Towing a lite 5th wheel trailer
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Joined: Aug 2015
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Towing a lite 5th wheel trailer
We're not ready to put out for a Big truck like a F450 and a big 5th wheel quite yet but I was wondering about pulling a lite 5th wheel with our 98 Ranger SuperCab 4.0L 3.55 4x2. I'm 99.9% sure we don't have the Splash (I think it had the step side bed) or one with a Special Suspension (what ever the SS was) so it should have the following ratings.
Those are the max figures so I'll have to adjust for passengers, dogs and supplies.
Still I'm not 100% that those are the correct numbers. First, I could be wrong since I don't know what the Special Suspension is. Second I've seen number which don't match the owners manual.
I'd like to get the Build Sheets and Specification on mine but Ford doesn't want to give those away for some reason, they want almost $100 for it. I really don't need something with a fancy letter signed by some one with the name Ford.
If anyone can help I'd be grateful.
- Body Style Supercab 6' w/Trailer Towing Package
- Body Code 125.7" WB
- Cab to Axle 37.8 in
- Curb Weight - Front 1,880 lbs
- Curb Weight - Rear 1,388 lbs (Total 3,268)
- GVWR 4,900 lbs (4,760 on truck sticker)
- GCWR 9,500 lbs
- Max Tow 5,900 lbs (if based on GCWR-CurbWR 6,232 lbs)
- Front GAWR 2,400 lbs (2,600 on truck sticker)
- Rear GAWR 2,600 lbs
- Front GAWR 2,625 lbs (Axel Manufacture rating)
- Rear GAWR 2,750 lbs (Axel Manufacture rating)
- Displacement 4.0L
- Fuel System SEFI
- SAE Net Horsepower @ RPM 160 @ 4,200
- SAE Net Torque @ RPM 225 @ 2,750
Those are the max figures so I'll have to adjust for passengers, dogs and supplies.
Still I'm not 100% that those are the correct numbers. First, I could be wrong since I don't know what the Special Suspension is. Second I've seen number which don't match the owners manual.
I'd like to get the Build Sheets and Specification on mine but Ford doesn't want to give those away for some reason, they want almost $100 for it. I really don't need something with a fancy letter signed by some one with the name Ford.
If anyone can help I'd be grateful.
Cargo Master
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 2,414
Likes: 22
From: Tucson USA
I used to have a neighbor who pulled a small 5th wheel with his Nissan PU. Like I said it was very small and this was a late 80's SE. He said no issues. What you dont tell folks is the size of the 'lite' trailer you have /have in mind.
Take your vin number to the ford site and decode it to learn what ya have. Might even be available on this site, not sure. I have not towed with my 94, but I have pulled some just for moving around in tight areas. I have 24ft TT, it moved it pretty well GW of TT about 5000lb. Towed a bass boat for a guy about 2 miles slipped clutch but have 3:08 rear gear. So will the ranger move stuff, sure but ya need to tell what it is 1st. I would be very leery of trying to tow anything very big. Saw a guy with an S10 a couple of years ago. He had just purchased a small single axle TT from someplace in wisc or minn. dont remember where. Basically looked like a PU slide in camper on wheels. Only had 2 inch ball so not real heavy. Dont know what he had for engine etc but he was in Wyo headed to west coast some wheres.
Take your vin number to the ford site and decode it to learn what ya have. Might even be available on this site, not sure. I have not towed with my 94, but I have pulled some just for moving around in tight areas. I have 24ft TT, it moved it pretty well GW of TT about 5000lb. Towed a bass boat for a guy about 2 miles slipped clutch but have 3:08 rear gear. So will the ranger move stuff, sure but ya need to tell what it is 1st. I would be very leery of trying to tow anything very big. Saw a guy with an S10 a couple of years ago. He had just purchased a small single axle TT from someplace in wisc or minn. dont remember where. Basically looked like a PU slide in camper on wheels. Only had 2 inch ball so not real heavy. Dont know what he had for engine etc but he was in Wyo headed to west coast some wheres.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 8,457
Likes: 722
From: Calgary Canada
There are some very small Fifth Wheel trailers that might work, but I would think your biggest limitation will be payload rating on that truck. With the passenger, dog and supplies, plus the pin weight of that trailer, it will be very easy to go over your rating.
