Problems with trailer mileage tracking

[RHIPDX]

Hi, I have the advanced towing package. One of the apparent features is that it will track the mileage accumulated by my trailer. However, I'm finding this is quite erratic. The first time it just stopped at 100 miles (about 125 miles short). I manually corrected it and the next time it was pretty close but about 4 miles short. I would have thought this is a pretty simple thing to get right. Anyone else seeing this, or is it working correctly for others? The attached photo is from the trailer setup page.

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[superj]

I cannot help, I have the regular tow package but it's very odd it stops tracking the miles suddenly

 

[Varraram [SCAMMER]]

Hi, I have the advanced towing package. One of the apparent features is that it will track the mileage accumulated by my trailer. However, I'm finding this is quite erratic. The first time it just stopped at 100 miles (about 125 miles short). I manually corrected it and the next time it was pretty close but about 4 miles short. I would have thought this is a pretty simple thing to get right. Anyone else seeing this, or is it working correctly for others? The attached photo is from the trailer setup page.

The Ranger's trailer mileage tracker relies on continuous 7-pin plug connectivity. When the connection drops—even briefly—the tracker stops. Road bumps, tight turns, or dirty plugs cause signal drops. This explains your erratic and short mileage totals.

 

[Valydathor]

The Ranger's trailer mileage tracker relies on continuous 7-pin plug connectivity. When the connection drops—even briefly—the tracker stops. Road bumps, tight turns, or dirty plugs cause signal drops. This explains your erratic and short mileage totals.

Very correct.

 

[David Wagner]

I have noticed similar issue on mine, I was missing about 25% of my tow miles so I added them back in. (2025 Lariat 2.7 with advanced tow). I have not been able to narrow it down to any specific cause. Leaving in two weeks for a 2,500 mile 2 week trip with camping trailer so will be checking daily and seeing what I can figure out. Will make triple sure the 7 pin connector is tight, but all is new and seems real solid so am doubtful of a connector issue.
I was thinking it might have dropped a bunch of miles during the last OverAirUpdate about 2 months ago, or other possibility was I did tow my connected trailer in Normal Mode vice Tow/Haul once inadvertantly so maybe the miles are not logged unless also in Tow/Haul mode. Seems to somehow be counting something because the remaining oil life miles drop twice as fast while in tow/haul mode. Also, I get 15.2 mpg with 4,600 Lb (dry wt) camper. Regards...

 

[RHIPDX]

The Ranger's trailer mileage tracker relies on continuous 7-pin plug connectivity. When the connection drops—even briefly—the tracker stops. Road bumps, tight turns, or dirty plugs cause signal drops. This explains your erratic and short mileage totals.

I guessed at the same cause. Planning to check the harness and plug for dirty connections/loose wires.
Thanks

 

[RHIPDX]

I have noticed similar issue on mine, I was missing about 25% of my tow miles so I added them back in. (2025 Lariat 2.7 with advanced tow). I have not been able to narrow it down to any specific cause. Leaving in two weeks for a 2,500 mile 2 week trip with camping trailer so will be checking daily and seeing what I can figure out. Will make triple sure the 7 pin connector is tight, but all is new and seems real solid so am doubtful of a connector issue.
I was thinking it might have dropped a bunch of miles during the last OverAirUpdate about 2 months ago, or other possibility was I did tow my connected trailer in Normal Mode vice Tow/Haul once inadvertantly so maybe the miles are not logged unless also in Tow/Haul mode. Seems to somehow be counting something because the remaining oil life miles drop twice as fast while in tow/haul mode. Also, I get 15.2 mpg with 4,600 Lb (dry wt) camper. Regards...

I think I've been using normal mode the whole time (~4500 lb trailer loaded). Tows well, but I would expect the mileage tracking to be all or nothing. I'm leaning towards the 7 pin connector either being loose/dirty. Stay tuned.

 

[David Wagner]

Hi again, I am firm believer in using tow/haul when my trailer is hooked up (23 foot two axle Airstream, 4600 lbs dry and probably 5600 loaded). I have tried various modes and while I cannot specifically "prove" it, I am firmly convinced I get my best mpg in tow/haul mode and using premium gas.
I tow right at 60 mph, east coast USA so basically flat as a pancake (Maryland to Florida on I-95). Towing in normal mode at 60 mph will be 1600 rpm in 10th gear and in tow/haul it will be 2000 rpm in 8th. But, my senses say I have a spec more throttle on when "lugging" slightly in normal mode at 1600 rpm in 10th compared to "cruising" at 2000 rpm in 8th.
According to the dashboard computer, towing in normal mode gets 13.7 mpg and tow/haul mode I get 15.2 mpg. Again, this is just my approach, and certainly "your mileage may vary"...
I have also read quite a bit about the Eco-boost engine, and although they will run just fine on 87 octane, there are a number of articles (not just in Rangers but Ford Eco-boost in general) that go into how the Eco-boost computer will start to slightly retard engine timing based on engine temperature under load, and that 91 octane gas will run cooler and therefore engine timing will be optimized for better power and therefore better mpg, they say up to 10% better mpg, and somehow or other I see a difference in my mpg.
Again, I'm not saying this is gospel, but it works for me so in two weeks when I head from Maryland down to Pensacola Fl, it will be in tow/haul and I will pay the extra 40 cents/gal for premium, and if I continue to get 15.2 mpg vice 13.7 it is about a wash for fuel cost.
I am specifically going to try a short run in normal mode to see if the tow mileage updates or not to see if that makes and difference.
Best regards...

 

[RHIPDX]

Thanks for the insights. Will definitely select the tow haul more routinely. Agree on the gas though. Premium definitely gets better power and MPG for towing

 

[el_sabio]

Thanks for the insights. Will definitely select the tow haul more routinely. Agree on the gas though. Premium definitely gets better power and MPG for towing

The manual specifies to use premium fuel when towing. And I also get good fuel economy using tow mode. 16MPG, tow mode, 93 octane, 2400# camper.

 

[Cabose-1]

I have the same problem with mine. Sometimes works 100%, other times i have to correct mileage. I can only assume its some type of issue where the software or hardware or something just has a glitch not big enough for us to see and stops? Thats with a 4 pin connector. Usually no problems with a 7 pin. Usually. I have not found a rhyme or reason.

 

[stemplar]

This is an interesting thread to me because I read the relevant towing section of the manual a few times, and mention of trailer mileage tracking is light and brief, and I thought that it tracked vehicle fuel mileage while in tow mode (or even more specifically it might track fuel mileage with a given trailer attached), and adjusts DTE (distance to empty) accordingly. It didn't occur to me that it was tracking trailer miles rather than mileage with trailer attached. I've towed a fair amount but only have one trailer configured and haven't spent any time looking at any data it might have gathered.

 

[John E Davies]

For any trailer that gets used often (or for long trips, like a travel trailer) you really should keep a TRAILER travel log/ maintenance log. Update it after every trip, or each day if you disconnect it at a campsite, and keep track of total trailer miles this way. It also lets you know when a bearing or brake service is due. I don’t think that relying on your truck to keep track of this is at all prudent.

A very simple spread sheet is OK, or you can find a fancier premade one with pretty graphics online.

John Davies
Spokane WA USA

 

[RHIPDX]

thats what I've been doing. Was hoping the tracker would help, but seems not

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