camper towing
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New User
Joined: Jan 2004
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From: wv
camper towing
has any one towed a camper with a ranger I have a 94 b4000 extended cab 4x4 4.0 eng. is it practical to pull a 24ft camper that weights 2400lb. The owners manual says it will but I would like some ones opinion
New User
Joined: Jun 2001
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That sounds awfully light for a 24-foot camper. Is that the dry weight?
I pulled a 3300 pound 5th wheel (a little 17.5-footer) with mine and honestly it was too much for it. I just have a 2.9 v6, but it was the tranny that couldn't handle it (A4LD). Sprung a leak and spewed tranny fluid all over I-5 between Canada and Sacramento.
Being underpowered pulling a big trailer is no fun and potentially dangerous, not to mention expensive. I don't think I'd attempt it, but that's just me. Then again if it really is just 2400 pounds, you might be fine.
I pulled a 3300 pound 5th wheel (a little 17.5-footer) with mine and honestly it was too much for it. I just have a 2.9 v6, but it was the tranny that couldn't handle it (A4LD). Sprung a leak and spewed tranny fluid all over I-5 between Canada and Sacramento.
Being underpowered pulling a big trailer is no fun and potentially dangerous, not to mention expensive. I don't think I'd attempt it, but that's just me. Then again if it really is just 2400 pounds, you might be fine.
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2003
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From: Chico Ca
I have a 93 4.0L A4LD tran. /w a heavy duty tran cooler, heavy duty disbrakes pads,6' bed. make sure everything is in good working order, brakes, cooling systems.
Towing you have to take it eazy, plan ahead, going up a hill don't go real fast, going down a hill about the same thing, if its to steap use a lower gear.
Best to travel early in the morning where its cool, Auto tran needs heavy duty cooler while towing.
Towing you have to take it eazy, plan ahead, going up a hill don't go real fast, going down a hill about the same thing, if its to steap use a lower gear.
Best to travel early in the morning where its cool, Auto tran needs heavy duty cooler while towing.
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Junior User
Joined: Aug 2004
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The second weekend I owned my '03 4x4 4.0 auto, I towed a 6'x8' trailer loaded with iced down coolers, tents, equipment, etc. and my bed was level with split fire wood for a canoe trip. To tell you the truth it out pulled the 4.6 V8 F150 I traided off!
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Brett Foote
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Joined: Jul 2005
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From: Omaha
The hole thing about towing anything, with anything, is NOT to make it work any harder that it will handle.
If you have a small truck, take it easy on the hills. If you are going up a hill and it's pulling hard than slow down. Driving in a lower gear will not be as hard on the trans.
I pulled a trailer loaded with a honda civi loaded on it(about 2000 lbs.) using a little 4 cylinder. I did not hurt a thing. But I didn't try driving like I had no load. It's all in how you drive. If you treat it right it will treat you right.
If you have a small truck, take it easy on the hills. If you are going up a hill and it's pulling hard than slow down. Driving in a lower gear will not be as hard on the trans.
I pulled a trailer loaded with a honda civi loaded on it(about 2000 lbs.) using a little 4 cylinder. I did not hurt a thing. But I didn't try driving like I had no load. It's all in how you drive. If you treat it right it will treat you right.
Senior User
Joined: May 2003
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From: Spring Hill, KS
My little '94 2.3L 4-banger hauled a 5x8 Trailer and the bed filled about 2.5' above the cab from Lansing MI to Fort Worth with little trouble last winter and again from Lansing MI to Oklahoma City this past spring. That's 1. 1200 mile trip and 1. 1000 mile trip, and I loaded the tailer/truck so heavy I drug the mudflaps the entire way! I admit it wasn't always at 70+Mph, but it was definately an interesting trip. With good upkeep and good driving skills I can say that these small trucks can be suprising.
--the most important thing you must remember though, it's not how fast you can drive...but how quickly you can come to a stop!
--the most important thing you must remember though, it's not how fast you can drive...but how quickly you can come to a stop!
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2003
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From: Chico Ca
If you are in a accident while towing the first thing the highway patrol officer is going to look at is if you was over weight, if so it would hit the fan. If someone was hurt you can be sued. I remember reading about someone towing a trailer he was over weight that caused an accident and the person from the other car died, well that person that was towing is up for manslaughter and being sued big time from the other person family. The person towing he is now in debt up to his ears, he lost his house, his wife left him
Don’t be over weight, its vary dangerous, it’s irresponsible. TOWING you have to be in control at all times. Being over weight is a time bomb waiting to happen
Don’t be over weight, its vary dangerous, it’s irresponsible. TOWING you have to be in control at all times. Being over weight is a time bomb waiting to happen
Last edited by Ken00; Aug 21, 2005 at 04:27 PM.
Junior User
Joined: Jul 2005
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From: Omaha
I totaly agree with the over weight answer. It is not a good idea to over load, it can be hard on the equipment if you don't know what your are doing.
Also when loading a trailer make sure that the load is properly spread out. Make sure that you have the right toung weight. Make sure that the heaviest items are over the wheels in the trailer.
May you be blessed with good whether while towing.
Also when loading a trailer make sure that the load is properly spread out. Make sure that you have the right toung weight. Make sure that the heaviest items are over the wheels in the trailer.
May you be blessed with good whether while towing.
The Pacifier
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 8,245
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From: Cloverdale, BC
Make sure you get a brake controller. Sure, your truck will pull it, but you'll have a white knuckle ride trying to stop it without trailer brakes.
And just because you got trailer brakes doesn't mean you can stop on a dime either.
And keep in mind the weight issue. The last thing you need is an accident, at fault or not.
And just because you got trailer brakes doesn't mean you can stop on a dime either.
And keep in mind the weight issue. The last thing you need is an accident, at fault or not.
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Joined: Sep 2005
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Well, let me chime in too. I was looking through the specifications listed, on site, for my 2000 Ranger 3.0L Auto 4X2 Supercab with the 3.73 axle and found a BCW of 3271 lbs and a payload of 1260 lbs. However, according to the manual Payload should be GVWR - BCW (which it is not). Any ideas on the discrepancy? I've never done more than tow my motorcycle in the truck bed, but next week I'll need to tow two bikes on an open-bed trailer along with me and another person and our gear. I was also looking at enclosed trailers wondering if I could buy one for myself (maybe a nice 5'X8' or 6'X10').
Ideas and comments anyone?
{According to the manual, the maximum trailer weight is 3920 lbs and the maximum GCWR is 7500 lbs.}
Also, since I'm new to trailering, are the GAWRs for front and rear only applicable to what's in the truck (cab & bed) and have nothing to do with trailer weight?
As I understand everything, 4800 lbs is the heaviest I'd want to get in the truck (truck + passengers + load in bed) and 2700 lbs is the heaviest I could get with a trailer. Alternatively, 3430 lbs (truck + me) and 3900 lbs with a trailer.
Catch all that?
Thanks in advance.
Ideas and comments anyone?
{According to the manual, the maximum trailer weight is 3920 lbs and the maximum GCWR is 7500 lbs.}
Also, since I'm new to trailering, are the GAWRs for front and rear only applicable to what's in the truck (cab & bed) and have nothing to do with trailer weight?
As I understand everything, 4800 lbs is the heaviest I'd want to get in the truck (truck + passengers + load in bed) and 2700 lbs is the heaviest I could get with a trailer. Alternatively, 3430 lbs (truck + me) and 3900 lbs with a trailer.
Catch all that?
Thanks in advance.