Frenchy
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I can't speak for a travel trailer but I did tow roughly 5,500 lbs with my ranger once. I actually towed my old 280ZX on a U-haul auto transport. No weight distribution hitch as U-haul wont let you and no sway crontrol either. The trailer had hydraulic brakse so that wasnt an issue. Toung weight? Probably more then it should have been but thankfully I was going slow for a short distance. For the most part the truck did fine. Didnt have an issue but that doesnt mean you wont have problems
THLONE
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Assuming that those numbers are the dealers, after you are loaded and ready to go you will be overloaded. Actual scale weight loaded is what you need.
2.7EcoBoost
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In what way? Assuming this truck (looks like supercab 4x4) has the tow package. The truck has a payload of 1,650 lbs and towing capacity of 7,500 lbs. The truck max tongue weight is 750 lbs max and Ford says the Ranger doesn't need weight distribution for that. As for your trailer OP, what do you mean 4,800 gross? I am assuming that the camper has a dry weight of of somewhere between 3,500-3,700 lbs. and a cargo capacity of 1,100-1,300 lbs. It would take a lot of cargo and full tanks etc to hit that gross rating. Personally, I would use a sway/distribution hitch like the E2 with 500 lb bars for that trailer. Also anything over 3,500 lbs should have a trailer brake/controller. An F-150 SCab with the 2.7 and the class IV hitch (not tow package) is only rated to tow 6,000 lbs. Heck the same F-150 with a 5.0 is only rated at 7,000 lbs. Yet, people make comments like "if I ever see a Ranger towing more that 5k lbs I am getting out of the way". What about all of those F-150s that are towing 7-8k trailers that are grossly over because people don't have any idea how their truck is configured? Towing takes common sense. Going down the freeway @ 80 mph with a 2,500 lb trailer is less safe than me towing a properly set up 30 ft 5,700 lb loaded camper properly with my Ranger. I see plenty of HD trucks towing campers at 70 mph with the tongue sticking in the air and swaying dangerously because their weight distribution isn't set up properly. With the current TT market exploding their are tons of people out there towing not set up right, it's more than just mid size trucks.
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Monark323
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The engine brake works great with a 2 axel TT with a dry weight of 4300LBS. And less than 1k of “stuff”. No weight distribution or trailer brakes. Never felt that I was losing control or the lack of power. I tested the setup on both the Cajon Pass and the Grapevine in SoCal. If you know, you know.
However, I wouldn’t go pass 60mph. I’ll start to sway. Also I stayed in the slow lane (far right lane) most of the time. Also going down steep grades slow down before you actually hit the downgrade.
However, I wouldn’t go pass 60mph. I’ll start to sway. Also I stayed in the slow lane (far right lane) most of the time. Also going down steep grades slow down before you actually hit the downgrade.
Rviator
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Is there a don't like button? You need to get a trailer brake controller installed and soon. Compare a panic stop from say 40 mph with and without the trailer and you'll see why.
Monark323
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I never said you don’t need one. Of course a trailer brake will increase the overall safety. You’re talking of a “panic stop” even with all the bells and whistles you’re probably going to be in a tough spot. Increasing your space gap between vehicles is your friend. People getting into accidents usually involves driving too closed and driving like they don’t have extra weight. Don’t let it get to a panic stop.
OP
OP
Hannah
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I'll clarity. I have tow package and a brake controller and I know I'm within the specs for my ranger. My question is about weight distribution and sway control. I picked up a new TT , 3845 dry, 445 lb tongue weight and right at 1000 lbs load capiticy. The truck had no issues at all towing the trailer and had no noticeable squat but did raise the front about 1 .5 inchs. ( measuring ground to top of fender well.) . My concerns, It was a windy day 25 to 35 MPH winds and that moved the truck and TT around quite alot no real sway just pushed around by the wind. I'm not sure if a WD hitch with sway control would improve things.
RangerAJS
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I would say yes to the sway question That a sway control would improve things. i think that “getting pushed around quite a lot” sounds like sway to me. I had my WD and sway control set on the low side due to position and I experienced some sway in high wind on I5. I adjusted and it feels much more solid. The only way you would know the diff is if you try ?. Good luck on your quest for knowledge on the subject.
Rviator
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You're misrepresenting what I intended. You stated "no trailer brakes". A hard/panic stop will explain to anyone why they need a brake controller. Your stopping distance even in city type traffic will tremendously increase without one, far more so than with a controller. If you leave a large gap someone will inevitably slip in front of you and now there is no margin to safely stop. Though I do see in your latest post you stated you have a brake controller. What gives? Why say no trailer brakes when you have a brake controller?
