TC4K9's Posted April 25, 2016 Share Posted April 25, 2016 Sorry if this thread is a repeat but I don't see any information on the towing with the newer Transit Connects. I am new to the Forum and previously been a lurker. I love my 2014 LWB Transit Connect Wagon, using it mostly for transport to dog sport trials. The one thing I would love to do is tow a small travel trailer so I could stay on site. I know this vehicle is rated for 2000 lbs with a GVWR of 5280 lbs. Is there anyone towing any trailers out there and your experience? Beside weight being a major factor, is there other considerations for safety ? Would love to hear anyone's experience with towing. Thanks !! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrtn Posted April 25, 2016 Share Posted April 25, 2016 (edited) Common sense is the key here as pretty much anywhere. Up to 60 mph everything is usually safe. Above that different things start to happen. Every wind gust, every emergency braking becomes an issue. Always strap everything down so stuff don't move around in case of braking or turns. The trailer has to be a bit nose heavy. 100 lbs at the handle is good (like an unloaded trailer). Never have it in balance or tail heavy, it may cause fishtailing and/or lift your car up. Think in advance, keep plenty of room in front of you for emergency, mind the corners - leave enough space for the curb. Keep in mind that your car is now twice the length and act accordingly. I have a 5x10' singe axle light trailer I drive weekly. Edited April 25, 2016 by mrtn TC4K9's 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TC4K9's Posted April 25, 2016 Author Share Posted April 25, 2016 Thank You for your response, all really good information. I use a trailer now to load hay and feed but nothing as big and with as much windage as a lightweight travel trailer. Was curious how the TC Wagon would handle. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrtn Posted April 25, 2016 Share Posted April 25, 2016 Mine's Mk1 and has no probs even with overweight trailers. Once transported a scissor lift of the size of my van. That felt a bit heavy, it was only a couple of miles so I took it really slow. I'm sure the new model is even better. TC4K9's 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G B L Posted April 25, 2016 Share Posted April 25, 2016 (edited) A light weight travel trailer would be ok the if it is 2000 lbs or less would not be a problem. Most light weight travel trailers and pop ups have a single axle, this adds to the sway problem The only thing I would add is a sway controller. These are simple devices that help keep the sway both cross wind and suspension induced under control. The gen 2 has much better brakes then the gen1 a definite plus. Edited April 25, 2016 by G B L TC4K9's 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
windguy Posted April 26, 2016 Share Posted April 26, 2016 @TC4K9's, check out the thread link below for lots of discussion about the OEM trailer hitch, aftermarket hitches and trailering in general with the Gen 2 TC Hope that helps. http://fordtransitconnectforum.com/topic/3237-oem-trailer-hitch-gen-2-tc/?hl=towing#entry9624 TC4K9's 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Booner Posted April 26, 2016 Share Posted April 26, 2016 I towed a small U-hual trailer with furniture in it from Colorado to Missouri with no problems. The hitch was factory installed. If I was to do more towing behave to figure out a way to reduce the "slop" that the hitch has when you insert it into the receiver. It made a lot of noise Hauling a small camper-not a problem- but you will reduce your gas mileage! From the mid 20's at 80 mph down to the high teens while towing at 70 mph TC4K9's 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrtn Posted April 26, 2016 Share Posted April 26, 2016 Wait, does the towball move in the attachment? It should not. I did have some Westfalia towbar in my Civic and it was hard to get to tight because it was based on some eccentric tightening principle but all others have been very tight. The one in my other car is Bosal and it sits so tight that it does not fix itself if there's even one sand grain between it. So it needs to be clean and then just insert, and it clicks, automatically tightening itself: TC4K9's 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G B L Posted April 26, 2016 Share Posted April 26, 2016 The Euro hitch mount is different than the Us Receiver the. The us receiver is a 2" Id box tube and the ball mount is a 2" Od. box tube. The fit of these components is not a precision fit . The Eu mount is a manufactured part and the fit is much more precise. The noise fix for the US hitch is a rattle stopper like the one pictured below. the other fix is to live on a dirt road and everything will make so much noise that the little slop in the hitch mount will be lost in all the other things happening TC4K9's and mrtn 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TC4K9's Posted April 26, 2016 Author Share Posted April 26, 2016 Thanks for the responses. I did have an after market 2 inch receiver hitch put on by my local Ford dealer versus U Haul whom I have always used. I was definitely going to get the sway bar. FYI, The trailer I was interested in made by Micro light, it is the Cargo Lite Extreme. http://microlitetrailer.com/brochures/microlite_cargolite_extreme_brochure.pdf Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G B L Posted April 26, 2016 Share Posted April 26, 2016 Thats a great looking rig. Check out The Scamper trailer line http://www.scamptrailers.com/showroom/19-standard-trailers.html#!image_04 TC4K9's 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrtn Posted April 26, 2016 Share Posted April 26, 2016 Oh, those are houses. Mine's just a standard flatbed. G B L and TC4K9's 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G B L Posted April 26, 2016 Share Posted April 26, 2016 Nice , Galvanized trailers are great from the Maintenance point of view . I have one enclosed 4X6 and an Open 5X8 that I tow behind the TC. Very Handy . TC4K9's 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrtn Posted April 26, 2016 Share Posted April 26, 2016 Also thought of getting a fiberglass enclosure but it'd be on the way for most of the time. TC4K9's 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G B L Posted April 27, 2016 Share Posted April 27, 2016 If I was going to get an enclosure for the open trailer , I would use an aluminum pick up cap style because it is much lighter than the fiberglass. It would be much easier to take on and off. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrtn Posted April 27, 2016 Share Posted April 27, 2016 Never seen one. Pictures? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G B L Posted April 27, 2016 Share Posted April 27, 2016 Here is a picture, They make several heights and all different sizes depending on the size of the bed mrtn 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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