Towing with a Ranger

[Dave Marshall]

Hi all, how is everyone going? Taking delivery of our 2012 Expanda Outback, is there anything i should have to tow it with. (sway bars, etc). I have a ford Ranger. electric brakes, and towing mirrors. Any help or knowledge would be much appreciated.
Cheers Dave

ETA Its a 17.56-2

 

[Tone]

The main thing would be don't tow in 6th gear. 5th and 6th are both overdrive but 5th is recommended. I would use WDH as it balance things out puts some weight back on the front wheels. The main thing is take it easy and use it heaps. Enjoy and welcome to this great forum.

 

[Scrounger]

+1 for towing in " S ", +1 for WDH
I'm a suck it n see guy so on our last trip we did with and without WHD and back to with, Wife and I both agreed it was subtle but better with WHD.
PXII Ranger with 18.58.2

 

[Phil C]

I have towed a 17.55.8 OB Journey over 8000km with a PX Ranger without WDH and all good, sits very level. Also tow in "S" mode with auto. The Ranger PX electrics don't cope with the LED lights on the Jayco so had to get a small harness with resisters in it to stop the indicators going flat out. Got it from Ford, not sure if the PX II has this issue.

 

[Vere]

Only tip I would suggest is to check if van has 12 pin plug. I drove from Adelaide to Melbourne and was nearly stuck there (oh crap) when I was faced with a 12 pin van and a 7 pin car.

 

[Dave Marshall]

Thanks for all your help guys. Just have to wait and see if the Lights are going to play up. is it an easy fix to add the harness with resisters.
I have a Ranger PX

 

[Bank of Dad]

I have a 2015 Ranger towing a 21'6" JB Van ATM 2800. I use S mode and no WDH. The trailer sway mitigation on the car isn't compatible with them. No need anyway.

 

[MDS69]

Only tip I would suggest is to check if van has 12 pin plug. I drove from Adelaide to Melbourne and was nearly stuck there (oh crap) when I was faced with a 12 pin van and a 7 pin car.

A 7 pin plug on your trailer will fit a 12 pin socket on your car.

 

[pauljygrant]

A 7 pin plug on your trailer will fit a 12 pin socket on your car.

Only if the 7 pin plug is flat. I have 7 pin large round on all 4 trailers and our equipment at work. Round appears most common now in SA whilst flat is favoured in VIC. Not sure about the other states.

 

[Phil C]

The harness is about 30-40 cm long and plugs into car socket and the van plug goes into the harness socket. Cost about $70 from Ford spare parts.

 

[MDS69]

Only if the 7 pin plug is flat. I have 7 pin large round on all 4 trailers and our equipment at work. Round appears most common now in SA whilst flat is favoured in VIC. Not sure about the other states.

Yeah sorry forgot about round. Really only see flat in NSW these days.

 

[Vere]

The harness is about 30-40 cm long and plugs into car socket and the van plug goes into the harness socket. Cost about $70 from Ford spare parts.

I live in SA and have round 7 pin plug. Purchased van from Vic and it had 12 pin flat. I was stuffed.
I went to a auto shop and purchased a 7 round to 7 flat adapter but it would not plug into van due to a cover on the adapter which locked adapter onto plug. I cut off the cover and wrapped in tape to hold for the drive home.
If wife had a swear jar handy she could have paid for van cash

 

[Drover]

The large round plugs are way better than the flat plugs I reckon.

 

[BaxnRach]

The large round plugs are way better than the flat plugs I reckon.

Unless you just happen to buy a PX Ranger and a new Jayco van and everything works straight away, like mine did

 

[Drover]

Unless you just happen to buy a PX Ranger and a new Jayco van and everything works straight away, like mine did

They must have copied from the Colorado's.............................

 

[BaxnRach]

Unless you just happen to buy a PX Ranger and a new Jayco van and everything works straight away, like mine did

Both of my vans 17.55.5 Disco, and the new 17.55.8 Journey and both of my PX Rangers (2011 and 2014) have just been plug and go, albeit have had to use the patch lead,, I'm guessing Jayco use good quality led,s and the Ranger won't recognise the van is there, but my work trailer with cheapo led,s it recognises, go figure.

 

[Drover]

View attachment 46942
I'm guessing Jayco use good quality led,s and the Ranger won't recognise the van is there, but my work trailer with cheapo led,s it recognises, go figure.

BAHAHAHAHAHA, good laugh for end of year.....................classic.

 

[Tricky]

I have a 2015 Ranger towing a 21'6" JB Van ATM 2800. I use S mode and no WDH. The trailer sway mitigation on the car isn't compatible with them. No need anyway.

Sorry for the correction but the trailer sway control works independently of any WDH.

 

[DRW]

Those large round 7 pin plugs went out with button up boots in most states (except for trucks)

 

[Drover]

You can still buy them @DRW , probably not as commercially viable as the flat pins, they last heaps longer so won't generate enough sales........wouldn't look as good on the back of the Jeep anyway, too agricultural......lol,