Allright, I've just about had all I can stand. I feel like i just went 10 rounds with Tyson before he became Buster's lap dog. I'm trying to figure out how much I can tow, and maybe I already know the answer and just don't like it, but if anyone can help, try and follow me and thanks in advance. I've got a 97 ranger 4x4 super cab. 4.0L, 5 speed manual transmissionwith overdrive and a rear axle ratio of 3.27. According to my manual and SCCL these are the numbers: GVWR 4920, front GAWR 2740, rear GAWC 2570 (yes the rear is lower than the front, I triple checked) GCWR 6000 and trailer weight range 0-2000. I weighed my truck with only myself and a full tank and it is 4300. So it seems to me that I've got 1700 to spare for passenger, gear, and potential trailer. Not a problem if I was intending to tow a baby carriage, but I've been looking at an 18' pontoon boat with motor and trailer weighing in at approx. 1800. I wouldn't want to buy it unless I could take it on vacation for two week stay on the lake 300 mile trip (each way). Not too hilly, mass pike and 495 to 95. Early mass pike is only up and down to speak of. Now I can do the math and I know that my truck and I at 4300 plus trailer of 1800 puts me over the limit, but on top of that I'd be loaded up with camping gear and an extra passenger. Lets put that at 500 (i'll just buy the beer there). So now I'm over the GCWR by roughly 600. I figure no boat. So I talk to my mechanic to see what he's got to say- obviously I know next nothing about trucks or I could have said all this a lot more easily. And he tells me that technically theres a difference between my math and reality- which has something to do with the trailer axle sharing the load and potentially reducing the strain on my truck. He's gonna take a look at it tomorrow, and assuming everything is in good shape its apparently my call on whether i want to go for it or play it safe. I don't feel like taking any chances with my life or others on the road ( the 8' trailer width is kinda scary, but I'll be convoying with others with CB's to help with visibility). Other answers I might potentially be able to supply in advance are as follows: I have no idea yet if the trailer has brakes- the boat dealer was out all day with deliveries and hasn't gotten back to me. The truck is mostly factory, the only upgrade is slightly heftier rear springs- don't know the specs- nothing fancy. 115k miles and never towed. Putting on class III hitch just for this, welcome to suggestions.

 

I think that pontoon boat is going to catch a lot of crosswind which in turn will create a lot of sway. It might be okay but 350 miles is a long time to fight this. I have a 17 foot Stratos that I pull sometimes with a Mountaineer V8 AWD and it is a handfull. This Mountaineer has a tow rating of 6,500 pounds. The only reason I use the Mountaineer to pull it is because you can't see the empty trailer to back up with my F350 Dually. You may be okay but again that is a long way to pull anything thats not extremely stable.
Greg

 

GCWR is usually a legally required rating. If you got stopped(unlikely) you would get a ticket. If you had an accident and it was due to being over limit, you would be in big trouble.

On a more practical side... The Ranger is awful small. Towing the trailer would probably make it feel like the tail wagging the dog. Your brakes are small so stopping would be an adventure. Your engine is small so accelerating would be an irritation. Durability wise you would be decreasing the life of many components on the truck.

When towing you want to pay attention to GVWR(Gross Vehicle Weigh Rating) that's your truck, GCWR, your truck, trailer, people, gas, and junk. And your GAWR. I think GAWR is where your mechanic thinks he can fudge. Depending on the weight distribution on your truck and the tongue weight of the fully loaded trailer, you might squeek under this one. All that means is your axle load would be within rating per Ford spec. Doesn't mean you will be safe or legal.

Weight of passengers, fuel and stuff adds up really quick. the only way to be sure what the weights are is to use a public scale and weigh front and rear weights, total truck and trailer weight and just trailer. A PITA the first time or two, but with experience you can be pretty good at guestimating.

To start, your truck with fuel and I assume you weighs 4,300, and your GVWR is 4920 which leaves you with 620. Passengers on average weigh 150#(except for the super Jumbos like me) So this means you might be able to add 4 passengers and a couple sandwiches and you will be right at max GVWR. In other words not a lot to play with. Another way to look at it is with a trailer of 1800#s you are looking at a tongue weight around 200#. So that leaves you with 420# for passengers and stuff. Any way you cut it you are close if not over. Close is not a good feeling while towing a trailer.

The bottom line is, with this size truck, you may find towing to be a handful and you will be more fatigued than you would be with a larger truck. And if for some reason you got stopped you might have a small legal problem.

Good Luck, I have been the dog a few times and it ain't no fun.

Jim Henderson

 

Now with that firm data, I would say too much trailer and load. I didn't know you were gonna haul this thing 300 miles - that makes a huge difference. And if you get a good gust of wind - forget it. I would get a different truck for the job, or at least borrow or rent one.