Can I tow a 5000 Lb trailer

[joordan]

I tow 7700lbs with my v6 diesel like a breeze.
No active brake on this side of the ocean, it’s trailer inertial brake only.

if you are new to towing, do as others suggested, go on a CAT scale and do your proper measurements; rebalance load if needed, and then you are good to go. Ranger won’t have any issue.

raptor has limitation in towing due to the Fox suspension. Heavy towing happens only with leaf springs

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[RanDan]

I did notice that MhBell said his frontal area calculated to be 60 sq ft. which is slightly higher than Fords maximum of 55 sq ft. Any comments based on experience on what trailer frontal area is too large for the Ranger.

 

[ryanO]

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?

You'll be fine. Try to get that tongue weight closer to 10%. 15% is MAX I'd want on any truck.
Just use an adjustable hitch so that you can get the trailer level once its hooked up and go have fun! That 2.7L will pull 5K lbs anywhere up and mountain with little sweat. With the brake controller you'll have no issue stopping too.

 

[SLJ]

I did notice that MhBell said his frontal area calculated to be 60 sq ft. which is slightly higher than Fords maximum of 55 sq ft. Any comments based on experience on what trailer frontal area is too large for the Ranger.

Per the tow guide exceeding it "will decrease performance", pretty much worse MPG.

 

[Litt]

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

As far as mirrors go I purchased mine on e-trailer for about $129, they go on and come off easily and come with a carry bag. I’ve driven over 150 miles with them so far with zero issue.

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

 

[Satex]

... Try to get that tongue weight closer to 10%. 15% is MAX I'd want on any truck.

Why? Assume a trailer is 3000 pounds gross. Now assume it's designed to have a tongue weight of up to 550 pounds. That's more than 18%, but the weight is still well within the Ranger's capacity.

 

[ryanO]

Why? Assume a trailer is 3000 pounds gross. Now assume it's designed to have a tongue weight of up to 550 pounds. That's more than 18%, but the weight is still well within the Ranger's capacity.

Its more about the fact that in the real world 10%-12% tongue weight is when the trailer tows best. 15% is the max I've ever had and felt OK with. Under 10% the trailer sways easily and over 15% the tow vehicle can start to get squirrely.
I'd never be comfortable at 18% tongue weight.

 

[Satex]

Its more about the fact that in the real world 10%-12% tongue weight is when the trailer tows best. 15% is the max I've ever had and felt OK with. Under 10% the trailer sways easily and over 15% the tow vehicle can start to get squirrely.
I'd never be comfortable at 18% tongue weight.

I'm comfortable following manufacturer recommendations. To each his own.

 

[ryanO]

I'm comfortable following manufacturer recommendations. To each his own.

"Up to" 550 lbs doesn't mean one should necessarily have 550 lbs. 10%-12% tongue weight is industry standard.

 

[Satex]

"Up to" 550 lbs doesn't mean one should necessarily have 550 lbs. 10%-12% tongue weight is industry standard.

My camper is more that 16% when unloaded. That's 450 pounds. Fully loaded, the tongue weight can be 18%.

My camper is made by NuCamp. They're a medium sized manufacturer known for high quality.

Recommending weight distribution hitches and 12% tongue weight in all cases is like recommending the same oil in every engine, regardless of what the manufacturer recommends.

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