I feel a little like a dunce asking this, but here goes:

We are buying an RV trailer. Dry weight 1450 lbs. I have a 2008 Ranger Sport with manual transmission. 3.0 L engine. My manual says 6000 lbs GCWR and 2280 max trailer weight. Frontal area max is 50square feet (trailer frontage is 54 square feet but I am sure that would be from the ground to the top (it says exterior height is 8'4" but interior height is only 6'6") so frontal area should be okay. 2 Adults in the truck 200, and 140 lbs. Trailer manufacturer says wet weight would be about 2000 lbs. I am thinking it might work, but here is an issue. The trailer has trailer breaks, and my ranger manual says the "electrical system is not equipped to accomodate electric trailer brakes."

What do you guys who are wiser than me say about this situation? Is it time to upgrade the truck?

thanks

 

you can buy aftermarket trailer brake systems. one of my previous rangers had it.

 

Yeah trailer brakes would help you out but if your going to be doing it a lot and for far distances you may want another truck.

 

It would be Ok without the trailer brakes. Pull it around for a 1/2 hr and see what you think. If you don't like how it slows down, wire the truck with a brake controller and call it good.

 

ok, that makes sense, a further question. What does Ford mean when it says "It is not equipped to accomodate electric trailer brakes." Does that mean the didn't intend it, or does it mean that it cannot be done, or will damage the electrical system to do it?

 

It just means it is not equipped from the factory to support electric trailer brakes. You can add it in yourself, no problem.

It's just because electric trailer brakes require a controller in the truck. Hydraulic trailer brakes are a standalone function of the trailer, using inertia to tell when it needs to brake, so you don't need a special controller for that (although you do need a 5 way trailer plug)

 

thanks Dirigible. Your Ranger looks like mine, color and cap and everything. You have good taste :)