Pulling a 5th wheeler with a V6 Ford Ranger.!!!

[sherry Hill]

 People tell me it can't be done but it is just 1995 Willderness 21 footer fifth wheeler and a light weight at that . I've seen Toyoto 4 cylinders with a camper chasis. My Ranger has a towing package and has pulled a 21 ft  old 69 Holiday Rambler, which is a very heavy camper. What do y'all say? Hadn't put the hitch in yet. I'll let u all know what happens. comments are appreciated if helpful and not discouraging. I'm tired of the nay sayers....

[sherry Hill]

yes, went to stop at a stop sign in New orleans and for got we were pulling a trailer and it pushed us thru. Luckily no one hit us but we've never forgot it again. A lesson well learned. My husband and I are bus drivers. We both have drove for years. 

[Bruce]

It will work.  But...  Making the rig go is not the problem, as John pointed out, but stopping it is.  The 5-th wheel set up gives you lots of advantages for towing, mainly manuverability and stability.  A definite go on the trailer brakes, and make sure the truck brakes are good as well; trailer brakes are small and only assist most of the time.

You have pulled the Holiday Rambler before, I assume a fair amount.  If that is the case you have learned a lot of the lessons needed for towing with the smaller vehicle.  Slower speeds, planning ahead and such.  If you just jerked the HR around the block that doesn't count.

Bruce

[sherry Hill]

Goona have brakes put on the trailer. The trailer book say's a Ranger will pull it, IF IT'S GOT A TOWING package on it...and it's a V6. it's areal small 5th wheeler. The smallest one I've ever seen with no slide outs...

 

[John "T" Nordhoff]

Hey, its your truck n trailer and your life at risk and your choice, but you asked, so its NOT something I would do. Its not so much having power to pull it, its the weight differential (trailer v truck) and brakes and stopping capacity and if the trailer is gonna wanna push you through stops or push you in a turn and how it behaves in windy situations and down steep hills. I've over towed (trailer too much for the tow truck size and weight) before and I hate that feeling when the trailer wants to push and buck n surge especiaplly in turns or up hills or in heavy wind. Give it a try n see how it feels, behaves and especially how well you can stop it???

John T

[John "T" Nordhoff]

[John "T" Nordhoff]

[Sam Green]

I just want to say Good Luck and please be safe and take no unnecessary chances.

[Pat Daly]

Google Trailer Life's Towing guide for the year and model of your Ranger. Usually, the realistic towing rate of 5ers and trailers is new the maximum GVW when fully loaded for camping. Power, braking, engine, tires and tranny cooling are all points to consider. Never tow more than 75% of maximum GVW. Be conservative. Be safe.