Useful Towing aids

[Wayfaring Ranger]

Looking for some advice from people who tow campers, travel trailers or toy haulers

We are taking ownership of a 19' single axle TT sometime in May. We will be driving long distances (13+ hours depending on the trip) and as someone who has never towed before, i'm a bit nervous about everything that can go wrong. Things like having GPS navigate me to a road that isn't towing friendly, finding gas stations with adequate room, bearing/tire failures, etc.

For those of you who are experienced with this, what in-cab aids are you using to help avoid these pitfalls and other issues? Any specific apps or monitoring devices that integrate well with the ranger's dash? I saw that the f150 has a kit that can integrate trailer TPMS into the ford system, but I don't see anything like that for our truck.

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[stemplar]

I’ll let others chime in on things like weight distribution hitches, rear view cameras, tpms monitors, etc., but I will add that I’m in the habit of carrying an IR temp gun and whenever I stop for a break I take the temp of each wheel hub and brakes.

 

[joordan]

Looking for some advice from people who tow campers, travel trailers or toy haulers

We are taking ownership of a 19' single axle TT sometime in May. We will be driving long distances (13+ hours depending on the trip) and as someone who has never towed before, i'm a bit nervous about everything that can go wrong. Things like having GPS navigate me to a road that isn't towing friendly, finding gas stations with adequate room, bearing/tire failures, etc.

For those of you who are experienced with this, what in-cab aids are you using to help avoid these pitfalls and other issues? Any specific apps or monitoring devices that integrate well with the ranger's dash? I saw that the f150 has a kit that can integrate trailer TPMS into the ford system, but I don't see anything like that for our truck.

Nothing to be concerned about..just link your trailer and drive. Roads not trailer friendly are surely an issue , that you can avoid only with good planning.
Few weeks back I got a sync4 update that added trailer-friendly navigation aid, did not test yet but that may help too.

spare tire..if you do not have on your trailer, sealant and compressor will work in most case. But depends where you are gonna drive..if off-road, then better to have a spare. If you tow big trailer with 4 wheels, you’ll reach a tire shop even with a flat. Worst case you can always detach and park the trailer and help yourself with the truck

 

[Trimjb]

One other very important factor not mentioned above is weight distribution within the trailer itself. Heavy weight aft of the axle will cause fishtailing and the trail wagging the dog effect which can lead to loss of control and rollovers.
Too much weight forward of the axle can overloading the tongue weight is possible.
Do not overload the trailer. Less is better. Account for water weight. Both fresh and sanitary holding tank contents weight.
Weight can add up quickly.
Go on line and look for trailer towing you tubes on trailer towing. There are also some good paperbacks on trailer do's and dont's as well as maintenance.
Learn how to back a trailer.
Heed areas with high wind warnings for high profile vehicles.
You will be white knuckle and nervous at first but will overcome it once you get past the learning curve.

 

[John E Davies]

Rent a U-Haul trailer smaller than your planned travel trailer, BEFORE buying yours. The U-Haul guy will make that your ball mount is the right one, (most common is a 2” ball and a slight drop mount for a 2” square receiver), and make sure the trailer is connected right. Drive all over the place for at least a weekend, be sure to practice backing and maneuvering in constricted places like parking lots. Buy the extra insurance, that way you won’t fret about damage to the trailer.

A decent aftermarket TPMS is a great idea. Be sure to adjust the trailer tire pressures, they will probably be rock hard, they need to be set for the actual weight they carry, not the maximum number on the sidewalls. I like this brand TPMS, buy a set of four transmitters, three for the trailer and its spare tire, and an extra for your spares kit.

https://www.tiretraker.com/

Does your truck have the Tow Package?

What is the dry weight of the trailer?

If you don’t already have a stand alone gps, BUY ONE. Eventually you will need to navigate when there is no cell signal. The Garmin 7” unit works very well on a Ranger dash, above the center display. You don’t need to go larger.

Garmin RV 795

John Davies
Spokane WA USA

 

[Wayfaring Ranger]

I’ll let others chime in on things like weight distribution hitches, rear view cameras, tpms monitors, etc., but I will add that I’m in the habit of carrying an IR temp gun and whenever I stop for a break I take the temp of each wheel hub and brakes.

