Yah, I know ... lot to ask of a basic 2wd Ranger XLT, but ...

Looking at a 14 foot Shasta camping trailer. Dead weight is listed at 2200 pounds with 240 pound tongue weight. Fully loaded and water tanks full, I expect it'd run around 2500 rolling down the road.



Wondering how close Ford specs the bumper hitches? That's rated at 2000/200, so it's relatively close. Here's my factory bumper on a '93 XLT ... Truck was rustproofed and the frame and mounting hardware are excellent.



I guess the next question would be how well that little four banger stick would handle the load. Mostly short trips, and probably talking 400 miles a day maximum at highway speeds. I expect the cap would help reduce wind load on the front of the trailer, and that's got a nice angle to it too, so it should be reasonably aerodynamic.

So ...

- Do I need to beef up the hitch?

- Suspension is standard light duty. Heavy springs and shocks all around?

PS ... if I'm not mistaken, that's a little toy truck parked in behind the trailer in the pic ... Not the rig I'm looking at here, but same model.

~~~~~~~~~ EDIT ~~~~~~~~~~~~

WHAT IT IS >>>

- 1993 Ranger XLT standard cab
- 2.3L dual plug four (I-4)
- Five speed manual OD transmission
- Power steering
- Gas shocks
- P225/70 tires on 14" rims
- Rear antilock brakes (low mileage on those)

Rear suspension looks pretty light duty - springs are two leaf w/helper, and I can't read the tag on the differential ... I understand there were a couple gearing packages available ... I do know it's not a slip ...

__________________
'89 Basic Beater - '93 XLT

"As I get older, I have less and less to say. The problem is I can't stop talking."

If I were you, at the very least, get a hitch, that bumper isn't meant for that kind of stuff. Veered to get a hitch than have to replace the bumper...

__________________
2001 f250 7.3 zf-6
1979 f150 400/c6
Ranger free since December 2015
quote of the day:
The round flowing fenders of this vehicle have been lovingly reconstructed by a Dutch craftsman out of, what could be considered the most precious material on earth, bondo

I wouldn't tow anything with the bumper. As stated above, Buy a real hitch at the very least and I'd run trailer brakes just as a precaution

And that truck in the first picture looks like a newer Dakota and a lot of those came with a v8

So, like ... Ford ... NOT so tough, right?

About what I expected to hear though. Was hoping to get away cheap, but safety is probably worth the expense if I can get away with it using a REAL hitch.

This one looks good for a couple hundred including the ball mount and ball. 4000/400 rating, double that of the bumper hitch. Free shipping too.

http://www.etrailer.com/Trailer-Hitc...eid=1993301986

Also, if I'm reading the small print right, I'll be able to still keep the spare underneath. That's handy.

(PS ... speaking of spares, DO get under there every now and then and lube up the carrier. Mine was frozen solid when I got the truck.)

I do plan to at least replace the shocks ... I believe those are original. Even with only 60K on the odometer, 1993 was quite some time ago - heck, that's almost old enough for historical plates. Any suggestions there? It's also got the wimpy

Be nice to hear of some real world experience with a similar setup here?

Thanx for the tip on the trailer brakes too ... probably not a bad idea with a lightweight truck, no matter what you're hauling.

__________________
'89 Basic Beater - '93 XLT

"As I get older, I have less and less to say. The problem is I can't stop talking."

I'd browse craigslist or car-part.com for a hitch before buying a new one to save a good amount of cash. I got one that was basically brand new for my old ranger for $30 with hardware. My current truck came with a the tow package and had the 2" hitch with the flat 4 plug.

I don't think any hitch should interfere with your spare tire either. I don't have a spare in the carrier because my 33" tire doesnt fit lol

I wouldn't have expected issues with the spare either, but I see two of five listed hitches at eTrailer have a warning that a full size spare "might" not fit after installation ... whatever that means.

I can see where a 33" could be a problem ... love to see your rig rolling down the road with an "emergency" spare on one corner ... that'd be a YouTube moment for sure ...

PS ... I already got the wiring adapter installed for a flat four plug that I use with a utility trailer. That's got the black box for combining signals and such too, so I should be good to go on electrics.

__________________
'89 Basic Beater - '93 XLT

"As I get older, I have less and less to say. The problem is I can't stop talking."

Get a proper hitch receiver. I've got the Curt 13138 and it looks good and functions. I think it was $150 or something like that. My tires are just shy of 31" and I had to move the spare but if you have 15" wheels you should be fine.

