Towing Vehicle

[Camper1]

Hello, just a quick question regarding towing vehicles. I recently purchased a 2012 X23B trailer and during our searches, I was told my Ford Ranger 6 cylinder 4 liter is a good towing vehicle. I hope so because that s all I have. The specs on the truck state I can tow 6000 pounds and the dealers I spoke with agreed. After reading about trailer weights and watching some scary towing videos, I just thought I would ask you folks what you think of my Ranger towing the trailer. The rialer is 3995 pounds dry weight and 395 hitch weight.

[Threebutchers]

Are you sure your Rangers towing capacity is 6,000#s?....not many have the gears and towing package installed. Without the gears and tow package the towing capacity is more like 2,800#s.

More info info on your TV would be helpful...(4x4? verified factory tow package? year?)

[Camper1]

HI, it is a F X 4 4x4 off road 2007. It has the factory hitch as well.

[Camper1]

It is also being shipped to me with a sway bar. I have no idea what the brand or model of the sway bar is and I won't know till it gets here.

[Threebutchers]

2007 Ranger Specs from FordF150.net....http://www.fordf150.net/2007/2007-fo...ifications.php

[ATTACH][/ATTACH]

Best case....your max towing capacity is 5580# (TBD)...Shipping weight of the X23B is probably about 4,500# (@4,900# loaded to camp).....

[Jagiven]

Camper1, my initial thought is your ranger maybe a little light especially if it is a 4x4. Personally, I would call Ford customer service with your vin number. As long as your TV is fairly close to stock they can confirm your towing capacity. They will look at your OEM setup; aka, engine, transmission information, the gear ratios, tire size, oil cooler, transmission cooler, and so forth, and let you know what it was originally designed to tow. I did this with my Dakota when we were looking to purchase our 2012 23B. Also ask about cargo carrying capacity while towing, and passengers. Most of the time the manufactures publish the towing capacity based on one average size driver and a full tank of fuel and NO cargo. One of my Brother’s vans had the tow rating listed by number of passengers.

[Camper1]

Thanks, I will check this out. I do think it's rated for 5300 pounds though based on the info from ThreeButchers but a trip to the dealer will be on my list.

[Rustic Eagle]

IMO the X23B may max out your Ranger's Payload Capacity and/or the Ranger's GVWR (or exceed these limits). Since our towing expectations differ, towing at one's weight limits may/or may not be an issue. Keep in mind that the loaded tongue weight of a trailer gets subtracted from the tow vehicle's "available" payload capacity.

The 2012 X23B has a published UVW of 3,790lbs and a GVWR of 4,950lbs. I would add about 300lbs to the 3,709lbs to get the dry weight from the factory, or use your 3,995lb dry weight figure if it came off the yellow sticker on the trailer. So (3,790lbs) + (300lbs ship weight delta) + (600lbs cargo/battery, not including fluids) = 4,690lbs loaded weight. Figure a desired tongue weight 13% of 4,690lbs = 610lb loaded tongue weight.

We all have different loading habits, so your actual loaded weights may differ a little as well.

Published vehicle tow ratings are not actual: http://www.jaycoowners.com/showthrea...uot-Tow-Rating

Bob

[Jagiven]

I would skip the dealer, and call Ford directly. The dealer does not have the information, and will want to sell you something verses give you good advice.

[Heady]

Hi Camper1. I have to agree with Jagiven, your Ranger may be a bit light for this size trailer. First thing I would do is load up your truck with family, fuel and cargo like you would be going camping, then hit a CAT scale. Subtract the actual weight from the weight maximum on your door sticker and that will give you an idea as to how much tounge weight your Ranger can support.

Based on your posting the TT is 3995 pounds dry weight, then you need to add on dealer installed items such as battery, propane tanks and your WDH, along with everything you are going to have in the camper (food, clothing, dishes, bedding). Figure you will be somewhere around 5,000 pounds. Tounge weight is 10-15%, so that puts you at 500 to 750 pounds of tounge weight on the Ranger.

