Tow vehicle for a 21

[Bowman andy]

Hi, Could Rossue PM me ? i have questions on the Transit you own. We are considering one for our 2016 lightweight version of the 21.
Thanks,
Andy Bowman

 

[Rossue2]

PM sent.

 

[Meandering Minstrel]

Any 1/2 ton pickup will be fine. We had an Rpod before our 21NE, about the same weight, which we pulled with a Honda Ridgeline (equivalent to a Toyota Tundra) for awhile. Eventually we upgraded to a Ram 1500 EcoDiesel and could not be happier. It's perfect for towing the 21 NE as it was for the Rpod. You can get by with a smaller rig without issues, but the 1/2 ton pickups with the small diesel engines are wonderful for towing (we get better MPG towing our trailer with our Ram than we got just driving the Ridgeline w/o a trailer!

 

[bborzell]

We picked up our 21C on Thanksgiving Day (after the great flood) with our 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee 3.6L V6, air suspension, factory anti sway and 6,200 lb tow capacity. We drove another 1,000 miles through rain, sleet, wind, fallen trees and high speed truckers trying to make up lost time. The Jeep felt fine all the way home with no WDH.

A few weeks later, I sold the Jeep and bought a 2022 Ram 1500 Laramie 4X4 Crew Cab, 5.7L Hemi eTorque, 11,500 lb. tow capacity with a 6’ 4” bed and a RSI Smartcap. Pulling the 21C, the RAM also feels fine, but seriously more finer than with the Jeep.

 

[cpaharley2008]

Check your spare tire on that Ram, sometimes they install a donut, not too good while towing!

 

[bborzell]

Check your spare tire on that Ram, sometimes they install a donut, not too good while towing!

Checked it out on the test drive, it is full size.

 

[Ooshkaboo]

Any 1/2 ton pickup will be fine. We had an Rpod before our 21NE, about the same weight, which we pulled with a Honda Ridgeline (equivalent to a Toyota Tundra) for awhile. Eventually we upgraded to a Ram 1500 EcoDiesel and could not be happier. It's perfect for towing the 21 NE as it was for the Rpod. You can get by with a smaller rig without issues, but the 1/2 ton pickups with the small diesel engines are wonderful for towing (we get better MPG towing our trailer with our Ram than we got just driving the Ridgeline w/o a trailer!

I just recently bought my second Tundra, I still own a 4.0 Tacoma, there’s really no comparison in performance. My son owns a Ridgeline and I’d disagree with your thinking it’s equivalent to the Tundra. The Ridgeline and Tacoma are similar, both midsized trucks.

To pull an Escape it’s not that complicated, buy a large suv or full size pickup and it will work out. Get a diesel, a whatever engine with fuel saver features you’d like, but get it full sized.

 

[Civilguy]

We picked up our 21C on Thanksgiving Day (after the great flood) with our 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee 3.6L V6, air suspension, factory anti sway and 6,200 lb tow capacity. We drove another 1,000 miles through rain, sleet, wind, fallen trees and high speed truckers trying to make up lost time. The Jeep felt fine all the way home with no WDH.

A few weeks later, I sold the Jeep and bought a 2022 Ram 1500 Laramie 4X4 Crew Cab, 5.7L Hemi eTorque, 11,500 lb. tow capacity with a 6’ 4” bed and a RSI Smartcap. Pulling the 21C, the RAM also feels fine, but seriously more finer than with the Jeep.

Bob,

Yes, we've all heard about your little adventure at Sumas, what with the flooding at Bob's Burgers & Brew, and much worse yet what happened across the border. That was uncalled for; you are clearly the Joe Btfsplk of the travel trailer world!



How about just let us know what color that Ram is so in case we see you we can just clear out of the area!?!

 

[bborzell]

Bob,

Yes, we've all heard about your little adventure at Sumas, what with the flooding at Bob's Burgers & Brew, and much worse yet what happened across the border. That was uncalled for; you are clearly the Joe Btfsplk of the travel trailer world!

View attachment 60680

How about just let us know what color that Ram is so in case we see you we can just clear out of the area!?!

It’s like the last episode recap without the “Skip Recap” button.

 

[bonitaraders]

My 19 is 4620 fully loaded to go with empty black and gray, but full fresh water. My tongue weight is 560 pounds. I find either my ‘98 Chevy 2500 or my “21 Ford Ranger work well, but I get better mileage (4mpg on average) with the Ranger while towing.

Does the Ford Ranger really work well? I am looking at a truck after many years with a 4Runner and got a little nervous reading all the problems some were having with the F150.. Really like the F150 but have been very spoiled with many years of low maintenance issues with Toyota. Going out west and am getting tired of fighting the mountains.. I want easier!

