Towing a 5x8 U-Haul trailer

[Terry52]

I have a 2022 XLT Hybrid with the factory hitch and the rated 2000 lb towing capacity. My Mav has around 37000 miles and other the one new battery and all the recalls, it has been trouble free. I also use the Mav as my toad when we travel with our motorhome. So far, we have flat towed around 15000 trouble free miles.
This week we needed to help our daughter relocate from the Phila area to Jacksonville Fla. To do this we rented a 5x8 U-Haul enclosed trailer to move her cloths and kitchen items. What I wanted to share was my overall driving experience.

First, the trailer dry weight is around 900 lbs, with the total not to exceed loaded trailer weight of 2600 lbs. I did not actually weigh the trailer after we loaded it, but based on the total number of bags of cloths and other small misc items, I would estimate we had at least a 1000 lbs of cargo, so that and the trailer weight had me either close or slightly over the Mav tow capacity. All that said here are my overall impressions.
1) without towing I averaged 40-42 mpg depending on hwy/city.
2) hwy driving without the trailer averaging 70/75 mph dropped my fuel mileage to around 35/37 mpg.
3) pulling the trailer between 62/65 mph dropped my fuel mileage to 25 mpg.
4) I could not tell a fuel mileage difference using the tow mode or normal driving mode.
5) tow mode affected getting up to speed, being that normal mode driving seemed to take longer to get to cruising speed.
6) I used the Cruise Control extensively on the interstate and the Mav did not seem to have trouble holding the set speed, however, Phila to JAX on interstate 95 does not have a lot of hills.
7) while the Mav handled the trailer tongue weight, I estimate around 250 lbs, I could certainly felt the trailer wanting to “push” me when stopping. I quickly gave myself a lot of extra stopping distance.
8) I was pleasantly surprised how the Mav pulled the trailer without a lot of trailer sway.
9) I paid very close attention to engine temp, the outside temp was mid 90’s, but there was never a increase in engine temp.
Overall I had a great towing experience at or near the rated tow capacity, but i would highly recommend reduced speed and careful attention to stopping distance.
I would give my Mav a 10 rating for this towing trip. After three years of ownership, my Mav continues to pleasantly surprised me.
Happy 4th of July, safe travels
Terry W

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[The Real Maverick]

I promise your engine temperature DiD go up. But it wasn't to a harmful level so your simple dash didn't tell you about it.

If you plan to tow often, you should know the following.

OBDII scanner of your choice will give you real time temperatures in numerical format. To the exact degree.

You will see on day one the thermometers vary a lot but the gauges on your dash do not.

The warm-up from cold, to about 180°F the needle or bar chart will move fairly in a liner way.

The needle (lower trims 2022-2024) gives good, realistic resolution in the lower range.

Then, at 180 or 185°F the needle (or bar graph) stops moving.

I've had real temperature read 220°F towing uphill. The needle in my XLT never moved past where it was at 180°F.

Supposedly this is to "calm" owners, and to keep them out of dealerships asking questions. They want to tell you everything is either cold, or normal, until there is an emergency.

General consumer I guess likes this.
Some people like to see the actual temperature in 1 degree increments. Any OBDII reader will give you this.

Everyone else gets COLD - NORMAL - HOT

 

[Terry52]

I promise your engine temperature DiD go up. But it wasn't to a harmful level so your simple dash didn't tell you about it.

If you plan to tow often, you should know the following.

OBDII scanner of your choice will give you real time temperatures in numerical format. To the exact degree.

You will see on day one the thermometers vary a lot but the gauges on your dash do not.

The warm-up from cold, to about 180°F the needle or bar chart will move fairly in a liner way.

The needle (lower trims 2022-2024) gives good, realistic resolution in the lower range.

Then, at 180 or 185°F the needle (or bar graph) stops moving.

I've had real temperature read 220°F towing uphill. The needle in my XLT never moved past where it was at 180°F.

Supposedly this is to "calm" owners, and to keep them out of dealerships asking questions. They want to tell you everything is either cold, or normal, until there is an emergency.

General consumer I guess likes this.
You (because you started this thread) and I like to see the actual temperature in 1 degree increments. Any OBDII reader will give you this.

Everyone else gets COLD - NORMAL - HOT

Thanks for the temp info, I will do what you suggested,
TW

 

[The Real Maverick]

I agree with you the different tow modes won't change MPG much.

But Tow Mode affects acceleration rates (as you experienced) and also affects braking.

Towing in your case, without electric trailer brakes, I would always use tow mode.

I have electric trailer brakes so my trailer can stop itself when properly set.

Did your 5x8 have "surge" brakes operated by a spring on the trailer tongue? It's been a long time since I visited a U-Haul dealer.

For the record I routinely tow a 7x12 enclosed trailer with an OHV inside.
The wind drag is significant.
The weight (3200) really isn't.

So at 65 mph and under the hybrid handles it like a champ. But I monitor temperatures to the nth degree.

 

[inline_five]

Would adding heavier springs to the rear suspension help out with the tongue rating?

 

[Terry52]

Would adding heavier springs to the rear suspension help out with the tongue rating?

No, the U-Haul trailer did not have surge brakes or electric brakes.

 

[Gray Goose]

Would adding heavier springs to the rear suspension help out with the tongue rating?

Load the trailer properly and the tongue rating shouldn't be an issue. Tongue weight should be about 10% of total trailer weight. In this case about 200lbs which is well within the 400lb Max.

 

[inline_five]

Load the trailer properly and the tongue rating shouldn't be an issue. Tongue weight should be about 10% of total trailer weight. In this case about 200lbs which is well within the 400lb Max.

OP has a hybrid so it's over the max.

 

[The Real Maverick]

OP has a hybrid so it's over the max.

🥱

 

[DFingles]

Good info, thanks!
I plan on towing the same size trailer in a few weeks. I have a 2025 Lariat hybrid w/4k tow package (including the backing system), so will use your experience as a baseline.
Did U-Haul make you go to a dealer to “certify” your Maverick? They are asking me to come in before pickup.
(Note: I used to haul a 5th wheel w/F-350, so this will be definitely different).

 

[jayarek]

We experienced pretty much the same a year ago. Summer (2024) drive from Miami area to Lenox, Massachusetts. 2023 Maverick Hybrid towing U-Haul 5x8 enclosed. We took 3 days stopping and overnights to see friends/family on the way up. Similar handling, mountain driving, mpg, etc.
Do have to give more breaking time/distance and naturally, handling is different when towing.
Very pleased with the Maverick Hybrid.
Also drove up same path without the trailer this summer. No issues.

 

[Hot Runr Guy]

Did U-Haul make you go to a dealer to “certify” your Maverick? They are asking me to come in before pickup.

Since all Mavericks use the same 2x2 receiver, it will be interesting to hear if they know how to tell the difference between a 2K and 4K-equipped truck.

HRG

 

[heady]

The 6x12 uhaul is nice as it's the only cargo one that comes with the surge brakes which makes it much better for stopping distance, but it also weighs almost 2k empty, max 4400lb loaded.

 

[thev8man]

OP has a hybrid so it's over the max.

Over max. It's just testing the limits.

Booyah

Just checking the capacity and thoroughly understanding the ability of the truck.

See Below \/

 

[thev8man]

The 6x12 uhaul is nice as it's the only cargo one that comes with the surge brakes which makes it much better for stopping distance, but it also weighs almost 2k empty, max 4400lb loaded.

Booyah

Just for pure science.

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