mushy feeling from toe OE Bridgestone 2 ply/4 ply rated tires.
We also stop at the same gas stations as Eric...getting between 9-11 mpg depending on which way the wind is blowing.

 

[Grandaccess]

I have had 1000 lbs in the bed and 4500 on trailer and didnt know it was back there
Pictures or it didnt happen

 

[Turtle876]

I tried renting a dual axle trailer a few days ago that weighed around 2k lbs. We were looking to haul my Dad's compact tractor on it that weighed +/- 3K lbs. I didn't want to waste my time before heading over to the rental company to see if they would rent me a trailer for the Ranger. I asked the guy who was working if he'd rent me the trailer for a Ranger. I explained that it has a towing capability of 7.5K lbs and we'd be way under the max capacity. He chuckled and goes, "A Ford Ranger? No." So that was a short call. Funny thing is that I've seen a picture here on the forum with someone hauling the exact same compact tractor with their Ranger!

It was a slow 8 mile drive down the back roads and highway on a compact tractor! I saved myself $100 trailer rental I guess!

 

[maxbottomtime]

while the mirrors would be nice, I find that a rearview camera feels sufficient to me. A car that is 20' behind my trailer I can still see in the stock mirrors, and obviously the camera fills in directly behind & blind spots. I am a granny with the trailer, so maybe if you are weaving in/out of traffic it would make a bigger difference.

I do have those clip-ons but the last few trips (couple hours) I've not bothered putting them on.

 

[Big Blue]

I tried renting a dual axle trailer a few days ago that weighed around 2k lbs. We were looking to haul my Dad's compact tractor on it that weighed +/- 3K lbs. I didn't want to waste my time before heading over to the rental company to see if they would rent me a trailer for the Ranger. I asked the guy who was working if he'd rent me the trailer for a Ranger. I explained that it has a towing capability of 7.5K lbs and we'd be way under the max capacity. He chuckled and goes, "A Ford Ranger? No." So that was a short call. Funny thing is that I've seen a picture here on the forum with someone hauling the exact same compact tractor with their Ranger!

It was a slow 8 mile drive down the back roads and highway on a compact tractor! I saved myself $100 trailer rental I guess!

He obviously is not familiar with the 5G Ranger and is thinking of the 4G.

 

[subquark]

I tried renting a dual axle trailer a few days ago that weighed around 2k lbs. We were looking to haul my Dad's compact tractor on it that weighed +/- 3K lbs. I didn't want to waste my time before heading over to the rental company to see if they would rent me a trailer for the Ranger. I asked the guy who was working if he'd rent me the trailer for a Ranger. I explained that it has a towing capability of 7.5K lbs and we'd be way under the max capacity. He chuckled and goes, "A Ford Ranger? No." So that was a short call. Funny thing is that I've seen a picture here on the forum with someone hauling the exact same compact tractor with their Ranger!

It was a slow 8 mile drive down the back roads and highway on a compact tractor! I saved myself $100 trailer rental I guess!

When I went to tow my FJ, I told them I had a 2005 Scion xA (which was true).

Yeah, even with a road gear on my John Deere 950, that would have been a bouncy and long ride!

Not mine, but I sure do miss it!

Dang, I meant to tow that Scion! Carolina squat anyone? =D

 

[EJH]

I tried renting a dual axle trailer a few days ago that weighed around 2k lbs. We were looking to haul my Dad's compact tractor on it that weighed +/- 3K lbs. I didn't want to waste my time before heading over to the rental company to see if they would rent me a trailer for the Ranger. I asked the guy who was working if he'd rent me the trailer for a Ranger. I explained that it has a towing capability of 7.5K lbs and we'd be way under the max capacity. He chuckled and goes, "A Ford Ranger? No." So that was a short call. Funny thing is that I've seen a picture here on the forum with someone hauling the exact same compact tractor with their Ranger!

It was a slow 8 mile drive down the back roads and highway on a compact tractor! I saved myself $100 trailer rental I guess!

That's frustrating. The few times I've rented a trailer at U-Haul, they go off the rated tow capacity for a 2021 Ranger in their system.

while the mirrors would be nice, I find that a rearview camera feels sufficient to me. A car that is 20' behind my trailer I can still see in the stock mirrors, and obviously the camera fills in directly behind & blind spots. I am a granny with the trailer, so maybe if you are weaving in/out of traffic it would make a bigger difference.

I do have those clip-ons but the last few trips (couple hours) I've not bothered putting them on.

Same here. Stock mirrors and a rear view camera provide a view of everything.

 

[brroberts]

Clearview mirrors for me, and I won’t even back in the driveway without mirrors extended, much less tow any anywhere.

 

[Stevedbvik1]

That's frustrating. The few times I've rented a trailer at U-Haul, they go off the rated tow capacity for a 2021 Ranger in their system.


Same here. Stock mirrors and a rear view camera provide a view of everything.

Same here

 

[jsphlynch]

I tried renting a dual axle trailer a few days ago that weighed around 2k lbs. We were looking to haul my Dad's compact tractor on it that weighed +/- 3K lbs. I didn't want to waste my time before heading over to the rental company to see if they would rent me a trailer for the Ranger. I asked the guy who was working if he'd rent me the trailer for a Ranger. I explained that it has a towing capability of 7.5K lbs and we'd be way under the max capacity. He chuckled and goes, "A Ford Ranger? No." So that was a short call. Funny thing is that I've seen a picture here on the forum with someone hauling the exact same compact tractor with their Ranger!

It was a slow 8 mile drive down the back roads and highway on a compact tractor! I saved myself $100 trailer rental I guess!

I've rented from UHaul several times without issue. Their online system is familiar with the current Ranger and knows it can handle it. I'd guess that the guy you called thought you had an older Ranger and figured there was no way it could handle towing the 7.5k you were claiming.

 

[Turtle876]

They said 3/4 to 1 ton trucks. Just imagine being turned away with a half ton. It could have something to do with their insurance. I'm glad I called prior. Good to hear others have had some luck renting trailers.

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