 

[DT6]

I agree with the posts regarding a healthy weight margin as well as using an F150 or equivalent Chevy/Dodge, etc. We have the F150 with the 3.5L EcoBoost and we get between 12.5 and 13mpg. You might do a bit better regarding mileage with the 2.7L engine and some others on the forum here tow a 21C with the 2.7L.
While you can tow with a smaller vehicle like a Ridgeline or even a Hyundai Pallisade, you may regret it later on. I can say that towing the 21C with an E2 Fasway WDH, I can barely tell the difference when towing the trailer and not towing it.

 

[GinoandLinda]

… after many years with a 4Runner and got a little nervous reading all the problems some were having with the F150.. Really like the F150 but have been very spoiled with many years of low maintenance issues with Toyota…

That may have been true many years ago but anymore, Toyota and Ford are probably comparable relative to maintenance, reliability and recalls.

 

[RambleOn]

Not the gospel, but here’s what Consumer Reports has to say on brand reliability 2022 to 2024:

 

[brroberts]

I use the Ranger far more to tow the E19 than the Chevy 2500. I get 15mpg, sometimes more or less, but average around 15.5. I’ve only towed 17% grades up and down for several miles, so I guess it works. My Ranger was bought with towing the E19 as its main job, so it is set up for that. We do take long trips.

It is a ‘21 2wd SCAB 2.3L all to get payload and bed space. I have just over 1800lbs payload, 7500lbs towing, and 12,100lbs GCWR. Not all, but most of my trips with the Ranger and E19 are described on this forum. They are under Padawan’s short trips and Padawan’s Journey up to Padawan’s Journey 6. We leave on a short 15 day trip to Iowa tomorrow.

The truck, replaced factory rear shocks. They were horrible. I used Bilstein 4600’s. Bought ClearView towing mirrors. Added a Scan Guage to monitor the engine and transmission, so I know it’s up to the task. It came with an almost matching spare tire, but I added a matching spare. I added a PPE transmission pan with drain plug so I can more easily service the transmission. (Same tranny as F150, almost identical to GM - Ford and GM developed it together). Added an MBS real transmission dipstick instead of the little plug by the very hot catalytic converter.

There is a forum for both 5th gen and 6th gen Rangers. 5th is 2019-2024 6th is 24- current.

2019+ Ford Ranger and Raptor Forum (5th Generation) - Ranger5G.com

2019 Ford Ranger Raptor Forum pickup truck 5th Generation

www.ranger5g.com

Ranger6G – 6th Gen (2024+) Ranger & Raptor Forum, News, Owners, Discussions, Community

Ranger6G is your top source for Ford Ranger forum, news, price, specs, review, classifieds, photos/videos. Come join other enthusiasts & owners!

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[brroberts]

I used to look at charts and info from CR etc, but after my Subaru, I quit. It was the most expensive biggest piece of junk I’ve ever owned. Never again will I give Subaru money due to corporate and dealer lack of support. I was very happy when I drove it to town on 3 cylinders and got rid of it. So, buy what you think best fits you.

Not the gospel, but here’s what Consumer Reports has to say on brand reliability 2022 to 2024:
View attachment 1108364

 

[brroberts]

Forgot to mention I use an Equalizer hitch.

 

[John in Santa Cruz]

My Expedition has the exact same power train as a modern F150, the Ecoboost 3.5L D35 (2nd gen) engine, and the 10R80 10 speed transmission. My 2019 has been 100% reliable (except one minor coolant leak from a split heater hose), I'm at nearly 80,000 miles now. It tows the E21 like a dream.

 

[jack sparrow]

Hello All,

Is anyone towing with a Chevy 1500 LT OR LTZ with the 3.0 Duramax?

If soooo, what's your thoughts on this unit. Thinking of buying a new TV
soon. I pull our Escape 21ne with my Lexus GX470 witch does really good,
it'ssssss just the fuel milage that is the pits. 10-11 mpg running 60-65 mph.

I know a lot of good overnight gas stations.... LOL

Cheers to ya........ and Happy Trails......Jack

 

[Byrdmen]

2024 Ranger EB 2.7 pulling a E21C.

Total over 2 days and 500 miles Houston to Lubbock was 14 MPG. Pulls great.

Only 9,500 miles but I pray for her every day (long time Toyota owner).

 

[Centex]

Is anyone towing with a Chevy 1500 LT OR LTZ with the 3.0 Duramax?

Very curious myself, especially 2023+ with the latest LZ0 version of the engine.

I'd really like to like this engine, but some of the longer-term reports of issues leave me wondering about the investment.