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  #1  
Old 02-21-2013, 07:55 AM
Bantl1jj Bantl1jj is offline
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Default Can I increase towing capability?

Hello all,

I've got an '02 3.0 4x4 with a manual transmission, and the user's manual says that my towing capacity is just over 2,000 lbs. I also noticed that the towing capacity for the automatic transmission is almost twice as much- 3,800 lbs.

My question is can I increase my towing capacity with an sort of modifications? Perhaps a heavier-duty clutch or something?

I work seasonally and have been thinking about buying a travel trailer to live in. I was hoping I could bring my towing capacity up to that of an automatic tranny so I'd be able to tow a bigger trailer. And ideally, I'd only be towing it like twice a year (though it could be across the country)

Any advice would be hugely appreciated because I can't seem to find a good answer in all of my research.
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  #2  
Old 02-21-2013, 07:56 AM
reconjb reconjb is offline
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Default Re: Can I increase towing capability?

Shift correctly and you should be good
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Old 02-21-2013, 09:20 AM
gcextreme gcextreme is offline
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Default Re: Can I increase towing capability?

Are u towing with a hitch receiver or just a ball on the bumper?
That makes a huge difference too..

Im not sure where u read that an auto is rated for 3800....on my bumper it says max 2500.
And as far as I know all the frames and bumpers are the same.....what makes a big difference in towinf is also rear end gearing....
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Old 02-21-2013, 09:22 AM
reconjb reconjb is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by gcextreme View Post
Are u towing with a hitch receiver or just a ball on the bumper?
That makes a huge difference too..

Im not sure where u read that an auto is rated for 3800....on my bumper it says max 2500.
And as far as I know all the frames and bumpers are the same.....what makes a big difference in towinf is also rear end gearing....
Quote:
Originally Posted by Devin-20 View Post
I use it more to lock stuff in there from friends/family.
3800 would be about right for a frame mounted hitch for the 3.0 mine is rated at about 4500 if I remember correctly
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Old 02-21-2013, 09:29 AM
gcextreme gcextreme is offline
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Default Re: Can I increase towing capability?

Yeah I know...I just know the bumper says 2500...not sure about what a owners manual says...
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Old 02-21-2013, 09:32 AM
Bantl1jj Bantl1jj is offline
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Default Re: Can I increase towing capability?

Quote:
Originally Posted by gcextreme View Post
Are u towing with a hitch receiver or just a ball on the bumper?
That makes a huge difference too..

Im not sure where u read that an auto is rated for 3800....on my bumper it says max 2500.
And as far as I know all the frames and bumpers are the same.....what makes a big difference in towinf is also rear end gearing....
I have a hitch receiver. It says right in the user's manual that the automatic is rated for a maximum trailer weight of about 3800 or 3600 lbs (depending on 4x2 or 4x4).

I know my old ranger 2.3 stick shift towed a 4000 lb boat with no problem at all, and that was just using the bumper hitch. But it was only one time for like 40 miles.
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Old 02-21-2013, 10:55 AM
sgtsandman sgtsandman is offline
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The lower limitation in the Owner's Manual for manual transmission equipped trucks is lower due to liability concerns. Vehicle manufacturer's go with a lower rating on manuals since they are not common in the U.S. and they don't want to get sued because of driver inexperience. You have to know what you are doing to pull the rated weight that the automatics have and not have an accident. The main concern is starting on hills and is where an inexperienced driver can get into trouble.

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Old 02-22-2013, 05:47 PM
Bantl1jj Bantl1jj is offline
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Default Re: Can I increase towing capability?

So i should have no real problem towing a trailer that has a dry weight of 3800 lbs?
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Old 02-22-2013, 05:51 PM
djfllmn djfllmn is offline
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Default Re: Can I increase towing capability?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Bantl1jj View Post
So i should have no real problem towing a trailer that has a dry weight of 3800 lbs?
id say you will have a few issues...the 3.0 is a gutless motor...3800lbs is asking a hell of a lot for the 3.0
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  #10  
Old 02-22-2013, 05:58 PM
Bitzy Bitzy is offline
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Default Re: Can I increase towing capability?

Quote:
Originally Posted by djfllmn View Post
id say you will have a few issues...the 3.0 is a gutless motor...3800lbs is asking a hell of a lot for the 3.0
X2. I wouldnt want to put that much strain on my little 3.0.
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  #11  
Old 02-24-2013, 02:15 AM
02RangerFX4 02RangerFX4 is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bantl1jj View Post
Hello all,

I've got an '02 3.0 4x4 with a manual transmission, and the user's manual says that my towing capacity is just over 2,000 lbs. I also noticed that the towing capacity for the automatic transmission is almost twice as much- 3,800 lbs.

My question is can I increase my towing capacity with an sort of modifications? Perhaps a heavier-duty clutch or something?

I work seasonally and have been thinking about buying a travel trailer to live in. I was hoping I could bring my towing capacity up to that of an automatic tranny so I'd be able to tow a bigger trailer. And ideally, I'd only be towing it like twice a year (though it could be across the country)

Any advice would be hugely appreciated because I can't seem to find a good answer in all of my research.
Ford lowers manual transmission tow specs due to warranty claims so that you won't prematurely blow a clutch and go complaining to them. My 5 speed 4.0 says in the manual that 3,500 lbs is the ma and I have easily hauled 5k before. Plus the M50D has a lower first gear than the automatic transmissions. But two things if you want to tow better: regear, and add a leaf.
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  #12  
Old 02-24-2013, 03:59 AM
thatranger thatranger is offline
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Default Re: Can I increase towing capability?

I wouldn't tow it long distances with 4000lbs, maybe 200miles max then letting it rest a couple of hours. And doing that I wouldn't go more then 500miles away. Theres a few weak spots, but the motor really isn't one. The 3.0 will pull it, but it wont get up to speed all that fast. Make sure your cooling system & water pump are in good shape. Make sure that tranny fluid is replaced every few trips hauling that weight. Also make sure your rear diff has new gear oil. And change that oil after every long trip as well. I'd use what the factory says to use, 5W-20 to let oil flow more freely. The 7.5" is weaker then the 8.8" so make a note of that. And just note that the clutch will wear faster. If the trailer has breaks on it, install a trailer brake controller. And you MUST install some high performance brake pads!
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Last edited by thatranger; 02-24-2013 at 04:05 AM.
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