Towing with a 2019 Ford Ranger

[FresnoTom]

Hi all,

Will be towing a travel trailer with my 2019 Ford Ranger during Thanksgiving week. This is the first time I will have ever towed anything. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

 

[franklin2]

The towing limit for your truck is 7500lbs.

 

[rusty ol ranger]

Brake controller and sway control are good too. Towing a camper without them arnt fun. Speaking from expereince.

Also, a good rule of thumb is you dont want to tow more then about 70% of your trucks rated capacity when it comes to a camper. A 7500lb skid steer and trailer is alot difderent for towing then a 7500lb camper is.

 

[don4331]

The towing limit for your truck is 7500lbs.

Depending on whether the Ranger has the Trailer towing package or not, its limit might be 3,500lbs. And it's limit for unbraked trailer is 2k lbs.

https://www.ford.com/cmslibs/content/dam/brand_ford/en_us/brand/resources/general/pdf/guides/19Towing_Ford_Ranger_r1_Jan29.pdf

Assuming @FresnoTom is towing in California (based on signature) then he is pretty much guaranteed to need a trailer brake controller.

California trailer law: Every trailer coach or camp trailer with a GVW of 1,500 lbs. or more must be equipped with brakes on at least 2 wheels. (It's almost impossible to find a travel trailer with lower GVW; what the trailer actually weighs doesn't matter, it trailer's GVW that counts).​

Depending on the size of the trailer, towing mirrors might be required. Also, while not required by Ford, a weight distributing hitch will make towing much more comfortable is the travel trailer is of significant size. (Knowing a little more about the trailer would be helpful).

Remember the brochure tongue weight was for the trailer empty - adding couple 20lb propane cylinders and battery can easily add another 100lbs on the hitch, more if full. And depending on how you load the trailer you could add even more.​

Plan your route, be prepared to drive slower, leave a gap to traffic ahead, anticipate any stops (all the defensive driver stuff). Make wide turns - the trailer is going to turn inside. Watch overhangs - trailer could easily be 3' higher than the Ranger. Expect reduced fuel economy - premium let's the turbo make most power, but it gets pricey.

From there have fun, take pictures and let us know how it goes.

 

[JohnnyO]

Assuming your Ranger has the factory tow package, if your trailer is over 2000 lb. you will still need to add the Brake Controller from Ford Accessories. It costs about $350 plus installation at the dealer. Any aftermarket brake controller can be used and installed by an RV dealer but the Ford unit works with all the factory stability controls and the 7-pin connector.

The owner's manual says to use 91 octane gas when towing. Watch some YouTube videos for tips on backing up a trailer.

 

[RumPunch]

Just take note your fuel mileage will plummet. My truck on average gets 22 mpg(only run 93). Just towed a 6*10 open trailer with a lawn mower all the way across the blue ridge last weekend truck probably had 200lb of gear in it 2 occupants. Averaged around 18 mpg. Can put that 6*10 with the ramp up catching wind and watch the mileage drop. Towed a 6*10 enclosed trailer full around town etc get around 20.

 

[FresnoTom]

Depending on whether the Ranger has the Trailer towing package or not, its limit might be 3,500lbs. And it's limit for unbraked trailer is 2k lbs.

https://www.ford.com/cmslibs/content/dam/brand_ford/en_us/brand/resources/general/pdf/guides/19Towing_Ford_Ranger_r1_Jan29.pdf

Assuming @FresnoTom is towing in California (based on signature) then he is pretty much guaranteed to need a trailer brake controller.

California trailer law: Every trailer coach or camp trailer with a GVW of 1,500 lbs. or more must be equipped with brakes on at least 2 wheels. (It's almost impossible to find a travel trailer with lower GVW; what the trailer actually weighs doesn't matter, it trailer's GVW that counts).​

Depending on the size of the trailer, towing mirrors might be required. Also, while not required by Ford, a weight distributing hitch will make towing much more comfortable is the travel trailer is of significant size. (Knowing a little more about the trailer would be helpful).