An IR gun is actually on a list of things I plan on buying for this exact reason. I wish there was a better way to monitor the temp as I'm driving without spending a ton of money on it.

One other very important factor not mentioned above is weight distribution within the trailer itself. Heavy weight aft of the axle will cause fishtailing and the trail wagging the dog effect which can lead to loss of control and rollovers.
Too much weight forward of the axle can overloading the tongue weight is possible.
Do not overload the trailer. Less is better. Account for water weight. Both fresh and sanitary holding tank contents weight.
Weight can add up quickly.
Go on line and look for trailer towing you tubes on trailer towing. There are also some good paperbacks on trailer do's and dont's as well as maintenance.
Learn how to back a trailer.
Heed areas with high wind warnings for high profile vehicles.
You will be white knuckle and nervous at first but will overcome it once you get past the learning curve.

The trailer is only ~2.9k dry weight and ~3.5k with water and propane so with our trucks being 7500lb cap I shouldn't be anywhere near the limit. It is something I planned to keep in mind and eventually hit up a CAT scale and get exact numbers with all the other gear packed in the bed of the truck and make sure i'm not over the GVWR.

Rent a U-Haul trailer smaller than your planned travel trailer, BEFORE buying yours. The U-Haul guy will make that your ball mount is the right one, (most common is a 2” ball and a slight drop mount for a 2” square receiver), and make sure the trailer is connected right. Drive all over the place for at least a weekend, be sure to practice backing and maneuvering in constricted places like parking lots. Buy the extra insurance, that way you won’t fret about damage to the trailer.

A decent aftermarket TPMS is a great idea. Be sure to adjust the trailer tire pressures, they will probably be rock hard, they need to be set for the actual weight they carry, not the maximum number on the sidewalls. I like this brand TPMS, buy a set of four transmitters, three for the trailer and its spare tire, and an extra for your spares kit.

https://www.tiretraker.com/

Does your truck have the Tow Package?

What is the dry weight of the trailer?

If you don’t already have a stand alone gps, BUY ONE. Eventually you will need to navigate when there is no cell signal. The Garmin 7” unit works very well on a Ranger dash, above the center display. You don’t need to go larger.

Garmin RV 795

The dealership we bought from actually requires us to have a WDH/sway to take possession and they will install it all for me for free, so that is covered. At first i was looking at the Anderson, but i think I'm going to end up going with the Equalizer 600. It is probably slightly overkill (compared to a 2-point like the fastway e2) but i'd rather be safe than sorry for the distances we will be driving.

Yes I have all the tow packages on the ranger as this was a big reason we even wanted the truck. I was hoping Ford offered a solution that we could monitor trailer TPMS through the factory unit, but that only seems possible with the F150 at this time.

Dry weight is 2.9k, loaded is about 3.5k so well under the trucks limit with plenty of breathing room. The trailer is a 2025 T@B 400.

Do you have both the Garmin and TPMS systems mounted in your truck? I am interested to see how you have it all displayed without blocking the road too badly.

 

[John E Davies]

The TireTrakker will monitor tire temperature, sort of, a low tire or bad bearing or dragging brake will heat up the air enough to be visible on the display, which should fit OK in the lower left corner of the windshield

I don’t tow with this truck, the gps is positioned front and center over the dash with an aftermarket heavy duty 1” ball suction cup mount, a 6” extension plus a matching 1” ball to Garmin ball adapter for the gps mount itself. The unit rests solidly on the dash mat and does not move at all. With the driver’s seat up high I can see right over it. A shorter driver or a low seat will give some blockage.

I just took these pics, we are an hour north of Moab, yippee! I am not driving!

EDIT:, the driver does not see any of the mount parts, at all, just the display.

John Davies
Spokane WA 99208

 

[John E Davies]

At first i was looking at the Anderson, but i think I'm going to end up going with the Equalizer 600. It is probably slightly overkill (compared to a 2-point like the fastway e2) but i'd rather be safe than sorry for the distances we will be driving.

