Alaskan Expedition Prep thread, Ultimate tow test for the Ranger

[Afsigma21]

I hope this is the right forum category for this thread/conversation, since this is the TOWING area I picked here.

I am in the prep stage for an epic adventure to Alaska with my 2024 Ford Ranger Lariat FX4 with Advanced Tow Package. I have a long list of upgrades and plans to get the Ranger 100% ready and capable of the trip.

We are planning to leave western Ohio in late May 2027 and tow my camper to/through/back from Alaska over a 9 week period. I am estimating about 11,000 miles for the total trip with probably 85% of it towing.

Camper is a 2026 Vista Cruiser 23tws, Dry weight is 4100 lbs and GCWR is 6020.
Sticker Payload for my truck as 1376 (My #1 limfac).

On a recent local camping trip I weighed the whole set up and was at 9800#, well below the MAX for the ranger of 12,750#, I assume I will be heavier for Alaska trip but not 2000# heavier. I am targeting 10,500 as my realistic weight on the day I leave. I absolutely have to pay close attention to my payload,

That said - Here is the upgrades list. Some of these (Wheels and lifts) I did last year when I got the ranger so I need to work within those as already installed items.

Already on the truck
Front leveling kit
Rear 1" lift
18x9 +12 rims w/ 275/65r18 tires

Upgrade plan phased out over next 10 months
Timbren SES (Already in the garage, not installed)
Eibach Pro Truck rear shocks (Already in the garage, not installed)
Powerstop Z36 Truck and Tow front brake kit (pads and rotors)
Some new rear pads upgrade of some kind
Front/Rear oversize mudflaps
NGK 90495 LTR6BHX Spark Plugs
Continental TerrainContact AT tires (275/65r18)
Fastway e2 WDH

Maintenance items 60-15 days prior to trip
Dealer performed Transmission Flush
Rear Differential AMSOIL Severe Gear 75w90
Front differential Pennzoil 75w90 (Already have thisfrom another vehicle)
Transfer case flush
Brake fluid flush
Radiator drain and refill
4 wheel alignment
Oil Change (Obviously I will do multiple on the trip) Pennzoil Ultra Platinum with Fram XG11955 filter (or OEM)
91+ Octane the whole way in to Alaska then I have to swap to 90 E0 because thats all you can get up there.

I ran all these items and scenarios through a couple AI's to get feedback and they all give me a general rating of 9.7 to 9.8 out of 10 "Level pf preparedness"

I am super excited about the trip and all the fun truck upgrades so I came to the truck geeks to talk about it and get some discussion going.

Applaud me, Roast me, tell me what you got!

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[ADVNTURR]

I applaud your trip and your planning, sounds pretty epic.

A couple of thoughts/notes:

• I would consider looking at other options for the brakes. I don't have any experience with or anything against Powerstop, but I would not recommend drilled rotors, or honestly even slotted rotors. For your application they will not improve cooling in any appreciable way and drill holes are great at picking up small pebbles if you do any mud/sand/stream crossings and chewing up pads, and drill holes if they get really hot can lead to cracking (this is really more of a concern in the track world than the truck world, but if you're looking at upgrades for severe duty towing it could be a concern). A good quality standard rotor with good internal cooling veins would be much better use of your money IMHO.
• You may consider an oversized, finned, aluminum transmission pan since transmission heat is going to likely be your biggest risk on this trip
• For the oil filter, I've long since sworn off FRAM branded filters. I've had issues with them and I've seen too many others have issues on the net. I'd recommend OEM, WIX, Mann, or honestly just about anything else.

Good luck, keep us posted, safe travels

 

[Afsigma21]

I spent a LOT of time on the filter research and landed on the XG version of the Fram, not the version that most people swear off (for good reason).

According to my research the XG filter, it has the wire mesh backing and dual layer synthetic glass microfiber which are superior, for THIS application.

I already bought the Powerstop, I think I will stick with them, they get great reviews and are supposed to be specifically designed for "Truck and Tow" so I am hopeful.

The Trans Pan is something I am waffling on, I really dont want to tackle the trans service and prefer to have dealer do it, if I do an aftermarket pan, I am likely going to have to get in there and dome work I am a little uncomfortable with.

Glad to have some debate, my adult sons are tired of talking about it lol

 

[ADVNTURR]

Fair enough on the filter, as long as you're aware and have done some research on it. An endurance racing team I'm on runs their TG filters and I just cross my fingers and send it

The Powerstop brakes will most likely work just fine and probably are an improvement over what came on the truck. Just trying to share some information that I've gained over time. I'm still trying to decide what I'm going to do with my truck (I occasionally tow my track car which comes out to around 5000lb on the trailer and would appreciate a bit more whoa). I'll probably look to HAWK for pads since they've treated me well and they've worked well on my other vehicles. They'll be dusty but when you need to stop...you'll stop.

