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-   -   Towing Capacity (http://www.fordrangerforum.com/4-cylinder-tech/37765-towing-capacity.html)

sports818 07-15-2011 06:26 PM

Towing Capacity
 
Couldn't think of a better place to post but thought this would work.

I have a 2001, Ranger, XLT, 2.5L, and I plan on getting a hitch to tow a u-haul trailer. Now I am not sure on rating of my truck, to rating of hitch, to rating of how much I can tow. I plan on getting a hitch from U-haul and renting a trailer from U-haul but not sure if it will be able to handle. I plan on renting a 5'x8' Cargo Trailer. The specs are:
Volume: up to 208 cu. ft.
Max load: 1,800 lbs.
Gross vehicle weight: 2,700 lbs. max.
Empty weight: 900 lbs.

My other option is the 5'x10' Cargo Trailer, the specs are:
Volume: up to 230 cu. ft.
Max load: 1,550 lbs.
Gross vehicle weight: 2,800 lbs. max.
Empty weight: 1,250 lbs.

Does anyone have any ideas or know if my truck will be able to handle it? If the trailer is fully loaded, and possibly some stuff in my truck bed.

FFparker 07-15-2011 06:30 PM

Re: Towing Capacity
 
You could pull both. I used to pull a 18 foot sea ray on the bumper! haha. weighed over 1500lbs. steep ramps we could never get in out the water tho. haha.

Twisty 07-15-2011 07:04 PM

Re: Towing Capacity
 
Are you able to put the greatest weights in the bed?
A heavy tow rig pulling a light trailer would do much better than a light rig with a heavy trailer.

FFparker 07-15-2011 07:20 PM

Re: Towing Capacity
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by Twisty (Post 485712)
Are you able to put the greatest weights in the bed?
A heavy tow rig pulling a light trailer would do much better than a light rig with a heavy trailer.

X2

spoons896 07-15-2011 09:08 PM

Re: Towing Capacity
 
you should be fine i use mine for hauling off scrap metals on a trailer the trailer weighs about 200LBS and i have moved 2500LBS about 45miles and it was fine but like twisty said put some weights in the back it helps, i keep my tool box in the back and it weighs about 200LBS, and i have a 96 2.3 it i pulls pretty well. but the one thing i would worn you about this but U-Haul will not rent to exploders or rangers because of the Firestone deal back in the 90s insurance was getting to high on it so as of i think may they don't rent to ether.

Twisty 07-15-2011 09:10 PM

Re: Towing Capacity
 
That would suck - they need to let go of the past :0

FFparker 07-15-2011 09:39 PM

Re: Towing Capacity
 
Anyone have the article on that? never heard of that thing about uhaul and rangers

spoons896 07-15-2011 11:22 PM

Re: Towing Capacity
 
i will try to find it, i saw it on autoblog a few months back.

sports818 07-16-2011 05:37 PM

Re: Towing Capacity
 
Well I plan on using it to move from Atlanta, GA to a city just south of Milwaukee, WI. I have made the drive multiple times and know that there a few steep grades. However, I dont know if my truck will have a problem or not. If I get a hitch with a 3,500lbs rating, will my truck be physically possible to make this drive? I dont know how the towing capacity, max payload, curb weight of truck and truck specs make a difference in the towing.

03RangerFX4 07-16-2011 05:42 PM

Re: Towing Capacity
 
Read the owners manual.. Just dont over work the motor...remember is just 2.5L. I pulled a wave runner and wouldnt pull much more than that when I had a 98 with a 2.5L.

Twisty 07-16-2011 06:22 PM

Re: Towing Capacity
 
When towing, you must take into account EVERY SINGLE ITEM YOU PACK OR PULL.
Find out what the GCWR is for your truck. Everything has to be subtracted from that - including the hitch and ball mount.
Tow ratings are normally calculated with the factory weight of the vehicle and a 180lb (or so) driver. Nothing else.

Page 6 on the lower right.
http://www.trailmanor.com/WebDocs/Ca...ngPDF/2001.pdf

sports818 07-16-2011 06:39 PM

Re: Towing Capacity
 
I guess I dont understand the pdf you put up. Does it matter that mine is standard? Because your pdf has automatic in my engine size. Also, is that weight there the weight I start subtracting from.

Sorry, I am decent at the mechanical part, apparently not the mathematical part.

Twisty 07-16-2011 06:53 PM

Re: Towing Capacity
 
No, GCWR (gross combined weight rating) is the total available weight including your truck.
Let's play pretend -
I drive off down the road ready to camp for a week.
My GCWR is 10,000lbs
The loaded trailer weighs about 3400 lbs so I have 6600 lbs left - right?
My truck weighs 5800 lbs so now I have 800 lbs left.
Now add me, the GF, the dogs, tools, firewood, cooler, food, etc together and we get 840 lbs.
I have exceeded my GCWR by 40 lbs.
My truck is rated to tow 5800 lbs with a driver in the cab - nothing else.

sports818 07-16-2011 07:04 PM

Re: Towing Capacity
 
According to this https://www.fleet.ford.com/truckbbas...1/campercd.pdf, page 11. My GCWR is 4800lbs. Does maximum trailer weight matter? If so how does that effect my GCWR. According to the pdf, mine is 1590lbs. Does this mean thats the most I can tow, fully loaded trailer? Does that mean with a trailer weighing 1590, I am 4800-1590=3210. Then I there is me at 190. (3210-190=3120) Then I have a Curb Weight of 3085. (3210-3085=35lbs). Does this mean I can tow a trailer weighing 1590 and only put 35lbs in the truck bed?

Twisty 07-16-2011 08:56 PM

Re: Towing Capacity
 
You need to lose 65 lbs according to that chart.
3210 - 190 = 3020
3020 - 3085 = -65

It's unfortunate to see 2 sets of info for one truck. The link I gave gives you 600 lbs more capacity when towing.??
I'm a member of a camping trailer forum and most people just hook up and go.
I'm glad that you are looking into this.
There could be some very serious legal problems if there is a wreck and you are found to be over your weights.
Can you make 2 trips or rent a truck?


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