Towing decision....would you?

[Phranc68]

My wife is currently camped with a bunch of friends with our Ram 3500, a horse trailer and a small bumper pull camper. She used the 3500 to tow the camper out, then shuttled home and collected the horse trailer and returned.

I'm getting ready to do the same in reverse. I could avoid a return trip if I use the Maverick to tow the trailer.

I have a 2.0 Eco but not the tow package. I have a hitch and regularly our utility trailers and small boat.

The trailer is 3250 and has no additional gear in it for the trip home. No sway bars, straight bumper pull.

The route is almost allcountry roads, some up and down but nothing major. 30 miles, with speed limits between 35-50.

Would you do it? Or simply and safely enjoy a day experiencing both extremes of the U.S. consumet truck market?

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[cmefish]

I'm sure some will disagree but on fairly level terrain and short trips, I use it like a truck. Have 2.0 with 4k and as long as it doesn't feel like it is struggling I go.

 

[Redline]

Seems a bit sketchy to me. That's more than 60% heavier than you are rated to tow. Personally, I probably wouldn't. You could hook it up and see how badly it squats and go from there. I'm sure there are people who have towed more with less.

 

[bgn]

No, I would not choose to overload my truck and put myself and drivers around me in danger.

 

[Clarkdonbran]

Don’t do it! Take the extra time away from your wife and her friends.

 

[rad32]

The other thing to consider is the weather. Since you don’t have the tow package you don’t have a transmission cooler or the bigger radiator. You may be able to move it and stop it, but can the truck keep itself cool, especially if it’s really hot out?

 

[Hot Runr Guy]

Under the distance and speed limits you mentioned, I'd do it. Of course, you want have trailer brakes, so just stay away from others.

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[1929]

Definitely would not. Nope. Not without 4K tow package.

 

[801Maverick801]

If you are going to tow heavy loads, I highly recommend getting something to monitor the transmission fluid temp. If your Temps are staying reasonable, then I say go for it.

 

[Tom 71 Maverick 24]

I would not. If it was a couple of miles near home, I "might" but the additional gearing, cooling, and all that isn't there. Possible cumulative heating issues, and if anything should happen, well, you exceeded the capability of the vehicle and could face significant liability.

 

[Johnny maverick]

I wouldn't do it not for all the reasons previously posted but the most important one. how are going to stop it? Better have a brake controller at least.

 

[Joe Strummer]

Without a 7 pin connector, the Mav's brakes are doing all the work. If you have to stop in an emergency, your screwed.

 

[Hunters Edge]

I would not suggest it. Like was posted you do not have
1 electric brake controller and most states have laws of 3000lbs or more are required.
2 Probably not AWD which you didn't mention that your Maverick has.
3 No high capacity radiator
4 No upgraded radiator fan
5 No lower gear ratio

The biggest reason they may null your warranty because of it. Even if they do cover it are you prepared for having the dealership work on it? Two the down time waiting for parts and for it to be fixed?

Now you may not notice anything tell later as well. I think there are more reasons to take the time and use the Ram. Or buy a new Maverick that it built to tow that amount safely and capable without damaging internal components. That's my 2 cents, take it for what it's worth, which isn't much.

So basically are you willing to take the risk? Kind of like your not suppose to rob a bank but many do. It boils down to, are you willing to take the risk? I'm sure you are going to get posts on both sides, unfortunately they don't have any skin in the game.

 

[Gray Goose]

Looking at it from the physics: The Maverick without 4K towing is rated at 6145 GCWR. Assuming there isn't more than 500lbs in the truck, a 3250 trailer puts the GCWR at about 7450 or about 20% over weight. The coolers, etc are probably designed for 65 mph. 20% less speed is 50 mph. So 20% over GCWR weight at 50 mph is mathematically equivalent force to max GCWR at 65 mph. This is conservative since it's calculating force needed by weight only, not factoring in air resistance. 50mph would have much lower air resistance than 65 mph.
https://www.tutorchase.com/answers/...u-calculate-the-power-required-to-drive-a-car
Not advocating or discouraging. Just doing some back of the napkin math.
As others have mentioned braking would be the biggest deficiency with no connection to the trailer brakes.

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