Trailer questions

[YLee Kioti]

Sure seems like a popular topic of people trying to convince themselves to make a truck do more then what is realistic; just cause the specs say you can.
I've read this thread ad infinitum on the tundra forums.
I don't care what your Ranger is rated for it is beyond its limits. Pulling is one thing, chassis length also contributes to handling, braking even if brand new is marginal.

I would strongly suggest you binge watch some this guy's videos on towing, 1/2 ton versus 3/4 ton, short versus long trailer etc.
Big Truck Big RV
- YouTube
We've lived this long not doing things right, we strive to learn and make adjustments.

This is one topic where mental outlook on towing needs adjustment.
Also from Tractor Mike videos on loading tractors there is one on vehicle being on an incline and negative tongue weight. Please check out his channel and watch his videos as well.
The Danger of Negative Tongue Weight - YouTube

When loading trailer use wheel chocks on both sides of trailer.
To trust the mechanical dog of a Ranger transmission to hold the truck and trailer is asking for a transmission repair job and possible severe damage to load and operator.
Something to think about.

 

[PILOON]

The build is actually awesome .The frt/back ratios look OK to my eye.

Here are my thoughts.
The ramps being full plated might be the actual cause as they are more or less wind catchers.
I'd be very tempted to remove them (if easily done) and try another speed run.
My 2 cent guess is the problem lies there.
They act as wind anchors, so to speak.
Otherwise the ratios look good.

And, please let us know of the results.

 

[JWR]

Boy you found the button for flushing out expert opinions ! Appreciate your candor in the OP saying you don't know how to load a trailer. You now have north of 30 posts telling you how to do things, acting like safety experts, etc. In there somewhere are several very good pieces of advice and worthwhile assistance. I'll stick my nose in and summarize (which is OF COURSE my opinion.)

[Note: I wager this trailer was pulled behind a dump truck in the past, hauling some sort of heavy gear by people who would never notice if it were fishtailing, could not see back there, would get the load about right just by eye ball in less time than reading this & couldn't care less...]

1) Yes, too little tongue load is why you were fishtailing whether loaded or empty.
2) At legal highway speeds aerodynamics was never a part of your problem and won't be.
3) There are too many rabbits mentioned to be chased. One at a time. The faults in the trailer, the light loafered truck, the which-end-goes-on-first, etc. All rabbits to be chased or in some cases discarded as irrelevant.

Easy one first: It flat does not matter which end goes on front or back. Any way is OK as long as you have adequate tongue weight. As another suggested, yank those hefty looking ramps off, tie them on the front of the trailer and it better tow empty without fishtailing. If not, stop until you find out why.

Two: Trailer fault is unlikely -- tire wear may be abuse or they may be the worst tires pulled off 3 other trailers before the thing was sold to you. Worry about that last.

Three: That poor little maligned Ford Ranger. As described so far, your task is non-commercial, occasional, hauling an L2501 which weighs around 2500lbs. No, the loader is not adding 1000 lbs. No, that trailer probably does not weigh 3000lbs. Go weigh it if it seems important. Assuming you tow the empty trailer OK now, I say you can also tow the L2501 with loader on it provided you get the CG far enough forward.You might have to back on to the trailer in order to get decent tongue weight. I suggest use a yardstick and measure the hitchball to ground distance first with empty trailer and then with the "initial try load position." Aim for a drop of around 5 or 6 inches at your hitch. Whatever leaves the rear axle of the truck at least an inch or so (as another guy suggested) from the rubber stops. Play with that a little moving the load fore and aft until it is lowering the hitch to the level just described. You will then be just fine towing with the Ranger in "easier terrain," staying out of the bigger mountains, etc. Either have good brakes on the trailer and a well-adjusted brake controller on the Ranger or else leave 15 extra car lengths between you and where ever you plan to stop.

Fourth: If all this "let's try it" fails for some reason (I don't think it will...) then you said you have bigger trucks. Use them. End result may be using the Ranger for short hauls and lighter cases and switching to the heavier trucks when you have extra load, longer hauls, steeper hills to pull, etc. You'll figure that out.

 

[1930]

I appreciate all the comments, just got home now and am back online, I brought the trailer home with me along with some other projects I plan to tackle before going out to the property again.

I drove the trailer 130 miles home at 60 mph without an issue, Im not gonna say I never felt a little queasy but for me Im a little hypersensitive to fishtailing a trailer cause of a past negative experience.
tent
I plan to read and re read the comments in this thread and figure out what the problem is, first I will start with cutting the ramps off and making them so that they are able to fold down onto the top of the bed.

I brought home my small Kubota for some much needed love and attention. I guess the way I had things set up was just right.

 

[4570Man]

Before you cut the ramps off try adding a little weight to the front to counter balance them and see if it makes any difference.

 

[1930]

This on the other hand wasnt happening.

Taking it to a water supply down the road and anything above 20 had me changing my shorts

The last pict is where it actually rode best, 25ish MPH seemed OK

 

[ruffdog]

OP....correct me if I am wrong but those wheels/tires look like 8" ones to me. Cute little trailer but I have to wonder if it was a home build off a boat trailer? :2cents:

 

[JWR]

Geeze. I did not realize during the prior discussions that the trailer is so short. Limits your ability move things around a whole lot. Still,looks like you made it work.

 

[1930]

OP....correct me if I am wrong but those wheels/tires look like 8" ones to me. Cute little trailer but I have to wonder if it was a home build off a boat trailer? :2cents:

.5x8.0-10

10 inch

 

[1930]

Geeze. I did not realize during the prior discussions that the trailer is so short. Limits your ability move things around a whole lot. Still,looks like you made it work.

Thats what she said:thumbsup: