wow that's a lot of weight ! i think the bending comes from tongue weight and you don't look like you have a lot in that pic. but still 4k lbs is a lot for a 4cyl ! now i don't feel worried at all towing a friend's 2k lb boat and trailer.

 

my old '88 supercab 2wd with the 2.3, manual trans and 3.73's flat-towed a dead '87 chevy astro van about 10 miles. the astro weighed about 6,000 (i think, its been a while back) it spiked real bad below 1,500 rpm but did get up to 55 and got 'er home. the 2.3 is a good motor, it just doesnt have alot of torque. even running empty it has to be downshifted on long upgrades to maintain speed. my "newer" 4.0 is a much better truck to pull with, it just doesnt do nearly as good on gas. not bad for a 4x4 but still the 2.3 would get almost 30mpg highway, my 4.0 has almost hit 20 mpg once.

 

what happened with the Cad?

I towed a 91 Escort GT on a UHaul tow dolly 250 miles with a 95 supercab. Was no problem and still got 19 mpg.

I now have a 99 supercab with the 2.5 and tow my 3000# tent camper all over. I towed a JLG scissor lift 90 miles with the 99 last summer, it and trailer are about 6k#. I do have a receiver hitch though. The Ranger bumper is good to 3500#.

 

The Cad needs a timing chain and first the dealer said it will be covered under the 100,000 mile warranty but after they took apart the engine they said no due to sludge caused by not using Mobil1 oil. (I just bought the car and it has 95,000 miles) They wanted either $600 to put it back together like it was when I drove it in and I can drive it out, $2000 to do the job out of warranty or $350 for the time they put into it so far and I could tow it out. I went back and forth with them on how first they said it was covered and that they are required by law to give an estimate of repairs before starting the work if it's not covered under warranty. I was finally able to get them to knock down the charge to one hour labor and I towed it home to fix it myself.

The bumper on this Ranger says 2,000 pounds max.

 

wow 95k on a 2009!
you are right Ranger bumper good to 2k. The 99F150 i had was good to 3500#

The Ranger four's are tough little engines that CAN!

 

Nice Job Boys, Get er done! I am now towing my 89 mustang drag stock eliminator car with my 98 4.0 auto 4x4 on a 1500lb+ trailer. Lots of power but a bit of moving me around now and then. I've towed it several times up to 55mph, but havent had the nerve for a 180 mile trip to seattle on the freeway...yet. I might try that soon but I am more concerned about a trip to Boise, with long steep hills up and down. I might just stick to local 30- 40 mile trips and maybe Seattle, 180 each way.