What are you guys towing?

geophb

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Just bought a 2017 Lance 1985 travel trailer. The truck is ready with the trailer package and electronic brake controller installed. The RV dealer is going to set me up with a weight distribution hitch. I'm new to pulling a trailer with the Ranger so any advice would be appreciated. That is, advice specific to the Ranger pulling a trailer. Having worked for UPS, I know how to drive an articulated vehicle.
make sure you actually need a wd hitch. they love to sell the because it's extra margin, but it does add weight and the ranger does not need a wd hitch to achieve its max tow rating (unlike some vehicles that have a different rating with/without).
I would run one even if it doesn't absolutely need it. Helps with sway in addition to the weight dist.
Its only about 100lbs
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Bud

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Just wondering what everyone’s going to be towing with their new rangers? Post pictures too!!

Jake
I finally got to tow both of my sailboats some distance, but not at the same time. My little boat and trailer weigh somewhere around 2500 pounds. I towed the boat 70 miles round trip. My gas mileage was around 15.5 mpg. The trip was all back roads and I never exceeded the speed limit of 55 mph.
I towed my tiny boat, weighs with trailer around 1000 pounds, 100 miles round trip. Again there were no freeways involved, just back roads. I never exceeded the speed limit of 55 mph. I averaged 20 mpg.
 

Texasota

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I have a question for the forum members that tow trailers in the 4000 lb (or heavier) range with their Rangers. I described what I am seeing in this post (rising oil level when towing).

Do you guys check your oil level after a long tow and are you seeing the oil level rise like I am?
 

Big Blue

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I would run one even if it doesn't absolutely need it. Helps with sway in addition to the weight dist.
Its only about 100lbs
I agree wholeheartedly. It also is not that big of cost issue, your going to have to buy a hitch bar with the proper drop anyway, a WD hitch is not that much more. The sway control on the ranger only kicks in once the trailer starts to sway, the hitch will help prevent it. Just need to be sure the dealer sets it up properly. It needs to adjusted with the trailer and truck loaded like you intend to pull it. Correct drop so trailer is level, correct bars and pre-load so the truck is level and proper weight is still on front wheels for steering. Also. As Phill loves to say a CAT scale is your best friend. Weigh your rig and make sure you are within all weight ratings for trailer and truck. Make sure your tongue weight is between 10 and 15 percent of trailer weight.

Happy safe towing
 


SandBaja

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I just bought this travel trailer about a month ago and I'm towing 6,000 plus pounds.

IMG_2207.jpg
Very nice, it looks spacious! I see a high window in the back which is different. How was the setup and towing?
 

jshufeld

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Very nice, it looks spacious! I see a high window in the back which is different. How was the setup and towing?
Thank you, this camper has a bunk house in it which is why there are two windows on the back (Grand Design Transcend Xplor 247BH).
I currently have sway bars with weight distribution and I’ve only towed this Travel trailer twice so far. To be honest, I don’t feel comfortable driving over 65 MPH and I’m currently looking into a different style of a sway bars/hitch system: https://store.propridehitch.com/propride-3p-trailer-sway-control-hitch/
 

SandBaja

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Thank you, this camper has a bunk house in it which is why there are two windows on the back (Grand Design Transcend Xplor 247BH).
I currently have sway bars with weight distribution and I’ve only towed this Travel trailer twice so far. To be honest, I don’t feel comfortable driving over 65 MPH and I’m currently looking into a different style of a sway bars/hitch system: https://store.propridehitch.com/propride-3p-trailer-sway-control-hitch/
It appears to have a really nice layout. Good luck with the tow setup. Leftcoasts suggestion of a CAT scale weigh is a good one.
 

WxNerd2015

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Not towing far, but still using the hitch! Moved a few boats around and getting them pulled out of the water for the inlaws this weekend! Ranger once again did awesome and barely even broke a sweat! And being that the space ya have to work with on their street is so small, Ranger was the perfect size and strength for what we needed to do! Moved the small speed boat over to the driveway and didn't even notice it was there, and then pulled the 21'/22' pontoon out of the water and moved it over out of the ramp! And the pics don't show it either, but the boat ramp was on a fairly good angle (forgot to check in inclinometer in the dash) and you are either some soft mud/sand or loose gravel. along with the a steep drop off about 12' off from the shore, so definietly not an easy pull! But no sweat for the Ranger!

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Getting the Pontoon Trailer in the water:

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Just pulled the pontoon outta the water:

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Getting the pontoon in place on the other side of the property:

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As you can see, not a lot of space to be working in, but Ranger was the perfect size to get it done! Additionally, had to do some strap work and rigging and drag a pedal pontoon out of the lake from the ramp and an 8'x10' swim raft which neither were light! So the truck definitely got a very good workout in this weekend! And did it flawlessly! And it also hit 20000 miles too!

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DT444T

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I've got a 6x12 v-nose RC brand enclosed for hauling my motorcycles to the track anywhere in the country. AC unit on the roof and, as of last weekend, its own electrical system. Trailer is like 2400# empty. The weight distribution hitch makes a WORLD of difference in ride quality. As for power? No problem
 
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DT444T

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JonB

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Just brought home a 2021 Rockwood Mini Lite 2104S. Dealer installed the weight distributing hitch and it towed nicely. GVWR is 6k lbs. Truck pulled OK and 65 mph wasn't a problem, though mileage on this first run was 10 mph. Hoping for better. Maybe have the wife get out and push a little.
IMG_4410.jpg
 

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Just brought home a 2021 Rockwood Mini Lite 2104S. Dealer installed the weight distributing hitch and it towed nicely. GVWR is 6k lbs. Truck pulled OK and 65 mph wasn't a problem, though mileage on this first run was 10 mph. Hoping for better.
I don't know. 10mpg is pretty much on par with what I would expect for pulling something that heavy and in the wind. My father-in-law has a similar size and shape camper and gets around 9mpg towing it with his Silverado 1500.
 

FX4Offroad

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Just brought home a 2021 Rockwood Mini Lite 2104S. Dealer installed the weight distributing hitch and it towed nicely. GVWR is 6k lbs. Truck pulled OK and 65 mph wasn't a problem, though mileage on this first run was 10 mph. Hoping for better. Maybe have the wife get out and push a little.
IMG_4410.jpg
I would try locking out the top gear or two and certainly slower highway speeds would help MPGs.

Edit: My previous truck was a 2014 F150, 5.0 FX4 with a 4" lift. I towed my toy hauler with similar GVWR and speeds so I got 8 mpg. I locked out the 6th gear and hwy speeds were 55-60. The MPGs went to 11-12 almost instantly. Tail winds helped a lot but they always seemed to be head winds. Go figure
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