I knew they did towing bigger with smaller vehicles in Europe but wow. From a distance it doesn't even look like they can make turns without the trailer hitting the cab, but I guess it must work.
Danger Ranger 5th wheel towing, in the UK
- Thread starter Brons2
- Start date
Ooof. Those guys are nuts.
4wd
$50 site donor 2026
Meanwhile back in Texas:
Honey, since I took you with me to pick out an RV - we need to stop by the Ford lot for a new F350 PSD dually
Honey, since I took you with me to pick out an RV - we need to stop by the Ford lot for a new F350 PSD dually
4wd
$50 site donor 2026
As a 5th wheel - it’s likely doable with a 1500 - best with 2500. We have a large RV/waterpark - and it’s nutty what “3 axles” you see behind 350/3500’s
dnewton3
Staff member
Wow - that's nuts!
Admittedly, in the video it's hard to tell just how much "clearance" they have in a turn. But that driver (in a training scenario apparently) is taking a WIDE turn, and so we lose perspective as to how close the cab/overhang might get in this handheld video.
I'm also concerned about the weight distribution ... Right at 47 sec into the video, you can see the approximate location of the hitch relative to the truck bed. It appears that the base of the hitch is (essentially) right over the rear axle. That's not typically where you'd want it to be; ahead of the axle is optimum for loading the front axle a bit. If that hitch were any further back, it would be unloading the front axle (not good whatsoever). And as mentioned by others, the turning radius is seriously compromised by such a short bed. There are things called "sliding hitches" which essentially rotate on a cam as the vehicle enters a tight turn; it moves the hitch orientation further back as the turn gets tighter. These are made for "short bed" trucks (typically full size trucks with 6.5' beds rather than full-size 8' bed). But I don't think you'd get a lot of "reach" from one of these in a small Ranger bed.
It's the UK, so I do understand that (especially in rural areas) they just have smaller roads, lower speeds, etc. And so maybe the risks of such a set up (small truck; large 5vr) are not as prominent. But I sure would want a larger truck for something like that.
Admittedly, in the video it's hard to tell just how much "clearance" they have in a turn. But that driver (in a training scenario apparently) is taking a WIDE turn, and so we lose perspective as to how close the cab/overhang might get in this handheld video.
I'm also concerned about the weight distribution ... Right at 47 sec into the video, you can see the approximate location of the hitch relative to the truck bed. It appears that the base of the hitch is (essentially) right over the rear axle. That's not typically where you'd want it to be; ahead of the axle is optimum for loading the front axle a bit. If that hitch were any further back, it would be unloading the front axle (not good whatsoever). And as mentioned by others, the turning radius is seriously compromised by such a short bed. There are things called "sliding hitches" which essentially rotate on a cam as the vehicle enters a tight turn; it moves the hitch orientation further back as the turn gets tighter. These are made for "short bed" trucks (typically full size trucks with 6.5' beds rather than full-size 8' bed). But I don't think you'd get a lot of "reach" from one of these in a small Ranger bed.
It's the UK, so I do understand that (especially in rural areas) they just have smaller roads, lower speeds, etc. And so maybe the risks of such a set up (small truck; large 5vr) are not as prominent. But I sure would want a larger truck for something like that.
Australia gets a Ranger SuperDuty!
350 dually? What can you tow with that --- a harbor freight trailer?
For towing you definitely need a 550 dually pickup...
Meanwhile back in Texas:
Honey, since I took you with me to pick out an RV - we need to stop by the Ford lot for a new F350 PSD dually
350 dually? What can you tow with that --- a harbor freight trailer?
For towing you definitely need a 550 dually pickup...
Typically much lower weight % towing in UK
The trailer axles are usually closer to center which reduces the tongue weight.
5% on a normal hitch.. not sure how that translates to a 5th wheel.
Also there can be a lower speed limit when towing
The trailer axles are usually closer to center which reduces the tongue weight.
5% on a normal hitch.. not sure how that translates to a 5th wheel.
Also there can be a lower speed limit when towing
Ive noticed the UK tows big trailers with small vehicles. The VW Golf towing a camper does a handling test in this video.
We towed lots of things 30 years ago in F250 with a 300-6 with manual transmission.
The current fleet of tow vehicles has grown in size beyond stupid. Explains why I constantly see giant super duties and RV's upside down in the ditch on I-26 adn I-95, after there zooming around like a sports car.
The current fleet of tow vehicles has grown in size beyond stupid. Explains why I constantly see giant super duties and RV's upside down in the ditch on I-26 adn I-95, after there zooming around like a sports car.
The orange ranger has a 2.0 diesel, the other (blue?) ranger is a 3.2 diesel.
This is not a normal way to tow in the UK. We do not generally use 5th wheels on pickup trucks. 5th wheels are used on articulated lorries.
This is not a normal way to tow in the UK. We do not generally use 5th wheels on pickup trucks. 5th wheels are used on articulated lorries.
Have a look on YT for videos of guys trying to move mobile homes with pickup trucks!
I think they are limited to 55mph when towing, and I'm sure those 5th wheel trailers are relatively light and small compared to many here.
In most of N.A. it is perfectly legal to tow more than the manufacturers tow rating, for a private vehicle. You still have to respect axle, GVWR ratings, but with a well set up hitch and trailer brakes, you can tow 4-5k lbs behind lots of things, legally and safely.
I'd think these combo's in the video below are far more stable than any of the big 5th wheel trailers behind a 1 ton truck? They are trying quite hard to induce trailer sway and its not happening? I can't even find a video of anyone testing a big truck and RV trailer this way? Probably because it will end up on its side?
In most of N.A. it is perfectly legal to tow more than the manufacturers tow rating, for a private vehicle. You still have to respect axle, GVWR ratings, but with a well set up hitch and trailer brakes, you can tow 4-5k lbs behind lots of things, legally and safely.
I'd think these combo's in the video below are far more stable than any of the big 5th wheel trailers behind a 1 ton truck? They are trying quite hard to induce trailer sway and its not happening? I can't even find a video of anyone testing a big truck and RV trailer this way? Probably because it will end up on its side?
I imagine a big problem would be branch clearance at many campgrounds? And site size? I guess you do get a few big lifted overlander unimog type vehicles, that are very tall? Many campgrounds here are in the trees, which is where we go, but I guess there's flat open field type sites for the big 5th wheels, but I never go to those.
Your campsites are far different than ours. Ours are pretty much a Walmart parking lot with hookups at this point. Its not camping.
There were a few state parks that were still no electricity, but at the start of the pandemic they put electricity in all of them and there now flooded with tourists. If I do stay I pay the same rate as everyone, even though I am taxed for parks I cannot use.
A campground at the beach now is almost $100 and includes electricity. I used to take my kids and pitch a tent, and it was like $15.
