Towing with a Ford Ranger

[terminator0723]

Howdy Howdy Howdy.... I just seen a 1999 Ranger for sale for a decent price, and I also seen some where that those trucks can pull up to 6k (With required options and proper equipment of course).. But I never thought Rangers pulled that much.....Any truth that that? If so could a Ranger rated at 6k capacity COMFORTABLY pull a 4500lb trailer? No Probs?

 

[MountaineerGreen]

Honestly, a Ranger's drivetrain is very similar to the explorer- you won't gain much by trading.

The only way you could gain is an ext cab 4x4 4.0 SOHC with 4.10 gears.

For that matter, just regear the Explorer-

 

[terminator0723]

I thought it was odd the rangers can pull 6k... or atleast thats what the guy told me.. arnt they lighter than the ex's?

 

[MountaineerGreen]

I'd check the ranger specs for the drivetrain variations and capacities before I believed what a guy says.

They are lighter- which is a bad thing, IMO for towing.

 

[tekrsq]

SOME of the Rangers can tow up to 6000lbs when properly outfitted with a Class 3 hitch, trailer brakes, aux tranny cooler, and usually some type of anti-sway device. I'm not sure if the 99s were rated that high regardless of the package. However, having said that, it's really not recommended for any long hauls. I pull 3000-3500 lbs on a regular basis, and you can DEFINETLY tell it's back there.

 

[gijoecam]

For a 99 Ranger, the max trailer weight is 6000 lbs, but that's with a regular cab, 2wd, 4.0 engine with the auto trans and 3.55 rear end. The 4.10 gears were only available in the 4x4s, but the tow rating was actually only 5660 for the supercab, and 5820 for the regular cab. The same tow ratings are listed for the 3.73 gear 4x4s. 2wds are a bit higher than their equivalent 4x4s across the board. Manual transmissions, obviously, drop the rating quite a bit.

At any rate, using a properly equipped Ranger to pull a 4500lb trailer all the time is pushin' it. It'll be huffin' and puffin' all the way, and merging will be an afterthought at best. You'd be better off with a full size 1/2-ton minimum, and even then, you're near the comfort limit. (Most of the people that regularly tow with an F-150 say 5000 lbs is the comfortable everyday limit)

In short, will a Ranger do it? Maybe. But even if it can, it's not the best tool for the job.

 

[terminator0723]

For a 99 Ranger, the max trailer weight is 6000 lbs, but that's with a regular cab, 2wd, 4.0 engine with the auto trans and 3.55 rear end. The 4.10 gears were only available in the 4x4s, but the tow rating was actually only 5660 for the supercab, and 5820 for the regular cab. The same tow ratings are listed for the 3.73 gear 4x4s. 2wds are a bit higher than their equivalent 4x4s across the board. Manual transmissions, obviously, drop the rating quite a bit.

At any rate, using a properly equipped Ranger to pull a 4500lb trailer all the time is pushin' it. It'll be huffin' and puffin' all the way, and merging will be an afterthought at best. You'd be better off with a full size 1/2-ton minimum, and even then, you're near the comfort limit. (Most of the people that regularly tow with an F-150 say 5000 lbs is the comfortable everyday limit)

In short, will a Ranger do it? Maybe. But even if it can, it's not the best tool for the job.

Hmm.. I just seen one for sale and they guy was saying it'll pull 6k.. thought it was odd but my Ex only pulls 4500 and the trailer I want to pull loaded will be about 4300 lbs... WHich I'll pull with my Ex.. So I figure heck if that Ranger can pull 6k it'll do better pulling 4300+ than my Ex.........