24 Ranger FX4 2.3L - towing a 4400 lb 25 foot trailer ??

[KevinD]

Hi all,

I'm currently towing a 2007 older 19ft hybrid trailer with dry weight of 3000 lbs, 21.10 ft closed with no problems', tows great!

I want to upgrade my trailer to a 2015 Palomino Solaire 213X. Dry weight is 4399 lbs, closed length is 25.2 ft.

You guys think I'll be okay?

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[KevinD]

Just adding the trailer tongue weight is 605 lbs which seems heavy is my main concern, and the length.

 

[BtheCarGuy]

That’s asking a lot for a 4 cylinder truck to haul over 10,000 lbs., especially if you are going through mountainous terrain. TFL Truck (on YT) will give you a comprehensive review of your truck in precisely these conditions.

 

[John E Davies]

The "dry" weight is for a stripped trailer with no options, you need a SCALE weight. Options (both dealer and owner) can easily add 500 pounds, so figure that amount, plus the weight of full tanks (maybe 500 pounds?) and 400 pounds of your stuff, and get back to us. Have you studied the tow guide?
https://www.vdm.ford.com/content/da.../towing/pdf/2024-Ford-Ranger-Towing-Guide.pdf

You need to figure in frontal area, high elevation and steep grades. My strong hunch is that that trailer is way too big for your engine.... but look at the numbers for yourself. Is the trailer at a dealer? If so, have the scale it and give you the true weight.

Do you have the factory tow package? It is required for a larger trailer.

John Davies
Spokane WA USA

 

[Wayfaring Ranger]

Frontal area is not that important, basically any modern travel trailer will be over what ford recommends even if they are well under the weight limits. Frontal area just means your MPG is going to take a hit and you'll see reduced performance from wind resistance compared to not towing. I have a small teardrop (T@B 400) and the calculated "frontal area" is over what ford recommends yet I have zero issues pulling the trailer.

OP: Myself and at least one other person on the forum tow a 19ft ~4500lb (loaded) trailer with this truck and it pulls like a dream. I have the 2.3L and other than the small gas tank combined with an expected hit to MPGs, the 2.3L has more than enough power that you will forget it's even behind you at times. I haven't gone to a truck scale for exact numbers, but according to the manufacturer i'm seeing about 440lbs tongue weight.

Around 65mph cruise control I was averaging ~13-14mpgs, and at 70mph cruise I was around 11.7mpg.

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