Increasing Tremor Towing Capacity?

[Blinky]

I was told that the big limiting factor is the advanced differential rather than the radiator.
Apparently it's "not that strong" and burns out clutches if it heats up while towing but the mechanic I was talking to didn't have any way to back up his statement so it remains anecdotal.

Sponsored

 

[Maverickman74]

Nope. I'm just trying to gauge whether the Tremor can tow 2,500 lbs. As I have said before, the Tremor's maximum towing capacity (defined as GCVWR - Vehicle Weight) is 2,400 lbs. But this doesn't take into account any passengers or bed payload.

So I'm wondering whether the Tremor's stated maximum towing capacity assumes some weight for passengers and payload.

If you ignore all the liability and legality recommendations on here, you will really just have to ask where you are towing that hilariously light 2500lbs. I mean really the Maverick is based on a small car platform so lets just pretend its lighter duty than we all hope it is. Given that the radiator is a little smaller and the front end doesnt take in as much air, lets say heat is a issue. If you are planning on towing over the recommended weight over tall mountains, for long distances, heat could present a problem. If you are towing in the flatlands and not all day. I wouldnt be that concerned.

I have towed more but living on a small island, it was only 24 miles and it was all within 800ft of elevation. So not exactly a continental divide situation. The springs are softer but if your truck bed isnt full then 250lbs of tongue weight isnt gonna be that noticeable.

Its really all down to where you plan on towing. Mountains for several days? Ehhh flip a coin. Across town, next town, or anywhere at mellow speeds and low elevation? I wouldnt worry much.

 

[fossil]

I was told that the big limiting factor is the advanced differential rather than the radiator.
Apparently it's "not that strong" and burns out clutches if it heats up while towing but the mechanic I was talking to didn't have any way to back up his statement so it remains anecdotal.

guess another anecdote would be the RDU handled 350HP in the RS or if in fact it was engaged at all while towing.

 

[ABTremor]

If you want towing capacity, the Maverick is not vehicle to use. I usually tow using the F150 which is a dinosaur of a vehicle and is rated for somewhere around 7k towing.
I did tow with the Tremor this week. Utility trailer with 70 bags of mulch - about 5 cubic yards -well above the 2k rating,I figured somewhere around 3k lbs between trailer and load.
I only traveled about 5 miles with the load, and I will say that the Maverick is NOT the vehicle to tow with. Even with the trailer empty the Mav gets " squirrely " and in my opinion this is entirely due to the unibody construction, feels like an awfull lot of flex going on, especially in the back half where the trailer and Mav are wrestling with each other.

IMHO, if you want to tow regularly, and especially a camper which has a GIANT side and front profile, then you want a heavier body on frame truck, not a unibody SUV with the back half of the roof missing. In my mind I'm convinced any unibody vehicle would have this limitation which is why most manufacturers won't even publish tow ratings for them.

Just my experience and thoughts, interpret them as you will.

 

[Svtguy]

I just saw the new Ranger it looked pretty awesome at the dealer. It was an XLT and priced close to my Tremor .Gas mileage looks to be about the same and towing I think is 7000 lbs..I agree with AB the Maverick is not really made for towing.

 

[Hunters Edge]

If you want towing capacity, the Maverick is not vehicle to use. I usually tow using the F150 which is a dinosaur of a vehicle and is rated for somewhere around 7k towing.
I did tow with the Tremor this week. Utility trailer with 70 bags of mulch - about 5 cubic yards -well above the 2k rating,I figured somewhere around 3k lbs between trailer and load.
I only traveled about 5 miles with the load, and I will say that the Maverick is NOT the vehicle to tow with. Even with the trailer empty the Mav gets " squirrely " and in my opinion this is entirely due to the unibody construction, feels like an awfull lot of flex going on, especially in the back half where the trailer and Mav are wrestling with each other.

IMHO, if you want to tow regularly, and especially a camper which has a GIANT side and front profile, then you want a heavier body on frame truck, not a unibody SUV with the back half of the roof missing. In my mind I'm convinced any unibody vehicle would have this limitation which is why most manufacturers won't even publish tow ratings for them.

Just my experience and thoughts, interpret them as you will.

I disagree if it couldn't Ford would be liable. On the other hand you have a tremor and was overloaded so that would make you liable. It also most likely why it didn't do well.

