Hybrid Towing and Camper Options

[MakinDoForNow]

I'm still unclear on if that is 20sqft of frontal area above the cab of the truck, the bed of the truck, or just total of 20sqft of frontal space.

The other thing I am unclear on is if that requirement is for a flat frontal space. Obviously something like the prolite has a very aerodynamic teardrop front, which would be much more stable than a flat front slab of a trailer.

The frontal area is looking at the truck with the trailer hooked to it and count all the area that you see truck and that portion of the trailer which can bee seen (= do not count the portion of trailer that is hiding behind the truck). Do not count the air space between the tires but do count any portion of the trailer that occupies any of that space between the pickups tires that is lower than the bottom of the truck. Note if the trailer tires are "hiding" behind the trucks tires you do not count any of the trailers tires but do count the portion that can be seen. (Ideally the trailer will be completely behind the truck and will not add anything to the "exposed frontal area"! Note if your dog is hanging his head out the window you should count it"

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[WesM]

I can't find this in the manual. Is this just a general rule or something coming from some review videos?

Follow this link to the maverick towing guide. It covers the frontal area requirements.

https://www.[banned site].com/threads/2022-ford-maverick-towing-guide.253/

 

[MakinDoForNow]

I'm still unclear on if that is 20sqft of frontal area above the cab of the truck, the bed of the truck, or just total of 20sqft of frontal space.

The other thing I am unclear on is if that requirement is for a flat frontal space. Obviously something like the prolite has a very aerodynamic teardrop front, which would be much more stable than a flat front slab of a trailer.

Also in the Ford explanation of exposed frontal area they basically measure the shadow of the truck and trailer hooked together as if you measured it if it was perfectly cast upon that wall. The wind drag would be slightly less if a bed cap helped keep the wind from dropping down behind the truck but Ford is ignoring that. (Would have to put rig into wind tunnel to get exact calculation).

 

[WesM]

The frontal area is looking at the truck with the trailer hooked to it and count all the area that you see truck and that portion of the trailer which can bee seen (= do not count the portion of trailer that is hiding behind the truck). Do not count the air space between the tires but do count any portion of the trailer that occupies any of that space between the pickups tires that is lower than the bottom of the truck. Note if the trailer tires are "hiding" behind the trucks tires you do not count any of the trailers tires but do count the portion that can be seen. (Ideally the trailer will be completely behind the truck and will not add anything to the "exposed frontal area"! Note if your dog is hanging his head out the window you should count it"

Ok so the prolite is 90" tall x 77" wide which equals 48.13 sqft of frontal space

The Maverick is 69" tall and 73" wide (obviously not a square box but for the sake of easy calcs we will say it is) which equals about 35 sqft of frontal space.

48.13-35= 13.13 of exposed prolite trailer frontal space when towed by the Ford Maverick. is that correct?

 

[MakinDoForNow]

Ok so the prolite is 90" tall x 77" wide which equals 48.13 sqft of frontal space

The Maverick is 69" tall and 73" wide (obviously not a square box but for the sake of easy calcs we will say it is) which equals about 35 sqft of frontal space.

48.13-35= 13.13 of exposed trailer frontal space for the maverick towing the Prolite trailer. is that correct?

Do not forget to adjust for the open space between the tires both truck and trailer which does not block the wind. I will see if I can locate the actual document! If I remember right there is an actual exposed sq footage given for Maverick and a total reccomended sq footage of the truck and trailer. Also they are using this to calculate wind resistance at some mph (65?) Which means you should reduce your speed down if you are fighting a head wind 15-20-30 mph???

 

[Backyard-Dawg]

I think I found one of the guides.

https://www.fleet.ford.com/content/...ilerTowingGuide_Calculator-Fleet_r1_Nov29.pdf

 

[Backyard-Dawg]

Ok so the prolite is 90" tall x 77" wide which equals 48.13 sqft of frontal space

The Maverick is 69" tall and 73" wide (obviously not a square box but for the sake of easy calcs we will say it is) which equals about 35 sqft of frontal space.

48.13-35= 13.13 of exposed prolite trailer frontal space when towed by the Ford Maverick. is that correct?

You would think you would be alright with that napkin math since that accounts for only 65% of the total sqft. Leave some room for error.

 

[WesM]

Also have to keep in mind the GCWR (gross combined vehicle weight rating), which is 6k lbs for the Hybrid. If the maverick weights in at 3700 lbs and you are towing 1800 lbs of trailer (5500 lbs total GCW), that means you only have 500lbs you can put in the truck (that is including people). Say you toss a 200lb guy a 100lb wife/gf and say a 50lb kid in and you only have 150lb for luggage.

 

[Arukoru]

I was also interested in options and bounced around some ideas before stumbling onto teardrop campers. You can pretty easily build/buy one under 2000 pounds loaded up, it is a dry elevated place to sleep and has all your cooking/cleaning needs out back.

People get fancier with them going larger, adding toilets and running water, TVs, solar panels, camping fridges etc.

 

[TRUCKHEF]

The only way you're gonna be able to tow with the hybrid and have water and wet bath is like others have said the roulotte pro lite, I think there is one other brand but I cant remember who they are, I think they went out of business. You should wait, right now RV quality is at an all time low, because of covid and travel restriction tons of people are buying travel trailers and to keep up with demand significant corners are being cut during production.

https://www.rvia.org/news-insights/september-rv-shipment-report-sets-new-single-month-record

https://www.rvtravel.com/pathetic-quality-rv-dealers-fed-manufacturers-producing-1017b/

https://archive.curbed.com/2019/9/18/20870828/rv-camper-repairs-poor-quality

https://www.crossroadsowners.com/forums/f23/rv-industry-quality-issues-14784.html

 

[MakinDoForNow]

Also have to keep in mind the GCWR (gross combined vehicle weight rating), which is 6k lbs for the Hybrid. If the maverick weights in at 3700 lbs and you are towing 1800 lbs of trailer (5500 lbs total GCW), that means you only have 500lbs you can put in the truck (that is including people). Say you toss a 200lb guy a 100lb wife/gf and say a 50lb kid in and you only have 150lb for luggage.

Yes and that figure has to be adjusted for things like adding lux pkg to XLT. Oh'. Do not forget to subtract tongue weight of trailer.

 

[MakinDoForNow]

Check this thread!
2022 Maverick Trailer Towing & GVWR / GCWR Guide

 

[Backyard-Dawg]

Yes and that figure has to be adjusted for things like adding lux pkg to XLT. Oh'. Do not forget to subtract tongue weight of trailer.

I don’t think you add tongue to the gross combined. I think you add it to just the vehicle total weight for its payload, should be fine there. You use the trailer weight for the combined.

Seems like this would work if you travel with 2 and maybe a kid. Wet weight is 1640. Hybrid lariat is 3674. Gives you 700 pounds for people and luggage/ supplies. I would be on the tight side but for a weekend trip I think doable.

 

[GApeach]

Check

 

[MakinDoForNow]

I don’t think you add tongue to the gross combined. I think you add it to just the vehicle total weight for its payload, should be fine there. You use the trailer weight for the combined.

Seems like this would work if you travel with 2 and maybe a kid. Wet weight is 1640. Hybrid lariat is 3674. Gives you 700 pounds for people and luggage/ supplies. I would be on the right side but for a weekend trip I think doable.

My bad I meant to say that in op's example he would need to subtract the tongue weight from the remaining available load or he might have to leave his 100 lb wife and 50 lb kid at home!

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