Trailer Pulling

[Grumpaw]

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.

I've seen several posts and online info indicating the platform is a class 3 and some indicatingf its a class4.....the weight rating that Ford places on it indicates a class3.....7500/750 equates a class3.
Class 4 hitch platform's are usually rated for towing 10-14,000 lbs with a tongue weight of 1000-1400 depending on the use of a WD or not.
I will grant you that the Ranger hitch is a substantial one, probably capable of more than it's listed capacity....but probably based more on the Rangers capability than the hitch..
Without a WD setup the entire tongue weight is bearing down on the hitch itself which is only 4 bolts. The addition of a WD setup transfers weight removing some to the vehicle itself.
Personally, without a WD setup I would limit my personal use to 4000 lbs and 500 lb tongue...but thats just me.
No, it is not "written" but almost any of the hitch manufacturers will have listings for their platforms with a WD set up and without. You just have to dig a bit to find info.

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[Frenchy]

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.

It's not necessarily from Ford, but from Federal Law when it comes to Towing. Though you will see plenty breaking said law, it is a Safety thing when it comes to pulling more than 5,000 LBS. Trailer Brakes are technically required at a much lower weight.

To specify, an Trailer that is at a Minimum of 3,500 LBS of Weight(does not matter if this includes the load or not) a Trailer Brake must be used. For bumper pull type trailers, you must use a Weight Distribution Hitch for Best Load Carrying Performance.

This applies to any vehicle out there including my 2012 Frontier that has a Maximum Capacity of 6100 LBS.

 

[Cabose-1]

Well, wdh, let me count the farm trucks with tractors, implements, and all sorts of equipment and not one wdh in sight. Car trailers, box trailers at the race track,and the lawn mower guys too, plus my cargo trailer, and car hauler, and utility trailer, buddies trailer, buddies f350, uhaul, need i go on.
Only person i know that has a wdh is my stepson for his tt And my buddie with his tt.
Not to mention all the people not using a
GEN-Y HITCH.
Stay safe, keep the rubber side down.

 

[Grumpaw]

Well, wdh, let me count the farm trucks with tractors, implements, and all sorts of equipment and not one wdh in sight. Car trailers, box trailers at the race track,and the lawn mower guys too, plus my cargo trailer, and car hauler, and utility trailer, buddies trailer, buddies f350, uhaul, need i go on.
Only person i know that has a wdh is my stepson for his tt And my buddie with his tt.
Not to mention all the people not using a
GEN-Y HITCH.
Stay safe, keep the rubber side down.

I know, I know.....I'm posting about the safety aspect and all the variables involved in getting/using a hitch set up.
Over the years I've seen all kinds of towing set ups ranging from hauling oversize trailers on a bumper ball set up to a Kenworth pulling a small camper.
Personally, I always err on the side of safety going with the best, strongest equipment I can find.
I always wondered about those who tow expensive trailers, car haulers with cars, equipment worth big $$$ but use substandard tow equipment to tow it with.
If you've noticed, when I respond to a query about towing/hitches/equipment, I indicate what is considered safe and quality, and what I use, and what is needed for a SAFE pull....I will never go "bare bones". I will always advocate for using good, quality heavy duty equipment.
To each his/her own choice.....a lot of the trailers you mentioned do not need/require a WDH setup....but if your hauling a $30, $40, $50 thousand dollar race vehicle or a $50 grand piece of farm equipment on a $15, $20 grand trailer, why would you risk it with minimal equipment ???

 

[ControlNode]

Without a WD setup the entire tongue weight is bearing down on the hitch itself which is only 4 bolts. The addition of a WD setup transfers weight removing some to the vehicle itself.

If you are suggesting that somehow the bolts holding the hitch to the vehicle see any less load while using a WDH, I think you are sorely mistaken. Some bolts will see more load while others may see less, that is the nature of putting the weight on the hitch and then using a bar to connect a second point of the trailer and pull in any direction on it. Yes, some weight will be projected forward on the tow vehicle, but the load, now with as twisting force added to it, is still on the hitch and the bolts securing the hitch to the vehicle.

Also, I looked and Ford's ordering guide for 2021 (year of mine), and it clearly states the tow package adds 7-pin and Class IV hitch, so unless there is documentation from Ford contradicting that, it's a Class IV.

 

[Grumpaw]

If you are suggesting that somehow the bolts holding the hitch to the vehicle see any less load while using a WDH, I think you are sorely mistaken. Some bolts will see more load while others may see less, that is the nature of putting the weight on the hitch and then using a bar to connect a second point of the trailer and pull in any direction on it. Yes, some weight will be projected forward on the tow vehicle, but the load, now with as twisting force added to it, is still on the hitch and the bolts securing the hitch to the vehicle.

Also, I looked and Ford's ordering guide for 2021 (year of mine), and it clearly states the tow package adds 7-pin and Class IV hitch, so unless there is documentation from Ford contradicting that, it's a Class IV.

