How much can I tow?
 

I have a 99 B2500 5 speed. I know that my bumper hitch is rated at 2000 lbs, but how much can I tow if I get a frame hitch? I know the manual probably says how much I can tow, but I forgot where I put it. I towed my buddies boat over the weekend a total of 500 miles, and I had to downshift to 3 & 4th gear and floor the truck up some of the mountain hills just to keep speed. I was thinking about shorter distances, and flat roads. We had about 500 lbs of gear in the bed of the truck, and if I had to guess, I would say his boat and trailer weighed about 1000 lbs. I would like to get a slightly bigger boat. My buddy has a 17' boat which weighs 2500 lbs with the trailer. Could I pull that with a real hitch? Here is a pic of the boat I towed this weekend for reference.
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-..._4230781_n.jpg

Re: How much can I tow?
 

What size motor?

If you got a real hitch you should have no problem towing 2500lbs depending on your motor size.

Re: How much can I tow?
 

With my '98 B2500 I pulled my 17' King Fisher on the bumper. I have a real hitch now, but I'm just saying, I had no problems at all getting it in and out of the water.

Re: How much can I tow?
 

It's a B2500. That means a 2.5l.

Re: How much can I tow?
 

You can download a manual for free off the ford website. You not only need to know the engine but the gear ratio of your axle(s). That will tell you what you should and shouldn't do. For example, with mine, I have the 2.5L engine, ok so far. But I also have the 3.45:1 rear axle, towing not recommended.

Re: How much can I tow?
 

Ive got 3.73.

Re: How much can I tow?
 

That will allow you to tow a max of 1,580 lbs. According to the '99 Ford Ranger Owner's Manual for the 4X2 with a 2.5L, manual tranny, and 3.73:1 axle.

If you have something similar to the splash, take 80 lbs from that.

If you have the super cab, delete 200 lbs from that.

Don't feel bad, even with the super cab, you can tow more than I can with mine and my CR-V is limited to 1,000 lbs because of the unit body construction. I plan on remedying that this summer with a 3.73 from the junk yard.

Re: How much can I tow?
 

Thanks for the info!

Re: How much can I tow?
 

You're welcome. :)

Re: How much can I tow?
 

well with my 97 ranger ive pulled my 17' larson boat that has a 175 v6 jonhson on tha back with np but i never pulled it above 50mph now i pulled my dads 18' flat bed trailer with my v8 87 ranger loaded on it it pulled but bent my bumper a lil bit cause i close to 1200lbs on tha tounge i mean i would recomend it but if ur towing anything jus keep a close eye on ur gauges and how much of a bind u put it in

Re: How much can I tow?
 

Marcus, how much does that boat weigh? My buddies is 17' as well but has a Johnson 60hp outboard.

Re: How much can I tow?
 

Don't forget your limitations in towing are not only due to what power train and rear differential is. Brakes and frame limitations also come into play. Just because you can pull it, doesn't mean you can stop it. ;)

Re: How much can I tow?
 

My 17' weighs in around 2500 with trailer, and has a Johnson 150 on it.

Re: How much can I tow?
 

I am not sure what my Whaler weighs exactly but its a 17' Montauk with a 88hp Johnson and I pull it with no problem. If this helps at all. Details in sig.

http://www.fordrangerforum.com/membe...n-i-bought.jpg

Re: How much can I tow?
 

I found some interesting info while in Qatar and I had a chance to look at the manual for a Ranger over there. If the trailer has brakes, you can double the load of the trailer compared to what is listed in the U.S. manual. Our manuals only list for trailers without brakes.

For example, my Ranger if it was equipped with the 3.73:1 axle is capable of towing 1,580#. So if you are pulling a trailer with either surge brakes or electric brakes, you could pull a trailer weighing at 3160#.

Now I didn't write the info down, so it would be advisable the round the numbers down to say 3,000# to be on the safe side.

The same holds true for the CR-V. The Forum I belong to for them has members from all over the world and their towing limits are double what the U.S. models are with trailer brakes.