Ranger 2.3L Towing 4000+ lb. Winnebago Trailer -- pic & impression

[Brito]

Be sure to weigh the axles and tongue when it is fully loaded with fluids and your personal stuff. It may appear to be satisfactory with a simple ball mount, but a good WD hitch like an Andersen will control that annoying jouncing on choppy highways, keeping your copilot happy, plus it will level out the truck and put extra weight on the steering tires (more stability)... Have you checked the trailer tire pressures yet? I bet they are grossly over inflated. Don’t pump them up to the max sidewall value, use those axle scale weights to adjust them correctly Add a good TPMS if it doesn’t already have one.

Remember that high elevations require you to “derate” the tow figures by 2% per 1000 feet, as per the Ranger Towing Guide and common sense.

Do you have any previous towing experience?

John Davies
Spokane WA USA

This guy tows.

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[Satex]

No WDH because I wanted to see how it towed without one. For what it is worth Winnebago stated it was not necessary on this trailer with the tow vehicle I proposed. When I bought my last trailer - an Rpod- dealer wanted me to buy a WDH - but I did not and never felt any need for one.............. so always a little leery of dealer "over sell" if you know what I mean ?

We have a NuCamp Tab400. The manufacturer recommends AGAINST a weight distributing hitch. They don't offer their reasoning, so the Tab400 "community" has filled that void with supposition.

It's a lightweight camper with a gross weight of about 3500 lbs. The tongue weight is heavy relative to the weight, which likely is part of the reason why a WDH isn't needed.

My point is that WDH's aren't always needed or even wanted. I have experience with lots of trailers and even more tow vehicles. When you need a WDH, you definitely need it, but make sure it is appropriate for the application.

 

[Wayfaring Ranger]

We have a NuCamp Tab400. The manufacturer recommends AGAINST a weight distributing hitch. They don't offer their reasoning, so the Tab400 "community" has filled that void with supposition.

It's a lightweight camper with a gross weight of about 3500 lbs. The tongue weight is heavy relative to the weight, which likely is part of the reason why a WDH isn't needed.

My point is that WDH's aren't always needed or even wanted. I have experience with lots of trailers and even more tow vehicles. When you need a WDH, you definitely need it, but make sure it is appropriate for the application.

What year is your 400 and how do you like it? We are seriously considering one this year, trying to choose between t@b 400, escape 19, intech sol, scamp/casita or an airstream bambi. We have two adults and 1-2 medium-large dogs depending on the trip.

I was all-in on the 400 for a few years but I have read some issues with quality since 2020 so it has me second guessing spending $30-40k when there are decent competitors.

Feel free to DM me if you don't want to derail this thread

 

[el_sabio]

I believe the manual says 5000# and up requires WD hitch. To get to the max tow rating it's required, under 5000# not required.

 

[Jamzm]

Just towed this home - three hour drive. No weight distribution hitch. Truck only dropped 2"

Was pretty impressed - the 2.3 did a better than expected job even climbing grades.

Did you use manual mode or automatic?

 

[The Lone Ranger]

Did you use manual mode or automatic?

I used the "tow mode" in auto - did not play around with manual - but that would be interesting to play around with on steep climbs.

 

[superj]

I looked in my manual and must have missed the thing about over 5k needing a wdh.

 

[scubajosh77]

What kinda MPG did you get? We had a 28’ Imagine I towed with an F250 with the 7.3 Godzilla. That thing pulled like a beast, but the MPG was around 9 at best. Curious how our little 2.3s do.

 

[dard6555]

The 2" drop in the rear raises the headlights up into the eyes of oncoming drivers. Do yourself a favor and get a WDH.

Lariats with LEDs have a switch on the right rear leaf spring that adjusts the headlights based on load in the back of the truck.

 

[LLCCPA]

What kinda MPG did you get? We had a 28’ Imagine I towed with an F250 with the 7.3 Godzilla. That thing pulled like a beast, but the MPG was around 9 at best. Curious how our little 2.3s do.

I get between 10-12 mpg towing my camper.

 

[Jamzm]

I used the "tow mode" in auto - did not play around with manual - but that would be interesting to play around with on steep climbs.

 

[Jamzm]

What all does the tow mode do? I used it while pulling a utility trailer last week. The only thing I noticed was what I think were angles of the truck steering and trailer displayed on the dash, (without researching it). While in manual, I had to watch the tach closely, because everything was so smoothe and quiet and the radio was on. Does this make sense? It's still early. Have a good day.

 

[Wayfaring Ranger]

What all does the tow mode do? I used it while pulling a utility trailer last week. The only thing I noticed was what I think were angles of the truck steering and trailer displayed on the dash, (without researching it). While in manual, I had to watch the tach closely, because everything was so smoothe and quiet and the radio was on. Does this make sense? It's still early. Have a good day.

I believe it locks out some upper gears and disables start/stop. Probably changes shift points, too.

 

[T-Rev]

It does change the shift points and provides engine braking.

 

[30coupe]

I believe it locks out some upper gears and disables start/stop. Probably changes shift points, too.

It won't lock out gears, but it will change shift points to the degree that it won't shift into the upper overdrive gears as easily. Depending on speed, it may not use them at all. It does disable start/stop and provides a degree of engine braking you won't get otherwise. Tapping the brake will result in downshift to increase the engine braking. I find, in my F150 at least, running in lower gears means less engine lugging, less dependence on boost, and better mpg. I run in tow/haul mode about 98% of the time. IMHO this should be the default mode.

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