You are right...I was wrong about the hitch....it is rated as a class 4, but it is still limited by Ford to a max of 7500 lb with the 750 lb tongue weight. I did indicate that I thought the platform was a substantial piece and was probably limited by the truck, and not the hitch
But, even though Ford doesn't list it, most hitches do have two ratings as to capacity....one without a WD set up, and one with a WD set up.
And, I have seen too many failed hitches due to heavy loading of a hitch head without WD set up.
The WD setup does take some of the loading off of the platform attachment hardware.,...,,enough that I'm comfortable with towing my heavy rig. I definitely would not drop my trailer's heavy hitch on the hitch ball or tow my rig with its 700 lb tongue weight using only 4 bolts to support it......without the WD setup.

 

[Cabose-1]

@Grumpaw your advice on this forum has always been good here. I would never say you tell others otherwise. Especially for new haulers here on this forum.
Your advice here on towing is a natural resource. Opinions are like assholes, everyone has one. But your advice, is most definitely the prefered technique. Not being funny or sarcastic either.

Now, if you would just look at
GEN-Y HITCH, they have torsion hitches too, that can be used with a wdh, your setup would be complete.

 

[Frenchy]

@Grumpaw your advice on this forum has always been good here. I would never say you tell others otherwise. Especially for new haulers here on this forum.
Your advice here on towing is a natural resource. Opinions are like assholes, everyone has one. But your advice, is most definitely the prefered technique. Not being funny or sarcastic either.

Now, if you would just look at
GEN-Y HITCH, they have torsion hitches too, that can be used with a wdh, your setup would be complete.

Hate to say it, but I am going to have to disagree with the Gen-Y Hitch. All they did at best was add some suspension in the ball itself to help cushion the connection. Beyond that it doesn't help like a Weight Distribution Hitch. A Weight Distribution Hitch actually has spring bars that pull the trailer and rear of the vehicle up to help distribute the load between the trailer and tow vehicle. The Gen-Y will not do that. It will only provide some cushion if the spring is enough in the Hitch.

 

[canyonslicker]

It’s interesting I ran across this thread today. I will be renting a U-Haul vehicle trailer to tow a 65 Mustang only about 60 miles. I called them about the trailer breaks they use. They use surge brakes and only a 4 pin harness. No 7 pin. I figure I’ll be around 5200 pounds meaning surge brakes are acceptable at that weight. I would have thought a TBC would be required.

 

[ctechbob]

It’s interesting I ran across this thread today. I will be renting a U-Haul vehicle trailer to tow a 65 Mustang only about 60 miles. I called them about the trailer breaks they use. They use surge brakes and only a 4 pin harness. No 7 pin. I figure I’ll be around 5200 pounds meaning surge brakes are acceptable at that weight. I would have thought a TBC would be required.

Most any rental from a nationwide chain is going to be surge brakes only. That's the only way they can assure that the tow rig will be safe since not all trucks come with TBC's.

I've got a picture on here somewhere hauling my 4 door Accord on a Uhaul trailer. They're heavy on the tongue by design (again, it is safer) so don't be surprised if you're a little heavy in the back end when you hitch and load up. 60 miles won't be any problem.

 

[canyonslicker]

Most any rental from a nationwide chain is going to be surge brakes only. That's the only way they can assure that the tow rig will be safe since not all trucks come with TBC's.

I've got a picture on here somewhere hauling my 4 door Accord on a Uhaul trailer. They're heavy on the tongue by design (again, it is safer) so don't be surprised if you're a little heavy in the back end when you hitch and load up. 60 miles won't be any problem.

Good to know, thanks for your response.. So I don’t feel like an idiot in the future ?

 

[Lone Ranger 1]

It’s interesting I ran across this thread today. I will be renting a U-Haul vehicle trailer to tow a 65 Mustang only about 60 miles. I called them about the trailer breaks they use. They use surge brakes and only a 4 pin harness. No 7 pin. I figure I’ll be around 5200 pounds meaning surge brakes are acceptable at that weight. I would have thought a TBC would be required.

I called my local U-Haul to and they offered that and I thought it was best to upgrade to something better just because I never know what else I may haul and wanted a better product. Honestly it was not that much more either.

 

[Frenchy]

It’s interesting I ran across this thread today. I will be renting a U-Haul vehicle trailer to tow a 65 Mustang only about 60 miles. I called them about the trailer breaks they use. They use surge brakes and only a 4 pin harness. No 7 pin. I figure I’ll be around 5200 pounds meaning surge brakes are acceptable at that weight. I would have thought a TBC would be required.

It is very common for U-Haul to use Hydraulic Surge Brakes on so e of their trailers. The 3 that I'm aware of are the open and closed cargo trailers along with the auto carrier. No trailer brake controller is needed.

 

[Cabose-1]

Hate to say it, but I am going to have to disagree with the Gen-Y Hitch. All they did at best was add some suspension in the ball itself to help cushion the connection. Beyond that it doesn't help like a Weight Distribution Hitch. A Weight Distribution Hitch actually has spring bars that pull the trailer and rear of the vehicle up to help distribute the load between the trailer and tow vehicle. The Gen-Y will not do that. It will only provide some cushion if the spring is enough in the Hitch.

A weight distribution hitch can be used WITH a torsion GEN-Y HITCH. The torsion hitch does nothing for weight distribution, but can be used in conjunction with a wdh.

So you have a weight distributed and torsioned hitch all at the same time. But you have to use a wdh. Which can be used with GEN-Y torsion hitch

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