It also goes without saying that you'll need to be on the looking for the "right" small trailer, and that it'll have to have it's braking system in tip-top shape to make this safe.
Not sure if you are looking new or used, but make sure you don't look to RV salesmen as a reliable source of information on the capabilities of your truck. They are going to say anything to make the sale. Do you own research, trust no one.
It also goes without saying that you'll need to be on the looking for the "right" small trailer, and that it'll have to have it's braking system in tip-top shape to make this safe.
Not sure if you are looking new or used, but make sure you don't look to RV salesmen as a reliable source of information on the capabilities of your truck. They are going to say anything to make the sale. Do you own research, trust no one.
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 10,060
Likes: 491
From: Bristol, TN.
Light weight fiver will put about 1,000 in the bed at a minimum based on the ones I have actually weighed myself. Once you are rolling it will be wind resistance rather than weight that taxes the go power. 
Steve
Steve
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 206
Likes: 42
We're not ready to put out for a Big truck like a F450 and a big 5th wheel quite yet but I was wondering about pulling a lite 5th wheel with our 98 Ranger SuperCab 4.0L 3.55 4x2. I'm 99.9% sure we don't have the Splash (I think it had the step side bed) or one with a Special Suspension (what ever the SS was) so it should have the following ratings.
Those are the max figures so I'll have to adjust for passengers, dogs and supplies.
Still I'm not 100% that those are the correct numbers. First, I could be wrong since I don't know what the Special Suspension is. Second I've seen number which don't match the owners manual.
I'd like to get the Build Sheets and Specification on mine but Ford doesn't want to give those away for some reason, they want almost $100 for it. I really don't need something with a fancy letter signed by some one with the name Ford.
If anyone can help I'd be grateful.
- Body Style Supercab 6' w/Trailer Towing Package
- Body Code 125.7" WB
- Cab to Axle 37.8 in
- Curb Weight - Front 1,880 lbs
- Curb Weight - Rear 1,388 lbs (Total 3,268)
- GVWR 4,900 lbs (4,760 on truck sticker)
- GCWR 9,500 lbs
- Max Tow 5,900 lbs (if based on GCWR-CurbWR 6,232 lbs)
- Front GAWR 2,400 lbs (2,600 on truck sticker)
- Rear GAWR 2,600 lbs
- Front GAWR 2,625 lbs (Axel Manufacture rating)
- Rear GAWR 2,750 lbs (Axel Manufacture rating)
- Displacement 4.0L
- Fuel System SEFI
- SAE Net Horsepower @ RPM 160 @ 4,200
- SAE Net Torque @ RPM 225 @ 2,750
Those are the max figures so I'll have to adjust for passengers, dogs and supplies.
Still I'm not 100% that those are the correct numbers. First, I could be wrong since I don't know what the Special Suspension is. Second I've seen number which don't match the owners manual.
I'd like to get the Build Sheets and Specification on mine but Ford doesn't want to give those away for some reason, they want almost $100 for it. I really don't need something with a fancy letter signed by some one with the name Ford.
If anyone can help I'd be grateful.
I'm on my 2nd travel trailer in 3 years, and also my 3rd tow vehicle. I went from a '99 Yukon to a '13 Grand Cherokee Hemi. They both pulled a 27' ultra lite bumper pull. Now I'm in my '05 F350 V10 and a 31' bumper pull. If Iwere you, I'd look for a bumper pull in the 18' range, or even a popup. It isn't always what you can tow, it's what you can stop.
Cargo Master
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 2,757
Likes: 70
From: Elk River, MN
Looks like you overload the rear axle weight rating before you even start. If rear GAWR is 2600 and the rear curb weight is 1388, you only have 1212 to play with. Add two 150 pound passengers, that takes away 150 at the rear leaving 1062. A typical bolt in 5th wheel attachment in the bed has got to be close to 75-100 pounds plus the estimated lightest pin weight of 1000 puts you into the unsafe category. You might want to consider a light weight tow behind. There are more choices in tag alongs then 5th wheel rigs.
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