2008 Ranger Sports V6 3.0 Tow

[AQUADGIO1200]

Hey fellas....i just bought my 08 Sports Ranger with auto transmission and v6 3.0 engine. The manual stated the tow max is 2200 LBS or so....what would happen if i go over it by no more than 500 lbs. Im afraid my boat and trailer weigh about 2600lbs total (in that range). I have towed it twice and it seemed fine with the exceptions on hills...i have to slow down to about 45-50mpg....on straight aways the truck feels fine...on the freeway im cruising @ no more than 55mph. Any damage to my tranny or engine?? Im towing a 17ft I/O fiberglass boat w/small 302 v8 engine. Any suggestions??

[AQUADGIO1200]

in addition to my post question above...should i get a transmission cooler? At the rate im going im towing the boat once or twice a month.

[inferno94]

I've towed 2500 with my '07 3L 5sp with no trouble getting 22-23mpg!

A ford master tech I talked to said that my truck should be rated at more like 3500-4000 if you know how to drive standard well and have a good clutch. He said his old 94 3L ranger towed 4500lbs once and a 3500lb camp trailer regularly with out any drastically increased wear.

[07rangersport]

what gears do you have?? and yes I would add an aux cooler.

[Muscleford]

Are you adding a frame hitch? The owners manual may be citing the bumper tow limit. And yes I would add an additional cooler. My 08 has a small cooler from the factory but I would add a larger one if I was going to tow something like a boat.

[AQUADGIO1200]

Are you adding a frame hitch? The owners manual may be citing the bumper tow limit. And yes I would add an additional cooler. My 08 has a small cooler from the factory but I would add a larger one if I was going to tow something like a boat.


My 08 Ranger Sport has the factory tow package (class III) hitch

[AllanD]

Bigger tranmission coolers are always a good idea....

Unless you are an Ice Road Trucker

when towing? lower gears are always a good idea.

If you don't have 4.10's I'd think seriously about it.

I'd also think seriously about an 8.8" axle because the 4.10 7.5" pinion
tends to be a bit fragile, though with a 3.0 auto it shouldn't be much
of an issue.

AD

[lifted_Mazda01]

i used to tow a 24ft pathfinder from sebastian fl to flamingo, loaded with fuel, ice, bait, and fishing equip, and never had an issue, moved to S.FLA and moved my mom's furniture on a 8x16ft trailer loaded with appliances (fridge, sofa, 2 king sized beds, etc) to agusta GA no problems, i love my little 3.0, now all i tow is atvs and my own flats boat, but i kno i do have the power if i do need it

[jgeter]

I've got a 3.0L V6 3.73 rear axle and pull a 1650# popup camper regularly but total weight with all my crap probably tops out between 2100-2500lbs and only have trouble on really steep inclines. Level road to moderate incline ok but not breaking any speed records though I can go 60 but just takes a little longer getting there. I'm getting a transmission cooler and I recommend you do the same. Having said that I've posted thread here about possiblity/cost of doing a 4.0 engine swap as I'd like a bit more power. Hope this helps.

[exbass94]

I would lock out overdrive (Press the OD OFF button on the shifter) when towing, especially if it downshifts a lot.

[Jon581]

Bigger tranmission coolers are always a good idea....

Unless you are an Ice Road Trucker

when towing? lower gears are always a good idea.

If you don't have 4.10's I'd think seriously about it.

I'd also think seriously about an 8.8" axle because the 4.10 7.5" pinion
tends to be a bit fragile, though with a 3.0 auto it shouldn't be much
of an issue.

AD

i thought the newer ranger's came with the 8.8 from the factory

[TinyBear]

I would not worry at all with that load. I pulled over 4000Lbs once when i was moving with my old 1996 Ranger and it was a 3.0L auto and 4x4. Truck was hurtin on any degree of hill but it still was able to hold 100km/hr (62mph). That truck had 280,000kms on its ORIGINAL trans when i sold it so i dont think ya should fret too much. Get a bigger cooler keep up on your trans services and ya should be fine.

Now i have a 2008 sport 2wd 3.0L auto and 4:10 gears (probly near identical to yours LOL). Have not towed anything over a couple hundred pounds yet with it but i would not really worry too much about even 3000lbs. Any more though and if done regualrly id think a bigger truck would be a good idea.