I'm not really sure what kind of "highway speeds" you will see with the 4 banger, should be fine but don't be that guy - pull over to let people pass once the line gets big enough.

EDIT: I see that is what you are looking at already, good choice! Be sure to get a dust cap as well, trying to get a hitch into a rusted receiver can be a real PITA.

__________________
[2003 Ford Escape Limited 4x4 3.0L V6]
- Kenwood TM-281A VHF Radio - ScanGauge II Monitor - 110000 KM
[2003 Ford Ranger XLT Fx4 4.0L V6] - Build Thread
- Pennzoil Platnium Full Syn - .410 Gears - Bilstein 4600's - 1750lb HD springs - ICom 2300H VHF Radio - SCT X4 Tuner - Lasota Racing Tune - Valentine1 RADAR/LIDAR Detector - Smittybilt XRC-2 Comp 9500LB Winch - 245/75/R16 General Grabber A/T2's - Custom front receiver - ScanGauge II - Optima YellowTop - 113000 KM

Yeah definatly get a hitch. Check craigslist. I scored one off an 09 ranger in perfect condition for $45. Just gotta look

__________________
2019 Ford Ranger Lariat Sport Fx4 Crew Cab

2014 Ford F150 STX Sport 4x4 TRADED
2006 Ford Ranger Ext cab 4x4 TRADED
1999 Ford Ranger Reg cab 2wd SOLD

Wen it comes to towing, you need to thin of everyone else safety. Get a proper hitch, with proper chains. Bumpers are not meant to tow period.

You said you have a converter to use the 4 prong that is on the truck?
If the trailer has the larger round 7 good chance it has electric breaks. IF that is the case DO get a electric break controller and wire the truck up with a round 7 prong end.

I tow a good bit, and both my trailers have electric breaks, I don't like to tow without them, makes it soooo much nicer!


Also you keep saying BASIC ford ranger, what does that mean? what engine do you have? what transmission do you have? you are 2wd. Each one of those things changes the how much you can tow.

My bad for not filling in the particulars ...

- 1993 Ranger XLT standard cab
- 2.3L dual plug four (I-4)
- Five speed manual OD transmission
- Power steering
- Gas shocks
- P225/70 tires on 14" rims
- Rear antilock brakes (low mileage on those)

Rear suspension looks pretty light duty - springs are two leaf w/helper, and I can't read the tag on the differential ... I understand there were a couple gearing packages available ... I do know it's not a slip ...

* I'll also edit the first post to include this stuff ...

PS ... It's got one of these too ... Not sure if that helps, or makes me a target ... <G>

__________________
'89 Basic Beater - '93 XLT

"As I get older, I have less and less to say. The problem is I can't stop talking."

"I don't care if it rains or freezes just as long as I've got my plastic Jesus riding on the dashboard of my life" sorry put me in mind of cool hand Luke for a minute

__________________
1997 2wd automatic 4.oL longbed

Pulled this ...
It depends on your rear axle. According to the owners manual for my 95 the recommended limit for the 4.10 axle is 2000lbs. The 3.73 axle is 1600lbs and for the 3.45 axle "towing is not recommended"

from
http://www.therangerstation.com/foru...ad.php?t=84128


So i think your trailer is WAY overweight... for your truck...

Started to get that feeling myself.

Checked the door sticker, and it lists an AXLE 84 code. Which according to the chart is an open 7.5", 2750 capacity, and 3.45 gear ratio.

Which I guess puts me in the "towing not recommended" category. Wonder how much of a problem it'd be swapping out to an F7 axle? I was already planning to do shocks and springs, and the limited slip would be nice come winter ...

Or ... Plan B ... go lighter on the trailer. Been looking at the little 13 foot Scamp.



Those weigh 1500lb with all the amenities and 140lb tongue weight, and are also very aerodynamic. Got a herd of rabid followers too ... they like their little "eggs". Problem being, they like em enough you can't hardly find one used. I did price one out new at around $13k. Guy at the factory said one of their delivery guys pulls them all over the state with a 2.3L, so maybe no worries about the motor. He also mentioned a frame mount hitch being a good thing and recommended the electric brakes with any lightweight tow vehicle.

__________________
'89 Basic Beater - '93 XLT

"As I get older, I have less and less to say. The problem is I can't stop talking."

Look into a small pop up. I love our popup, it is a larger one...but works great easy to tow, easy to store.

What popup ya got? Most of the ones I've seen weigh more than the Scamp ...

Related question ... can the existing axle be upgraded with a gear swap, or are we talking full replacement?

__________________
'89 Basic Beater - '93 XLT

"As I get older, I have less and less to say. The problem is I can't stop talking."