How much can my ranger pull?
Thread Starter
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Freshman User
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 31
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How much can my ranger pull?
I'm looking at getting a decent size boat, and I want to know how much my ranger can pull w/o causing any problems. I own:
2001
6cyl
3.0L
automatic
I know there isn't much power there, but what is the total amount with a frame mounted hitch?
2001
6cyl
3.0L
automatic
I know there isn't much power there, but what is the total amount with a frame mounted hitch?
Lead Driver
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 6,461
Likes: 6
From: Abilene Kansas
i pull heavy loads with my 3.0 auto 4x4 all of the time. is all how you pull it. i pulled a 10k baler at 20 mph with stops to let my tranny cool. i kept an eye on it and i used 4x4 low. if you pull a boat at say 55 you can usually keep a trans cool and pull a decent size boat. i would say you could pull around a 3000 lb boat with no problem. make sure to take od off
Matt
Matt
Thread Starter
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Freshman User
Joined: Jul 2006
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Thanks Matt, however I should mention that I do not have a 4x4, and I have to back down a ramp, and pull the ranger & boat out of the water as well, with out 4x4 you think I could climb steep ramp up grades...i DON'T WANT TO GO DOWN LIKE THE TITANIC...lol
Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 8,462
Likes: 4
From: Durant, OK (SOSU)
If I can get up a slick ramp with a 2WD 4.0L stick shift, the auto should be cake.
I regularly tow the boat with all my trucks, the Ford is a stick but the GMs are autos... if the tires get back into the water on the autos (and moss and all that crap that gets on the ramp), I just very very gently ease into it. The GMC will idle slightly up the ramp, so I just apply the gas enough to make it move. If it ever feels like it's sliding, I hit the brakes. Never had any problem with it though, never took more than one try to get out.
18 foot bass boat.
I regularly tow the boat with all my trucks, the Ford is a stick but the GMs are autos... if the tires get back into the water on the autos (and moss and all that crap that gets on the ramp), I just very very gently ease into it. The GMC will idle slightly up the ramp, so I just apply the gas enough to make it move. If it ever feels like it's sliding, I hit the brakes. Never had any problem with it though, never took more than one try to get out.
18 foot bass boat.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,055
Likes: 3
From: Magnolia, TX
Okay, here's my nickel worth of thoughts: You may be able to pull a 3K trailer but I wouldn't suggest you do so with a Ranger.
There is a relationship with a trailer in that the vehicle doing the pulling must always maintain a commanding position with regards to what it's towing. IMHO, the towing vehicle should greatly outweigh the trailer and I also would not recommend pulling a load that was considered to be in the upper most portion of the towing range for that vehicle. You need a good safety margin.
In short, with a lighter vehicle like the Ranger, and a decent size load - if at any time you compromise that command realtionship with the trailer, you can easily be in for some serious trouble. Whether it be going up or down a boat ramp, or should you have to brake quickly in wet weather (or worse, when it just starts to rain!), or should you have to swerve to avoid something while at highway speeds - that towing vehicle should always, in these situations, have total undeniable command of the trailer.
I've been towing boats and such for over 20 years so the above is just my opinion/experience. YMMV.
CMOS
There is a relationship with a trailer in that the vehicle doing the pulling must always maintain a commanding position with regards to what it's towing. IMHO, the towing vehicle should greatly outweigh the trailer and I also would not recommend pulling a load that was considered to be in the upper most portion of the towing range for that vehicle. You need a good safety margin.
In short, with a lighter vehicle like the Ranger, and a decent size load - if at any time you compromise that command realtionship with the trailer, you can easily be in for some serious trouble. Whether it be going up or down a boat ramp, or should you have to brake quickly in wet weather (or worse, when it just starts to rain!), or should you have to swerve to avoid something while at highway speeds - that towing vehicle should always, in these situations, have total undeniable command of the trailer.
I've been towing boats and such for over 20 years so the above is just my opinion/experience. YMMV.
CMOS
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,164
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From: Tri-Cities, TN
Used to tow my 17' boat (boat, trailer and gear appox. 2500 lbs.) with my Bronco II (2.8/auto), and never had an issue. And the 2.8 was not what you would call powerful. The 3.0 has quite a bit more power and torque, so I think you would be all set.
I even once had to pull a trailer with my '77 F250 on it for a short distance (10 miles). I went slow, and it caused a lot of sag in the back, but it didn't complain or cause any problems (4600# truck, 2400# trailer).
I even once had to pull a trailer with my '77 F250 on it for a short distance (10 miles). I went slow, and it caused a lot of sag in the back, but it didn't complain or cause any problems (4600# truck, 2400# trailer).