Your Ranger will possibly pull the TT, but it might have difficulties on hills or longer trips. Also you need to consider the safety factor, in the event you hit unexpected sway -- will the Ranger be able to command the TT or will the TT command the Ranger? I'm not trying to dissuade you, just keeping it real. I learned the hard way, was not comfortable pulling my x20e with my Tacoma, so one had to go.

[RedHorse1]

Hey Camper! Our X23B was 4420# loaded and we had 600# tongue weight. As everyone points out your weights will be different. We tended to pack pretty light (I think). Our TV was a 2003 Expedition 5.4 which did a pretty good job towing and delivered 9.x mpg - never broke the 10mpg barrier.
Although the GCW (10380#) was comfortably less than the GCWR (14500#) our rear axle was pretty close to maxing out (GAWR-Rear 4128# and the rear axle weight was 4040# with no spring bars and 3800# with the bars. That was with the bride, myself and the wiener dog. With the son, DIL, G'son and their baggage I'm sure we were "heavy".
Since you have the TT and TV already I'd suggest a trip to the CAT scales. It'll cost you $14 to make the 3 trips across the scales, in return you get a very clear picture of your weights. Be sure to go loaded as you would for a trip.
We loved our X23B and tho we've recently traded to a 351RLTS we do miss it, hope you get many great miles and memories with it.
Keep posting your questions and discoveries here, you'll find this forum an incredible source of knowledge and experience (and quite a few opinions)

[nwminnesota]

I tow my 2011 x23b with f150 5.4l v8 4dr 5.5' box 4x4.
I wouldn't tow it with anything smaller. Nice to be able to get up to free way speeds by the end of the ramp. Imo I would be looking at getting a different tow vehicle as soon as possible. Also I do know trucks cost way to much money these days. I do love the x23b but did you look at the 20 e weight is a little less and you could also to haul it with out water. I'm thinking of hauling tue x23b without water or very little and just filling up at campground. Food for thought may save a few lbs.

[Bassdogs]

Can you pull it? Most likely you can.

The Dealer said we could. - A dealer told us that we could handle a 5'ver [9k plus] with our 08 chevy 1500. Even swore that the capacities shown in the owners manual was wrong. Truth is that the O8 crew cab was not designed [and is not recommended] to pull a 5'er because it only came with a short bed. Also the factory tow limit was well below the weight of this RV.

Moral is that they want to sell you what they have on the lot.

I pulled a heavy 20' Cobia runabout with a v6 S-10 back in the day. It had plenty of power but the boat controlled the truck when it began to sway. These small pickups don't have the weight to control anything heavier than a pop up,

[Seann45]

Originally Posted by Camper1

Hello, The trailer is 3995 pounds dry weight and 395 hitch weight.

DRY WEIGHT means NOTHING... the only weight numbers that matter is fully loaded with family on board pulling our of your driveway.. weigh your truck and trailer on the start of a trip to get the real and relevant numbers.

[mitechie]

Just another one to suggest I'd not try it. I've got a 23B and our tongue weight is between 610 and 640lbs. The thing is surprisingly large though it seems small as far as '23 feet' and the numbers on the website are way under real life experience. I feel like our TDI pulls it well, but I'd not go any larger with it. I'd not feel safe pulling it behind a ranger (had one of those 2wd v6 back in the day).

[wwsmith111]

Got to factor in the wear and possible damage to your transmission and drive train also. I would hate to see you burn up your tranny! That is an expensive fix...

[snapper388]

the dealer told I would not have any problem pulling my 26'tt with my 1500 Silverado I didn't have any problem pulling it but when the brake controller quit working I had a major problem getting it stopped. next time I pulled it I had a lot more truck.

[Salsa03]

Snapper... that would happen with any setup that you might have if the brakes on what you tow go dead or stop working...