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towing?

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Old May 22, 2012 | 01:08 PM
  #1  
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towing?

I have a 2008 Ranger. 4 cylinder, auto.

Guy about 45 minutes from here is selling 250 square feet of paving stones.

I was thinking of renting a trailer to cut down on the number of trips. It's mostly highway and no hills. Just a few overpasses. And I can go during the day when there's no traffic.

How much weight could I tow without risking a major malfunction. The trailers are light 500-550 pounds. There's one that can hold 3000 pounds, the other one is good for 1800.
 
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Old May 22, 2012 | 02:19 PM
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Cant speak to your setup. But I hauled my 67 mustang with a tow dolly 4 hours (florida flat miles) off the bumper. It was a bit exciting and had to really be aware as stopping was pretty much non existent. My truck has the 3.0 motor. Biggest concerns to keep in mind is overheating the tranny (keep it out of overdrive is what I was told) and braking. Third place is pulling the bumper off and loosing the load. A frame mounted hitch receiver would help a lot. I have one on my truck now.
 
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Old May 22, 2012 | 02:39 PM
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2160lbs for the 4:

2011 Ford Ranger | View Ranger Features | Ford.com
 
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Old May 22, 2012 | 03:40 PM
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Originally Posted by 85e150six4mtod

I guess with the hitch it gives you that number. so subtract the weight of the trailer/truck cargo and thats what you can get away with! Again, go slow, keep it out of overdrive and keep LOTS of room in front of you for the additional braking. 2k pounds behind you is a lot of *** to stop in a hurry
 
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Old May 23, 2012 | 10:13 AM
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Forgot to mention that I have a class 3 hitch, mounted to the frame. I had it installed at a place that sells trailers so I'm not even sure if it was bolted on or welded. I'll have a look and see.

The trailers are advertised as having hydraulic brakes. And I always keep my distance when I'm moving stuff.
 
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Old May 23, 2012 | 11:35 AM
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i have towed a boat / trailer combination weighing 2000 lbs off the bumper hitch. mind you it was only for a short distance/no highway. not sure if
i would like any more weight than that back there....
 
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Old May 24, 2012 | 03:07 PM
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Do you have a 7 prong electrical trailer harness connector on your Ranger? Do you have a aux brake conroller? That is how the trailer gets a signal to operate its electric brakes.

Have you considered making two trips and just loading the pavers in your bed? Pump up the rear tires to the max pressure shown on the sidewall and load as much weight as you can forward in the bed. Weight forward or over the rear axle is better than weight behind the axle to keep the front tires from feeling "light" on the road.
 
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