Ranger 5th wheel?

[Friday yet?]

Anybody seen anything about a Ranger 5th wheel set up? No mention in the article but definitely a Ranger in the pic.

https://www.autoevolution.com/news/...cy-with-the-seamless-19-gooseneck-228462.html

Edit: it appears that I need to clarify. I have ZERO intention or desire to tow a 5th wheel with my blue baby. I saw the article with the Ranger in the pic. I've never seen any mention of a 5th wheel for a mid-sized truck so figured I'd post it here for conversation.

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[Grumpaw]

As far as I know, no company makes a 5th wheel hitch set up for the Ranger.
Those who tow a 5th wheel must have just used a hitch made for another truck, or a universal/generic model.
That Scamp is well within the Rangers capability, but hitch would have to be made/altered/fitted to the truck.

 

[DukeCanBuildit]

There are a couple of “Similar threads” at the bottom of this page that cover this subject well.

https://www.ranger5g.com/forum/threads/5th-wheel-bed-rails-gooseneck-solution.10347/

As with Steve’s comment above, I think Phil’s common sense advice found in the above link is sound.

“Since all the trailer tow testing was done off the receiver hitch or the rear bumper, the 5th wheel towing is in uncharted territory. That does not mean it won't work as it may be okay if the trailer GVW, Truck and Trailer GCW are with in limits of the owners manual Who ever starts to make a 5th wheel hitch for the North American Ranger will have to ensure it meets the robustness necessary to haul these 5th wheel trailers. If the 5th wheel device is attached to the frame, I would say it would be robust enough but if attached to the box floorpan...not sure I would want to tow this way.“​

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Hmmm, wise he is. Humpff

 

[Grumpaw]

Yeah Duke, I should have added that....
A proper 5th wheel hitch platform needs to be thru bolted to the frame, NOT just the sheet metal bed bottom. The bed bottom sheet is not strong enough for a mount,
Several generic hitches have an adjustable "foot" mount that can be adjusted to the width of various frames, so, it is possible to find one and properly mount it to the bed bottom and thru to the frame......but it is all on the purchaser/owner as I don't think any reputable company would install one for a customer.

 

[Friday yet?]

Drilling holes into the frame would be a deal breaker for me. I was just curious if anyone had seen this type thing anywhere.

 

[Grumpaw]

Drilling holes into the frame would be a deal breaker for me. I was just curious if anyone had seen this type thing anywhere.

I should back up a bit....
A hitch platform can be mounted to the bed, but you must use substantial backing plates to do it properly. Still, the bed material on our smaller trucks is still on the thin side, Without drilling into the frame, and using the bed, I'd make a "sandwich" of backing plates....a plate, the bed, and an upper plate, with the hitch platform sitting on the upper plates.
Still, our Rangers aren't rated for a 5th wheel, so the individual owner will have to go their own route.

 

[Joeiconic]

Of course, that’s just a picture, the camper is probably not actually connected to the truck.

 

[KJRR]

Of course, that’s just a picture, the camper is probably not actually connected to the truck.

Not just any picture. It's a picture on the internet, it has to be true.

@Friday yet?
Image comes from https://www.scamptrailers.com/showroom/19-trailers.
Contact them and find out if you really need an answer.

 

[Bsthroop]

My Ram 5th wheel mount was attached to the frame with u-bolt type mounts. Could definitely be done on a Ranger without drilling the frame. Didn't see the pin weight on the Scamp so not sure if it would be workable with the Ranger. Given the option I would always choose a 5th wheel over a hitch for stability and ease of towing, but it is a bit of uncharted water with this truck.

 

[Davidjc]

Anybody seen anything about a Ranger 5th wheel set up? No mention in the article but definitely a Ranger in the pic.

https://www.autoevolution.com/news/...cy-with-the-seamless-19-gooseneck-228462.html

There are a few manufacturers out there that make smaller, lighter weight 5ers. The hitch is the issue. While the rails can be cut down to fit between the wheel wells and bolted to the frame, the bulk of some hitches could be a problem. The bigger issue will be the closeness to the cab when turning. Not uncommon for drivers to turn so tight, especially when backing, that the trailer contacts the cab. I saw one 5er hitch advertised for smaller 5ers that was called the Cross Hitch. Looks promising.

 

[Colo_Ranger]

I'm not usually a 'you should have bought a different truck' kind of guy but, if you are trying to tow a 5th wheel, you should have bought a different truck.

 

[mre]

In the article's title, it says "Gooseneck" and not 5th wheel hitch. The are different and require different type of hitch. The article also mentions "gooseneck". I would suggest starting with a call to the Manufacturer. That being said, the below shows a gooseneck installed in Australian Ranger.

gooseneck for ford ranger - Search Images (bing.com)

 

[Friday yet?]

I'm not usually a 'you should have bought a different truck' kind of guy but, if you are trying to tow a 5th wheel, you should have bought a different truck.

I am not trying to do so. Nor would I. Just conversation based on a ad that I saw. Just edited my original post to clarify.

 

[brroberts]

The Scamp is actually a ball and coupler design sort of like using the Anderson ball “5th wheel” hitch. There are people towing the Scamp and both versions of the Escape 5th wheel with various mid size trucks including the Ranger. It is totally within the Ranger specs, but not officially recommended by Ford. Previous generation Rangers have also towed the Scamp and the first generation Escape 5th wheel.

 

[KJRR]

Heck, if this 4 cylinder can haul this trailer, the Ranger should have no issues.

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