Can I tow a 5000 Lb trailer

[mhbell]

Can I tow a travel trailer loaded with a max weight of 5000 Lb with my 2024 Ranger xlt 2.7 engine 4wd. it has factory tow but no trailer brake controller which I'll have installed. Any one towing one this heavy. Any problems? have to pull one 1200 miles. what about mirrors? what do you use? any advice is appreciated.
Mel

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[daytoncarter]

Towing over 2,000lbs requires trailer brakes in most States besides the safety implications especially if towing in hills. Otherwise technically there's no issues getting moving.

 

[LLCCPA]

I tow a travel trailer with a loaded weight of around that much and don't have any problems. If it's windy you will feel it, and I wouldn't pull it through the mountains with my Ranger.

 

[John E Davies]

2024 Ranger Towing Guide

Have you ever towed before? You sound like a newbie…. if so watch a few towing How To videos on Youtube.

What are you basing your 5000 pound figure on? Published data? Because that is usually garbage, that doesn’t include any factory or dealer added options. You need to use a truck scale to be sure.

Has your truck had the recent trailer towing recall 26C10 done? It is critical and I would definitely NOT try towing before you get that done!

John Davies
Spokane WA USA

 

[ADVNTURR]

Others have provided good feedback, but I will reinforce/add some notes:

• You absolutely need a trailer brake controller at that weight. If you don't have the factory one, something like the REDARC Tow-Pro would be a good option.
• With a travel trailer the frontal area could become a bit of an issue, especially if it is a tall trailer (Ford does list a frontal area limit for the Ranger).
• With a travel trailer, especially at that weight, the tongue load could become an issue. That type of trailer is notoriously tongue heavy, especially with propane tanks and other stuff. The Ranger may start to struggle if the tongue weight gets too high (it should only be ~10-15% of the total trailer weight)
• Depending on the length of the trailer, you may want to look into a weight distribution hitch, it could help with tongue load some also

For reference, I've towed my (open) race car trailer a couple of times now which comes in around 5000lb loaded with my '24 2.7L and it's handled it like a champ. The bulk of a travel trailer definitely will have an effect, and as others have mentioned you may get blown around a bit, but the weight definitely isn't an issue.

 

[Satex]

You've gotten good advice. I'll address just two additional specifics:
1. Mirrors. You will need add on towing mirrors if you RV is 8 ft wide. You probably need them if it's 7.5 ft wide. Many lightweight trailers are 7 ft wide. That's what mine is, and I don't need wider mirrors.

2. In addition to considering your trailer weight, consider your tongue weight. Commonly missed but critically important is your payload. It's easy to exceed your payload rating while still being way within your max towing capacity. Related to that is your GVWR, GCVWR, and weight ratings per axle. Do a bit of research ... it's detailed but not complicated. Before taking off on a long trip, load up as you plan to travel, go to a Cat Scale and verify that you're OK. If you're over the limit anywhere, you're overloaded, but often you can make adjustments if you're close.

 

[Satex]

Yes ... length. There's a formula, but I'll summarize. The current Ranger should tow a trailer no longer than 24 feet. That's 24 feet from coupler to the rear bumper.

 

[SLJ]

You shouldn't have any problems If you have a trailer brake controller installed. Max towing weight for the 24/25/26 Ranger WITH the factory tow package is 7,500 pounds and max weight on the tongue is 750 pounds. At least 10% of the total trailer weight loaded (including your gear, batteries, and propane) should be on the tongue. If 5,000 pounds is the total weight then your tongue weight should be at least 500 pounds. Any less than 10% can cause trailer sway. When hitched the trailer should be level or tilted slightly lower in the front.

 

[SLJ]

• With a travel trailer the frontal area could become a bit of an issue, especially if it is a tall trailer (Ford does list a frontal area limit for the Ranger).

Yes they do in the tow guide:

 

[superj]

i would think measuring hte hitch to the ground before trailer attach and after so you see how much its sunk could also give a good idea of loading hte trailer properly. you could judge by the way the trailer sits and how low the truck now sits to judge where to move weight to achieve a better tow.

well, maybe once you got a bit of tow time under your belt, that way would work to get a person started. having a scale to actually check tongue weight would be the best but not everyone has one (i don't).

 

[Satex]

... having a scale to actually check tongue weight would be the best but not everyone has one (i don't).

I use a Weigh Safe hitch, which has a built in scale. It isn't super precise, but tons better (pun intended) than guessing.

https://www.weigh-safe.com/ball-mou...TqMYBvMhOLhB6nhu3yovsuF2TEYo8XnAaAkV2EALw_wcB

 

[Dave8311]

Take the combo, (loaded as you intend to travel, water in tank, propane, clothes, dishes, etc.) to a CAT scale near you. The CAT scale has 3 pads, Steer axle, Drive axle and Trailer axle. Drop the trailer in the parking lot and weigh just the truck (Steer and Drive axles) with everything you intend to carry including passengers, gear, equipment, fuel in tank, etc. Next hook up to the trailer and weigh it again, (Steer, Drive and Trailer). Compare the 2 scale tickets and note how much more is now on the Drive axle (this will be your Tongue weight) and how much (more or less) is now on the Steer axle to determine if you need a weight distribution hitch. You also get your Trailer axle numbers to check and make sure the trailer tires are not overloaded. Use these numbers to make sure your not exceeding the tire ratings. The yellow sticker on the door jamb is not legal numbers, just Ford recommended numbers. Tire rating is what is legal. Cat has an app so you don't have to talk to the clerk or go into the building. You will get a PDF on your phone with the numbers on it. This is my opinion, do what you think is best for your situation.

 

[SLJ]

I have a shipping scale that I use under the hitch. I cut a 4x4 to the correct height so I can just set the tongue on it. https://amzn.to/3OAtbMt

 

[superj]

i ended up googling a hitch scale and they are not expensive at all. i imagine if one was going to be hauling regularly, one of those would be good investment

 

[mhbell]

Thanks everyone for the suggestions. Here is some more info. The trailer is a 20 ft forest river NOBO which sits pretty high empty weight is 4100 Lbs. I will only be adding at the most 500 lbs Calculated tongue weight is 15 X 4100 or 615 Lbs depending on loading of trailer. frontal area computes to be 60 sf I will have a Redarc Link brake controller. No WD hitch at this time. I pick the trailer up on Friday. my truck is a 2024 Ranger XLT 4x4 with the 2.7 engine. Comments anyone?

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