Towing Cross Country?

[Vonnegut37]

So we are about to move from Washington to NC—roughly 2900 miles. I have a 2022 Maverick 2.0 Ecoboost. The rates tow capacity is 4K. My wife’s Kona is roughly 3200 lbs and a uhaul trailer is about 1k. I have the upgraded hitch that came from Ford. I know I’m going to the lose fuel economy but…

The question: Can my Maverick make this trip or will it struggle?

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[Johnkn]

There is no ‘upgraded hitch’ from Ford, you get a 2" receiver hitch or you don't.

Are you talking about a dual axle U-haul vehicle transporter like this pictured? They are ~2200 lbs dry....

If you are talking about a 2-wheel dolly going cross country, I sure would not....

Good luck

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[Hardening2753]

So we are about to move from Washington to NC—roughly 2900 miles. I have a 2022 Maverick 2.0 Ecoboost. The rates tow capacity is 4K. My wife’s Kona is roughly 3200 lbs and a uhaul trailer is about 1k. I have the upgraded hitch that came from Ford. I know I’m going to the lose fuel economy but…

The question: Can my Maverick make this trip or will it struggle?

A guy did a post on how to tow like an expert not too long ago, look it up as that's going to be better than anyone here giving you armchair advice

 

[Johnkn]

A guy did a post on how to tow like an expert not too long ago, look it up as that's going to be better than anyone here giving you armchair advice

LOL. He posted here on how to “tow like an expert” and that’s better advice than anyone here will give you (even through he posted here). WHAT? LOLLLLLLL

Great advice...

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[Maverickman74]

I would double check that trailer weight. Pack light on everything else, change your oild= and air filter out before you go. Make sure your radiator and intercooler are nice and clean. If you are riding at 4200lb you will probably be fine. But it will be a haul. I would take good breaks in the mountains, like sit down and eat a couple meals a day to let it cool down.

 

[Oscarcat]

Just to be clear, your Mav has the 4k tow package option? You mentioned the hitch and you write "rated 4k ". If it does not have the optional 4k tow package you are limited to 2k minus other weight in the bed. In all cases there are limitations as to the frontal area of the trailer. The owner's manual does a good job explaining this.

 

[jmcarter]

If you can swing it you might think about shipping your wife’s car. Between fuel economy loss (~50%) and the expense of renting a trailer the delta in costs probably won’t be worth the aggravation. Cruising through the Cascades and Rockies should be fun, not worrisome.

 

[jsus]

So we are about to move from Washington to NC—roughly 2900 miles. I have a 2022 Maverick 2.0 Ecoboost. The rates tow capacity is 4K. My wife’s Kona is roughly 3200 lbs and a uhaul trailer is about 1k. I have the upgraded hitch that came from Ford. I know I’m going to the lose fuel economy but…

The question: Can my Maverick make this trip or will it struggle?

Source on those numbers? Seems you're under half the actual weight of the trailer, unless you're just looking for a dolly. 2210 lb trailer + 3200 lb Kona puts you at 5410 lb approx, with no additional load. That's 35.25% over the 4k tow package's rating. Even if the vehicle can move that weight, will it be able to stop when needed?

Presumably you'll be hitting some mountains as well which will push the vehicle and your skills that much harder. Are you experienced in hauling such loads cross country? If not, you may want to heed the advice above and get some quotes to have the vehicle shipped, if you don't have/want a second driver.

Bear in mind that being over the weight rating could give your insurance carrier grounds to deny any claims, should something go wrong. However, if you use a reputable shipper, you should be able to secure insurance if they don't provide it by default.

U-Haul lists a required 5,000 lb minimum tow rating, so even if you have a Maverick with the 4k tow package, that is below their minimum.

Not that anyone follows speed limits, but U-Haul also advises a max speed of 55 mph, which slows down the trip.

Bottom line is that without a bigger truck with a higher tow rating, they really intend for their AUto Transport trailers to be used with their moving trucks, not a Maverick.

