towing help

jobar · Jul 25, 2008

Hey guys, I need help, I have a 2.3 liter 4 cylinder ranger. My problem is im going to help my uncle bail hay on one of his friends land, and the only trailor that we have is a 5x10 utility, rated at 2990 GVR 750 empty. My ranger cant pull that when its loaded with hay. What are the best ways I can upgrade my truck to pull it. If any. :3gears:

Jason · Jul 25, 2008

jobar said:
Hey guys, I need help, I have a 2.3 liter 4 cylinder ranger. My problem is im going to help my uncle bail hay on one of his friends land, and the only trailor that we have is a 5x10 utility, rated at 2990 GVR 750 empty. My ranger cant pull that when its loaded with hay. What are the best ways I can upgrade my truck to pull it. If any.

Go very slow. I wouldn't hesitate to pull a slow speed hay wagon if it weighed 3000 pounds.

jobar · Jul 25, 2008

Ok, but if i do that would i have to worry about something breaking like a leaf spring, or an axle due to the fact my truck specs say i can only tow 2000 pounds and the trailer weighs 3000.

gw33gp · Jul 25, 2008

I doubt you will harm your leaf springs. You could damage your bumper if you are going to use a ball hitch on the bumper. If you install a receiver tied into the frame you could get sag at the rear but if the trailer is loaded correctly there should be no damage to the frame or leaf springs.

If you have a manual transmission, you should be concerned about the clutch. That is what will see the most abuse. If you have an automatic, be careful not to overheat it.

Jason · Jul 25, 2008

The hay wagon will have nearly zero tongue weight too. It should have a pivoting front axle that carries the load.

Will · Jul 25, 2008

That trailer won't hold more than one bale will it? I think a bale weighs 1,200#. You could pull that with a Craftsman riding mower.

Jspafford · Jul 25, 2008

Will said:
That trailer won't hold more than one bale will it? I think a bale weighs 1,200#. You could pull that with a Craftsman riding mower.

I'll rent you my ATV..

All kidding aside, go slow and enjoy the ride.. You can never believe how long the white stripes in the road are until you pass them at 5mph.

jobar · Jul 25, 2008

Will said:
That trailer won't hold more than one bale will it? I think a bale weighs 1,200#. You could pull that with a Craftsman riding mower.

Actually I think they weigh more around 1800# not 100% sure on that. We have the little square bails like you get at lowes or home depot. We stack as many as possible because, this is a pretty good size field and with gas the way it is we need to get as many as possible in one load. Ive never pulled something this big so I was concerned. :fie:

86ford · Jul 26, 2008

we hauled my cab, 2.9motor, manual trans, doors, fenders and other assorted scrap ALL IN THE BED to the scrap yard 10 miles away with a 5 speed and a 2.5 4cyl. dakota. you will be fine. just dont stop on ANY hills!

86

jobar · Jul 26, 2008

Alright, thanks guys, I feel alot better about it. I just didnt know if my truck would hold up.

jobar · Jul 26, 2008

Jason said:
The hay wagon will have nearly zero tongue weight too. It should have a pivoting front axle that carries the load.

This isnt a hay wagon its a 5x10 utility trailer.

Jspafford · Jul 26, 2008

I towed a 7,000 30' camping trailer with my 2001 4.0L Auto ranger. It was only around a campground and not fast, but it did it fine. The ass was draggin though!

I was going to do it in 4LO so the tranny didn't take as much abuse backing it up, but the truck had no problems with it.

jobar · Jul 27, 2008

Ok, thanks for the input.

lil_Blue_Ford · Jul 28, 2008

The lil 4 cyl might not like it much, but it should be fine, especially with land being flatter down there.

I pulled my 88 Eddie Bauer BII from Long Island, NY all they way down to Kittanning, PA (~700 miles) using a car dolly and my lil Ranger. I believe that would weigh in around 3-4k lbs. My mighty 3.0L pulled it just fine with the manual trans, stopping wasn't as nice though even with the towing package brakes. Of course, I was also going up and down mountains...

I pulled my 89 Choptop in relatively stock form from Philly to Kittanning, that was roughly 500 miles. No real problems there other than running out of money halfway back and having to get off the turnpike.

Pulled the choptop with a 5" lift, 33's an all via tow bar from home to college, then from college way out into the sticks and back to college, probably an easy 200 mile trip.

Oh, yea, I love my class 3 hitch!

85_Ranger4x4 · Jul 28, 2008

Will said:
That trailer won't hold more than one bale will it? I think a bale weighs 1,200#. You could pull that with a Craftsman riding mower.

They make small square bales that can easily be stacked in the back of any pickup truck. Less wastage, easier to move... they have their advantages, but you have to load/unload them by hand.

We have a round bale hauler (for the 1000+ bales you mention, you stab them and winch them up) there is no way in god's green earth I would put my Ranger let alone a mower on that. It it actually has a little negative tongue weight (because you can't have the axle behind the pivot for the spear) and will throw a half ton around the road above 10mph. That is 3/4 to one ton only territory... just because it has the heft to tell the bale where to go and make it go there.

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