Just a simple question of "WHY?!"

[kendive]

As the title states, WHY?!

Why is it when people get ready to get a camper trailer that is well within the Towing Specifications of their Rangers(or other vehicle) that they have to get a second opinion from someone that thinks you shouldn't go more than half the Towing Capacity or better yet longer than 15 FT?

If there is anything I have learned over the years when it comes to Towing, first make sure that the Trailer you will be pulling is going to be withing your Tow Vehicles Manufacturers Rated Capacity. The next thing being to make sure you have the necessary equipment added(weight distribution hitch, trailer brake controller and other things that may apply). Nothing states that the trailer can only be so long on said vehicle. Even various Vehicle Manufacturers will state in the Owners Manual(even though it hardly ever gets looked at) on how one should operate the vehicle when Towing including on what the recommended top speed should be(not saying individuals will listen to that specific ruel).

Now with that said if one has never towed a trailer in their life and they want to start with a big camper trailer, I personally feel they should go through some kind of training course first so they know how to handle the load while driving so they can be safe on the road and have less chance of causing a potential accident of sorts. Simply one thing we just don't want happening if we can avoid.

A little EDIT here:
A while back before I got the Ranger I had a 2016 Nissan Frontier Desert Runner. In general it was a great Truck. If I remember correctly the Maximum Towing Capacity Rated for that Truck due to being a Crew Cab Short Bed 2WD, it was around 6,300 LBS. It might have been a little less, but not my much. I remember talking to a guy at U-Haul and he thought I was crazy for thinking that truck could do that. I looked at him and asked him "WHY?!". He said I should not go over the vehicles curb weight when towing. I simply just looked at him and laughed hysterically. I asked him after that "Then how come a Semi Truck is towing much more than it's weight which a fully loaded Trailer?!". He didn't seem to have an answer for that. Put simple I would have no problems going up to the max Towing Capacity set by Nissan for that Truck especially since it was setup well from the Factory to do so. Even the Ranger was setup well to do the same, just a bit better with the Turbocharger and the 10 speed Transmission(not going to lie, I kinda miss it in a way).

So again, WHY?!

Yea soon there will be a fifth wheel made for the ranger avab. LOL kinda like they say they make them for a 1/2 ton. No way in h$%%^^%$$ would I fall for that one.

Sponsored

 

[Juany118]

Yea soon there will be a fifth wheel made for the ranger avab. LOL kinda like they say they make them for a 1/2 ton. No way in h$%%^^%$$ would I fall for that one.

There actually is ONE 5th wheel that I think is 1/2 ton towable, if you have a 2023 Ford F150. The 3.5 Ecoboost and the 5.0 have payloads of over 3000lbs and towing of over 13,000 lbs. This has *only* a hitch weight of 1,000 lbs and a GVWR of 10,000

https://www.granddesignrv.com/fifth-wheels/reflection-100-series/22rk

This is a *very* specific combination though, as a general rule you are right on.

PS. I actually think Ford purposely nerfed the towing and payload on the F150 to try and help 250 sales because seriously, with numbers like the 2023 F150 had why would your average truck buyer need a 250?

 

[mtbikernate]

Yea soon there will be a fifth wheel made for the ranger avab. LOL kinda like they say they make them for a 1/2 ton. No way in h$%%^^%$$ would I fall for that one.

this has existed for a very long time.

Scamp Lite Fifth Wheel RV Travel Trailers - 5th Wheel Campers - Deluxe Layout A - Scamp Trailers

 

[Friday yet?]

There actually is ONE 5th wheel that I think is 1/2 ton towable, if you have a 2023 Ford F150. The 3.5 Ecoboost and the 5.0 have payloads of over 3000lbs and towing of over 13,000 lbs. This has *only* a hitch weight of 1,000 lbs and a GVWR of 10,000

https://www.granddesignrv.com/fifth-wheels/reflection-100-series/22rk

This is a *very* specific combination though, as a general rule you are right on.

