Towing Question
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Junior User
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Towing Question
Im looking at getting a New Ranger, 4.0, 4x4 SC. My question is that any of you that tow with your rangers, how close would u go to the maxium capacity of around 5500 lbs? I need a tow vehicle to tow about 250 miles my 73 Bronco once or twice in the summer and the ranger wil be used to tow jetskis throughout the summer, that will be no problem. But during those 250 miles, how well will the Ranger be able to handle around 5,000 lbs? Transmission, engine and braking performance wise? W/ some mild hills(Being in Michigan)
Thanks
Marcus
Thanks
Marcus
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Junior User
Joined: Dec 2003
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Thats what I thought, Ive pulled it once with a 04 Explorer V8..and it did fine. Anybody actaully tow to the limit with their Rangers? I know these arent 1/2 or 3/4 tons but the ranger is a pretty stout truck even tho the design is aging.
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2005
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I personaly have used the 250 for dragging trailers around, so I can't really comment on the ranger's ability, but today, i did see a guy driving an older ranger s/c with a pretty nice trailer and an old Ford pickup on it. He seemed to be cruisin along for the weight on back. Looked over capacity, but i'm not sure. Truck looked to be a '94 or '95 ranger, so it didn't have the power of the newer ones...I'd imagine the 4/0 would pull fine, just stay out of o/d if it starts hunting
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2004
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From: Lancaster, PA
I pulled a tri axle trailer with 2 full size commercial mowers on back. It pulled that fine. It was a 98' 2.5L 5-speed. It was a little doggy on the highway, and it wouldn't have been if I woulda revved it higher, but I chose to take it easy on it since it was already being over worked. I havn't really gotten to try out my new 4.0L but I'm sure it will pull a lot better than that yet.
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Towing With Ranger
I have a 1998 ranger 4x4, 4 liter, manual xmsion and tow regularly. I tow a boat, trailer and car hauler with my hunting buggy. Buggy is a 78 3/4 ton 4x4 chevy short wheel base pickup with 44 inch super swampers. Boat and trailer are much lighter. Boat and trailer towing is no problem.
It does OK with the buggy, nothing great but it will work on the few occasions i tow. Usually 2 or 3 times a year for 100 miles one way. I bring it home to work on it. I have 265 75 r 16 tires so there are oversize and not much torque off the start but once i get it going no problems. Biggest concern i would have is braking. Do you have brakes on the tailer?
Good luck, it will do what you want if your careful.
It does OK with the buggy, nothing great but it will work on the few occasions i tow. Usually 2 or 3 times a year for 100 miles one way. I bring it home to work on it. I have 265 75 r 16 tires so there are oversize and not much torque off the start but once i get it going no problems. Biggest concern i would have is braking. Do you have brakes on the tailer?
Good luck, it will do what you want if your careful.
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From: SW Va
The engine will likely be up to it, IF you properly prepair for it & tow as specified in your owners manual.
Do you have the factory tow package on your ride????
If not, I'd have it installed, including the payload package #2.
Make sure the tranny filter & fluid is fully changed out, before the towing season begins.
Probably would be a good idea to think about a full synthetic engine oil with a high flash point & good NOAC, along with a synthetic media oil filter, like Motorcraft, that can take the heat it's gonna get.
Don't use cheap products.
Defintely should have working trailer brakes with this much load.
I'd also look into Convert-A-***** "Cushioned" ball mount. It'll round off the jerks & jars a heavy tow like this will apply to your drive line, so it'll likely appreciate it!!!!
I've used one for the past 6 years, to smooooooth out my tugs!!!!!
It really rounds off those sharp jerks & jars a tow transfers to the driveline.
You can check them out to see how it works & what a cut away view of it looks like, at http://www.etrailer.com/y-84.asp or http://www.convertaball.com/ballmounts.htm
Let us know what & how you do on your tow!!!!
Do you have the factory tow package on your ride????
If not, I'd have it installed, including the payload package #2.
Make sure the tranny filter & fluid is fully changed out, before the towing season begins.
Probably would be a good idea to think about a full synthetic engine oil with a high flash point & good NOAC, along with a synthetic media oil filter, like Motorcraft, that can take the heat it's gonna get.
Don't use cheap products.
Defintely should have working trailer brakes with this much load.
I'd also look into Convert-A-***** "Cushioned" ball mount. It'll round off the jerks & jars a heavy tow like this will apply to your drive line, so it'll likely appreciate it!!!!
I've used one for the past 6 years, to smooooooth out my tugs!!!!!
It really rounds off those sharp jerks & jars a tow transfers to the driveline.
You can check them out to see how it works & what a cut away view of it looks like, at http://www.etrailer.com/y-84.asp or http://www.convertaball.com/ballmounts.htm
Let us know what & how you do on your tow!!!!