Is my tow vehicle sufficient?

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Willarded

Member
Joined
Jan 26, 2022
Posts
10
Location
Arkansas
21’ Ford ranger:
Tow capacity 7500lbs
Wheel base 126.8

Trailer I desire:
UVW 6120lbs
Length 29’3”

Doing travel nursing for next couple of years (hence the extra large trailer), and this necessitates taking a 2nd car for the other responsibilities of the travel gig.

What this means is - and I know it sounds like a hassle - we will just be loading up the 2nd car with travel items and then transfer to camper when we get in location.

The desired trailer will remain at the listed UVW, will be under the TV rating and roughly around the 80% recommended weight mark for the TV capacity.

Plan on going all out with WD hitch and friction sway control…

Can this little ranger handle all the weight and length with the given accessories? Are there other accessories recommended, or is this just simply an entirely bad idea?

Thanks in advance for your help
 
entirely bad idea

Starters, what is your available payload. sticker in drivers door. Here is mine, 1760#. Let us have your number and we can better advise what you can do
 

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Do a search -- there is a lot of good information here on determining your answer. But the short answer, in my opinion, is that no, I would not begin to tow that size trailer with your ranger.
 
I’ll continue to look through this forum. It’s a bit overwhelming with over a million posts. Thank you for responding guys. I look forward to any more answers if you have them.
 
I only stated to do a search because the question is asked so often and the answer is a little complicated and there are so many good explanations here that have already been posted. :)
 
I only stated to do a search because the question is asked so often and the answer is a little complicated and there are so many good explanations here for that have already been posted. :)
As far as weight goes, my best understanding is that 80% of TV capacity should be the max, just for safety. Tongue weight max for ranger is 750, and the trailer is 612lbs. So I’m under all that. What am I not calculating? Not too sure what the other dude is getting at with payload, since it will only be me in the truck with nothing else..

I’ve read of WD and sway control and just assuming the use of those accessories will be a major help, and will mitigate a ton of risk, including driving slowly. What else do I need to consider?

The only other things I am unclear on is the wheelbase ratio thing and frontal area stuff…

The wheelbase ratio issue, I’ve read on this forum that it’s a bunch of bologna , I’ve also read it’s crucial - both with convincing cases, so idk what to think about that.

And frontal area? I’m at the same empasse as the wheelebase ratio deal, with people hauling way over area but no issues etc etc.

I’ve read a lot (or so I think), but can’t quite figure out some of the stuff out. Idk where else to read or search without getting similar info - decided to ask the experts on le forum.
 
1,860

I’d snap a photo for you but I’m out of state right now, truck is at home.
1860 impressive(y)
My apologies for coming across like a smarty pants above.
Realistically, Ford and others are masters of illusions. yes, you truck might be able to pull 7500#s. What is not written is, flatbed steel, no frontal wind or side winds on a big box in the wind. And as important, not a big enough horse to handle that TT cart as it gets tossed around by the winds. Not even close. My F150 could do as you ask, generally okay in the flat midwest, it would struggle with mountains. I pretty much feel over 25' is pushing it for a 1/2 ton, wouldn't know where to recommend for your smaller truck. I highly encourage you to also get on a Ranger Forum and get real towing experiences. Personally I feel a larger pop up trailer would be better suited. Good luck (y)
 
I hate to be the guy that says no but NO that 1860lbs is 100% fictional sorry


Even the ford states 1650 "when properly equiped" and i am sure you dont have that "properly equiped" model your payload with be several.hundred lbs less that 1650lbs
Please wait until you actually have YOUR truck decal before you do anything. A couple days wont make any difference.

You have slso states UVW 6120 nobody pulls an EMPTY trailer - you have food clothes pots pans water propane etc etc. And your basing it on 10% which us not safe no way would i pull a 29ft trailer behind a Ranger not a chance sorry
 
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Doing travel nursing for next couple of years (hence the extra large trailer), and this necessitates taking a 2nd car for the other responsibilities of the travel gig.

What this means is - and I know it sounds like a hassle - we will just be loading up the 2nd car with travel items and then transfer to camper when we get in location.
Personally I feel a larger pop up trailer would be better suited. Good luck (y)
If you are doing travel nursing, it sounds as if you’ll be living in the trailer. And you say “we” which means more than you.