There are several reasons why they may limit the towing on the Tremor package. A couple have been mentioned lack of high capacity radiator and upgraded cooling fan also the clutches in the rear differential may not handle the heat. What hasn't mentioned is the 1 inch lift and different suspension. Many utube reviews repeatedly say it rides better on bumps but increased body roll. Also the payload is decreased in the tremor pkg because of the additional weight. All of the above can and most likely decreased towing capabilities. It also the lift and suspension makes it harder to control a heavy trailer load which maybe why the lower towing but definitely more dangerous. Especially when you add in the additional issue of over correcting and causing trailer sway because of the increased body roll do to the 1 inch lift and different suspension.

Also what was posted and mentioned if in an accident your open for not only liability. Most likely in the investigation your insurance may not cover it because of your negligence of not following manufacturers guidelines.

 

[ABTremor]

I disagree if it couldn't Ford would be liable. On the other hand you have a tremor and was overloaded so that would make you liable. It also most likely why it didn't do well.

There are several reasons why they may limit the towing on the Tremor package. A couple have been mentioned lack of high capacity radiator and upgraded cooling fan also the clutches in the rear differential may not handle the heat. What hasn't mentioned is the 1 inch lift and different suspension. Many utube reviews repeatedly say it rides better on bumps but increased body roll. Also the payload is decreased in the tremor pkg because of the additional weight. All of the above can and most likely decreased towing capabilities. It also the lift and suspension makes it harder to control a heavy trailer load which maybe why the lower towing but definitely more dangerous. Especially when you add in the additional issue of over correcting and causing trailer sway because of the increased body roll do to the 1 inch lift and different suspension.

Also what was posted and mentioned if in an accident your open for not only liability. Most likely in the investigation your insurance may not cover it because of your negligence of not following manufacturers guidelines.

Liability issues aside, I agree that I was pushing the limits, and I stated as much. Was it ill advised on my part? Probably, but that's not the subject up for discussion. And yes, going forward the F150 will be my tow vehicle of choice.

My point is that for the reasons you stated, softer suspension, factory lift and the possible limitations of the differentials - along with the unibody construction - which, at least to me, feels and drives way different than a body on frame like my F150, even with an empty trailer - The Tremor is not a good choice to tow a trailer and load even at Ford's 2k limit and I'm not convinced that the 4k package with it's different suspension and cooling etc.. will alleviate the challenges that the Mavericks light tow vehicle weight and unibody construction present.
but my past experiences towing with F150's and F250's over many years have a definite influence on my thoughts of the Mavericks suitability for the job.

 

[TJ2023]

The Brake Controller is the real thing that you can't add easily. I'd say that the Tremor has most of the other things already in place (similar to what the FX4 adds). The rating is based on a standard test that includes some pretty severe elevation changes. The brake controller helps with that.

Brake Controllers are very easy to add. If you don't have the knowledge or confidence to do it yourself, any camper or trailer dealer would be able to add one for you.

 

[Hunters Edge]

Liability issues aside, I agree that I was pushing the limits, and I stated as much. Was it ill advised on my part? Probably, but that's not the subject up for discussion. And yes, going forward the F150 will be my tow vehicle of choice.

My point is that for the reasons you stated, softer suspension, factory lift and the possible limitations of the differentials - along with the unibody construction - which, at least to me, feels and drives way different than a body on frame like my F150, even with an empty trailer - The Tremor is not a good choice to tow a trailer and load even at Ford's 2k limit and I'm not convinced that the 4k package with it's different suspension and cooling etc.. will alleviate the challenges that the Mavericks light tow vehicle weight and unibody construction present.
but my past experiences towing with F150's and F250's over many years have a definite influence on my thoughts of the Mavericks suitability for the job.

LOL in your own words you are using your experience to judge. Yet you are saying the Maverick with 4k towing is unsuitable to tow without even using, trying or experiencing it yet. Now that's funny.

Yet I understand somewhat because you experienced using a total different suspension and basically vehicle and even overloaded the manufacturers restrictions and thought it handled unsatisfactory. So I get it somewhat but you have no reason to dissing something you really have no first hand experience with.