I too am on the fence about the pan. I paid for extended warranty on my truck and I'd hate for something stupid like an aftermarket pan to cause a fight if something happened down the line. It'd be a hard thing for them to prove likely, but there's the "what if" that's in my head.

 

[John E Davies]

You did not mention trailer protection. That long a trip to AK will definitely wreck it. This is a guaranteed cure for road debris damage.:

https://stonestomper.com.au/

Also you need a trailer TPMS and you should swap out the wheel bearings and seals for genuine Timken or SKF ones, beware of cheap counterfeits. A local bearing supplier won’t cheat you.

What type of suspension is on your trailer? If it has plastic spring bushings, consider upgrading to a heavy duty greasable set with larger bolts and metal bushings and shocks. The plastic ones will be shot by the time you get to the turnaround point of your trip.

Bring at least 5 gallons of extra gas. And bear spray.

Most of all, have fun.

John Davies
Spokane WA USA

 

[Afsigma21]

For trailer protection, Im starting with this and working from there on some other ideas, I wont leave it bare.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0CYVP8VVP/ref=ox_sc_saved_title_6?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&th=1

Trailer bearings? Suspension? IDK, whatever the trailer came new with, we just bought it. I planned to have the dealer inspect and service the whole thing before the trip but I dont plan on swapping parts out just to swap.

Trailer TPMS, I have been looking at some bluetooth options that go on the valve stems. I have 2 trailer spares.

 

[Afsigma21]

Gas -
I will remap this, but I have my gas stops between Dawson Creek and Tok all mapped out, used Gemini AI to map out every stop outside the major fuel hubs to minimize the purchase of remote station 87. I will prob carry gas, but Im still looking in to that because of all the elevation changes, a regular plastic can is risky, and, I already have a huge "to buy" list so trying to map out every inch.

 

[John E Davies]

Rock Tamers are OK, make VERY sure that you adjust the sail angle so that they deflect debris downwards as per this video.

Adjust Rock Tamers angle

Be extremely careful on gravel roads or fresh chip seal, if they are too long they will touch the surface in a sudden dip and literally throw a rooster tail of rocks up onto your trailer. There is nothing you can do to prevent this except to slow way down. You can also attach two strips of rubber on TOP of the RT support bars that seal the bumper gap - that stops many of the wayward rocks from bouncing through those openings onto your tailgate and rear glass if you have a canopy, and it also helps to keep the flaps from rocking so much…. I have used Rock Tamers in the past, they are definitely better than stand alone truck flaps, but do not expect them to do much if you venture onto gravel roads.

Some sort of anti-rattle accessory helps to quiet and stabilize everything, there are many to choose from and to confuse you, this is an excellent choice.

John Davies
Spokane WA USA

 

[John E Davies]

A standard base leaf spring trailer suspension is pure garbage, hopefully you have either rubber torsion axles or the heavy duty greasable parts. It is wise to know what you have so that you do not have a dangerous situation arise far from any repair shop. Plastic bushings rattle like crazy and self destruct in as little as a few thousand miles.

John Davies
Spokane WA USA

 

[Satex]

I've ridden a motorcycle from Texas to Alaska. If you're planning to take the Dalton or the Dempster, then I think you're right on. If not, that trip is long but generally no different than any other highway trip in the US and Canada.

One tip. Have an air compressor and a tire plug kit. A GOOD spare for your truck and one for the trailer is necessary, but be prepared for more than one puncture, especially if taking the aforementioned routes.

 

[Afsigma21]

Im set on spares, I (will) have a Nexen Rodian ATX as my spare, its a different tire because the spares are 17inch but wheels are 18" (I was careful to match the diameters)

I have 2 trailer spares, worst case that gets me to Fairbanks unless there is some ridiculous unforeseen issue. I comfortable with one vehicle spare and 2 trailer spares to get me to Fairbanks or Anchorage. I can get replacements there if that becomes a need.

Im taking the Alcan and then possibly the Denali across (not towing) but skipping Dalton, too much risk for the reward on Dalton. A lot of extra costs to prep the truck for that run.

 

[Cjfordvt]

I think your truck will be fine. I have a VC 19TWD, I've towed it 22K miles. I started with a 21 Taco and now have a 24 XLT v6. The Ranger is night and day better than the Taco. But for the VC, I'm on my 3rd set of springs, many frame repairs and strengthening. Do you have a "good" spare or only the chinabomb that comes with the trailer?

Sounds like you are going to have an awesome trip.

 

[Afsigma21]

I have the spare that came with trailer and I also have an E rated Transeagle from another trailer thats new 2025 and should be fine

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