Towing a travel trailer with a 2011 ranger

[JRCoffelt]

I am looking to get a casita trailer and I am wodering if the ranger can handle the trailer the dry weight of the trailer is about 2500 pounds

 

[Brain75]

Not knowing if you have a reg cab, super cab, 2wd, 4x4, etc I am not going to take wild guesses... check out page 142-145 of the owner's manual, it has the charts with all the ratings.

https://www.therangerstation.com/resources/manuals/2011_ford_ranger_owners_manual.pdf

 

[JRCoffelt]

Not knowing if you have a reg cab, super cab, 2wd, 4x4, etc I am not going to take wild guesses... check out page 142-145 of the owner's manual, it has the charts with all the ratings.

https://www.therangerstation.com/resources/manuals/2011_ford_ranger_owners_manual.pdf

Thank you for the info the truck is a super cab 4x4 with the 4.0 v6 with a automatic trans it is stock so far but I am considering a lift to clear 33 inch tires and regearing to 4.88 gears

 

[superj]

that might change your towing. might make it less stable since you will be taller. if i was going to use that ranger to tow, i personally would not lift or put that big a tire

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

Should be ok if you do a quality lift. Actually the 98-07 T-bar keys are supposed to give you like 3” with cranking them up. Especially if you go to #1 torsion bars. For the rear a 98-07 factory rear block and 1750# leaf springs, maybe a Chevy drop shackle or maybe the 1750# springs and a shackle. Blocks contribute to axle wrap. Might have to play around with it. If you need more lift, maybe try to source a 1-2” body lift. Definitely use a class 3 hitch.

Also, I’m moving this to the towing section…

 

[sgtsandman]

Note the key word, "dry" before weight. You'll need to factor in anything you pack into the trailer as well as any water (8.3 pounds per gallon) and if that weight includes a full or empty propane cylinder(s).

Depending on where you fall in the limits, you may hit that max towing weight barrier pretty quick. Trailer brakes will help, if it has them. The biggest problem with towing isn't the getting going, it's the stopping, especially on steep hills.

Another thing to keep an eye on is tongue weight. Not only so you don't over laod the back of the truck but for proper weight distribution (10% to 15% of the total weight) and handling. Too light of a tongue weight can cause sway problems.

Too many people don't know about all this or ignore it. To their detriment and others on the road with them.

 

[SenorNoob]

Doesn't a lift/larger tires effectively kill your legal ability to tow? Since the truck isn't configured per the manufacturers specifications anymore.

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

Doesn't a lift/larger tires effectively kill your legal ability to tow? Since the truck isn't configured per the manufacturers specifications anymore.

Yes and not exactly. The lifting methods I suggested are still kind of in the stock realm, so with 4.88 gears it should be not too bad.

My F-150 is a bit of an example of this, I put 1-ton rated suspension under it and 31” tires, so it sits like a 1-ton of its era which is a good probably 3” taller than stock, which is enough to make people question if it’s a 150 or not. Tows just fine, in fact I built it as a hauler with a stage 2 or 3 clutch, ZF5 trans and class 4 hitch, plus my front bumper has a 2” receiver sunk in it.

 

[SenorNoob]

I can understand that as long as it could pass for stock, you'd be fine. Go and add something like a Skyjacker kit and IF you were involved in wreck while towing a lawyer would probably have a field day.

 

[rusty ol ranger]

I think your max tow rating is somewhere in the 6000lb range.

Being a 2500lb trailer.....youll pry be 3500...MAYBE 4k loaded.

How long is the trailer? Anything over 20ft and sway is going to be an issue even with control devices. The trailer *should* have its own brakes so stopping should be to much concern. The sway will be the killer.

At that weight youre probably in the 17ft range. Remember campers catch ALOT of wind so thats the big factor. I used to tow a 33ft (nose to tail) 7200lb trailer with a 97 F250HD. 460/4.10. I wouldnt of wanted to go much bigger despite only being a bit over 50% of its max tow rating.

That said ive had much more weight behind it on regular trailers and it pulled eaiser then the camper. Just to show you weight isnt the only factor with these.

Personally...id stay away from the lift unless you plan on buying another tow rig.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

IMO the biggest thing if you got in a wreck with a lifted truck is the oversize tires and stock brakes.

However Ranger's came with up to a 31 stock, a 33 isn't exactly leaps and bounds bigger.

 

[JRCoffelt]

I think your max tow rating is somewhere in the 6000lb range.

Being a 2500lb trailer.....youll pry be 3500...MAYBE 4k loaded.

How long is the trailer? Anything over 20ft and sway is going to be an issue even with control devices. The trailer *should* have its own brakes so stopping should be to much concern. The sway will be the killer.

At that weight youre probably in the 17ft range. Remember campers catch ALOT of wind so thats the big factor. I used to tow a 33ft (nose to tail) 7200lb trailer with a 97 F250HD. 460/4.10. I wouldnt of wanted to go much bigger despite only being a bit over 50% of its max tow rating.

That said ive had much more weight behind it on regular trailers and it pulled eaiser then the camper. Just to show you weight isnt the only factor with these.

Personally...id stay away from the lift unless you plan on buying another tow rig.

I think the trailer is about 17 foot

 

[sgtsandman]

I think the trailer is about 17 foot

That might be a bit big for a classic Ranger when one factors in wind pushing on the side of the trailer. I know the 2019+ Rangers have had some problems when getting too big even though they were within the tow limits. 17 foot wouldn't be a problem for them since they are bigger and heavier trucks but it might be a bit much for an older model.

 

[rusty ol ranger]

That might be a bit big for a classic Ranger when one factors in wind pushing on the side of the trailer. I know the 2019+ Rangers have had some problems when getting too big even though they were within the tow limits. 17 foot wouldn't be a problem for them since they are bigger and heavier trucks but it might be a bit much for an older model.

I think a 17ft is doable.

Just make sure you have a good and properly adjusted sway/weight distributiob setup.

I know they are heavier (5000lbish) but guys are towing 25footers with grand cherokees...with a 114in wb.

 

[JRCoffelt]

I think the trailer is about 17 foot