So I don’t think a pop up would be suitable at all.

Where will you park the trailer? RV park? Also consider electric hook ups and dumping the grey and black tanks which means staying in an RV park, not a hospital parking lot.

And yes, I don’t think your Ford Ranger can handle an extra large (long?) trailer. The tail would be wagging the dog. A white knuckle ride for sure, even if you do go slowly.

Keep looking at what a truck can safely tow, and don’t believe salesmen. They’ll tell you anything can pull anything — like the salesman who told me my Winnebago could pull my horse trailer. Until I told him it was a gooseneck!

Have you considered a motorhome and towing the car?

Hang in there and keep asking questions!
 
I hate to be the guy that says no but NO that 1860lbs is 100% fictional sorry


Even the ford states 1650 "when properly equiped" and i am sure you dont have that "properly equiped" model
Please wait until you actually have YOUR truck decal before you do anything. A couple days wont make any difference.

You have slso states UVW 6120 nobody pulls an EMPTY trailer - you have food clothes pots pans water propane etc etc. And your basing it on 10% which us not safe no way would i pull a 29ft trailer behind a Ranger not a chance sorry
My apologies, I mixed up my supercrew with a supercab . My payload is 1770#, but that still means you’re talking like a tool.

As I stated in the post, we would be traveling with 2 vehicles due to other job duties, and therefore would load the 2nd car with the travel items. Which means you are reading like a tool as well.

Not appreciated, especially when a blonde is talking.

I’ll kindly take good recommendations from helpful people, but thanks for trying anyway.
 
If you are doing travel nursing, it sounds as if you’ll be living in the trailer. And you say “we” which means more than you.

So I don’t think a pop up would be suitable at all.

Where will you park the trailer? RV park? Also consider electric hook ups and dumping the grey and black tanks which means staying in an RV park, not a hospital parking lot.

And yes, I don’t think your Ford Ranger can handle an extra large (long?) trailer. The tail would be wagging the dog. A white knuckle ride for sure, even if you do go slowly.

Keep looking at what a truck can safely tow, and don’t believe salesmen. They’ll tell you anything can pull anything — like the salesman who told me my Winnebago could pull my horse trailer. Until I told him it was a gooseneck!

Have you considered a motorhome and towing the car?

Hang in there and keep asking questions!
Ya I’m definitely NOT talking to salesmen about this one. I know how Slimey they can behave, akin to steveblonde over here…

I understand the dog tail issue… but would like to know if a very good WDH and sway control (with low speeds of course) could keep a handle on that box in the wind? Over on the ranger forum, there are oodles of people saying it’ll be ok, but also some speaking on risk. You guys might know more of the risk size since you probably tow various loads, etc.

And not really considering the motor home as of now. And we’ve got parking locations all figured out so no worries on that end, thanks for looking out.
 
Speed, as you say ”with low speeds,” isn’t the issue. It’s the size / weight of the trailer in relation to what’s pulling it. A small truck just doesn’t have the oomph to handle a large trailer, sway control or not, especially in side winds. Struggling up the smallest of hills isn’t fun.

Watch some YouTube videos of holy cow moments.
 
If you like living on the edge you may be able to pull that trailer. But EVERYTHING will have to be set up perfectly and I would only pull it on mild weather days.
With that said it will be a white knuckle drive and you will have to be on your toes at all times.

But for the record I wouldn't do it. You are pushing the limit of your truck and will likely hate every time you have to move.
 
If you are doing travel nursing, it sounds as if you’ll be living in the trailer. And you say “we” which means more than you.

So I don’t think a pop up would be suitable at all.

Where will you park the trailer? RV park? Also consider electric hook ups and dumping the grey and black tanks which means staying in an RV park, not a hospital parking lot.

And yes, I don’t think your Ford Ranger can handle an extra large (long?) trailer. The tail would be wagging the dog. A white knuckle ride for sure, even if you do go slowly.

Keep looking at what a truck can safely tow, and don’t believe salesmen. They’ll tell you anything can pull anything — like the salesman who told me my Winnebago could pull my horse trailer. Until I told him it was a gooseneck!

