2019 Ford Ranger Recommendations Needed

[RangerMike515]

I am not new to towing and understand all the acronyms and towing philosophies. However, I am new to TT's and am seeking opinions on what is the best size and model for my family and current TV. We have 3 small kids (looking at bunk house floor plans) and in a couple years will upgrade to a F150 when things get too tight in the back seat. But for now, this is what I'm working with.

2019 Ranger 4wd Lariat
GVWR: 6,050
Payload: 1,453 (door sticker)
Max trailer weight: 7,500
Max tongue weight: 750
GCVWR: 12,500

No requirement in the manual for WDH but I own one and will use it. Seeking opinions on what is a reasonable size/weight/model unit that will accommodate my family. Thanks!

[NewBlackDak]

With a truck that small, I’d be looking at pop ups first. Towing at or near your max is not fun. You might also considers these, and go as small as possible.


https://www.jayco.com/products/trave...-7-west/184bs/

https://www.jayco.com/products/trave...-feather/x19h/

https://www.jayco.com/products/trave...-feather/20bh/

https://www.jayco.com/products/trave...8-west/224bhw/

https://www.jayco.com/products/trave...feather/23bhm/

[RangerMike515]

Originally Posted by NewBlackDak

With a truck that small, I’d be looking at pop ups first. Towing at or near your max is not fun. You might also considers these, and go as small as possible.


https://www.jayco.com/products/trave...-7-west/184bs/

https://www.jayco.com/products/trave...-feather/x19h/

https://www.jayco.com/products/trave...-feather/20bh/

https://www.jayco.com/products/trave...8-west/224bhw/

https://www.jayco.com/products/trave...feather/23bhm/

Thanks for the recommendations didnt want to talk through it with a salesman.

You have recommended trailers up to 5,000lb dry weight. Wife wont do a pop up and I have been concentrating around 4,500lb dry. My logic is figure up to 1,500lbs more loaded and I am at 6k or 80% of my tow rating so there is a margin of error. Should be able to keep the tongue weight under control at that size and I own a scale for that too.

We actually have our eye on the x213 which to me seems like the most clever use of space and should be well within all specs for the ranger. Wife likes the large bed. But it does seem like they had some problems with those big slides. Anyway back to my research....

[RedHorse1]

I’d suggest visiting a CAT Scale and get your actual weights. The difference between the Rear GAWR and the scaled rear axle weight will be roughly the maximum tongue weight. Subtract 100# from that figure to account for the hitch. Divide the remaining payload number by 0.13 (roughly 13% of a TT’s weight is on the tongue). That number will be a rough estimate of a max TT weight. My expectation is that number will be smaller than you expect.

[DocBrown]

Don't plan with a dry weight. It's a fictional number that you will never tow with. Dry weight is the weight of the trailer with no options. Options are things like AC, awning, sometimes even the spare tire. There is a yellow sticker on the outside of new trailers that lists the "As shipped" weight. Those options will also eat into the trailer's listed cargo capacity.

That said for planning use the GVWR. It's a far more realistic number for planning. And for available CC subtract the "As delivered" weight from the GVWR of the trailer.

[Isaacs]

Originally Posted by RangerMike515

I am not new to towing and understand all the acronyms and towing philosophies. However, I am new to TT's and am seeking opinions on what is the best size and model for my family and current TV. We have 3 small kids (looking at bunk house floor plans) and in a couple years will upgrade to a F150 when things get too tight in the back seat. But for now, this is what I'm working with.

2019 Ranger 4wd Lariat
GVWR: 6,050
Payload: 1,453 (door sticker)
Max trailer weight: 7,500
Max tongue weight: 750
GCVWR: 12,500

No requirement in the manual for WDH but I own one and will use it. Seeking opinions on what is a reasonable size/weight/model unit that will accommodate my family. Thanks!

Look into the hybrids. We love ours--lots of air circulation if you don't have an electric site for A/C.

[morleyz]

My opinion, you can probably safely and comfortably pull any trailer with a GVWR around 6000. Figure 10%-13% on tongue weight and you're right at the limit. Payload will become and issue too with 3 kids, you'll need a lot of stuff and then they keep growing.

[RangerMike515]

Originally Posted by RedHorse1

I’d suggest visiting a CAT Scale and get your actual weights. The difference between the Rear GAWR and the scaled rear axle weight will be roughly the maximum tongue weight. Subtract 100# from that figure to account for the hitch. Divide the remaining payload number by 0.13 (roughly 13% of a TT’s weight is on the tongue). That number will be a rough estimate of a max TT weight. My expectation is that number will be smaller than you expect.

Good idea, went to the truck stop today with the 3 kids in the back...the wife did not want to play along but lucky for me she is petite. Misc crap in the cab. In the rear was tri-fold hard tonneau, left and right side swing cases full of ratchet straps, hand tools, etc and threw the hitch in the back without the bars or the lever, could not find them.

Steer Axle: 2,720
Drive Axle: 2,340
Gross Weight: 5,060

Per Ford
Front GAWR: 3,130
Rear GAWR: 3,370
GVWR: 6,050

If I'm doing this right, the max tongue weight of 750 and the GVWR actually come into play first as I have about a thousand pounds between the scaled and rated axle numbers.

[Midnightmoon]

Yes, I believe that you are reading that correctly.

[Murff]

Having driven a 2008 Explorer Sport Trac and towing our present White Hawk 20MRB (GWVR 5900 pounds) from Seattle to Ohio, Seattle to Boston and Seattle to New Mexico, the X213 appears to be a reasonable choice to put behind your 2019 Ranger. A good WDH will help.

The hitch weight may be the only obstacle as if the trailer was maxed at the 5500 pounds, your hitch, at 15% could be 825 pounds exceeding your 750 pound max. Careful loading will help.

Murff

[McMullap]

RangerMike - What did you end up buying? I’m looking at the exact same setup. A Lariat Ranger and X213 camper. I’m curious if you bought it, and if you did, are you happy with the combo? Thanks. Andy

[mass-hole]

I have an X213 and tow it behind both my F150 and my smaller Lexus GX460. The GX is built on the same chassis as the current 4Runner, so body on frame and solid axle. Its wheelbase is a bit shorter than a Ranger at 109” but has a 6500 lb tow rating.

It handles the trailer just fine. I was a little nervous about the short wheelbase but i have driven around Utah and Wyoming with 20+ mph crosswinds and its handled it without issue. I run an Equalizer wdh and there is never any drama even doing 70 mph on I-80.

The only drawback so far is power and gas tank size. Lexus is rated at 301hp/328tq and here in the Rockies it definitely has to work hard. I bet the ranger would be a bit better with the turbo and 10 speed transmission.

Im sure the ranger with its longer wheelbase will handle it fine.