Towing Concerns

[Ranger23]

Below are excerpts from the 2019 Ranger manual:

Page 208: Do not exceed 62 mph (100 km/h) even if a country allows higher speeds under certain conditions.

I’ve been unable to find a limitation like this for another vehicle. For example, the F150, Escape, and Explorer manuals only state to not exceed 70 mph for inexperienced drivers while towing or during the first 500 miles. I’ve found nothing for either of these in the Chevy Colorado manual.

Page 208: Reduce the stipulated maximum permitted gross combination mass by 10% for every additional 1,000 ft (300 m) in high altitude regions above 1,000 ft (300 m).

10% is huge. Again, for example, the F150, Escape, and Explorer manuals state a 2% reduction per 1,000 ft. The Gross Combination Mass is from 12,150 lbs to 12,500 lbs depending on the model. My calculations show that a trailer would have to be under 4,000 lbs to tow it through Denver, Colorado?! I’ve found nothing regarding this in the Chevy Colorado manual.

Page 210: Max Tow without Trailer Brake 1,650 lb (750 kg)

I know most states require trailers over 1,500 lbs to have brakes. However, I’m not seeing this specific limitation on other vehicles.


What does everyone think? Are these valid concerns. My biggest concern is the specific limitation to not exceed 62 mph.

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[jsphlynch]

Thanks for spotting this. My guess is the 62 MPH limit and the trailer brake requirement are probably a case of them avoiding liability, but I would like more information.

The more concerning one to me is the 10% decrease in mass for every 1000 ft, since that would keep me from ever being able to haul toys up to the mountains. I think it's a typo. A quick google search led me to this page, which appears to be part of the manual for the fiesta containing similar language, but for 10% per 1000 meters. My guess is they were adapting the manual from the international Ranger, and somebody made a mistake when converting the units to fit with American standards.

 

[jsphlynch]

I should have looked a little further down my search results. The exact same language is used in the Ranger manual for Australia (see page 170), and it is indeed 10% per 1000 meters. Since they have that mistake in the US Ranger manual, makes me wonder if the other two requirements might also be accidental hold-overs from an adaption of the international manual.

 

[Ranger23]

I was able to find the international Ranger manual, here on page 170, which appears to be from 2014. It lists the same 62 mph speed limitation. Maybe that's an international requirement and just made it over to the manual here. However, it states to reduce the gross train weight by 10% for each additional 1000m (so 3280 ft). So it definitely could be a typo there. I wonder if we could get Ford to clarify this.


EDIT: Was typing my response as you posted. Yes, I agree. I'm going to try and get in touch with Ford.

 

[jsphlynch]

I was able to find the international Ranger manual, here on page 170, which appears to be from 2014. It lists the same 62 mph speed limitation. Maybe that's an international requirement and just made it over to the manual here. However, it states to reduce the gross train weight by 10% for each additional 1000m (so 3280 ft). So it definitely could be a typo there. I wonder if we could get Ford to clarify this.


EDIT: Was typing my response as you posted. Yes, I agree. I'm going to try and get in touch with Ford.

If Ford clarifies it for you, could you post back here? Thanks!

 

[Randy2400h]

Below are excerpts from the 2019 Ranger manual:

Page 208: Do not exceed 62 mph (100 km/h) even if a country allows higher speeds under certain conditions.

I’ve been unable to find a limitation like this for another vehicle. For example, the F150, Escape, and Explorer manuals only state to not exceed 70 mph for inexperienced drivers while towing or during the first 500 miles. I’ve found nothing for either of these in the Chevy Colorado manual.

Page 208: Reduce the stipulated maximum permitted gross combination mass by 10% for every additional 1,000 ft (300 m) in high altitude regions above 1,000 ft (300 m).

10% is huge. Again, for example, the F150, Escape, and Explorer manuals state a 2% reduction per 1,000 ft. The Gross Combination Mass is from 12,150 lbs to 12,500 lbs depending on the model. My calculations show that a trailer would have to be under 4,000 lbs to tow it through Denver, Colorado?! I’ve found nothing regarding this in the Chevy Colorado manual.

Page 210: Max Tow without Trailer Brake 1,650 lb (750 kg)

I know most states require trailers over 1,500 lbs to have brakes. However, I’m not seeing this specific limitation on other vehicles.


What does everyone think? Are these valid concerns. My biggest concern is the specific limitation to not exceed 62 mph.

My money is on the typo error which means you’ll be limited to about 6,500lbs instead driving through Denver (without trailer brakes). High altitude means thinner air and much hotter brakes (hence the limitation), you just need to have trailer brakes if you’re towing something heavy up here at high altitude (I’m in CO Springs). The great news is that the turbocharged 2.3L will perform just as well at 6,000ft as it will at sea level, unlike all the naturally aspirated competitors. I took my ‘15 Edge Sport up Pikes Peak Highway to the summit (14,115ft) and it had an insane amount of pull at 14,000ft, indistinguishable from 6,000ft or lower. This truck is going to be awesome for those of us at high altitudes.

