Towing with Maverick Hybrid

[Sire777]

Just curious what are y’all towing with your Hybrid Mavericks since the towing limit is so low?

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[Surly Old Bill]

Do you mean camp trailer, or cargo trailer?

I looked at getting a small lightweight camp trailer so I could fully retire (sell) my Transit250(not Connect). There are several that fit inside the Hybrid FWD weight limits, but I decided that I don't like towing for roadtrips, with the accompanying search for places to camp with a trailer (We won't stay in campgrounds with all the closely parked, loud, annoying other campers). Add to that the huge drop in MPG, I might as well be driving the 15-17mpg Transit(not Connect) and have all the conveniences it contains.

 

[Sire777]

Do you mean camp trailer, or cargo trailer?

I looked at getting a small lightweight camp trailer so I could fully retire (sell) my Transit250(not Connect). There are several that fit inside the Hybrid FWD weight limits, but I decided that I don't like towing for roadtrips, with the accompanying search for places to camp with a trailer (We won't stay in campgrounds with all the closely parked, loud, annoying other campers). Add to that the huge drop in MPG, I might as well be driving the 15-17mpg Transit(not Connect) and have all the conveniences it contains.

we are looking for camping trailer.

 

[Mavster Mechanic]

Just curious what are y’all towing with your Hybrid Mavericks since the towing limit is so low?

The LIMIT is not low. But the recommendation kind of is.

My 2022 hybrid pulls this:
Only thing I could use and don't have is the AWD that came along later.

And the 120 VAC outlet in the Maverick is powering the RV except for Air Conditioner and Microwave.

 

[Maverick123]

...
And the 120 VAC outlet in the Maverick is powering the RV except for Air Conditioner and Microwave.

How do you do this? Do you "start" the truck, disable the 30 minute timeout then lock a key fob inside?

That's how I did it, but I'm wondering if there's a better way

 

[Sire777]

The LIMIT is not low. But the recommendation kind of is.

My 2022 hybrid pulls this:
Only thing I could use and don't have is the AWD that came along later.

And the 120 VAC outlet in the Maverick is powering the RV except for Air Conditioner and Microwave.

The specs state to only tow a dry e
Weight of 2000lbs….what does your trailer weigh and how does your Maverick handle it?

 

[Mavster Mechanic]

The specs state to only tow a dry e
Weight of 2000lbs….what does your trailer weigh and how does your Maverick handle it?

As equipped. But you can add aftermarket equipment.

Trailer is 2750 dry. 3200 as outfitted.

I ADDED a 7-pin connection and trailer brake controller. ($250)

I ADDED helper air bags to the rear springs. ($110)

I ADDED transmission temperature gauge and water temperature gauge and battery gauge, 70 gauges in all, with a ScanGauge III add on. So I'm confident I'm running well within limits. ($250)

I ADDED towing mirrors. ($60)

Top safe speed is 65 MPH.
I'm more comfortable at 60 MPH.
Truck will pull it at 40 MPH up a prolonged 6% grade without overheating. Slower than an F-250, sure. But still faster than most 18-Wheelers on mountain grades which is fine with me.

16 MPG at 65 MPH.
19 MPG at 55 MPH.

I know, same MPG as the EcoBoost when towing. But this is also my Daily Commuter vehicle and I'm getting 50 MPG on my daily grind and I'm pretty sure no EcoBoost driver is.

 

[Sire777]

As equipped. But you can add aftermarket equipment.

Trailer is 2750 dry. 3200 as outfitted.

I ADDED a 7-pin connection and trailer brake controller. ($250)

I ADDED helper air bags to the rear springs. ($110)

I ADDED transmission temperature gauge and water temperature gauge and battery gauge, 70 gauges in all, with a ScanGauge III add on. So I'm confident I'm running well within limits. ($250)

I ADDED towing mirrors. ($60)

Top safe speed is 65 MPH.
I'm more comfortable at 60 MPH.
Truck will pull it at 40 MPH up a prolonged 6% grade without overheating. Slower than an F-250, sure. But still faster than most 18-Wheelers on mountain grades which is fine with me.

16 MPG at 65 MPH.
19 MPG at 55 MPH.

I know, same MPG as the EcoBoost when towing. But this is also my Daily Commuter vehicle and I'm getting 50 MPG on my daily grind and I'm pretty sure no EcoBoost driver is.

