4K tow package pulling an RV

[Nw_adventure]

This is not an issue for turbocharged engines, so this would apply to hybrids only.

Always wondered about that since having forced induction should handle elevation just fine - Ford does not specify that dynamic with this info -

High Altitude Operation Your vehicle may have reduced performance when operating at high altitudes and when heavily loaded or towing a trailer. While driving at elevation, in order to match driving performance as perceived at sea level, reduce GVWs and GCWs by 2% per 1,000 ft. elevation.

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[Nw_adventure]

Frontal area would be my concern. If this is a A frame or Hi low it's ok. An 8 foot wide trailer that's 8 feet tall would be a bad idea. Frontal area max is 40 square feet safely. Real quick to exceed that!

At least with an 8X8 or whatever size trailer, you do get to deduct the frontal area that the tailgate portion of the tow rig deflects. Our Rove/Lite has a big frontal load and we definitely notice that but its a 2200LB dry trailer so all and all the 4K/Turbo does pretty good until the wind gets pissy.

 

[The Real Maverick]

Good point. My previous comment only took into consideration the weight limit derating for elevation gain. You are correct that there is also the frontal area limitations. All of these act in concert with one another. Bottom line is that the Maverick is a poor choice for towing a travel trailer unless it is one of the tiny "micro-trailers".

Should I flamethrower you now or later?

 

[Tiger Dude]

Always wondered about that since having forced induction should handle elevation just fine - Ford does not specify that dynamic with this info -

High Altitude Operation Your vehicle may have reduced performance when operating at high altitudes and when heavily loaded or towing a trailer. While driving at elevation, in order to match driving performance as perceived at sea level, reduce GVWs and GCWs by 2% per 1,000 ft. elevation.

Emphasis mine. That section of the towing guide has a statement that it is general and not fo rthe mav specifically.

 

[The Real Maverick]

A "mountain" in Tennessee (yes I have travelled through there) is considered to be just a "hill" out here in the west. There's no way you could get the rig shown in this picture up to the Eisenhower tunnel in Colorado, or up and over the summits in Utah along I-70 or I-80.

Quit spewing theories out your 🫏.

Some including myself have actually done it.

 

[The Real Maverick]

Frontal area would be my concern. If this is a A frame or Hi low it's ok. An 8 foot wide trailer that's 8 feet tall would be a bad idea. Frontal area max is 40 square feet safely. Real quick to exceed that!

All it means is you can't drive 80 mph with higher frontal area.

Without doing the math 40 sq ft at 80 mph is going to take the same horsepower as 60 sq ft at 60 mph.

You get the idea.

I pull my blunt nose 63 sq ft trailer with my HYBRID and it does great at 65 mph.

And not a little bit. I pulled that 6,000 miles and counting.

 

[Scupking]

Question is should we use a weight distribution/anti sway hitch with the Maverick? We will be getting a travel trailer (Colman 17bx) around 2800lbs (empty) with a 300lb tongue weight.

 

[The Real Maverick]

Everyone here please stop using the terms "safety" and "performance" interchangeably.

They are not the same thing.

Elevation does not change the safety.
Elevation changes performance.

Frontal area does not (tornado aside) change the safety.
Frontal area affects performance.
(And not always in a bad way)

I tow a trailer with 63 sq ft blunt nose.
Sure, my top speed possible goes down. Down from 110 mph unladen to 70 mph. I'm fine with that!
Also the high frontal area GREATLY reduces braking needs at higher speeds. On those 6% down grades, I never touch the brakes. I just coast.
Wind drag = pull of gravity at about 60 MPH. Comfortable on any major highway. And INTERSTATES ARE LIMITED to 6% sustained with only short sections of 7% or 8% ever allowed.

 

[Maverick123]

Question is should we use a weight distribution/anti sway hitch with the Maverick? We will be getting a travel trailer (Colman 17bx) around 2800lbs (empty) with a 300lb tongue weight.

Highly recommend both WDH and sway control device

 

[The Real Maverick]

Ford says:

High Altitude Operation - Your vehicle may have reduced performance when operating at high altitudes and when heavily loaded or towing a trailer. While driving at elevation, in order to match driving performance as perceived at sea level, reduce GVWs and GCWs by 2% per 1,000 ft. elevation.

Ford does NOT SAY:

Do not pull 4,000 lbs at high elevations.

or

Pulling 4,000 lbs at high elevations is unsafe.

Or

Pulling a greater frontal area is unsafe.

 

[commadorebob]

IMHO, If you need to tow a large camper, the Maverick is likely not for you. It is more useful pulled behind a camper than in front of one. However, I think the one asked about in the OP would be fine.

There are classes of trailer and what you see below would be what I personally would consider be the upper limit. Anything larger would need a larger vehicle. Can Maverick tow it? Probably. Do I recommend it? I don't.

 

[The Real Maverick]

I pull one like this but mine was custom made 1 foot taller to hold my side by side OHV with lights on the roof of the OHV.

Mine is 7x12x9 outside dimensions.
Hybrid strains a bit at 70 mph.
Too fast for me anyway.
I usually set cruise at 63-65 MPH and go for it hours on end.

Pulled a 11% back mountain road for 5 miles sustained at 45-50 MPH. Which was the speed limit anyway.

 

[ImGoose]

I have towed my 2,400lb teardrop to one of the highest paved roads in the US. The truck was loaded with 4 dudes, all their camping gear and crap for a week.

I was watching engine and transmission temps from a bluetooth OBD dongle during that drive. Engine temps stayed below 220 and transmission temps rarely broke 200. Ecoboost engine and 4K tow.

The only stress I noticed was the smell from the truck's brakes getting a workout. I don't think my trailer's brake's are working entirely right.

 

[LSchicago]

At least with an 8X8 or whatever size trailer, you do get to deduct the frontal area that the tailgate portion of the tow rig deflects. Our Rove/Lite has a big frontal load and we definitely notice that but its a 2200LB dry trailer so all and all the 4K/Turbo does pretty good until the wind gets pissy.

That is not something Ford will agree on. Ford goes strictly by the frontal area of the trailer. Truck does not count to them.

 

[Nw_adventure]

That is not something Ford will agree on. Ford goes strictly by the frontal area of the trailer. Truck does not count to them.

Ford also leaves the specific motor that's pulling said rig out of the conversation, nice to have large areas of grey -

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