Have you considered a motorhome and towing the car?

Hang in there and keep asking questions!
Where do you get "pop-up"? Ive never seen a 29ft popup!
My apologies, I mixed up my supercrew with a supercab . My payload is 1770#, but that still means you’re talking like a tool.

As I stated in the post, we would be traveling with 2 vehicles due to other job duties, and therefore would load the 2nd car with the travel items. Which means you are reading like a tool as well.

Not appreciated, especially when a blonde is talking.

I’ll kindly take good recommendations from helpful people, but thanks for trying anyway.
If your not prepared to hear the answer dont ask the question. YOUR PAYLOAD IS NOT 1770LBS most 1/2tons are in the 1400lbs range, your not even a 1/2 ton.
Your looking at published numbers based on " the perfect ideal setup," you dont have that unless you special ordered your little Ranger with no options. A 29ft trailer is 3/4,ton territory however there are some 1/2 tons that can. Even a 6120 lbs EMPTY trailer will have a loaded weight of more than 7120lbs (dishes pots pans clothes food water booze bedfong etc ) which will translate to 712 lbs MINIMUM but will be closer to 854lbs (12%) real number. On a real world number the payload on your little Ranger will be closer to 1200lbs . So minus 1200- 854 = 346 minus hitch and sway bars 75lbs leaves you less than 275lbs

How do i know this? Because ive been doing this for years

I drive a 2017 f350 they say it has a payload of

The newest models of the Ford F-350 series truck will have a maximum payload capacity of 7,630 lbs. This truck can haul nearly twice as in the bed as the F-250 and nearly four times as much as the F-150 model

My actual payload is 5167lbs thats 2463lbs LESS than what they say is possible payload capacity.


And im being nice, so please dont be a jerk
 
My brother calculated the numbers, against my advice he bought a 26 foot trailer to be towed with a V8 S10 PU.

He had the trailer delivered, hooked it up to the S10 and after driving around the block said, "This ain't gonna work the transmission makes a lot of noise as do the brakes."

YMMV - 95% of the folks posting are just trying to be helpful. They all understand the numbers you are posting. They are all advising against it and it's unusual for this gang to unanimously agree on anything.

I am not trying to be rude but you don't need the internet's affirmation to do this. I don't think you'll get it here either.

PS - My Step-mom's sister is a traveling nurse. She uses a Class C E350 class and save a lot of hassle. If you are bringing 2 vehicles anyway, sell the truck and buy a Class C.
 
As you can see, the RV crowd does take safety seriously, we've seen plenty of things done and some somehow live to tell about it. We seriously mean no disrespect, just don't know how else to say, your Ranger is not going to be up to the task you desire. Sorry to be so blunt, just trying to save you money and expenses that are coming should you proceed. Good luck, and be safe trailering and working the front line.
 
The desired trailer will remain at the listed UVW, will be under the TV rating and roughly around the 80% recommended weight mark for the TV capacity.
That UVW is obviously from a brochure or website spec table. It's a best case number for the least configuration and rarely will the actual UVW of the trailer you get. Typically the actual will be 100-150 lbs greater. And once you put some water in the pipes and some gear in the cupboards, the minimum road-travel weight will increase again. In other words, your travel weight will be almost surely be in the 6500 lb range, even if you are very cautious. Even if you unload a lot of gear and move it to the 2nd car you mentioned.

The 80% rule-of-thumb is designed to allow some capacity for people and goods in the tow vehicle. The tow capacity and payload decreases for every lb you add to the tow vehicle.
Plan on going all out with WD hitch and friction sway control…
That's not "all out" - that's "meets minimum requirements". And get a WD with built-in sway control, not the cheesy friction gadget that is seldom ever adjusted properly anyway.

My opinion is that the Ranger is marginal for a trailer that size. Others have showered you with reasons why. All judgement calls, of course, but you came here asking advice from experienced people, right? The wheels won't fall off if you try to tow it, and it probably handles ok in so-called "normal conditions". It may turn into a white-knuckled handful in windy weather, heavy traffic, etc. Murphy's Law applies too - you can bet that conditions will turn bad on the day when you are running behind schedule and absolutely need to get someplace that day.
 

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