ranger towing
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Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 2003
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From: On A Ship, MI
ranger towing
i just baught a 96 ranger xlt , 3.0L 5 speed. i wanted to know if i drop a 302 in will it pull a 30ft camper? the camper is a jayco kiwi.
i dont know how much it ways. right now i pull it with a 96 GMC Safrri 4.3L and that works to pull it. i have plans on new shocks/ springs, class 3 hitch. thanks for any help
i dont know how much it ways. right now i pull it with a 96 GMC Safrri 4.3L and that works to pull it. i have plans on new shocks/ springs, class 3 hitch. thanks for any help
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2002
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From: Billings MT
ranger towing
You'll have to invest is some serious brake upgrades, and that isn't a smart idea.
That is way to much weight to try to stop with a Ranger.
Take the money you'll spend on engine swap, brake upgrade and buy a bigger truck. That's the safest thing to do.
Hate to rain on your parade, but you'll just abuse the Ranger and you're putting a lot of peoples lives at stake towing a trailer that big.
That is way to much weight to try to stop with a Ranger.
Take the money you'll spend on engine swap, brake upgrade and buy a bigger truck. That's the safest thing to do.
Hate to rain on your parade, but you'll just abuse the Ranger and you're putting a lot of peoples lives at stake towing a trailer that big.
Posting Guru
Joined: May 2003
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From: Oak Harbor WA
ranger towing
Bigger truck.
If you try to do that with a Ranger you would not only prematurely wear the truck out, and be a safety hazard.
Trust me, I have seen people do this, matter of fact someone asked me yesterday if they could borrow our 16ft flatbed trailer to haul behind their Ranger. Obviously I said no, too much trailer, not enough Ranger to stop it, very rough ride, poor reaction time.
If you try to do that with a Ranger you would not only prematurely wear the truck out, and be a safety hazard.
Trust me, I have seen people do this, matter of fact someone asked me yesterday if they could borrow our 16ft flatbed trailer to haul behind their Ranger. Obviously I said no, too much trailer, not enough Ranger to stop it, very rough ride, poor reaction time.
New User
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 15
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From: SOCAL
ranger towing
Agree with Colossus. Check my post in earlier Ranger tow thread. The short of it is that I (VERY CAREFULLY) pulled 5Klbs worth of horse trailer and horses with a 2001 Edge 4x4 4L auto, short distances only. Using same Ranger to pull about 3Klbs 500 mi was unpleasant, especially uphill. Get a bigger truck. I did.
Junior User
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 77
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From: Gilbert, AZ
The truck is rated to tow about 5600lbs. Make sure the trailer has brakes and u have a brake controller. The truck will pull it but I wouldnt do much more than around town and keep it empty. I have owned several 4.0 Rangers, They are great trucks but they just dont handle towing much weight.
Your better of starting a new thread than posting on a seven year old one haha
Your better of starting a new thread than posting on a seven year old one haha
New User
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 6
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Tha
Thanks for the Ranger towing advice. I can't afford a larger truck, so I will have to go to a smaller trailer.
I found one that is 2900 lbs per title weight It''s 23' long. It's the kind that the top drops down when traveling and then raises up when you get there. Loaded I shouldn't be more than 3500 lbs. I would think. Don't know if it comes with trailer brakes or not.
Anyway, my wife and I want to go camping and would like to go to the Grand Canyon and other places within that range.
Thanks for getting back with me. Tom in Henderson, NV
I found one that is 2900 lbs per title weight It''s 23' long. It's the kind that the top drops down when traveling and then raises up when you get there. Loaded I shouldn't be more than 3500 lbs. I would think. Don't know if it comes with trailer brakes or not.
Anyway, my wife and I want to go camping and would like to go to the Grand Canyon and other places within that range.
Thanks for getting back with me. Tom in Henderson, NV
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Super Moderator
Joined: Aug 2008
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From: Frederick, MD
get one that has some brakes on it, and get a controller for the truck. The Ranger is a good little truck but you don't want to burn those brakes.
I think it can handle the 3500 lbs, but stopping is going to be an issue.
I think it can handle the 3500 lbs, but stopping is going to be an issue.
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The Pacifier
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 8,245
Likes: 7
From: Cloverdale, BC
Your truck should be rated for 3500 stock... if not 5000, anyhoo... I still have a problem believing that with mine. I'm good to 5000 lbs with a wd hitch. Still, it had trouble with a 2000 lb 13 foot trailer. Either that, or I was lied to about how much it weighed. Never did scale it, as I sold it shortly afterward.
Basically whatever you're comfortable with. A tent trailer is gonna have less wind resistance than a hard side conventional tow-behind. And up around 2000 lbs I think is the cutoff where trailer brakes are mandatory. Anything heavier is supposed to have brakes, and you'll need a brake controller to drag it.
I kind of find myself in the same dilema as you, wanting a trailer but needing a more capable truck. In my case, my Ranger just won't cut it, as it won't fit a baby seat, so into a fullsize I go.
Basically whatever you're comfortable with. A tent trailer is gonna have less wind resistance than a hard side conventional tow-behind. And up around 2000 lbs I think is the cutoff where trailer brakes are mandatory. Anything heavier is supposed to have brakes, and you'll need a brake controller to drag it.
I kind of find myself in the same dilema as you, wanting a trailer but needing a more capable truck. In my case, my Ranger just won't cut it, as it won't fit a baby seat, so into a fullsize I go.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 1,979
Likes: 2
From: central ohio
and another thing, with a box-type camper, the frontal area will kill your fuel milage, a tent trailer would be a better way to go, i have a box-type cargo trailer and even though its only 1,000 pounds empty the wind resistance just creates a horrible drag effect that causes me to only get about 12 mpg. and i would recomend trailer brakes at even 1,500 pounds. its well worth it when your trying to get stopped.
FTE Legend
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 65,938
Likes: 1,432
From: Millersville, MD
Also a Hi/Lo trailer will work...just pay attention to the weight! You tow this trailer with the box collapsed - it's got hard sides and telescopes to the "up" position! Great for towing with a smaller rig.
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