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Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 8,462
Likes: 4
From: Durant, OK (SOSU)
Originally Posted by snowdog79
69 F600 300/5+2
77 F250 4x2/351M/C6
78 F150 SC 4x2/300/3 spd
79 F150 4x4/400/T18
85 Bronco II XLT 4x4/2.8/auto
89 F150 4x4/300/4spd
93 EB Bronco 5.0
00 F150 7700 SC 4x4/5.4/auto
00 Ranger SC 4x4/4.0/auto
01 F350 CC 4x4 DRW PSD
03 Explorer 4.6/AWD/LS
07 F150 SCrew 4x4/5.4/auto
77 F250 4x2/351M/C6
78 F150 SC 4x2/300/3 spd
79 F150 4x4/400/T18
85 Bronco II XLT 4x4/2.8/auto
89 F150 4x4/300/4spd
93 EB Bronco 5.0
00 F150 7700 SC 4x4/5.4/auto
00 Ranger SC 4x4/4.0/auto
01 F350 CC 4x4 DRW PSD
03 Explorer 4.6/AWD/LS
07 F150 SCrew 4x4/5.4/auto
Anyways, on topic. This boat was cake for the Ranger, even with excessively high gearing (3.08s), it'd be easy with the 3.0L. The trailer was custom and the total weight (trailer and boat) came out to a little over 3200 pounds.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,436
Likes: 117
From: Virginia
Originally Posted by RangerPilot
Anyone else not wanna be at his house when the insurance bill comes in?
OP - there was a post on here a year or 2 ago where someone was having trouble with a 2wd Ranger getting up a boat ramp due to the lack of traction. I know one of the suggestions was to get a rear mounted winch (if the boat and trailer can roll on it's own), or a front mounted winch for those ramps you can't get up.
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 326
Likes: 0
From: Scotland ont
you will be working it but it will do it at the marine that I used to work at they had a lil beat up ranger that they used to drop boats in and outa the water just take it easy and you should be good
Postmaster
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 4,982
Likes: 1
From: Clearwater, Fl
all the makings of a fun day at the ramp, if its any consolation which it wont be, i fish about 3 times a week using my boat. 4.0 4x4 auto, no probs.
but i cant tell you the amount of trucks 2wd, all makes and sizes, that struggles pulling boats up ramps.
your tide, grade of ramp, and condition of ramp, and weight in the bed, are the only factors you need to know.
find a ramp thats not to steep, and find a ramp that if your coming in at low tide, you wont fall over the edge backing down in enough to get the boat loaded.
let me rephrase all of this, are you going fresh or saltwater????
if fresh disregard the low tide conditions.
but i cant tell you the amount of trucks 2wd, all makes and sizes, that struggles pulling boats up ramps.
your tide, grade of ramp, and condition of ramp, and weight in the bed, are the only factors you need to know.
find a ramp thats not to steep, and find a ramp that if your coming in at low tide, you wont fall over the edge backing down in enough to get the boat loaded.
let me rephrase all of this, are you going fresh or saltwater????
if fresh disregard the low tide conditions.
Elder User
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 513
Likes: 0
From: Zimmerman, MN
Hey Jelmore,
What's a decent sized boat? Some on here have used their Rangers for something in the 3000lb range for boat, trailer, gear. Should be fine. If you hit a steep ramp though, forget it.
I got a 21ft open bow, boat, trailer, and gear weighs in something like 3700lbs. I can tell you from my own personal experience, that a steep ramp will be heck. Going sideways up the ramp in 4low with the 4.0. Really hate the ramp, luckily it's a twice a year thing.
If you know what lakes you're going to be going to, and know what their ramps are like (shallow pitch), should be no problem as others have stated with going slow and creep up the ramp. If steep, may want to think about the size of the boat and the weight.
Good luck to ya and enjoy your money pit (aka boat)
What's a decent sized boat? Some on here have used their Rangers for something in the 3000lb range for boat, trailer, gear. Should be fine. If you hit a steep ramp though, forget it.
I got a 21ft open bow, boat, trailer, and gear weighs in something like 3700lbs. I can tell you from my own personal experience, that a steep ramp will be heck. Going sideways up the ramp in 4low with the 4.0. Really hate the ramp, luckily it's a twice a year thing.
If you know what lakes you're going to be going to, and know what their ramps are like (shallow pitch), should be no problem as others have stated with going slow and creep up the ramp. If steep, may want to think about the size of the boat and the weight.
Good luck to ya and enjoy your money pit (aka boat)