Your Ranger has a very limited cargo capacity compared to a full sized truck, the Equalizer 600 is over 100 pounds, the Andersen is the same price and a better product IMHO and only weighs 52 pounds. and it looks elegant! Heavier does not equate to safer! That weight saving will be really useful for long trips. I used an Andersen extensively with a 6000 pound Oliver over a seven year period and it was superb.

It will work great with your 3500 pound T@b and will be MUCH easier to hook up and store. For example, the support plate (AKA whale tail) can be easily disconnected by opening and then raising the coupler using the jack, to provide some slack, removing the connecting pin, and then moving it under the tongue. You do NOT need to loosen the two big adjuster nuts! Support it and the two chains off the ground with a short bungee cord looped over the tongue (and when towing, the same cord will hold your safety chains up and off the pavement…) Drive the truck forward two feet, then adjust the tongue to your desired level position. See the instructions, they are informative.
https://download2297.mediafire.com/...WD+Hitch+installation+manual+2022-Low+Res.pdf

I don’t know where the other hitch is made, probably China, but the Andersen is designed, manufactured and very well supported in Idaho Falls, ID.

Check for Andersen sales online vs your dealer, most RV STEALERS … err dealers, charge way too much for accessories, over MSRP sometimes…. You would need to make sure that they would still install and adjust it it at no charge (if they are not making an extra $200 off the hitch sale.) Camping World sells them for $749 plus free shipping, but you can get 10% off by signing up for their emails….

John Davies
Spokane WA USA

 

[Wayfaring Ranger]

Your Ranger has a very limited cargo capacity compared to a full sized truck, the Equalizer 600 is over 100 pounds, the Andersen is the same price and a better product IMHO and only weighs 52 pounds. and it looks elegant! Heavier does not equate to safer! That weight saving will be really useful for long trips. I used an Andersen extensively with a 6000 pound Oliver over a seven year period and it was superb.

It will work great with your 3500 pound T@b and will be MUCH easier to hook up and store. For example, the support plate (AKA whale tail) can be easily disconnected by opening and then raising the coupler using the jack, to provide some slack, removing the connecting pin, and then moving it under the tongue. You do NOT need to loosen the two big adjuster nuts! Support it and the two chains off the ground with a short bungee cord looped over the tongue (and when towing, the same cord will hold your safety chains up and off the pavement…) Drive the truck forward two feet, then adjust the tongue to your desired level position. See the instructions, they are informative.
https://download2297.mediafire.com/...WD+Hitch+installation+manual+2022-Low+Res.pdf

I don’t know where the other hitch is made, probably China, but the Andersen is designed, manufactured and very well supported in Idaho Falls, ID.

Check for Andersen sales online vs your dealer, most RV STEALERS … err dealers, charge way too much for accessories, over MSRP sometimes…. You would need to make sure that they would still install and adjust it it at no charge (if they are not making an extra $200 off the hitch sale.) Camping World sells them for $749 plus free shipping, but you can get 10% off by signing up for their emails….

Thanks for this. I have heard a lot of good things about the Anderson, I just wasn't sure how good it was at WDH. I know it seems to handle sway very well. If you used it with that Oliver trailer, I assume it should work pretty well for us. I will probably end up going with it instead. I did have concerns about how heavy that EQ-600 was on added tongue weight. I know it would still be within our bounds, but it is a bulky thing and would cut into added cargo space quite a bit, especially given I want to eventually mount some bikes on the hitch while we tow.

And yes, already noticed the dealership prices. The EQ-600 that they recommend and install by default (unless you bring something else) is "marked down 10%" but they still charge $980 for it..on amazon it's about $750. They did say that anything I bring they install complimentary other than " Hensley brand" because it takes multiple hours to install compared to any other normal hitch.

Side note, we seriously looked into the Oliver Legacy Elite but it was just a bit too big for our truck (and slightly out of our price range). We were also really close to buying an Escape 19 but I didn't like that they really only sell them out of Canada with no real dealerships that service them for warranty issues. Regardless, a fiberglass egg is next on our list when we finally upgrade but the T@B 400 seemed like a great starting point. I have talked to a handful of owners and everyone only had great things to say.

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