Towing a 2900 lbs travel trailer?

[Realtruck]

Sooooo how did this end up going? @Johnecbr954rr

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[Nw_adventure]

It depends on how you drive while towing. And how far.
The mfg tow limits are a very conservative figure, given to cover their a$$ if there is damage to the vehicle; "it says not to tow above X lbs, we're not covering the damage under warranty". fwiw; I towed over 12 tons of trailer and backhoe with my Transit (not Connect) that has a 5000lb towing capacity. It was only about 30 miles each way, and I drove slow and cautious. Absolutely zero problems; other than going 45mph on the section of highway and getting honked at by people that need to go 80+ in the 55 zone.

Personally, I would feel fine with towing 5000lbs with my FWD Maverick/Ranchero for a few hundred miles. But I would not expect to be able to drive like I wasn't towing, nor even attempt it. The problems happen when people try to drive like they always do, especially if they are "look at me" jackrabbit speedy drivers. They reap what they sow.

One of the issues is FWD and trailer tongue weight. Which is why the AWD models have a higher listed towing capacity; the FWD is just as capable of towing that weight, but there can be issues if the front wheels are "tipped up" a bit by tongue weight.


Has anyone tried a 5th wheel like the Scamp yet? 2700lbs, 3500 loaded.

Yep- I had a situation last summer here in SLC- Loaded up the trailer not more than 5 minutes onto I-80 with a section that splits and goes up to Park City, had to deal with a chain reaction that started with an idiot that jumped into the safety zone right before a highway divider- I was doing 60 and then the guy in front of me slams on his brakes trying to let the other failed motorist in- I had to use all the braking force of the truck and max trailer brakes without ending up in the guys rear seat-

It was not fun.

 

[Cherokee]

For Christ sakes, just go do it, then make any necessary adjustments. You've got a dealer promising to have your back, why are you even asking??

Come back and tell us in 3 months how it's going.

Or next year when your tranny blows up or when you develope a head gasket leak. Pffft. That’s all bullshit.

Just put it in tow haul mode.
Make sure your tongue weight is 10 to 12% of the trailer weight.

Keep a greater following distance, brake earlier, and above all else look down the road into your future.

Don’t pussy foot the thing, work it !
It’s a truck.
Keep en eye on your temp gage.
I’m always seeing four bars on the temp gage.
Don’t freak out if you see five.

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