Remember the brochure tongue weight was for the trailer empty - adding couple 20lb propane cylinders and battery can easily add another 100lbs on the hitch, more if full. And depending on how you load the trailer you could add even more.​

Plan your route, be prepared to drive slower, leave a gap to traffic ahead, anticipate any stops (all the defensive driver stuff). Make wide turns - the trailer is going to turn inside. Watch overhangs - trailer could easily be 3' higher than the Ranger. Expect reduced fuel economy - premium let's the turbo make most power, but it gets pricey.

From there have fun, take pictures and let us know how it goes.

Depending on whether the Ranger has the Trailer towing package or not, its limit might be 3,500lbs. And it's limit for unbraked trailer is 2k lbs.

https://www.ford.com/cmslibs/content/dam/brand_ford/en_us/brand/resources/general/pdf/guides/19Towing_Ford_Ranger_r1_Jan29.pdf

Assuming @FresnoTom is towing in California (based on signature) then he is pretty much guaranteed to need a trailer brake controller.

California trailer law: Every trailer coach or camp trailer with a GVW of 1,500 lbs. or more must be equipped with brakes on at least 2 wheels. (It's almost impossible to find a travel trailer with lower GVW; what the trailer actually weighs doesn't matter, it trailer's GVW that counts).​

Depending on the size of the trailer, towing mirrors might be required. Also, while not required by Ford, a weight distributing hitch will make towing much more comfortable is the travel trailer is of significant size. (Knowing a little more about the trailer would be helpful).

Remember the brochure tongue weight was for the trailer empty - adding couple 20lb propane cylinders and battery can easily add another 100lbs on the hitch, more if full. And depending on how you load the trailer you could add even more.​

Plan your route, be prepared to drive slower, leave a gap to traffic ahead, anticipate any stops (all the defensive driver stuff). Make wide turns - the trailer is going to turn inside. Watch overhangs - trailer could easily be 3' higher than the Ranger. Expect reduced fuel economy - premium let's the turbo make most power, but it gets pricey.

From there have fun, take pictures and let us know how it goes.

Thanks to all who commented on the need for a brake controller. I did get the Ford one installed, but had to go to a local shop to get that accomplished. The mechanics at Ford did not know how to do it. It’s working well.

I do have the tow package, so do get the 7,500. Also have a weight distribution hitch. working on the sway bar.

Great advice!

 

[FresnoTom]

Brake controller and sway control are good too. Towing a camper without them arnt fun. Speaking from expereince.

Also, a good rule of thumb is you dont want to tow more then about 70% of your trucks rated capacity when it comes to a camper. A 7500lb skid steer and trailer is alot difderent for towing then a 7500lb camper is.

Thanks for the weight advice. I’m good on that front (because I was careful with both purchases).

 

[FresnoTom]

Just take note your fuel mileage will plummet. My truck on average gets 22 mpg(only run 93). Just towed a 6*10 open trailer with a lawn mower all the way across the blue ridge last weekend truck probably had 200lb of gear in it 2 occupants. Averaged around 18 mpg. Can put that 6*10 with the ramp up catching wind and watch the mileage drop. Towed a 6*10 enclosed trailer full around town etc get around 20.

I’ve heard about that drop in mileage. Thanks for confirming!

 

[Blmpkn]

Most I've towed with mine was mid 6k lbs, and the truck did great. As previously mentioned though, a camper is going to haul differently than this ol pig did. A windy day while hauling a camper would be exciting.

I get about 12-13 mpg hauling vehicles, you should probably expect to get around 10 or so.

 

[sgtsandman]

Yes, ecoboost engines can be real gas hogs when towing a bigger trailer load since the engine is going to be in boost most of the time. Not a huge deal if you don't tow all the time but if you do it on a regular basis, the Ranger might not be the best choice since there is only one engine option.

 

[RumPunch]

That's what the super duty is for but the ease of the daily driver having a trailer hitch is often too convenient.

 

[rusty ol ranger]

That's what the super duty is for but the ease of the daily driver having a trailer hitch is often too convenient. View attachment 68294

That a 7.3 outta curiosity? If so how do you like it?

 

[dvdswan]

That a 7.3 outta curiosity? If so how do you like it?

Regardless of the engine. I'd be happy with the truck with whatever engine it came with.

 

[rusty ol ranger]

Regardless of the engine. I'd be happy with the truck with whatever engine it came with.

Right...i was just curious. At some point id like to own one. Only ford truck engine in damn near 30 years to get excited over