Seeing I have no experience with the 4k yet I'm only have utube reviews where they are actually towing and several are in comparison towing with other vehicles. In those situations the Maverick was superior except for, you guessed it lower trailer towing capabilities. Then again even with the others having 5000lb towing they only towed 4000lbs to make them similar for acceleration, braking, gear shifting etc... So I can't comment on how well it will tow personally but I won't diss it either without first hand experience. I do have one on order so I will eventually, lord willing and the creeks don't rise.

 

[ABTremor]

LOL in your own words you are using your experience to judge. Yet you are saying the Maverick with 4k towing is unsuitable to tow without even using, trying or experiencing it yet. Now that's funny.

Yet I understand somewhat because you experienced using a total different suspension and basically vehicle and even overloaded the manufacturers restrictions and thought it handled unsatisfactory. So I get it somewhat but you have no reason to dissing something you really have no first hand experience with.

Seeing I have no experience with the 4k yet I'm only have utube reviews where they are actually towing and several are in comparison towing with other vehicles. In those situations the Maverick was superior except for, you guessed it lower trailer towing capabilities. Then again even with the others having 5000lb towing they only towed 4000lbs to make them similar for acceleration, braking, gear shifting etc... So I can't comment on how well it will tow personally but I won't diss it either without first hand experience. I do have one on order so I will eventually, lord willing and the creeks don't rise.

You're correct. I'm using my experience to judge, and in my experience it's not a pleasant driving experience to tow something that weighs as much as the tow vehicle, with the two vehicles fighting each other for top dog status, especially in a crosswind.
The Maverick weighs about 4k curb weight and pulling a trailer that approaches that weight is going to present some challenges, so be prepared for them.

 

[Hunters Edge]

You're correct. I'm using my experience to judge, and in my experience it's not a pleasant driving experience to tow something that weighs as much as the tow vehicle, with the two vehicles fighting each other for top dog status, especially in a crosswind.
The Maverick weighs about 4k curb weight and pulling a trailer that approaches that weight is going to present some challenges, so be prepared for them.

I know the feeling my F150 weighs 5000-5500lbs give or take and has a towing capability of like 12000lbs. Did that for years. At least if the truck weighs 3800lbs to 4000lb trailer it's a whole lot better circumstances. I guess I agree to disagree with you.

 

[jmatchco]

Does anyone know whether replacing the Tremor with stiffer springs would increase its towing capacity? Some people say that the Tremor has a smaller radiator, but I'm not convinced that's true since the engine is still the same and the radiator should be sufficient to cool the engine at maximum permitted RPMs.

I know the 4k Tow Package comes with slightly different gear ratios, but again that just affects RPMs. It also, supposedly, comes with a water cooled Transmission, which is great if you are towing 4,000 lbs, but is it necessary if you tow 3,000 lbs?

Am I just dreaming?

As I recall, the tremor has a limited-slip rear end (maybe what Tiger Dude meant) which might well be the weak link for towing and cargo weight.

 

[fossil]

As I recall, the tremor has a limited-slip rear end (maybe what Tiger Dude meant) which might well be the weak link for towing and cargo weight.

For some reason you're assuming the Tremor AdvanTEK Ultra dual clutch RDU would be engaged while towing also requiring the liquid cooled PTU to be engaged.
If that's the case the known weak link in the 4K, the air cooled PTU, would be the something to worry about as would be it's AdvanTEK Ultra single clutch RDU.

 

[jmatchco]

For some reason you're assuming the Tremor AdvanTEK Ultra dual clutch RDU would be engaged while towing also requiring the liquid cooled PTU to be engaged.
If that's the case the known weak link in the 4K, the air cooled PTU, would be the something to worry about as would be it's AdvanTEK Ultra single clutch RDU.

That's not quite what I meant. I wasn't thinking that the limited-slip would be engaged, only that the RDU mechanical capability (size, gears, bearings) might be lower, accounting for Ford's lower cargo and towing specs. As I recall, it was originally designed for the bronco sport rather than a truck.

 

[fossil]

That's not quite what I meant. I wasn't thinking that the limited-slip would be engaged, only that the RDU mechanical capability (size, gears, bearings) might be lower, accounting for Ford's lower cargo and towing specs. As I recall, it was originally designed for the bronco sport rather than a truck.

Actually the TC RDU was developed for the high performance Focus RS while the SC RDU was slated for LO-PO everyday AWD. Do you think that a RDU designed to handle 350HP is some how weaker?

Sponsored