Trailer Pulling

[Montana Ranger]

We purchased our Ranger to tow our <7,000 lbs travel trailer. Power has never been an issue. We do avoid driving in windy conditions. And you don't get a lot of downhill braking help from the 2.3.

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[ControlNode]

Must have trailer brakes, if the trailer uses electric brakes instead of surge brakes, you will need a brake controller installed in the truck, or an inline BT model. What will be the trailer weight as towed with the truck in it? What will the gross combined weight (GCW) of the Ranger and the loaded trailer be? Ranger's GCWR with the options I think you mentioned is 12,500 lbs at sea-level. What is the tongue weight when loaded? That limit is 750 lbs. At what altitude will you be towing? Every 1,000 ft over sea-level you reduce the GCWR by 3%.

Tow mirrors will likely be needed to see around the trailer. In some states they may be required by law, I know in SC they are. You can get clip on mirrors cheap and fast from Amazon. But if you will be towing the enclosed a lot, look into the ClearView tow mirrors for the Ranger. For the Lariat features they cost a bit, but 100% worth it, IMO.

On weight distribution hitches (WDH), not required on the Ranger. But, for on road towing it can still be of use and make the towing feel a bit more comfortable.

This is a 6,100 lb trailer I pull 3-4 times a year and the mirrors extended.

 

[Lone Ranger 1]

Well unfortunately I will not be able to use the enclosed trailer for this trip so it looks like I will be using an 18 foot 2023 non enclosed car trailer now. I do like those mirrors but you are definitely right, just a little pricey. I’ll have to do some researching down the road and maybe I can find a pair that meets the budget.

 

[Cmar]

At that weight you are required by law to have a Trailer Brake Controller of sorts for the Trailer being Towed. Keep in mind that the requirement starts at a much lower weight.

As a personal favorite due to it being a hideaway type unit and being designed and built in Australia, I like RedArc. Ford originally had a kit that used the RedArc Trailer Brake Controller. Certainly worth looking into.

Also don't forget the correct Weight Distribution Hitch for that Trailer. It will make the experience well worth it

Another vote for Redarc, I use it myself, works well. Easy to install.

 

[Lone Ranger 1]

Sold! Just ordered mine today.

 

[brroberts]

A lower cost mirror option that is solid, wide and works well that I used before the ClearViews were available:

https://hensleymfg.com/collections/...57UZOT4aHj04_PO2yxyvxBDsctSdncvJCiGptessTttHu

 

[ControlNode]

Well unfortunately I will not be able to use the enclosed trailer for this trip so it looks like I will be using an 18 foot 2023 non enclosed car trailer now. I do like those mirrors but you are definitely right, just a little pricey. I’ll have to do some researching down the road and maybe I can find a pair that meets the budget.

What was the reason for switching to open instead of the enclosed?

 

[Lone Ranger 1]

Oh just some unplanned for surprises..

 

[21Blackout]

sorry for the late reply some family concerns have crept up on me but to answer your question I have the Elite as that was the Official Ford one

 

[seanellaz]

Hi fellow Ranger owners!

I recently bought a 2019 Ranger Lariat Super-crew 4x4 w/ the 2.3 eco boost, 10 spd auto transmission with the off road package and the trailer tow package.
I plan to pull a 7x16 enclosed 7000 gvwr enclosed trailer and a 4300 pound truck inside approximately 14 hours 900 miles though mountains and unexpected weather for its maiden voyage.

My question to all you pros is there anything extra that you have experienced in this same scenario with your ranger that you can recall that you ran into, needed or should have of had? Is an after market electronic brake controller needed for example if so what’s a good brand at a fair price?,Is the factory set up tow package good for this adventurous trip? Any other recommendations? Is it needed if your truck is equipped with the trailer sway control system?

thank you,

With that much weight? Yes on brake controller (I got the Tekonsha Primus IQ Electric Brake Controller. you can get it here : https://www.etrailer.com/Trailer-Br...BlyQndjvmpsYT3AR715taiH9sx3e7zd4aAtzhEALw_wcB for $78) , yes on weight distributing hitch, yes on sway control device also.

 

[Lone Ranger 1]

UPDATE: The Ranger did great. We pulled a 18 foot open car trailer and my mini truck with it. We had 4 passengers and the bed was packed with items for the trip.

We also went through the Jellico mountains and stopped traffic. We averaged 14-15 mpg.., for the round trip of about 1,000 miles. I also installed the Red Arc Liberty brake controller prior to leaving, and it did great as well. The Ranger pulling my mini truck surprised a lot of people for sure but what do you expect? It’s a Ford!..lol. Thanks for everyone’s input prior to me making this trip. All went smooth and now back to work.



Hi fellow Ranger owners!

I recently bought a 2019 Ranger Lariat Super-crew 4x4 w/ the 2.3 eco boost, 10 spd auto transmission with the off road package and the trailer tow package.
I plan to pull a 7x16 enclosed 7000 gvwr enclosed trailer and a 4300 pound truck inside approximately 14 hours 900 miles though mountains and unexpected weather for its maiden voyage.

