Ford Ranger Towing a 25 Foot Travel Trailer

[IBTripping]

If I was you, I'd look for a bit smaller and lighter travel trailer. I have a 21 foot Coleman 17R which is a single axle. What I like about it is the unloaded weight is only3,013 lbs., but has a cargo weight capacity of 1,337 lbs. making the total weight only 4,400 lbs. So, it's very light and has a lot of room.

There are other lightweight trailers such as the R-Pod RP-180 which is 20 feet with 1,811 cargo capacity for a total weight of 4,785 total weight. Just some examples of alternatives that might be an easier tow for your Ford Ranger.

 

[SargeW]

While an even smaller trailer is an option, I caution against going too small. When I down sized from my 40' diesel pusher due to a lot of life changes, we purchased a 26' Keystone Passport TT. The trailer was described as a "couples trailer". While it did work, it didn't take long for us to realize that we down sized to far, and we really needed more space for the kind of travel we still wanted to do. The Keystone literally had 2 seats, unless you went into the bedroom and sat on the bed. No one could stop by and visit unless we sat outside, which isn't always possible.

Then with sheer luck we happened on our current fiver which was being sold at a close out price. The moral of the story is too discuss in realistic terms with the spouse before making the decision. Discuss how and where you plan to use the RV, and what you want it to do.

The smaller the rig, the less features you are likely to have, for instance you may wind up with a wet bath instead of a dry bath, less storage, and less room to spread out and relax.

Just a few tips to offer and maybe learn from my mistake. Good luck on whatever you decide.

 

[MagnoliaRetiredGuy]

So I pulled the trigger and upgraded my tow vehicle to a 2024 4x4 F-150 XLT with the tow/haul package, 3.55 rear axle, 3.5 L V6 Ecoboost, integrated trailer brake, pro trailer assist, etc.. I'm not too worried about towing this size trailer anymore. I appreciate everyone's comments and advice!

 

[SargeW]

Great choice! It will make the RV experience so much better.

 

[CharlesinGA]

The integrated trailer brake controller will give you problems. There is a guy on the Escape forum that keeps up with software updates and problems on his F150 and basically the trailer brake controller gives more trouble than almost anything else. I say this just so you are not surprised when problems crop up.

There was an official NHTSA recall related to the integrated brake controller that gives it a over the air update to fix issues with it. Recall 26C10. THIS THREAD in the Escape forum discusses this (Escape forum is a RVLife forum and uses the same sign in as does this forum, you will probably need to manually enter the user name/password the first time however.

 

[Ex-Calif]

Honestly I think you are gonna be near the limit of comfort but a 7500# rating is the rating.

I think you have look real close at tongue weight and truck payload.

I just bought a 25 footer that grosses at 7500. I am towing with a Ram 1500 comfortably.

Another shocker might be mileage. At 65mph I am getting 11mpg @ 2200rpm.

 

[MagnoliaRetiredGuy]

Found a unit that we like (Ibex 20 MK. It has 2 AC units and 50 Amp service. Is there really a great advantage to a 2nd AC? Any downsides to this?

 

[Larry N.]

Is there really a great advantage to a 2nd AC? Any downsides to this?

Depends on the size of a rig, but obviously it can keep you cooler in hot weather than a single A/C can do, and RVs are not exactly well insulated. The biggest downside, IMO, is that it takes more juice to run two of them, and there'd be a tad more maintenance with two, little though it usually is.

You might also note that most of the really big motorhomes (45 ft, especially) have three A/Cs, and really need them.

 

[MagnoliaRetiredGuy]

Depends on the size of a rig, but obviously it can keep you cooler in hot weather than a single A/C can do, and RVs are not exactly well insulated. The biggest downside, IMO, is that it takes more juice to run two of them, and there'd be a tad more maintenance with two, little though it usually is.

You might also note that most of the really big motorhomes (45 ft, especially) have three A/Cs, and really need them.

It's a 25 ft. trailer.

 

[Firstime RVer]

We have a 20 ft TT, towed by a Silverado, with 5.3 liter 8 cyl engine, 8 speed tranny with tow package. Trailer last weighed in at 6,600 lbs, fully loaded. While the combo works well for me, I'm convinced that its near the upper limit. No way would I try to pull anything longer or heavier with my rig.

As for 1 versus 2 AC's, our single 13,500 btu AC cooled the RV in 10 to 15 mins with outdoor temps in the mid 90's and minimal shade.

When boondocking our Onan cummins 4100i delivers all the power we need, with minimal load management (shut off the AC when using the microwave).
Last but not least, we have a sunscreen that we hang off of the awning, that not only gives us comfortable shade outdoors, but really helps minimize the load on the AC as well, especially in the late afternoon.

That's my story and I'm stickin to it.

Safe travels and all the best.

 

[Kirk]

There is a guy on the Escape forum that keeps up with software updates and problems on his F150 and basically the trailer brake controller gives more trouble than almost anything else.

As the just retired moderator of the Escapee forums, I'm wondering who you refer to? I don't recall the series if it was recent. My son has a 2023 F-350 and has never had a problem with his brake controller.

It has 2 AC units and 50 Amp service. Is there really a great advantage to a 2nd AC? Any downsides to this?

The advantages of 2 air conditioners is in that it has far better ability to cool but the amount depends not only on the RV size but also on the capacity of the air conditioners. Frequently the front one cools the living area and kitchen and is larger than the other which cools the bedroom. (Front bedroom models would be reversed.) The downside of it is that it requires more power to supply two units and when 50a is available that will not be an issue but if limited to a 30A power pedestal, then you may only be able to use one of them.

 

[CharlesinGA]

As the just retired moderator of the Escapee forums, I'm wondering who you refer to? I don't recall the series if it was recent. My son has a 2023 F-350 and has never had a problem with his brake controller.

Escape Trailers, a fiberglass trailer built in British Columbia. Escapeforum for these trailers is an RVLife Forum.

You might look at this link.

 

[Kirk]

Escapeforum for these trailers is an RVLife Forum.

Got it. I misunderstood what forum you were talking about and thought that you meant the Escapee's Forums. Sorry. No wonder that I missed it.

 

[skydivemark1]

I’m considering purchasing a small travel trailer in the ~25 ft range. My tow vehicle is a 2019 Ford Ranger with the factory tow package. I’ve never owned or towed a trailer before (other than a pop-up many years ago), and I’m starting to feel a bit nervous about actually towing one across the U.S. I’ve watched lots of videos, used calculators, and even asked AI and trailer salespeople, and many say my truck is adequate. I’d really love to hear from members with real towing experience — what it’s actually like day to day, and whether I might be biting off more than I can chew. Any honest advice or expectations would be really appreciated.

I'm looking at the NoBo 20.2 and the Rockwood Mini Lite 2524 FBT.

A sales person will tell you a moped is ok to pull it.

 

[Excalibur1]

A sales person will tell you a moped is ok to pull it.

Now that was funny.....