Towing question

[rio-ranger]

As long as you are comfortable pulling it, the truck won't have any problem.

The truck is more my concern, I just don't want to hurt the truck by towing at almost max for 6 hours or so.

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[ctechbob]

I should amend that.

If you're going to tow on a regular basis, you would be well served from staying on top of your maintenance as well. Consider towing that kind of load to be under the 'severe' schedule and maintain accordingly.

Of course, that would apply to any vehicle,

 

[Grumpaw]

The truck is more my concern, I just don't want to hurt the truck by towing at almost max for 6 hours or so.

We have towed our trailer more than 10,000 miles, at times for 2-4 days at a time, without any problems at all. Up thru the N.E. mountains, back roads, interstates. Days of 6-7 hours at a time, all without a miss.
Just keep up with maintaince, equip the truck for heavy duty towing, load your trailer carefully, and you should not have any problems.
Your only going to get 10-12 mpg towing that heavy a trailer, maybe a bit more under 55 mph. Sweet spot on the interstate seems to be around 62-65 mph, in tow mode.
The Ranger is up to it...enjoy your travels.....

 

[rio-ranger]

We have towed our trailer more than 10,000 miles, at times for 2-4 days at a time, without any problems at all. Up thru the N.E. mountains, back roads, interstates. Days of 6-7 hours at a time, all without a miss.
Just keep up with maintaince, equip the truck for heavy duty towing, load your trailer carefully, and you should not have any problems.
Your only going to get 10-12 mpg towing that heavy a trailer, maybe a bit more under 55 mph. Sweet spot on the interstate seems to be around 62-65 mph, in tow mode.
The Ranger is up to it...enjoy your travels.....

Thanks that is what I want to hear but what size and weight is yours?

 

[Grumpaw]

Thanks that is what I want to hear but what size and weight is yours?

It's a Jayco Jayfeather 24RL....29 foot total/24 foot "box". Loaded weight is close to 6800 with my tongue a heavy 730 lbs. I have the Ranger set up with Blue Sumo's, Eibach rear shocks, Yokohama E rated 10 ply tires, and a Roadmaster Active Rear Suspension set up....takes the place of and acts as a sway bar, track bar, traction bar and air bag set up, all in one.

 

[rio-ranger]

It's a Jayco Jayfeather 24RL....29 foot total/24 foot "box". Loaded weight is close to 6800 with my tongue a heavy 730 lbs. I have the Ranger set up with Blue Sumo's, Eibach rear shocks, Yokohama E rated 10 ply tires, and a Roadmaster Active Rear Suspension set up....takes the place of and acts as a sway bar, track bar, traction bar and air bag set up, all in one.

very nice.

 

[DukeCanBuildit]

very nice.

You definitely came to the right place. @ctechbob and @Grumpaw are neck in neck for the title of…

Their advice is solid and sound. ?

 

[ctechbob]

I think I mentioned it briefly in one of my first posts. Don't discount what you're doing with the trailer. Good tires for it and an upgraded suspension will reap benefits to your towing comfort as well as being easier on the trailer.

I didn't see what you were looking at, but at that weight and length it is going to be a tandem axle setup. There are a bunch of different upgradeable spring equalizers out there, and most of them work roughly the same. The end result of them is that they help absorb some of the shocks to the trailer on rough roads/bridge expansion joints etc. End result is that there's more energy absorbed in them and less transferred to the truck. They make the whole experience that much more comfortable.

Plus, while you do the upgrade you can get rid of the absolutely shit bushings and bolts that will be in your suspension. They come from the factory with plastic bushings and several of mine had almost worn through before we even had 2500 miles on the trailer.

 

[rio-ranger]

I think I mentioned it briefly in one of my first posts. Don't discount what you're doing with the trailer. Good tires for it and an upgraded suspension will reap benefits to your towing comfort as well as being easier on the trailer.

I didn't see what you were looking at, but at that weight and length it is going to be a tandem axle setup. There are a bunch of different upgradeable spring equalizers out there, and most of them work roughly the same. The end result of them is that they help absorb some of the shocks to the trailer on rough roads/bridge expansion joints etc. End result is that there's more energy absorbed in them and less transferred to the truck. They make the whole experience that much more comfortable.

Plus, while you do the upgrade you can get rid of the absolutely shit bushings and bolts that will be in your suspension. They come from the factory with plastic bushings and several of mine had almost worn through before we even had 2500 miles on the trailer.

We are getting a 2024 heartland 261bh-c.

 

[ctechbob]

We are getting a 2024 heartland 261bh-c.

Do you have a link to it? I'm seeing a bit of confusion with that. I see a Springdale 261bhc.

Is it this floorplan?

 

[rio-ranger]

Do you have a link to it? I'm seeing a bit of confusion with that. I see a Springdale 261bhc.

Is it this floorplan?

rv.campingworld.com/rvdetails/new-travel-trailer-rvs/heartland-bunkhouse-30k-2366823

 

[rio-ranger]

rv.campingworld.com/rvdetails/new-travel-trailer-rvs/heartland-bunkhouse-30k-2366823

 

[rio-ranger]

The specs say 748 lbs of hitch weight and the ranger has max 750lbs. does the sumosprings increase the hitch weight rating?

 

[rio-ranger]

Do you have a link to it? I'm seeing a bit of confusion with that. I see a Springdale 261bhc.

Is it this floorplan?

yes

 

[ctechbob]

The specs say 748 lbs of hitch weight and the ranger has max 750lbs. does the sumosprings increase the hitch weight rating?

I was afraid that was the one you were looking at.

I know Forest River includes propane and battery in their weights, Jayco does not, I would assume that 748# number does not unless you find out otherwise.

Problem is, people generally put a bunch of heavy stuff in the front storage as well, so that weight is going to go up.

Sadly you are going to be over the hitch rating by a fair bit once you get it loaded up.

Nothing you do to the truck will increase that rating unfortunately.

Just as an example, my trailer advertises something around 570# of hitch weight. Loaded up, ready to go I have 700# on my hitch.

You have an FX4, so you are going to be down a little on payload as well, which isn't the end of the world, but you'll need to put everything you pack in the trailer and just the the truck as a tow beast with people in it. Don't be filling the bed up with stuff.

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