What are you guys towing?

[Mastodon]

did you install the redarc yourself? if so, how easy is it?

Also, which version did you get?

I bought the Ford branded one, so whichever version that is. And by “bought” I mean “redeemed 2 new vehicles worth of Ford Pass points on,” which basically made it free for me.

Yes, I did the install myself, mostly so I could put the knob where I wanted. Factory location would’ve been hidden behind my left knee, on the wide panel below the steering wheel. This looks much more “factory” to me, and is easier to reach…which is critically important when the trailer starts to sway.

I didn’t find the install too challenging. Instructions were pictures only, so either they did a good enough job of describing what to do, or I’m used to worse. Think IKEA or LEGO.

You’ll see people complain about pulling the interior panels to run wires to the third brake light, but it’s not hard. Probably anyone who’s installed an amp has done something similar. Other complaints are about not having enough slack in the main wire loom, but I think they didn’t undo enough of that part of the loom for it. I had about 5 or 6 inches of wire to use.

My biggest challenge was disassembling the center console to install the knob. No instructions for it, so had to do a fair bit of Googling, and then had to remove some support material from the underside to make it fit.

All-in-all, I don’t think it took more than 2 hours, give or take

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[Cabose-1]

Whatever im towing, i am not towing like this guy!!
How many things do you see wrong here?

 

[Leftcoast]

Whatever im towing, i am not towing like this guy!!
How many things do you see wrong here?

Is this America or Europe?

 

[Blue Streak]

Is this America or Europe?

Neither, it's Texas

 

[Chris M]

No safety chains nor light hookups.

 

[JGF]

No safety chains nor light hookups.

No pin or lock through the hitch latch on the trailer either.

 

[aeroshots]

Some toys.

 

[cnj]

Whatever im towing, i am not towing like this guy!!
How many things do you see wrong here?

The list is long and troubling.

 

[Cabose-1]

The list is long and troubling.

This is how people get hurt, or killed.

 

[Leftcoast]

This is how people get hurt, or killed.

So what do you do when you see something like that? Do you avoid it at all costs or do you take your time to get a close pic?

 

[Cabose-1]

So what do you do when you see something like that? Do you avoid it at all costs or do you take your time to get a close pic?

Stop lights make great caution flags. I can only go as fast as the car in Front of me. But yeah. Avoid this guy.

 

[Leftcoast]

Stop lights make great caution flags. I can only go as fast as the car in Front of me. But yeah. Avoid this guy.

IIRC there was a European guy on here this year or last. He was describing how they don't use safety chains. They only require the safety cable. IIRC there was a whole thread about it. I thought he was Norwegian or Finnish.

 

[DT444T]

IIRC there was a European guy on here this year or last. He was describing how they don't use safety chains. They only require the safety cable. IIRC there was a whole thread about it. I thought he was Norwegian or Finnish.

When you say safety cable, do you mean the emergency brake cable? Because there are cable alternatives to chains.

 

[Leftcoast]

When you say safety cable, do you mean the emergency brake cable? Because there are cable alternatives to chains.

brake cable

 

[TechnicallyReal]

Picked up the new trailer on Wednesday. It was very windy so it was a good test.

Old trailer:
Jayco 174BH
3200 lbs from factory
7ft wide
18'~ box / 21' 8" total length

New trailer:
Jayco 264BH
4900 lbs from factory
8ft wide
25'~ box / 29' 5" total length

I have Eibach's in the rear and added a little bit of air to my tires (40 psi rear, 35 psi front). I'll probably add more air next time, especially in the front.

I towed the 174BH to the dealer without my Andersen hitch and the wind in open areas was shoving me around a lot, more than I've ever experienced with this truck & trailer before. Not sure how windy it was, but it was a lot more than any other trip I've taken it on.

I towed the 264BH home from the dealer with the Andersen hitch installed, although I allowed the dealer to set it up while I inspected the trailer, so I don't know how well adjusted it was. I was short on time and will readjust it on the weekend. Anyway the wind still managed to shove me around quite a bit but I would say I felt it less than I did with the 174BH without the Andersen. I didn't get pushed around by vehicles passing (not even semis), but the gusts of wind in open areas were definitely noticeable. At first it was uncomfortable but quickly got used to it. I was going about 95 km/h (60 mph) for the majority of both trips, and up to 115 km/h (71 mph) for a brief stretch.

Both trailers were empty seeing as it wasn't a recreational trip. We'll have to wait to see how things change once I adjust the hitch, add more air to my tires, and load some things into the front of the trailer (and people into the truck).

Loving the trailer so far, though.

Finally got to take the new trailer out. Our destination was about an hour from home and we drove 90-100 km/h (55-60 mph) for most of the ride there and back.

Verdict? It didn't feel any bigger than the old trailer. It was smooth sailing there and back without any sway whatsoever. I was loving every moment of it. The Ranger handled it with ease.

This trip was night and day different from the original trip home from the dealership (see quoted post above). Aside from being the windiest day ever, what I failed to realize at that time was that the trailer came loaded with water from the dealer. Nearly 400 lbs of it sitting a few feet forward of the axles. I took a test drive before and after emptying the water, and wow what a difference that made. Handling was definitely affected by the water, and the wind caused the water to slosh around a lot. Not to mention I would have been way over max tongue weight because of it.

P.S. I had my tires at 35 psi. A little above what's listed in the door. I chose 35 for my test drives and was going to try 40 on this trip. Now that I'm back from it, I don't think I'll bother trying 40 psi.

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