My question to all you pros is there anything extra that you have experienced in this same scenario with your ranger that you can recall that you ran into, needed or should have of had? Is an after market electronic brake controller needed for example if so what’s a good brand at a fair price?,Is the factory set up tow package good for this adventurous trip? Any other recommendations? Is it needed if your truck is equipped with the trailer sway control system?

thank you,
[/QUOTE]

 

[Dereku]

Probably better its a flat bed. Its the frontal area our trucks don't like. They still pull like a diesel tho. Glad everything worked out.

 

[nm6r]

Probably better its a flat bed. Its the frontal area our trucks don't like. They still pull like a diesel tho. Glad everything worked out.

I agree. I get around 15mpg pulling my sxs on my open trailer and about 11mpg towing my enclosed trailer.

 

[Grumpaw]

UPDATE: The Ranger did great. We pulled a 18 foot open car trailer and my mini truck with it. We had 4 passengers and the bed was packed with items for the trip.

We also went through the Jellico mountains and stopped traffic. We averaged 14-15 mpg.., for the round trip of about 1,000 miles. I also installed the Red Arc Liberty brake controller prior to leaving, and it did great as well. The Ranger pulling my mini truck surprised a lot of people for sure but what do you expect? It’s a Ford!..lol. Thanks for everyone’s input prior to me making this trip. All went smooth and now back to work.



Hi fellow Ranger owners!

I recently bought a 2019 Ranger Lariat Super-crew 4x4 w/ the 2.3 eco boost, 10 spd auto transmission with the off road package and the trailer tow package.
I plan to pull a 7x16 enclosed 7000 gvwr enclosed trailer and a 4300 pound truck inside approximately 14 hours 900 miles though mountains and unexpected weather for its maiden voyage.

My question to all you pros is there anything extra that you have experienced in this same scenario with your ranger that you can recall that you ran into, needed or should have of had? Is an after market electronic brake controller needed for example if so what’s a good brand at a fair price?,Is the factory set up tow package good for this adventurous trip? Any other recommendations? Is it needed if your truck is equipped with the trailer sway control system?

thank you,

[/QUOTE]
There is no simple answer as to "what you can safely tow" with the Ranger.....much depends on the equipment, meaning the hitch head/weight distributing or not set up, and what the hitch itself is rated for.
Yes, the Ranger can tow 7500 lbs with a 750 tongue weight....when set up properly.
First, WITHOUT a weight distributing set up, the Rangers class lll hitch platform should be limited to 5000 lbs with a max of 600 lbs tongue weight. You won't find those ### in the owners manual, but are generally posted by the hitch manufacturers and are a guide.
With a weight distributing bar/head setup it increases to 7500 lbs with a 750 lb tongue weight.
These ratings should only be approached using a good quality hitch insert/ball assembly. The insert should be made with a solid steel bar, NOT a cheap hollow tube affair. Get the best insert and drop forged ball, not a cheap cast ball.
Buy good quality stuff once, and it will last you years.
Brake controll is up to you. Ford units are expensive and have to be properly installed to keep the emergency braking system. Or, you can get a standard unit like a Tekonsha for under $100 bucks and attach using the 4 under dash wires....you lose the emergency braking, but all else is equal.
The factory tow package, meaning the hitch platform is actually a very good platform....I tow a 7000 lb camper with 700 lb tongue weight and have full confidence in the platform. I use a Tekonsha brake control, and a Blue Ox WD system with 1000 lb rated bars.

 

[ControlNode]

There is no simple answer as to "what you can safely tow" with the Ranger.....much depends on the equipment, meaning the hitch head/weight distributing or not set up, and what the hitch itself is rated for.
Yes, the Ranger can tow 7500 lbs with a 750 tongue weight....when set up properly.
First, WITHOUT a weight distributing set up, the Rangers class lll hitch platform should be limited to 5000 lbs with a max of 600 lbs tongue weight. You won't find those ### in the owners manual, but are generally posted by the hitch manufacturers and are a guide.
With a weight distributing bar/head setup it increases to 7500 lbs with a 750 lb tongue weight.
These ratings should only be approached using a good quality hitch insert/ball assembly. The insert should be made with a solid steel bar, NOT a cheap hollow tube affair. Get the best insert and drop forged ball, not a cheap cast ball.
Buy good quality stuff once, and it will last you years.
Brake controll is up to you. Ford units are expensive and have to be properly installed to keep the emergency braking system. Or, you can get a standard unit like a Tekonsha for under $100 bucks and attach using the 4 under dash wires....you lose the emergency braking, but all else is equal.
The factory tow package, meaning the hitch platform is actually a very good platform....I tow a 7000 lb camper with 700 lb tongue weight and have full confidence in the platform. I use a Tekonsha brake control, and a Blue Ox WD system with 1000 lb rated bars.

Where are you getting that the hitch is a Class III, I'm fairly sure Ford states it's a Class IV. Ford does not state that WDH is required for max towing on the Ranger, if it were a Class III that required that I'm sure they would state it somewhere. They clearly state in the towing guides that F-150s require WDH to tow over 5,000lb.

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