Sounds good…..thanks for your help! Appreciate it and with look into those suggestions when we purchase our trailer!

 

[Mavster Mechanic]

Sounds good…..thanks for your help! Appreciate it and with look into those suggestions when we purchase our trailer!

Of course start small and keep it slow. Like 55 mph slow if you are new to towing. I've been towing stuff for 30 years. Mine is a lot of trailer for a freshman. Just be safe and take it easy. Slow down in wind. Minimize distractions like talking on the phone or eating while towing. You have very little room for mistakes when towing something big.

Also consider if towing will stress you and make your trips unpleasant.
It's more stressful for me too than simply driving a truck. So I plan for no more than 300 miles in a day, so I can take my time, and cover all the miles in daylight.

Which reminds me, any trailer, or any cargo in your bed greater than a dog and groceries is going to make your headlamps point up at the sky. Making them less useful to you, and blinding to Semi's.

Only tow in sunlight or you'll need to get out a screwdriver and adjust your headlamps downward.

 

[Sire777]

Of course start small and keep it slow. Like 55 mph slow if you are new to towing. I've been towing stuff for 30 years. Mine is a lot of trailer for a freshman. Just be safe and take it easy. Slow down in wind. Minimize distractions like talking on the phone or eating while towing. You have very little room for mistakes when towing something big.

Also consider if towing will stress you and make your trips unpleasant.
It's more stressful for me too than simply driving a truck. So I plan for no more that 300 miles in a day, so I can take my time, and cover all the miles in daylight.

I agree….we did own a 26’ trailer few years ago so do have some experience but with an F-150 truck, now that we are retiring we are looking for a small 15’-16’ trailer for just the two of us, looking into the vintage trailers! Agree that 200-300 miles a day would be our limit as well since retiring we are not in a hurry. Thanks

 

[ExpoGuy]

Also consider if towing will stress you and make your trips unpleasant.
It's more stressful for me too than simply driving a truck. So I plan for no more than 300 miles in a day, so I can take my time, and cover all the miles in daylight.

Interesting comment as I'm considering buying a travel trailer. But I have never done towing before, so I wonder how I would like it. With a trailer one must be much more careful while driving. And that adds stress.

 

[notaz3]

4,000 pounds is not low and more than most people with "big" trucks will ever tow.
The Maverick will be replacing my 150 and be used for most of the animal feed runs while my 250 remains to haul the tractor, camper, car trailer, etc.

 

[Surly Old Bill]

It depends on how far you're going and how fast you want to get there, but I don't think I'd want to tow faster than 55mph in a Mav just to make sure the trailer doesn't start to steer the pickup. The main consideration with a FWD is the trailer making the front end light, causing you to lose traction and control.

The towing limits stated by the mfg are to cover their a$$, they are not actual limits. I towed a 12 ton backhoe on a trailer to a jobsite with my Transit(not Connect) with 2.5 ton "capacity". I didn't go very fast, and I had zero problems doing it, and zero problems with the van afterwards.

There are a handful of small, light 5th wheels that might be the perfect thing for a Maverick.
Scamp 5th wheel starts at just 2000lbs dry weight.

 

[Glen Baker LLC]

It depends on how far you're going and how fast you want to get there, but I don't think I'd want to tow faster than 55mph in a Mav just to make sure the trailer doesn't start to steer the pickup. The main consideration with a FWD is the trailer making the front end light, causing you to lose traction and control.

The towing limits stated by the mfg are to cover their a$$, they are not actual limits. I towed a 12 ton backhoe on a trailer to a jobsite with my Transit(not Connect) with 2.5 ton "capacity". I didn't go very fast, and I had zero problems doing it, and zero problems with the van afterwards.

There are a handful of small, light 5th wheels that might be the perfect thing for a Maverick.
Scamp 5th wheel starts at just 2000lbs dry weight.

I also thought that the scamp fifth wheel was a good choice for a Maverick.
Scamp does not produce a hitch for the bed of a Maverick do the fact at the Maverick is unibody.

 

[Surly Old Bill]

I also thought that the scamp fifth wheel was a good choice for a Maverick.
Scamp does not produce a hitch for the bed of a Maverick do the fact at the Maverick is unibody.

RIGHT! I keep forgetting about unibody specialness.
I wonder about a 1/4" steel plate that covers the entire bed, and mount the hitch to that? It would likely work, but would void any warranty and possibly insurance claims if something went wrong.

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