Now, their tow dollies are 750 pounds with a minimum 3500 lb tow vehicle rating, which would have the rear wheels on the ground. You'd need to ensure the Kona is able to be towed this way. Still, you'd be right at the limits of 4k tow without any cargo.

https://www.uhaul.com/Trailers/Auto-Transport-Rental/AT/

Capacity

• Max load: 5,290 lbs.
• Gross vehicle weight: 7,500 lbs. max.
• Empty weight: 2,210 lbs.

Towing vehicle requirements

• Must be equipped with a hard top if it is an SUV. U-Haul does not allow any type of sport-utility vehicle not equipped with a hard top to tow U-Haul equipment.
• Tow vehicle and trailer lighting must be operational at all times, day and night. All U-Haul trailers and towing are wired with a 4-way flat light connector.
• Must weigh at least 3,500 lbs. (curb weight), and must equal or exceed 80% of the combined weight of the trailer (2,210 lbs.) and the vehicle being towed (up to 5,290 lbs.).
• Must have a towing system that has a 5,000 lbs. minimum weight-carrying rating
• Must have 1-7/8" or 2" hitch ball (5,000 lbs. minimum)
• Must not exceed maximum allowable hitch ball height of 25"
• Must have external mirrors on both sides
• Must have fully operational lighting
• Maximum recommended speed is 55 MPH
• Load trailers heavier in front.
• Reduce normal driving speed.
• Wear a seatbelt.

https://www.uhaul.com/Trailers/Tow-Dolly-Rental/TD/

Capacity

• Max Load: 3,450 lbs. when towing a front-wheel drive vehicle, 3,900 lbs. when towing a rear-wheel drive vehicle.
• Empty weight: 750 lbs.

Towing vehicle requirements

• Must be equipped with a full hard top if it is a sport utility type vehicle. If the top or any portion of the top is removed, or is not a hard top, your sport utility type vehicle cannot be used for towing U-Haul equipment. A full hard top must be in place.
• Tow vehicle and trailer lighting must be operational at all times, day and night. All U-Haul trailers and towing are wired with a 4-way flat light connector.
• Must weigh at least 750 lbs. more than the vehicle being towed
• Must have Class 2 tow hitch (3,500 lbs. minimum weight-carrying rating)
• Must have 1-7/8" or 2" hitch ball (3,500 lbs. minimum)
• Must not exceed maximum allowable hitch ball height of 25"
• Must have external mirrors on both sides
• Must have fully operational lighting
• Maximum recommended speed is 55 MPH
• Load trailers heavier in front.
• Reduce normal driving speed.
• Wear a seatbelt.

 

[Vonnegut37]

With the Kona being AWD the dolly is out.
I do have the 4K package but I’m thinking at this point it may not be worth it to try this. I appreciate all the responses.

 

[Old Man]

Ford's website has a towing guide with all the calculations and limitations for towing with the Maverick. Download it instead of trusting someone.

 

[jsus]

Ford's website has a towing guide with all the calculations and limitations for towing with the Maverick. Download it instead of trusting someone.

https://www.ford.com/cmslibs/conten...ides/2022_Ford_Maverick_Towing_Info_Oct20.pdf

https://www.mavericktruckclub.com/forum/threads/2022-maverick-trailer-towing-gvwr-gcwr-guide.557/

 

[Johnkn]

Ford's website has a towing guide with all the calculations and limitations for towing with the Maverick. Download it instead of trusting someone.

Um, yea, don't trust anyone when the pics I posted above are me towing my '23 home last month with the exact trailer the OP is considering and stating that the dry trailer weight is ~2200 lbs -vs- the OPs 1000 lb guess, and JSUS copying and pasting 2x actual trailer info from the U-Haul site showing the trailer weight is 2210 lbs, along with capacities and towing requirements of that and the dolly...

NOTHING in Ford's towing guide will state anything about the capabilities or weight of a U-Haul dual axle transporter.... and the OP knows he's got the 4k tow package...

But don't trust anyone...


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