Son in Law is changing jobs and we're helping the kids move out to Madison WI next week. We have a U-Haul trailer reserved, ready to begin emptying our basement!!I've towed these trailers a few times with the Suburban and it's like they are not even back there. Last year we leased DW a 2018 Explorer Sport with the 3.5L EcoBoost V6, so we are making this the TV for our Wisconsin moving trip.The tow rating with the Towing package is 5000 lbs max, 500 TW max. This trailer is probably going to be in the 3000 range when it's loaded up, so I don't think I'll need a WD hitch.I know the EB is up to the task power wise at 365HP, but with the driver, 2 passengers, and tongue weight I'll bet this thing is at/close to GVWR...the GCWR rating is 10,400. I am anxious to see how the integrated sway control helps with the trailer. I always get the double axle trailer because those little single axle ones are squirrelly.

Enjoy the trip and always love to hear family helping each otherKnow that trailer setup and agree single axle squirrelly no matter how nose down

I don't think the sway control is designed to do anything at all, until Dangerous sway is detected, then it applies truck or trailer brakes as needed. A regular friction sway control is probably a smart idea for your tow. Is the trailer set up for 1 ? We tow a 4000lb TT with an ecoboost and love it. Over 20,000 towing miles now and feels like it isn't there. People around you will always underestimate how fast you can accelerate with a trailer in tow and not even pushing the motor much over 3500 rpm.Have a safe trip, let us know how it goes.

You'll hardly feel it. Unless you load that trailer with negative tongue weight, trailer sway won't happen on their tandem axle trailers. Even towing one of these behind my Fiesta 1.0 EcoBoost was completely unremarkable. No sway, no push, no crazy RPMs.

Please report again after your “tow” is completed. I’ll bet...no issues!

Don't forget to duck when going in the trailer! Seriously, I wish that U-Haul rented a trailer tall enough to carry a refrigerator standing up. Another thing: No tongue jack! You need a helper to pick up the tongue even when it is empty.

Getting Ready for First Tow with the EcoBoost! | Good Sam Community

24 Replies

BurbMan
Explorer II
Nov 19, 2019
Haha not yet! BUT the trailer is on the market now and the Burb will be soon...we have decided to end our TT and towing adventure. Last spring I acquired a FREE 2002 Lance truck camper that needs some restoration work. So we will be camping in a truck camper, which means I'll need a truck....the TT has gotten too big for how we want to travel as just the two of us.

If you know of anybody looking a for 3-row SUV with 8600 GVWR and 12000 tow rating to tow that BIG trailer, shoot me an email, I know many of you already have my email address.

Nothing is being advertised for sale here Marty....:B
Lantley
Nomad
Nov 19, 2019
Woo! you made me nervous for a moment. I'm glad I read the entire thread.
I was afraid Burbman had replaced his Burb with a Ecoboost pickup.
I glad to see that was not what this thread is about.
Enjoy the trip, That appears to be a equally matched combo
carringb
Explorer
Nov 19, 2019
Dadoffourgirls wrote:

Do you pick it up from U-haul with the car? When I tried to pick up a trailer with a lighter vehicle than I was going to tow with, they would not let me.

Yes. Never an issue. I can't reserve the largest 6x12 trailers for the Fiesta (That's a 5x10 in the pic), but all of the sizes are allowed for the Focus.
DutchmenSport
Explorer
Nov 19, 2019
I've towed several U-Haul trailers over my lifetime. All of them had surge breaks. None ever had sway, even towing with a 1972 Cutlass 4 door sedan with a bumper attached hitch (remember those)????
Dadoffourgirls
Explorer
Nov 19, 2019
carringb wrote:
BurbMan wrote:
Good point, they do have surge brakes...oh well. Bryan is that pic for real?!?!

Of course! I prefer the tandem axle U-hauls because of the surge brakes, where the single-axles don't get them (stopping distances are fine, but with surge brakes braking feels the same as unloaded). I use one of the cars any time I'm towing a smaller trailer now. I get 22 MPG towing an enclosed trailer with either car (Fiesta 1.0 or Focus 2.0 EcoBoost) or 24-28 pulling a flatbed, which is way better than the van solo! The van is just overkill for small trailers. Plus I try to keep the miles off it these days, since it's approaching 500k and I'd like to wait a few more years before building out a new one.

Do you pick it up from U-haul with the car? When I tried to pick up a trailer with a lighter vehicle than I was going to tow with, they would not let me.
carringb
Explorer
Nov 19, 2019
BurbMan wrote:
Good point, they do have surge brakes...oh well. Bryan is that pic for real?!?!

Of course! I prefer the tandem axle U-hauls because of the surge brakes, where the single-axles don't get them (stopping distances are fine, but with surge brakes braking feels the same as unloaded). I use one of the cars any time I'm towing a smaller trailer now. I get 22 MPG towing an enclosed trailer with either car (Fiesta 1.0 or Focus 2.0 EcoBoost) or 24-28 pulling a flatbed, which is way better than the van solo! The van is just overkill for small trailers. Plus I try to keep the miles off it these days, since it's approaching 500k and I'd like to wait a few more years before building out a new one.
BurbMan
Explorer II
Nov 19, 2019
Good point, they do have surge brakes...oh well. Bryan is that pic for real?!?!
ScottG
Nomad
Nov 19, 2019
The intergrated sway control is often misunderstood. It wont stop sway before you feel it. It's meant for catasrophic events and not meant to correct for on-going sway. You really dont want the brakes kicking in continuously while going down the road.
mich800
Explorer
Nov 19, 2019
I wouldn't expect too much from the integrated sway control as the trailer most likely has surge brakes. At least from the standpoint of it activating the trailer brakes. Adding WD would also probably be PITA as it will not be set up for that as well. Just load it with enough tongue weight and you will be fine.
Groover
Explorer II
Nov 18, 2019
Don't forget to duck when going in the trailer! Seriously, I wish that U-Haul rented a trailer tall enough to carry a refrigerator standing up. Another thing: No tongue jack! You need a helper to pick up the tongue even when it is empty.

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Getting Ready for First Tow with the EcoBoost!

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