2007 Ranger towing jet skis
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2007 Ranger towing jet skis
I have a 2007 Ranger, 6-cylinder, 3.0L, manual transmission with a step bumper hitch. The manual says this is rated for 200 LB tongue weight and 2000 LB towing. I just bought 2 jet skis that weigh 825 lbs each. I'm not sure of the trailer weight with both jet skis (1650 lbs) but it seems to me that I could pull these with my Ranger. Will my truck be ok pulling these or should I use a different vehicle?
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From: SW Va
Good idea to have had a look in your owners manual for tow weight ratings.
The manual ranger will tow that much, but I'd not want to trust the bumper hitch with that much weight. It would be safer to have a frame mounted class-3 hitch & maybe a Convert-A-Ball cushioned ball mount, to round off the jerks & jars of towing, especially if you have to make lots of stops & starts, or are towing over rough, or twisty roads on the way to your put-in spot. You & your driveline will likely appreciate it.
The manual ranger will tow that much, but I'd not want to trust the bumper hitch with that much weight. It would be safer to have a frame mounted class-3 hitch & maybe a Convert-A-Ball cushioned ball mount, to round off the jerks & jars of towing, especially if you have to make lots of stops & starts, or are towing over rough, or twisty roads on the way to your put-in spot. You & your driveline will likely appreciate it.
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From: Southern Oregon Coast
Another thing I just thought of is whether or not the trailer has brakes. With something that heavy, you might need them as the Ranger's brakes are pretty wimpy. The Ranger does not have any provision for adding a brake controller so, if one is added, it will have to be hard-wired in. It's not a difficult job.
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From: SW Va
Consider spending a little more for a class-lll frame mounted hitch, as the vehicle frame is already prepped for that class, so it'll let you tow the max the vehicle is rated for, in case your needs change later, its stout & uses a 2'' square receiver, so that you can find a ball mount for it most anywhere.
I have a cushioned ball mount, the factory class-lll hitch, tow & payload-2 packages, which have heavier springs, shocks, larger tires, alternator & tranny cooler for my 5spd auto tranny & have been dragging my Bass Tracker 60 miles round trip over & through the Blue Ridge Mountains to the lake for the past 14 years without protest from the vehicle. The factory set-up makes towing a pleasure, not a chore!!!!
The only thing it needed was more brakes & Ford provided them in 01 I believe it was. Just allow plenty of stopping distance, as it won't come to a halt on a dime with weight behind it!!!!
Let us know what you do & how it goes.
I have a cushioned ball mount, the factory class-lll hitch, tow & payload-2 packages, which have heavier springs, shocks, larger tires, alternator & tranny cooler for my 5spd auto tranny & have been dragging my Bass Tracker 60 miles round trip over & through the Blue Ridge Mountains to the lake for the past 14 years without protest from the vehicle. The factory set-up makes towing a pleasure, not a chore!!!!
The only thing it needed was more brakes & Ford provided them in 01 I believe it was. Just allow plenty of stopping distance, as it won't come to a halt on a dime with weight behind it!!!!
Let us know what you do & how it goes.
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Consider spending a little more for a class-lll frame mounted hitch, as the vehicle frame is already prepped for that class, so it'll let you tow the max the vehicle is rated for, in case your needs change later, its stout & uses a 2'' square receiver, so that you can find a ball mount for it most anywhere.
I have a cushioned ball mount, the factory class-lll hitch, tow & payload-2 packages, which have heavier springs, shocks, larger tires, alternator & tranny cooler for my 5spd auto tranny & have been dragging my Bass Tracker 60 miles round trip over & through the Blue Ridge Mountains to the lake for the past 14 years without protest from the vehicle. The factory set-up makes towing a pleasure, not a chore!!!!
The only thing it needed was more brakes & Ford provided them in 01 I believe it was. Just allow plenty of stopping distance, as it won't come to a halt on a dime with weight behind it!!!!
Let us know what you do & how it goes.
I have a cushioned ball mount, the factory class-lll hitch, tow & payload-2 packages, which have heavier springs, shocks, larger tires, alternator & tranny cooler for my 5spd auto tranny & have been dragging my Bass Tracker 60 miles round trip over & through the Blue Ridge Mountains to the lake for the past 14 years without protest from the vehicle. The factory set-up makes towing a pleasure, not a chore!!!!
The only thing it needed was more brakes & Ford provided them in 01 I believe it was. Just allow plenty of stopping distance, as it won't come to a halt on a dime with weight behind it!!!!
Let us know what you do & how it goes.
I just ordered a class II hitch and will install it this weekend. Thanks!
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From: SW Va
Good idea to opt for a frame mounted hitch imo. Which brand class ll hitch did you opt for. Make sure that you can lower the spare tire after its installed. Did you also order a ball mount that'll fit the class ll receiver???
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Joined: Jan 2004
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From: SW Va
Good idea to opt for the class lll hitch imo, as it'll allow you more options later on & accessories for its 2" receiver are easier to find. Here is a link for the cushioned ball mount I've been using for the past 14 years. Its heavy duty, so has held up well & rounds off towing jerks & jars, so my driveline & I appreciate it. Cushioned Ball Mount for 2" Hitches - 3/4" Rise - 2" Drop - 10,000 lbs Convert-A-Ball Ball Mounts AMSC2
If you've not done towing before, go to a large unused parking lot & practice making stops, turns & especially backing up.
More thoughts for consideration, let us know how the first tow with your new set-up goes.
If you've not done towing before, go to a large unused parking lot & practice making stops, turns & especially backing up.
More thoughts for consideration, let us know how the first tow with your new set-up goes.
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The install went great. Installed in 30 minutes total. I was hoping my wife would hold one end up but she went to the store just as I was going to install it. It was a bit hard to hold (36 awkward pounds) - it took several tries because I kept pushing the bolts back through the hole, but finally I got a nut on both ends and from there it was easy.
I appreciate all the help and advice from this forum.
I appreciate all the help and advice from this forum.
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