Mirror Extensions & Blind Spot Monitoring & Towing

[ccbob1]

First post.....

I am going to be pulling a 22' pontoon behind my 2025 Ranger with the V6. The boat is 8.5' wide and the total length is 32.5'. The weight is 5,900 lbs.

I need help with the following questions.

1. Will I need mirror extenders? If so any recommendations that will not interfere with the cameras on the mirrors?

2. Will the Blind Spot monitoring work? I have it maxed out at 8' width 6" under the actual width and 32' in length another 6" shy. I tried 9' but it would not let me go 9' wide. Do you think the blind spot system will work with this setup?

3.Any estimate on MPG's?

Thanks for your help!

Bob (Northwest Arkansas)

Sponsored

 

[John E Davies]

I can’t help with your questions, but I have to ask, do you plan to use boat ramps? If so, you definitely need a bigger truck for those times the ramps are slick. 4wd is a must, but you also need a lot of weight on the rear axle. Have you actually weighed the boat and trailer with full tanks and your stuff on board?

You also need to consider if you have enough reserve capacity, for example, if a pontoon springs a weld and you have to get the boat out when it weighs an extra 2000 pounds. ;(

I recommend that you avoid highways and stay slow with that long a rig, you are a prime candidate for the tail wagging the dog…

Welcome to the Forum!

John Davies
Spokane WA USA

 

[JimG]

That’s a lot of boat for the truck. You know how the wind blows a pontoon around on the water. The wind will blow you around like that on land. Most of the pontoons have those crappy little tires. If one of the blows going 65 mph down the highway could be dangerous for you, you family, and the other drivers on the road. Something to think about anyway.

 

[ccbob1]

Thanks it's a new boat and trailer with tandem axles. I should be level with which and trailer. I have pulled a larger one a 100 miles on my old Honda Ridgeline. I could tell it was there but it pulled straight.... Got ride of the Honda because it's only rated to 5,000 lbs towing. Hopefully someone has a pontoon on this forum.

Thanks!
Bob

 

[josephp732]

First post.....

I am going to be pulling a 22' pontoon behind my 2025 Ranger with the V6. The boat is 8.5' wide and the total length is 32.5'. The weight is 5,900 lbs.

I need help with the following questions.

1. Will I need mirror extenders? If so any recommendations that will not interfere with the cameras on the mirrors?

2. Will the Blind Spot monitoring work? I have it maxed out at 8' width 6" under the actual width and 32' in length another 6" shy. I tried 9' but it would not let me go 9' wide. Do you think the blind spot system will work with this setup?

3.Any estimate on MPG's?

Thanks for your help!

Bob (Northwest Arkansas)

Congratulations on the new Ranger and a new boat!

For the mirrors Suma makes a wide angle glass replacement for the stock mirrors. I have these on my 5th Gen 4Runner and they work very well. Not, 100% a replacement for towing mirrors - but might be worth a try. I find they work for me when towing a 21" foot Boston Whaler Montauk that has wide bow and weighs ~5k lbs. I will say my Ranger w/ 2.7l V6 EB tows my boat very differently than my 4Runner.

At the ramp the 4Runner is much better at pulling the boat out of the water and easier to maneuver around. I attribute that to that fact it weighs ~600 lbs more and has ~20" shorter wheelbase. On the highway - no comparison the Ranger is much more stable and composed.

I will be buying the Suma mirrors for my Ranger soon. Here is the website to check them out: https://www.sumaperformance.com/col...23-ford-ranger-5th-gen?variant=46034080039148

 

[ccbob1]

Thanks! Do you have the trailering blind spot set up when towing? Can you trust it while towing?

 

[josephp732]

Thanks! Do you have the trailering blind spot set up when towing? Can you trust it while towing?

I do, I have towed FL to NJ. It's tool like anything else - you still need to be diligent and pay attention. I'd say it's about 70% effective.

 

[purdyd]

I haven’t towed anything, yet. But I do have the 360 camera and you can get a view from the rearward facing mirror cameras while driving.

that gives you a pretty good wide view back that I think would be good for towing.

 

[starczar]

I bought these mirrors from RealTruck website -
K Source Snap-On Custom Towing Mirrors
Towed my Lance 1985 and they worked great. Could see around the trailer fine. No interference with blind spot sensors as they have cutouts for those. Check them out, I think they are the best solution I've seen for towing with my 2025 Ranger. Good Luck.

 

[CAR HAULER]

Hi, New to site. I just traded in my 2020 xlt ranger 4x4 with tow package (added brake controller) and installed the clerview extendable tow mirrors for a 2025 xlt ranger 4x4 with tow package. I have towed my Mustang all across the United States and my 8' pontoon boat to and from the river. Highly recomend the tow mirrors and brake controller. Zero issues with tow power and vison with mirrors. I haven't been able to find extenable mirrors for the 2025 yet, and haven't checked out the brake controler connections yet. The 2025 has ambient air sensor built into the factory mirrors and the plug in connectors are different from the 2020.I was hoping to use the 2020 stuff on the 2025 but no. Any suggestions on where to find tow mirrows for the 2025 that is correct, plug and play?

Sponsored