How level when towing?

[rjetre@charter.net]

With my 21NE and Ford Ranger with Andersen WDH, the trailer is 1/2 to 3/4 in nose down measuring from the belly band at the rear and front of the trailer. Is this level enough? With the Andersen stinger, I could raise the hitch 1.5 in, making it 1 in to 3/4 in nose high. I am looking not to have too much stress to the front axle. Thoughts?

[JStelly]

I always set my 19 slightly nose down. 1/2 to 3/4 inch nose down is about right.

[cpaharley2008]

The movement while trailering makes any adjustment moot as it is only critical for the refer while in "propane" mode....close enough to level is my goal.

[Ret.LEO]

Slightly nose down is correct

[Brian B-P]

Originally Posted by rjetre@charter.net

With my 21NE and Ford Ranger with Andersen WDH, the trailer is 1/2 to 3/4 in nose down measuring from the belly band at the rear and front of the trailer. Is this level enough?

That's more than close enough.

Originally Posted by rjetre@charter.net

With the Andersen stinger, I could raise the hitch 1.5 in, making it 1 in to 3/4 in nose high. I am looking not to have too much stress to the front axle. Thoughts?

The amount of tilt won't be a durability problem for the axles.

Originally Posted by JStelly

I always set my 19 slightly nose down. 1/2 to 3/4 inch nose down is about right.

Originally Posted by Ret.LEO

Slightly nose down is correct

Slightly nose-down is right for a single-axle trailer, but for a tandem-axle trailer (especially tandems without suspension equalization, which means trailer with Torflex suspension) for stability slightly nose-up would be better.

[John in Santa Cruz]

The problem with towing 'nose up' is that that is rear bumper down, and increases the probability of scraping hard parts when going over a dip or driveway ramp.

[Brian B-P]

Originally Posted by John in Santa Cruz

The problem with towing 'nose up' is that that is rear bumper down, and increases the probability of scraping hard parts when going over a dip or driveway ramp.

Sure, but I hope we're talking about small differences, with any axle configuration. With the tongue lower, there's more risk of dragging the jack foot over humps... there's no winning if trying to fix a lack of clearance by tilting the trailer.

[rjetre@charter.net]

Sounds like I am probably close enough with the 12/-3/4 in nose down....

[cpaharley2008]

Originally Posted by rjetre@charter.net

Sounds like I am probably close enough with the 12/-3/4 in nose down....

Are you saying you are 12+ inches off level?

[rjetre@charter.net]

NO! My mistake. 1/2 to 3/4 nose down over 20 ft.

[NEWYORKHILLBILLY]

I can never find a place level to even check. I think i have to do it next time I am on a scale.

[escape artist]

Originally Posted by rjetre@charter.net

NO! My mistake. 1/2 to 3/4 nose down over 20 ft.

Hi: rjetra@charter.net... As my Dad used to say "As close as dam it is to swearing"!!! Alf
escape artist N.S. of Lake Erie

[YakRV]

Originally Posted by rjetre@charter.net

With my 21NE and Ford Ranger with Andersen WDH, the trailer is 1/2 to 3/4 in nose down measuring from the belly band at the rear and front of the trailer. Is this level enough? With the Andersen stinger, I could raise the hitch 1.5 in, making it 1 in to 3/4 in nose high. I am looking not to have too much stress to the front axle. Thoughts?

We’re in line for our Escape trailer in 12-18 months. We’re leaning toward the 21NE, and we’re thinking about the Ford Ranger as a potential tow vehicle. Could you please give us your thoughts on how the Ranger handles towing the 21NE? Any payload concerns? Thanks.

[StarvingHyena]

Originally Posted by NEWYORKHILLBILLY

I can never find a place level to even check. I think i have to do it next time I am on a scale.

I check mine by putting a short bubble level inside on the floor inside my trailer. I'd think that cabinets, counters and appliances are set during construction when floor is level. Other wise, many gas station slabs in front of the pumps are level (not all) - check these with a bubble level too. Scales? .... good idea!

Tom

[rjetre@charter.net]

Hi YakRV,
Our experience with the Ranger has been very positive so far. Picked the trailer up in Denver in February, drove to Santa Fe ( with some strong winds on the prairies of southern CO). Then to Massachusetts. the Ranger towed the 21NE very well through mountain passes and at highway speeds (probably too fast!) without trouble the turbo keeps the engine rpms down. No concerns re payload as the Ranger is rated at 7500#. Tongue weight of 750#. The trailer does not come close to those limits. Averaging around 70 mph we averaged about 12 mpg. Recently with a trip to MD, 800 miles at slower east coast speeds we averaged 16 mpg. I think that an F150 would probably give that feeling of "not knowing the trailer is back there", but the Ranger has plenty of power to pull the trailer with approx. 2000 rpm at 65 mph. We are pleased with the Andersen WDH and the Ranger. The trailer and truck feel like one unit in the wind. The Ranger's rear shocks are tuned very soft (this is true with and with out the trailer), so we are considering a rear shock replacement to stiffen up the rear end.

[YakRV]

Thank you very much RJETRE. Very good to know. We’re trying to decide between the Ranger and F150 and this helps a lot.