 

[Andy]

My money is on the typo error which means you’ll be limited to about 6,500lbs instead driving through Denver (without trailer brakes). High altitude means thinner air and much hotter brakes (hence the limitation), you just need to have trailer brakes if you’re towing something heavy up here at high altitude (I’m in CO Springs). The great news is that the turbocharged 2.3L will perform just as well at 6,000ft as it will at sea level, unlike all the naturally aspirated competitors. I took my ‘15 Edge Sport up Pikes Peak Highway to the summit (14,115ft) and it had an insane amount of pull at 14,000ft, indistinguishable from 6,000ft or lower. This truck is going to be awesome for those of us at high altitudes.

Glad to see a fellow springs guy! I can attest to the turbos over NA at high altitudes as well. I’ve seen the tacos pulling campers at 12k+ elevation and they are screaming on the way up when EcoBoost’s are sitting happy at 3k rpm. Pretty excited to get behind the wheel of the ranger.

 

[Aliby]

I don't get the "Reduce the mass by 10% for every additional 1,000 ft"
Spoke to a car specialists, a guy who races cars and everyone goes to to find out car-topic details and answers. He indicated that an aspirated engine will lose about 25% power at Colorado altitudes, whereas the turbo only about 10%.
Maybe it is a braking issue.

 

[Stockranger]

I can’t believe this is accurate. I’ve towed quite a bit with mine. I also have a trailer brake installed. It’s a beast to tow with, better than my 98 F150 I had. Brakes on the truck are great, the tow setting with the deceleration in the gears works amazing and the engine has more than enough power.

 

[Sashimi_Moto]

Also consider there’s almost no trailer tire that’s rated for speeds over 65mph, yet look at how many people ignore that.

 

[Aliby]

I understand that an unmarked trailer tire should be presumed to be rated for 65 mph. Otherwise a trailer tire can also have lettered speed ratings on the side wall (L - 75 mph; M - 81 mph)

 

[Sashimi_Moto]

I understand that an unmarked trailer tire should be presumed to be rated for 65 mph. Otherwise a trailer tire can also have lettered speed ratings on the side wall (L - 75 mph; M - 81 mph)

Unmarked or one that says Goodyear Marathon on it!

But I stand corrected, looks like for radials especially, speed ratings above 65mph are much more common place now.

 

[Floyd]

Below are excerpts from the 2019 Ranger manual:

Page 208: Do not exceed 62 mph (100 km/h) even if a country allows higher speeds under certain conditions.

I’ve been unable to find a limitation like this for another vehicle. For example, the F150, Escape, and Explorer manuals only state to not exceed 70 mph for inexperienced drivers while towing or during the first 500 miles. I’ve found nothing for either of these in the Chevy Colorado manual.

Page 208: Reduce the stipulated maximum permitted gross combination mass by 10% for every additional 1,000 ft (300 m) in high altitude regions above 1,000 ft (300 m).

10% is huge. Again, for example, the F150, Escape, and Explorer manuals state a 2% reduction per 1,000 ft. The Gross Combination Mass is from 12,150 lbs to 12,500 lbs depending on the model. My calculations show that a trailer would have to be under 4,000 lbs to tow it through Denver, Colorado?! I’ve found nothing regarding this in the Chevy Colorado manual.

Page 210: Max Tow without Trailer Brake 1,650 lb (750 kg)

I know most states require trailers over 1,500 lbs to have brakes. However, I’m not seeing this specific limitation on other vehicles.


What does everyone think? Are these valid concerns. My biggest concern is the specific limitation to not exceed 62 mph.

My Transit Connect says not to tow over 70MPH at the max tow rating.... I tow at 60 with it.
Assuming maximum tow rating...
How fast do you want to tow a 7500 pound trailer? 62MPH seems about enough.
Common sense says a 2500 pound trailer would not be as restrictive.
If I want to run eighty MPH with traffic, I leave the trailer at home, Maybe even take the Mustang

 

[Sashimi_Moto]

The paperwork speaks specifically to frontal area of trailer and how it impacts drag. Says if frontal area is greater than 55sq ft with a heavy load a vehicle with a larger engine should be considered. I’m paraphrasing. I tow a 8.5x20’ enclosed trailer so that verbiage stood out to me.

 

[Noseoil]

Typical loss of power is 3% / 1000' of elevation gain. So the 10% per 1000M is pretty close to the expected actual loss of power in a normally aspirated motor. I think Ford is being a bit conservative with their input, but it's normal now in today's society. Remember, at higher altitudes on long pulls & grades, there's more boost available, but it's at the expense of more heat, more transmission loading, etc. Just drive accordingly.

About the Goodyear Marathon tires, they were very good when made in the USA, but when China started making them, they sucked & were junk. The first tires I put on our teardrop were the Chinese Marathons. I didn't know about their problems, but you can look it up online. The trailer weight was only

about 1700# After 2 seasons of towing, I had one starting to come apart after 15,000 miles of mostly highway driving. Look closely at the left side & you will see the beginning of tread separation, prior to a catastrophic failure if I had missed it. At the top of the frame, there a large bulge in the center of the tire as well. If you have these tires, get rid of them!

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