Setup recommendations

[MikeyD000]

So I tow a Lance 1995 with a GVWR of 5700lbs and a dry weight of about 4000lbs. I have the Ford brake controller and an E2 10000lb sway bar, this came with the trailer and is probably oversized.
This weekend I towed from San Diego out to Anza Borrego, the Ranger pulls great even up the big hills however it was a bit tail wagging the dog above certain speeds. I had a 2019 Raptor before the Ranger and the Ranger rear end is actually about 2 inches higher, the problem is the hitch was set at its lowest for the Raptor and can't go any lower, the sway bars were actually a lot easier to get on too which leads me to believe they weren't doing as much.
So I really want to go with another hitch system that is easier to adjust and will go lower than the E2, the ball on the hitch currently sits about 3 inches higher than the trailers receiver.
Does anyone have any good recommendations?
Also what setting are you all using on the brake controller? There is a steep descent into Borrego and I wasn't too happy with the way the proportional setting worked, does the Forscan ABS reset help with the firmness there?

Sponsored

 

[Frenchy]

So if om understanding correctly it sounds like you have 2 problems. First is the hitch height(totally understandable and easy to fix) and second the capacity of the weight distribution hitch. Understanding that it came with the trailer does not meant that it is correct. A weight distribution hitch should always be as close as possible to the trailer empty and gross weight.

The good news is these are both fairly easy to fix. I would first recommend getting the correct weight distribution hitch. Second I would buy a new shank for the weight distribution hitch that goes a little lower as needed for the Ranger.

Attached is a general chart guideline for selecting the right weigut distribution hitch.

Hope this helps

 

[JimG_AZ]

I have a 4200# empty Rockwood travel trailer that I was pulling my 2011 Tacoma and it is very stable. I use the Equal-i-zer hitch with the 1000# bars. I just purchased my Ranger, so I have to install a brake controller and then get 1000 miles on it before I do a test tow.

Regarding your trailer, the first thing I would do is load it up as you would for a camping trip. Fill up the fresh water tank and tow it to a CAT Scale at a truck stop. The CAT Scale has 4 plates so you should be able to get accurate weight of your truck, the trailer and the trailers tongue weight. You are going to want the trailers tongue weight to be 10-15%. Also, once you have the true tongue weight, you can properly size the weight distributing hitch. The next thing to do is get the proper hitch shank and get the trailer level. If you buy another hitch, get on with 4-point sway control. Personally, I like the Equal-i-zer, but it is a noisy hitch. Leveling the trailer and properly setting the tongue weight, will probably solve your issue.

Of all the variants of the Ranger, the Tremor is probably the worst option for pulling a travel trailer. I am not sure how much worse it is, but it does have a few things going against it. The close to 1” lift is certainly not helping. Your raising your CG. The bigger issue though is the larger tires on 17” wheels. With towing, the larger the side wall, the more flex the tire will have. That will reduce stability while towing. The larger diameter will also reduce your gear ratio, but that is probably not your issue here.

 

[drvred]

You can get a longer shank, and also lighter bars for your E2.
The dealer put 800/8000 lb bars on mine for my 4000 lb trailer.
Thanks to recommendations from here I bought 600/6000 lb bars and have been a happy camper.

 

[Peragrin]

I will let others more advanced than me discuss WDH. setups.

However the trick with the E brake is to set it so the trailer stops with the truck. So 4-6 should be equal truck trailer stopping. However on big down hill drops I spin it up to 5-7. Just a couple of notches higher. so the Trailer slows down ever so much more than Truck.

That is the advantage of the hardwired setup. you can make that adjustment while driving safely.

Now remember that is also dependant on the brakes of the trailer being setup correctly too. get a to a level road, stop and take your foot off the brake so you just start to roll (1-2 mph) crank up the dial to 10 and lightly tap the brakes. If the trailer stops the truck, you will feel it.(it is also unsafe and highly not recommended to do) but that gives you your settings. Warning only do the above at very very slow speeds.

 

[awd.nv]

I would take a look at Equal-i-zer 10k WDH or BlueOx. I have the Equalizer 10k kit on my Ranger on a slightly lighter TT (their tech support said it would be ok) and love it. I had their 4k kit for a lighter trailer and it worked great so I just went with them again. I will say, the BlueOx tech support was STELLAR and would have gotten theirs just because of their info but it would not arrive in time for a long trip we had planned.

 

[Frenchy]

I would take a look at Equal-i-zer 10k WDH or BlueOx. I have the Equalizer 10k kit on my Ranger on a slightly lighter TT (their tech support said it would be ok) and love it. I had their 4k kit for a lighter trailer and it worked great so I just went with them again. I will say, the BlueOx tech support was STELLAR and would have gotten theirs just because of their info but it would not arrive in time for a long trip we had planned.

A 10K weight distribution hitch will cause a bit too much bounce on the lead as the springs are too much. It would be similar to haveing heavy load spings in the rear of the truck and puting no weight in the back what so ever.

 

[awd.nv]

A 10K weight distribution hitch will cause a bit too much bounce on the lead as the springs are too much. It would be similar to haveing heavy load spings in the rear of the truck and puting no weight in the back what so ever.

I find it odd they dont have an 8k option but honestly, adjusted properly it rides very good, cant imagine the ride getting any better as it doesn't make the ride feel funny at all. This could be a situation of "I dont know what I am missing till I try it" but it feels great. I do have it dialed in darn near perfectly though. Spent the time and did the measurements.

I just towed back from St. George, UT area to Henderson, NV Monday, ~20mph winds with 38-42mph gust and I was able to keep it at 65mph. Few times I dropped it down to 60mph and thankfully it was not a crosswind, MOSTLY headwind but the ride felt pretty good. Only a few winds made it feel a little funny but I have a 19' single axle TT (Geo Pro 19BH) and everyone tells me they don't tow as good as a tandem.

That said, speed limit was 75mph. When conditions are better the trailer and truck feel totally stable at 75mph (max speed tires are rated for).

Sponsored