ranger pulling 5000# camper
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New User
Joined: Nov 2003
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ranger pulling 5000# camper
I have a 97 4wd ford ranger 4.0 stx package plus i added overloads to haul a slide in camper-the camper weighs about 2000#-its topheavy but the truck has plenty of power to move it around-I'm wanting to dump the slide -in and buy a pull behind 18' pioneer 4000# dry 5500 wet- has anybody done this before? the truck will pull my 3500# boat fine but i'm worried that the camper is not aerodynamic! Whadda ya think? mjblund
Cargo Master
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 2,833
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From: Jefferson, Iowa
I would not make a habbit of it. The ranger in my opinion was not ment to be a tow haul truck, more of the light off-road and drive around truck. The 4.0 should have plent of power, but usually your problem is stopping, not starting.
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2003
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Every truck has it's tow capacity and I would not exceed it!! The capacities are posted for your safety and for premature wear and tear on vital parts. My truck has a 7900lb tow capacity, my 26' TT weighs 4100lbs dry and max weight for it is 6400lbs. I have it loaded with what I need and it weighs 5200lbs aprox. I would'nt dought your ranger pulling it but I would expect problems down the way. Maybe get a bigger truck or stick to the smaller TT Think SAFETY first!!! Hope this helps.
Postmaster
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 4,968
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From: So Cal
Trailerlife Magazine and the Ford truck Bible both say a 150 class is a minimum size tow vehicle for loads between about 3,000 and 5,000#. They don't even recommend the 150 for any serious towing of a 5,000# trailer, just occasional towing.
So I would guess your Ranger would be over loaded and could be unsafe and would wear out prematurely.
The biggest problem with small trucks like the Ranger is the tail wagging the dog effect and inadequate brakes. In the long run you also risk wearing out the drive train.
Towing a 5,000# trailer can be tiring with even a 150. In a Ranger I think you will be tired from all the "corrections" you will need to make while driving along. If you come up against a steep downslope or an emergency stop, you will probably loose your hair.
I would highly recommend checking your manual and the door sticker to determine what your Gross Vehicle Weight Rating, GVWR, is, your Gross Combined Weight Rating GCWR and your Gross Axle Weight Rating GAWR(Front and Back) are. I suspect you will find that the 5,000# trailer will exceed at least the GCWR and GVWR and possible the GAWR. This would be unsafe and unreliable. If you had an accident you could be judege at fault because of that.
If you insist on running over loaded, I would highly recommend helper springs, a weight distributing hitch, a big tranny cooler, and meticulous maintenance.
Good Luck,
Jim Henderson
So I would guess your Ranger would be over loaded and could be unsafe and would wear out prematurely.
The biggest problem with small trucks like the Ranger is the tail wagging the dog effect and inadequate brakes. In the long run you also risk wearing out the drive train.
Towing a 5,000# trailer can be tiring with even a 150. In a Ranger I think you will be tired from all the "corrections" you will need to make while driving along. If you come up against a steep downslope or an emergency stop, you will probably loose your hair.
I would highly recommend checking your manual and the door sticker to determine what your Gross Vehicle Weight Rating, GVWR, is, your Gross Combined Weight Rating GCWR and your Gross Axle Weight Rating GAWR(Front and Back) are. I suspect you will find that the 5,000# trailer will exceed at least the GCWR and GVWR and possible the GAWR. This would be unsafe and unreliable. If you had an accident you could be judege at fault because of that.
If you insist on running over loaded, I would highly recommend helper springs, a weight distributing hitch, a big tranny cooler, and meticulous maintenance.
Good Luck,
Jim Henderson