PS. I actually think Ford purposely nerfed the towing and payload on the F150 to try and help 250 sales because seriously, with numbers like the 2023 F150 had why would your average truck buyer need a 250?

The higher cargo capacity rating of the 2023 F150 (vs the 2024) was with a single cab, 4x2, 8 ft bed, with the max cargo option. No one, NO ONE was spec'ing such an animal. So Ford dropped it to simplify the F150 production options in 2024. All that spec was good for was manufacturer bragging rights.

As to the F250's... anyone that buys an F250 with a diesel either (a) literally needs very little cargo capacity or (b) is a f***ing idiot when it comes to truck specs. F250 with a diesel is great for towing when spec'd correctly. But for cargo capacity? Not so much. But they got that diesel.

 

[ctechbob]

Reminds me of this fun sport…

https://www.facebook.com/OvalBanger...ng-caravan-demolition-derby/1080437582667075/

That's also a European trailer with REALLY wonky weights. They build their trailers to have very minimal tongue weight, sacrificing stability for the ability to tow with sedans and the like. You can spot them a mile away by where the wheels on the trailer are mounted. Towards the middle = Euro/Australian trailer.

 

[ctechbob]

There actually is ONE 5th wheel that I think is 1/2 ton towable, if you have a 2023 Ford F150. The 3.5 Ecoboost and the 5.0 have payloads of over 3000lbs and towing of over 13,000 lbs. This has *only* a hitch weight of 1,000 lbs and a GVWR of 10,000

https://www.granddesignrv.com/fifth-wheels/reflection-100-series/22rk

This is a *very* specific combination though, as a general rule you are right on.

PS. I actually think Ford purposely nerfed the towing and payload on the F150 to try and help 250 sales because seriously, with numbers like the 2023 F150 had why would your average truck buyer need a 250?

And they went and killed off the HDDP in the F150 line for 2024 as well, so you can't buy that beast of a 1/2 ton anymore either.

 

[db_tanker]

this has existed for a very long time.

Scamp Lite Fifth Wheel RV Travel Trailers - 5th Wheel Campers - Deluxe Layout A - Scamp Trailers

Just getting this out of the way - I do not advocate this or would ever buy it.

However I have noted that when hauling a trailer It does seem alot more stable in a gooseneck or 5th wheel over a bumper pull.

But...yeah the set up above isn't anything I'd want to roll in lol

 

[mtbikernate]

Just getting this out of the way - I do not advocate this or would ever buy it.

However I have noted that when hauling a trailer It does seem alot more stable in a gooseneck or 5th wheel over a bumper pull.

But...yeah the set up above isn't anything I'd want to roll in lol

Looks like that particular Scamp model has been around since 1981. So I'd say the trailer itself has a pretty proven track record. Not that I've ever seen one on the road (though I think I've seen one or two rotting in some backwoods barnyards over the years). I think quite a few people are probably just as weirded out by such a small 5th wheel as you are.

 

[DukeCanBuildit]

Just getting this out of the way - I do not advocate this or would ever buy it.

However I have noted that when hauling a trailer It does seem alot more stable in a gooseneck or 5th wheel over a bumper pull.

But...yeah the set up above isn't anything I'd want to roll in lol

With all that fuzzy carpet inside, it’s like a giant cat condo on wheels. ?

 

[Dereku]

if you are a competent tow person you dont ask these questions. Most people who ask probably have rarely towed. So yes pulling max recommend weight without understanding GCVW and GVW are in for trouble. If its your first time dont go big. Leave a safety margin, and rent an rv to tow before you buy and say your truck sucks. Otherwise listen to the internet and get you 2 ton F750 to tow your bass boat.

 

[Cabose-1]

Just towed a chevy suburban 2008 model on a 1600 car trailer. Most definitely at 7k or 7.5k pounds. As long as you're in your weight department, youll be fine. A hundred pounds here or there is no big deal. No pics because i was too busy working, to get home. Tow on a regular. Just ve smart about it. I don't max out too often. It is a truck. Bouncy rough ride and all

Sponsored