A Ford Maverick Towed a 3,200-Pound Camper 6,500 Miles—Then Wyoming Winds Changed Everything

Five weeks, repeated crossings of the Continental Divide, and mountain grades exceeding 7% left the driver of this 2025 Ford Maverick XLT pleased with how the truck performed.

The Maverick returned from a 6,500-mile Western road trip towing a fully loaded 3,200-pound camper. According to the driver, the pickup handled the mountain climbs without trouble. The only moments that caused concern came when strong crosswinds hit Wyoming.

In a July trip report, a Michigan traveler using the name Patriot68 on MaverickTruckClub described the journey with a 2026 Forest River R-Pod 171 behind the 2.0-liter EcoBoost Maverick.

The truck was equipped with Ford’s 4K Tow Package, while the camper reportedly weighed 3,200 pounds when fully loaded.

The five-week route included Yellowstone, the Tetons, Mount Rushmore, and the Badlands, along with multiple crossings of the Continental Divide.

The Maverick, an R-Pod, and a 9,567-Foot Pass

One photograph from the trip shows the gray Maverick and white R-Pod beside the Togwotee Pass sign, which stands at 9,567 feet. The camper’s rooftop air conditioner rises above the truck, with pine trees and rocky mountain peaks in the background.

“Pulled it on numerous slopes of 7%+ for extended periods both uphill and down,” Patriot68 wrote.

“Crossed the continental divide numerous times. Truck had zero issues handling any of it.”

The 4K Tow Package Was Required for the Setup

Patriot68 described the Maverick as having the towing package “of course.”

Ford’s 2025 towing guide requires the 4K package for trailers weighing more than 2,000 pounds. With the package, an EcoBoost AWD Maverick has a maximum loaded trailer rating of 4,000 pounds.

Ford’s 2025 Maverick order guide lists several upgrades included with the package, including a transmission oil cooler, a higher-capacity EcoBoost radiator, an upgraded cooling fan, and a trailer brake controller.

The R-Pod’s reported 3,200-pound weight was 800 pounds below the Maverick’s maximum trailer rating. Ford also lists a 400-pound tongue-weight limit for the receiver, while the truck’s payload and axle limits still apply.

Patriot68 did not provide a tongue-weight measurement.

What Ford Says About Towing

Ford’s 2025 Maverick owner’s manual explains the truck’s towing controls and their operation.

Tow/Haul mode delays upshifts to reduce gear changes and adds engine braking to help manage speed on downhill grades.

After a restart, the Maverick returns to Normal mode and can prompt the driver to restore the previous setting. Accepting the prompt restores Tow/Haul if it was selected before the truck was shut down.

Ford also calls for adjustments when loading, road, or weather conditions change. The aim is to provide strong trailer braking without locking the trailer wheels.

The integrated trailer brake controller cannot operate trailer brakes through a four-pin connection. The 4K package includes a seven-pin connector for compatible trailer-brake systems.

Mountain Towing Returned 15-16 MPG

Patriot68 reported approximately 15-16 mpg while towing through the mountains.

Between Michigan and Nebraska, the reported figure increased to 18-19 mpg.

The trip report does not specify cruising speeds or whether the fuel-economy figures came from the Maverick’s dashboard or from hand calculations.

Wyoming Crosswinds Were the Biggest Problem

The mountain grades received positive comments from the driver. The situation changed around Cheyenne, where strong Wyoming crosswinds became the most unsettling part of the trip.

“Only nervous moments we had were dealing with some Wyoming crosswinds around the Cheyenne area that were gusting to 40- 50 mph, and they closed the highway,” Patriot68 wrote.

A trailer can remain within a truck’s towing limits while still presenting a large side surface to powerful gusts. Wyoming transportation officials include smaller vehicles pulling trailers in their wind warnings and advise recreational travelers to check road conditions and allow additional time for wind-related delays. Restrictions can apply to specific types of vehicles.

Patriot68 summed up the five-week journey in two words:

“Extremely happy.”

The trip covered thousands of miles, national parks, mountain passes, and repeated Continental Divide crossings. For the Maverick owner, the 3,200-pound R-Pod remained within the truck’s stated towing capacity, while Wyoming’s crosswinds provided the trip’s most uncomfortable moments.

Three photos by Patriot68.