Towing 4500-5000# camper - my experience

[YukonRanger]

Please don't take this post as criticism, just offering friendly advice:

Looking at the photo you can see that setup is unbalanced, the squat is far too much.

1. Get a 1-2 inch lower drop hitch to level out the camper
2. Try to shift some weight in the camper behind rear axle
3. Don't shift too much, aim for 60% weight up front, 40% rear.
4. Always give it a little swerve at a lower speed to test after shifting weight
5. If it wants to sway, or the sway doesn't immediately correct, you went too far.

You will gain much better braking, traction, some fuel mileage plus ease pain on the transmission.

The truck should look level while hauling.

A safety tip is to try not to exceed 80% of your maximum tow capacity either. It can save your life.

You can also look at

1. Weight distribution hitch (looks like there might be one)
2. air bags
3. Timbren SES

Any of the above will improve the haul noticeably

Cheers from the north.

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[AugPal]

I have followed a couple of Trailer/RV forums in the past. I do remember a story about a person who got into an accident while towing and the insurance company refused cover the accident because the person had exceeded the maximum tow capacity of his car.

Just follow the 80/20 rule The 80/20 rule for towing is a safety guideline stating that your loaded trailer should not exceed 80% of your vehicle's maximum towing capacity. This reserves the remaining 20% as a safety margin for weight miscalculations, shifting cargo, steep inclines, and unpredictable weather conditions

 

[Afsigma21]

No offense.
You have to realize THAT picture was taken the moment we picked it up from the dealer. The squat is not as much as it appears, the truck is on a slight incline thats starts about where the hitch is so the picture is a little deceiving. This was with 0 anything in the camper, ALL our gear was in back of truck, we went 9 miles to a campground from there. Once we loaded everything and I adjusted the hitch a little its almost perfect.

The hitch I used was set up for my F150 (sold) and the receiver was lower, so yes, I have a new neck mount on order to drop that another 1-2" https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001EP0HVM/ref=ox_sc_saved_title_7?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&psc=1

Timbren SES is in the plan for the Alaska tow!

I was at about 9300 total weight of everything on our first real camping trip.
The Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR) for the 2024 Ford Ranger Lariat is 12,590 lbs when properly equipped with the Trailer Tow Package.

Rounding up generously for the Alaska Trip 10000 / 12590 is 79.4% and I am comfortable with that number. I will weigh myself on day 1 and if I am over 10k we will have to re-pack and leave some things behind.

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