A Tale of Two U-Haul Trailers (Towing Report)

[NIKwithoutaC]

It's the same gearbox, it just had 2nd gear disabled.

The clutch based limited slip isnt that crazy. There's 2 clutches, one for each rear axle, and the tremor can engage 1 or both to force power to one or both wheels "locking" the differential, or slip them for partial power delivery. The normal Mav has an open rear end and uses brake modulation to control wheel slip.

The Tremor also uses a water cooled PTU instead of an air cooled one to prevent overheating when off roading.

This is why the Lobo and Tremor can only tow 2k, that clutched rear end is great at performance on and off road, but it was built for the Focus RS, the clutches likely cant take the weight of a 4k trailer without constant slipping which would produce a bad driving experience at best or early failure at worst, compared to the open geared rear end of normal mavericks that can take the weight but cant direct power.

Even if, on paper, the two trucks are similar enough, the tremor is still only rater for 2k, and if the insurance finds you you were towing 4k with it, they can deny your coverage and leave you to the wolves.

The rear end in the Focus RS was a GKN "Twinster" unit and the one in the Tremor/Lobo is a Dana "AdvanTEK" product. They are similar technologies but different products from different manufacturers. I think this misconception started with some of the early reviews of the Tremor (and later Lobo) where the journalists pointed out the similarities to the unit in the RS and people started assuming it was the unit from the RS.

Ford has also, to my knowledge, never stated why the Tremor and Lobo aren't available with the 4K tow rating. They both also have reduced payload compared to the other Mavericks, so I would be inclined to believe it has more to do with their unique suspensions and not necessarily that the rear end is somehow less capable.

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[Mavtremor24]

And legitimate plaster castings.

You can't forget that awesome, completely clear footage

 

[MaverickDragon]

Why do people make this assumption?
I have asked for proof of this happening for 25 years. Not a single confirmed case.

That may be true, but who wants to be the first one it happens to.
It is a fact that insurance can be denied for negligent driving, and if someone is in an accident and is cited for unsafe operation, I could see that happening.
In any case, seriously overloading your vehicle is generally a bad idea.

 

[Glen Baker LLC]

You can't forget that awesome, completely clear footage

Hey it's the same footage that I got, when somebody tried to show the driver's door self locking.
Here's a screenshot and they weren't worried about being attacked.

 

[Mavster Mechanic]

In any case, seriously overloading your vehicle is generally a bad idea.

In any case, towing 4,000 pounds with trailer brakes in a "2k" Maverick isn't seriously overloaded.

The #1 reason 2k Mavericks are 2k Mavericks is no factory installed trailer brake controller.

Everything else is bonus, but reduced usefulness.

 

[BAScott62]

Results of a 40 second Grok Think. https://x.com/i/grok/share/07a0c39e9fb748eba54618432c8f311b

TLDR;

No prominent, publicly documented court cases or news reports were found of an insurance company outright denying coverage solely because a vehicle was towed (or towing a load) above its manufacturer's rated upper limit (e.g., towing capacity, payload capacity, or GVWR).

 

[Mavster Mechanic]

Results of a 40 second Grok Think. https://x.com/i/grok/share/07a0c39e9fb748eba54618432c8f311b

TLDR;

No prominent, publicly documented court cases or news reports were found of an insurance company outright denying coverage solely because a vehicle was towed (or towing a load) above its manufacturer's rated upper limit (e.g., towing capacity, payload capacity, or GVWR).

Thank you for taking the time.

I have done my best with less powerful tools and have not found any evidence either.

 

[Mavster Mechanic]

Exerpts:

Police / Highway patrol in three western states told me there are zero citations for over-weighed vehicles in personal not-for-hire use.

One patrol man went a step further by saying "It's your truck. You can break it if you want to."

 

[MaverickDragon]

In any case, towing 4,000 pounds with trailer brakes in a "2k" Maverick isn't seriously overloaded.
The #1 reason 2k Mavericks are 2k Mavericks is no factory installed trailer brake controller.
Everything else is bonus, but reduced usefulness.

In that case, your example is a moot point.

 

[Glen Baker LLC]

Regardless of what your Maverick is rated for and you feel safe Towing. Some states have a pretty low trailer weight where brakes are required.
Where a 1500 lb trailer being towed by a 2K tow rated Maverick would still be breaking the law. Unless you've added an electric brake hookup.

 

[iam2sam]

I'm glad I found your post. I plan to tow a U-Haul 5 x 8 cargo trailer about 450 miles down I-81 and into the Virginia mountains West of Blacksburg/Christiansburg in late May or early June. It will probably be loaded with about 300 lbs net. The driveway at the end of that trip is about 1/8 mile and quite steep. Would you have any reservations about the ability of this rig as described to climb that, based on your experience? Also, was the hitch at the correct height for the 5 x 8 trailer with a standard level ball mount, or would you recommend one that raises or lowers the ball? Thanks.

2025 XL 2.0 w/4k tow pkg

 

[davidpreuter]

From your previous posts it looks like you have an XL 2.0, but not sure if you have 4k tow or not. I’ll guess you have 4k tow and advise accordingly. The Mav will tow the 5x8 quite well as my post says. You shouldn’t have any problems in the mountains although you’ll need to adjust speed accordingly to compensate for the elevation. As to the driveway, I don’t think you’ll have any problems getting up it. I had to do a detour on my route that put me on a very windy and steep backroad with some hairpin turns thrown in for good measure and the truck pulled the 5x8 fine through that stretch. For the hitch, U-Haul recommends a 2-2.5” drop hitch for all their trailers. I had a 2.25” drop on the Mav for both the 5x8 and 6x12 to wings and it was just about perfect. If you don’t do a drop hitch the height of the ball will be too high and the trailer arm will be angled and not safely on the ball. Hope this helps!

 

[iam2sam]

From your previous posts it looks like you have an XL 2.0, but not sure if you have 4k tow or not. I’ll guess you have 4k tow and advise accordingly. The Mav will tow the 5x8 quite well as my post says. You shouldn’t have any problems in the mountains although you’ll need to adjust speed accordingly to compensate for the elevation. As to the driveway, I don’t think you’ll have any problems getting up it. I had to do a detour on my route that put me on a very windy and steep backroad with some hairpin turns thrown in for good measure and the truck pulled the 5x8 fine through that stretch. For the hitch, U-Haul recommends a 2-2.5” drop hitch for all their trailers. I had a 2.25” drop on the Mav for both the 5x8 and 6x12 to wings and it was just about perfect. If you don’t do a drop hitch the height of the ball will be too high and the trailer arm will be angled and not safely on the ball. Hope this helps!

Thank you. I amended my post with the truck specs, but you had already replied I think I have a hitch with that magnitude of drop, if not, I'll pick one up. I have some hairpins and switchbacks on VA 42 S of New Castle going to the property, so it is also good to know your rig handled those corners well. Now I need to switch my attention to the trailer light issue recall. I don't fancy having those stop working halfway down I81... Thanks again.

 

[davidpreuter]

Yes, I need to get the recall done as well. Really sucks that it won’t just download over the air. I don’t have time to get to a dealer to have this done.

One reminder for you on the 5x8 is that it doesn’t have integrated trailer brakes. The Mav will handle it fine but always good to remind yourself in the mountains to take it easy.

Safe travels to you.

 

[iam2sam]

I am always cautious to the point of paranoia when driving with a trailer, although on occasion in the past my pre-planning has left something t be desired. Thanks for your help.

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