Bought a teardrop trailer

[h1k3rb]

Had mentioned in a thread about trading my Maverick for a Ranger that I was buying a teardrop camping trailer. Was going to update that thread but decided a new one in the towing section might be better. I picked up a SunRay Sport 109 teardrop trailer last week and towing it home about 20 miles was a breeze, getting 18 mpg on the way. I took a few days going over everything and setting it up for the first trip and set out the other day for a 2 night 'shakedown trip' (under 2 hours away) to get used to it and also to see what I forgot to take. Came up with a few things but the trailer is great and I'm looking forward to hitting the road for longer trips this year.

Loaded it weighs under 1500 lbs, has a heavy duty axle w/6" lift and off-road tires, furnace, AC, water heater, rear kitchen with fridge and microwave, couch inside that pulls out into a bed, roof rack rated at 500 lbs and a solar panel to help top off the battery. With the 2.3L and 10-speed I barely noticed it was there and towing it through hilly terrain I was happy to see an average 17 mpg.

A few pics

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[Evilrider]

Had mentioned in a thread about trading my Maverick for a Ranger that I was buying a teardrop camping trailer. Was going to update that thread but decided a new one in the towing section might be better. I picked up a SunRay Sport 109 teardrop trailer last week and towing it home about 20 miles was a breeze, getting 18 mpg on the way. I took a few days going over everything and setting it up for the first trip and set out the other day for a 2 night 'shakedown trip' (under 2 hours away) to get used to it and also to see what I forgot to take. Came up with a few things but the trailer is great and I'm looking forward to hitting the road for longer trips this year.

Loaded it weighs under 1500 lbs, has a heavy duty axle w/6" lift and off-road tires, furnace, AC, water heater, rear kitchen with fridge and microwave, couch inside that pulls out into a bed, roof rack rated at 500 lbs and a solar panel to help top off the battery. With the 2.3L and 10-speed I barely noticed it was there and towing it through hilly terrain I was happy to see an average 17 mpg.

A few pics

I was thinking about that.lookgood

 

[Dingus83]

Nice! I’m jealous of the mpg. I bought a Rög square drop in November and averaged 11 pulling it back from Michigan with my dad’s truck. Hopefully it does better locally.
10’ inside?

 

[John E Davies]

h1k3rb, that is a cool little trailer! Buy a trailer TPMS and remote monitor so you can watch for overheated bearings and air leaks. The tires are probably 50 psi (max) rated, I believe you have a 3500 pound axle. You should *NOT* keep them inflated rock hard, it will beat the crap out of the frame, cabin and your belongings. Weigh the trailer fully loaded with your stuff and water, and use a load/ tire pressure chart for your particular tire to determine how much air you should run. I bet 30 to 35 psi would be appropriate.

Does it have brakes?

What battery type did you install?

What is the payload?

Thanks!

John Davies
Spokane WA USA

 

[jmt8706]

Nice! I’m jealous of the mpg. I bought a Rög square drop in November and averaged 11 pulling it back from Michigan with my dad’s truck. Hopefully it does better locally.
10’ inside?

Looks like the 14RKB model.

 

[Dingus83]

Looks like the 14RKB model.

Close, 12RK. I did see the 14 at the rv show last weekend. Concept is cool but couldn’t imagine trying to drop the kids off at the pool in that tiny bathroom.

 

[pablo94sc]

Looks nice.

 

[TexasCajun]

Great setup and the 2.3 will be fun to tow with. My 2019 with a tune towing my camper in the mountains was a blast specially going up grade. The 2.3 low RPM torque has a sweet spot and pulls really well.

 

[h1k3rb]

Nice! I’m jealous of the mpg. I bought a Rög square drop in November and averaged 11 pulling it back from Michigan with my dad’s truck. Hopefully it does better locally.
10’ inside?

That's bigger and does look heavier but you should do better than 10mpg with your Ranger. Mine is 6' 2" inside so just barely long enough for me.

 

[h1k3rb]

h1k3rb, that is a cool little trailer! Buy a trailer TPMS and remote monitor so you can watch for overheated bearings and air leaks. The tires are probably 50 psi (max) rated, I believe you have a 3500 pound axle. You should *NOT* keep them inflated rock hard, it will beat the crap out of the frame, cabin and your belongings. Weigh the trailer fully loaded with your stuff and water, and use a load/ tire pressure chart for your particular tire to determine how much air you should run. I bet 30 to 35 psi would be appropriate.

Does it have brakes?

What battery type did you install?

What is the payload?

Thanks!

John Davies
Spokane WA USA

Yes, 3500lb axle with electric brakes. Cargo capacity is listed as 2165 lbs. Recommended tire pressure is 65 psi. Hadn't thought of the rough ride back there but excellent point, I'll lower psi before the next trip. Frame looks heavy duty so should help minimize flex. Came with an Interstate lead/acid RV battery which should be good for awhile as long as I remember to top off the cells at least once a year, then may go AGM.

Specs: https://sunsettrailers.com/sunray-109/

 

[h1k3rb]

Great setup and the 2.3 will be fun to tow with. My 2019 with a tune towing my camper in the mountains was a blast specially going up grade. The 2.3 low RPM torque has a sweet spot and pulls really well.

Yes, was very happy towing it and cruised up hills easily. Shifting was smooth and on steeper pitches you could hear the turbo spooling up. Oil temp raised accordingly but nothing to be concerned about.

 

[capetomb]

I have a NuCamp T@G but havent had a chance to tow it with my Ranger yet. I’m looking forward to a test once the bulk of the snow and salt is gone. My teardrop doesn’t have brakes though, so I’m a little anxious how the squishy Ranger brakes will do. I’m looking into adding brakes to my camper—it’s easy enough, but would be close to $1k to do it. I’d b interested in hearing if others have been okay towing without trailer brakes. My T@G is only about 1100 lbs.

 

[h1k3rb]

I have a NuCamp T@G but havent had a chance to tow it with my Ranger yet. I’m looking forward to a test once the bulk of the snow and salt is gone. My teardrop doesn’t have brakes though, so I’m a little anxious how the squishy Ranger brakes will do. I’m looking into adding brakes to my camper—it’s easy enough, but would be close to $1k to do it. I’d b interested in hearing if others have been okay towing without trailer brakes. My T@G is only about 1100 lbs.

Those T@Gs are nice and yours will probably outlast my Sunray. The RV dealer didn't have the right brake controller for the Ranger (they only carry Tekonsha). Trailer brakes aren't required in SC below 3000 lbs but since the trailer has the upgraded axle with brakes I plan to install the Redarc Liberty unit that fits the Ranger myself. I've towed heavier trailers without brakes with other vehicles which all stopped fine and the Sunray (at about 1500lbs loaded) was no problem at all. I don't see you having a problem, even loaded up with gear, food, etc.

 

[Blue Wolf]

Nice setup, looks like it will handle back-county areas with ease. I tow a 17-ft Casita with the 2.3 XLT 4x4 2024. Just replaced my AGM with a LiFePO4; over twice the useable power and half the weight. Good match with your solar panels when you boondock.

 

[h1k3rb]

Have looked at those LiFePO4's and wondered about charging when the temp is below freezing. I'm guessing it will use some energy to keep itself warm enough the safely charge? which would definitely be a better option than AGM.

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