Bought a Travel Trailer

[rk06382]

Don’t forget to add weight of passengers and gear. Adds up quickly.

From Ford pdf:

From:
2025 Ford Maverick Towing Information.pdf

Sponsored

 

[Mavster Mechanic]

Even the RV dealer said it's not a good idea.

Yes. Agree.

My RV manufacturer said do not use a WDH with "lightweight" trailers. With no respect to the truck, you need to respect the trailer. Ones marketed as "lightweight" sometimes have aluminum frames.

 

[Mad Trapper]

I guess 1990's and early 2000's F-150s ,which were about the same size as the Maverick, were also useless for towing travel trailers.

You must be thinking of the Ranger.

 

[Mavster Mechanic]

Seems a good place for this.
TOWING TO THE MAX. (and then some)

Hybrid.
3200 lb Trailer as loaded. (2750 dry)
Just under 400 lbs on the ball.
900 lbs of equipment in the bed.
2 adults & 2 dogs in the cab.
No WDH.
Due to 900 lb load used a 4" rise.
Otherwise, I use a "level" hitch ball.

19 MPG on level ground at 55 MPH.
16.5 MPG at 63 MPH.
I don't feel comfortable going over 63 MPH but the truck will do it.

45 MPH going up 5% and 6% grades.
Also can "drift" downhill, no brakes needed on 5% downhill with that big parachute. Light braking on 6% down.

Truck sat at 2600 RPM most of the day on CC. 3500 RPM on those 5% hills.
Totally reasonable.

220°F peak water temp.
205°F average water temp.
220°F average generator temp.
150°F average motor temp.
150°F average transmission oil temp.
100°F average HV battery temp.
55°F average ambient temp.

Pulls in EV mode just fine in city conditions, parking lots, camp sites.

Use normal in city and and camp sites to allow EV drive. Otherwise, Tow/Haul on the highways.

Edit: I was way more comfortable towing this rig loaded like this, than bringing it home last month dry and nothing but me in the truck.

Felt better stuck to the road heavy. Less buffeting from wind, etc. Stopping was effortless with trailer brake, regen, and brake pads.

Sure felt it accelerating. Hardly noticed it slowing and stopping.


Flat roads, tows very easy.
2500 RPM. No loud "engine drone".
Power output in the 25% area.
Not a strain for the engine.

 

[OleFordGuy]

I guess 1990's and early 2000's F-150s ,which were about the same size as the Maverick, were also useless for towing travel trailers.

It’s not the size, length/width/height etc, it’s in the capabilities of the structure, drivetrain, suspension, etc. such as a Frame. F150’s of the era would have been in the 7-10K range, based on its configuration I would guess

 

[Mavster Mechanic]

You must be thinking of the Ranger.

No. I see some very small, Maverick sized F-150's from time to time. Especially lowered ones.

4.9L I-6

145 Horsepower
265 lb-ft torque

 

[Scupking]

Don’t forget to add weight of passengers and gear. Adds up quickly.

Seems a good place for this.
TOWING TO THE MAX. (and then some)

Hybrid.
3200 lb Trailer as loaded. (2750 dry)
Just under 400 lbs on the ball.
900 lbs of equipment in the bed.
2 adults & 2 dogs in the cab.
No WDH.
Due to 900 lb load used a 4" rise.
Otherwise, I use a "level" hitch ball.

19 MPG on level ground at 55 MPH.
16.5 MPG at 63 MPH.
I don't feel comfortable going over 63 MPH but the truck will do it.

45 MPH going up 5% and 6% grades.
Also can "drift" downhill, no brakes needed on 5% downhill with that big parachute. Light braking on 6% down.

Truck sat at 2600 RPM most of the day on CC. 3500 RPM on those 5% hills.
Totally reasonable.

220°F peak water temp.
205°F average water temp.
220°F average generator temp.
150°F average motor temp.
150°F average transmission oil temp.
100°F average HV battery temp.
55°F average ambient temp.

Pulls in EV mode just fine in city conditions, parking lots, camp sites.

Use normal in city and and camp sites to allow EV drive. Otherwise, Tow/Haul on the highways.

Edit: I was way more comfortable towing this rig loaded like this, than bringing it home last month dry and nothing but me in the truck.

Felt better stuck to the road heavy. Less buffeting from wind, etc. Stopping was effortless with trailer brake, regen, and brake pads.

Sure felt it accelerating. Hardly noticed it slowing and stopping.

Where did you get the rise hitch ball? I ordered a 2 inch drop one but that will probably be to low. Not finding any level or rise ones.

 

[icegradner]

It’s not the size, length/width/height etc, it’s in the capabilities of the structure, drivetrain, suspension, etc. such as a Frame. F150’s of the era would have been in the 7-10K range, based on its configuration I would guess

Fully aware, the guy gave size as a reason.

 

[Backin15]

Where did you get the rise hitch ball? I ordered a 2 inch drop one but that will probably be to low. Not finding any level or rise ones.

If you need a rise, just take a drop hitch and insert it upside down, ball on top.

 

[Maverick123]

you can get adjustable-height hitches for reasonable prices now. They used to be super expensive but I guess competition made the prices come down

 

[Mavster Mechanic]

you can get adjustable-height hitches for reasonable prices now. They used to be super expensive but I guess competition made the prices come down

The fixed ones are reversible.
But usually not symmetric.
5.5" lowering = 4" rising.

I have an adjustable one. 2" increments with 4 positions. It's heavier. Bulkier. Rattles. Has more moving parts to fail.
AND YOU CANNOT LAY THE TAILGATE FLAT OPEN with it.

I recommended the fixed ones. They are pretty much bullet proof and are relatively cheap.

 

[Mavster Mechanic]

Wanted to point out "engine load" and "percent power" are not the same.

Engine load will be high in a higher gear.

Engine load will be lower in a lower gear, while horsepower to the wheels being the same.

Note: with the truck light and empty just cruising it likes to keep the engine at about 72% loaded. For efficiency that's just what it does.

With the trailer, it was usually about 82% to 84% loaded. In tow/haul mode. With rpm's staying relatively low. Just about 300 rpm more that usual for flat roads. On 5% - 6% grades, 92% to 94% load 3500 - 3600 rpm at 45-55 mph.

Power needle, 50% to 60% on those steep hills. A very capable truck!

These photos, seconds apart.
28% power output and 82% load.

 

[Mavster Mechanic]

I drove this many miles with the travel trailer. MPG on Dash and Pump matched well. I got 16.54 MPG round trip from pump receipts. I have my AFE adjustment set to 950/1000. Works well loaded and unloaded.

My Oil Life went down 17% in 800 miles.

Sponsored