towing with 97 ranger
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towing with 97 ranger
hey all,
I was wondering if my little 2.3 can handle towing a u haul trailer. I have to move 1600 miles and this is an inexpencive solution. I'm also concerned about sway problems on such a long trip as this will be my first attempt at towing. I have to say my truck doesn't even have a hitch. so you can imagine the amount of advice i need. If anyone has thoughts on this please help.
bumper
I was wondering if my little 2.3 can handle towing a u haul trailer. I have to move 1600 miles and this is an inexpencive solution. I'm also concerned about sway problems on such a long trip as this will be my first attempt at towing. I have to say my truck doesn't even have a hitch. so you can imagine the amount of advice i need. If anyone has thoughts on this please help.
bumper
Cargo Master
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 3,237
Likes: 3
From: Belleville, Ontario
Welcome to FTE.
I hauled a 72 340 Duster on a tow dolly from Calgary to Toronto (3000 km) with my 97 2.3 5spd Ranger std cab short box. I would not attempt anything heavier because this was MAX load for the little truck.
Allow plenty of extra braking distance. Use overdrive only on flat ground if you can manage to keep the steering/sway under control. If you aren't comfortable doing the speed limit, slow down!
If the trailor is a tandem axle, I'd recomend that you invest in a "Class 3" hitch.
Keep your tires pumped up to the recomended max pressure.
Load the trailor so that the tongue weight is not excessive & bearing down hard on the hitch. This will help keep the front end of your truck down for better steering control.
Absolutely & at ALL times, pay attention! Things can go very wrong in the blink of an eye. So, when you think you've got the hang of it, do not relax, stay focused on what you are doing.
AL.
I hauled a 72 340 Duster on a tow dolly from Calgary to Toronto (3000 km) with my 97 2.3 5spd Ranger std cab short box. I would not attempt anything heavier because this was MAX load for the little truck.
Allow plenty of extra braking distance. Use overdrive only on flat ground if you can manage to keep the steering/sway under control. If you aren't comfortable doing the speed limit, slow down!
If the trailor is a tandem axle, I'd recomend that you invest in a "Class 3" hitch.
Keep your tires pumped up to the recomended max pressure.
Load the trailor so that the tongue weight is not excessive & bearing down hard on the hitch. This will help keep the front end of your truck down for better steering control.
Absolutely & at ALL times, pay attention! Things can go very wrong in the blink of an eye. So, when you think you've got the hang of it, do not relax, stay focused on what you are doing.
AL.
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Thanks guys for the advice. I checked out my owners manual as sugested by 87XLTand it does not recomend I tow a trailer with my truck. due to the axle ratio or something like that. are they just being over causious or should i take it to heart.
bumper
bumper
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Joined: Oct 2003
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From: SoCal
????? Somethings not right here. The owners manual for my 87 Ranger shows that with a manual trans/2.3 liter & any axle ratio it can tow 2,000 pounds with the step bumper. An automatic/2.3 liter with 4.10 gears and the proper hitch can tow up to 3500 lbs. Theres 2 sections on towing in the manual, one is for trailer towing the other is for towing your truck if it breaks down. Are you looking in the right section? Is this an automatic or manual trans??
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87xlt,
I double checked I'm in the right section. the truck is a manual 5 speed 4x2 regular cab. In my owners manual and Acording to the trailer towing table for a 4x2 manual transmission, a 2.3L with an axle ratio of 3.45 is not recomended for trailer towing. so I checked the sticker on the inside of the drivers door and the axle code is an 84. in my manual axlecode 84 is 3.45 axle ratio. I wish it weren't true. the crazy thing is there is a place for a hitch and electrical plug in for trailer tail lights.
bumper
I double checked I'm in the right section. the truck is a manual 5 speed 4x2 regular cab. In my owners manual and Acording to the trailer towing table for a 4x2 manual transmission, a 2.3L with an axle ratio of 3.45 is not recomended for trailer towing. so I checked the sticker on the inside of the drivers door and the axle code is an 84. in my manual axlecode 84 is 3.45 axle ratio. I wish it weren't true. the crazy thing is there is a place for a hitch and electrical plug in for trailer tail lights.
bumper
Cargo Master
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 3,237
Likes: 3
From: Belleville, Ontario
Never under estimate the power of a Ranger!!!
bumper9...We have the same truck.
Re-read my first post.
Someone may pipe up and say that I must have run the snot out of mine to do that tow.
Premium gas and thoughtful gear selection (and years of towing experience) was all it took to get the job done.
Keep the rpms above 2000 and generally go easy on it & you'll do just fine.
AL.
Re-read my first post.
Someone may pipe up and say that I must have run the snot out of mine to do that tow.
Premium gas and thoughtful gear selection (and years of towing experience) was all it took to get the job done.
Keep the rpms above 2000 and generally go easy on it & you'll do just fine.
AL.
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Postmaster
Joined: Oct 2003
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From: SoCal
So according to Ford you cant even tow one of these little guys? www.uhaul.com/trailers/sport What kind of nonsense is that?
Last edited by 87 XLT; Jun 12, 2004 at 12:45 AM.
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yea I did re read dealfords first post.....Dealford could you check the certified safety sticker on your ranger for me and tell me what the axle code is ? please. See our trucks may not have the same axle ratio the other ratio is 3.73 and that seems to be fine to tow a trailer. Both are in the 2.3L regular cab 4x2 manual 5 speed.........as for the uhaul sport being towed by the VW BEATLE that thing looks like its mostly plastic and the trailer look plastic too. lol
Cargo Master
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 3,237
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From: Belleville, Ontario
Axle code 84 = 3.45. Same truck except yours has a radio.
You are a responsible driver, right?
You have no problems paying attention while driving, right?
The Duster thing was not the heaviest load I've pulled with my putt-putt. I don't tend to count the local hauls even if the mudflaps were dragging on the ground and the loaded trailor tires were bulging!!!!!!!!!!
You & your truck can do the job. Don't push yourself or the truck & everything will be fine.
AL.
You are a responsible driver, right?
You have no problems paying attention while driving, right?
The Duster thing was not the heaviest load I've pulled with my putt-putt. I don't tend to count the local hauls even if the mudflaps were dragging on the ground and the loaded trailor tires were bulging!!!!!!!!!!
You & your truck can do the job. Don't push yourself or the truck & everything will be fine.
AL.
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