Now this don't seem right??

[WhiteRanger4x4]

My dad just got a 09 Ranger extend cab 2x4 came with a 2.3L in it an auto tranny.Nothing wrong with that nice truck and will do all his hauling needs.Now what does not make sence is it has a trailer towing package on it.Again a nice opt. My questhon is what size trailer can you pull with it? I know the 2.3L is a ballzy engine but be real the 3.0 {MAYBE:icon_rofl:} and 4.0 would be better choice,right?

[Captain Ledd]

Well the Duratech 2.3's have signifigantly more pep to them compared to the older ones, though still not exactly a rocket.

any 2.3 and an auto tranny are going to be slow as hell.

Hopefully; since it has the trailer package on it it has a auxiliary trans cooler. That is a BIG thing keeping Ranger auto-trannies alive, make certain it has one and is functional. Even though it's a new truck I'd be tempted to wire in a trans temp gauge to keep an eye on. Seriously, Ford Ranger Auto's can get out of hand and die in a hurry if you're not careful.

My guess would be 2-3,000 lbs. With the 3,000 lb end of the scale being on the shorter trips. Manual trannies are far more forgiving with weight.

It'll probably have an 8.8" out in the rear as well, I've seen an older 2wd 4cyl Ranger with a tow package have that.

If he's hardcore, there is always going to a slightly numerically higher gear ratio, that will take alot of the stress off the tranny as well. The advantage of a 2wd, you only have to do the rear end :D

[dennis461]

The owners manual probably suggests NO towing even though they put an expensive tow package on it.
Yup
check it out

http://www.fordf150.net/2008/2008-ford-ranger-specifications.php

I remember towing a small flat bed trailer with a 4-cyl 5-speed 93 ranger and burning the clutch up after about 200 miles.

[Will]

Well, my opinion is, it will tow up to about 3,000. I think it already has an extra cooler in there behind the grill. I would just take it easy.

I had a '92 Mazda 2600i (4-cylinder, auto) and it did fine with my Casita trailer. Was a good match, actually.
http://www.therangerstation.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=812&d=1216385246

[fordwheelinman]

NO offense will....but is there anyting that you havent at some point owned or driven???

[flyingbrick]

Well, my opinion is, it will tow up to about 3,000. I think it already has an extra cooler in there behind the grill. I would just take it easy.

I had a '92 Mazda 2600i (4-cylinder, auto) and it did fine with my Casita trailer. Was a good match, actually.

There awesome little trucks, I used my b2200 to pull more then one car out of a ditch, mind you the 30 pound flywheel on that motor did not hurt.

[Will]

NO offense will....but is there anyting that you havent at some point owned or driven???

I've never owned or driven a '94 Explorer or a '78 F150.

[dixie_boysles]

yeah, all the now ones come with a towing package standard! BUT his is a Class I, where as the 4x4s are class III. Hw can only pull like 2,000 lbs i think plus or minus a few. where as mine can pull like 5,500 lbs

[mattpresley]

Well the Duratech 2.3's have signifigantly more pep to them compared to the older ones, though still not exactly a rocket.

any 2.3 and an auto tranny are going to be slow as hell.

Hopefully; since it has the trailer package on it it has a auxiliary trans cooler. That is a BIG thing keeping Ranger auto-trannies alive, make certain it has one and is functional. Even though it's a new truck I'd be tempted to wire in a trans temp gauge to keep an eye on. Seriously, Ford Ranger Auto's can get out of hand and die in a hurry if you're not careful.

My guess would be 2-3,000 lbs. With the 3,000 lb end of the scale being on the shorter trips. Manual trannies are far more forgiving with weight.

It'll probably have an 8.8" out in the rear as well, I've seen an older 2wd 4cyl Ranger with a tow package have that.

If he's hardcore, there is always going to a slightly numerically higher gear ratio, that will take alot of the stress off the tranny as well. The advantage of a 2wd, you only have to do the rear end :D

Does the 2.3 duratech have more "pep" than my 2.5?

[Beanmachine7000]

Does the 2.3 duratech have more "pep" than my 2.5?

Yes...

[mattpresley]

Yes...

no kidding? i went out of my way to get the 2.5......................

[aridranger03]

yep hitches come standard on the new rangers. hey its better than pulling straight off the bumper which i despise...

[Frank The Tank]

I pulled a Camaro on a 16ft trailor 150 miles with the 97, 2wd short wheel base, step side. reg cab.

Pulled like a champ at 140k miles.
Now has 200k miles, stock clutch, no slips drips or squeeks.

With a reciever hitch I'd keep the balanced trailor weight under 6k.
But I'm kind of into working a truck like that.
oh............. and plenty of stopping room.

Frank

[Jspafford]

6k with a 4cylinder.... No way!

Maybe slow towing, but no way on the highway.

[fastpakr]

I've never owned or driven a '94 Explorer or a '78 F150.

If you ever pass this way, I'll toss you the keys to the Explorer and you can check that box off the list.
:icon_pepsi:

[Will]

Can you send me a photcopy of the Owner's Manual so I can familiarize myself with the safe operation of the vehicle before I arrive?

[fastpakr]

I'll get right on it. Want manuals for the Ranger and the bike too? In a couple of hours we can get you certified on a few new types.

[rusty ol ranger]

Ill save you the hassle....

Turn the key, drop it in drive, and go. Turn the wheel left, it goes left, same if you turn it right, the further you mash the acclerator the harder it acclerates and the harder you mash the brake the faster you stop.

:)

Ill let ya drive my 78 F350...

later,
Dustin

[fastpakr]

Ill save you the hassle....

Turn the key, drop it in drive, and go. Turn the wheel left, it goes left, same if you turn it right,

That could get a little fugly on the bike. :thefinger:

[Frank The Tank]

6k with a 4cylinder.... No way!

Maybe slow towing, but no way on the highway.

I don't see why it wouldn't do 6 at a max number at all.
my total weight was closer to 5,000.
50mph, not interstate speed......
but highway speed, not that bad.
3rd gear hills though.

Frank

[07rangersport]

I don't see why it wouldn't do 6 at a max number at all.
my total weight was closer to 5,000.
50mph, not interstate speed......
but highway speed, not that bad.
3rd gear hills though.

Frank

I've had close to 6k behind my truck. It wasn't too happy about that. It was pretty flat too. Just a few small hills. That 150 miles you went. That was all downhill with a tail wind right? I'm having alot of trouble believing that a 5spd 4cyl pulled 6000#. How in the hell did you get that moving without leaving your clutch on the road behind you?

[Frank The Tank]

1st gear......
mine didn't weigh 6, it weighed closer to 5.
well 3,500lb car, spare tires, and the trailor.
16 foot dual axle trailor.
I'm not saying I was racing F-250's at the lights..... but it pulled it fine.
And yes I used up every bit of rpm's I had prior to shift.
And yes there was some obvious slippage of the clutch taking off.... but the car was well balanced, and it did not hurt the truck, at all.
I would not be afraid to do it again.
and Muehlenburg, and all of Western Ky, is not flat.
I specifically remember stopping on a hill, with it on the back because some women were in the road I knew... and wanted to look the car over. Took off fine.... drove on home.

Frank

[07rangersport]

Hmm. I'm still not a believer. At least say you had trailer brakes.

[p38fln]

A 4 cylinder engine can pull more weight than you might think. I used to have 1999 Rav4 2WD (FWD) with a 5 speed stick shift. The vehicle empty weighed 2800 pounds, and I used it to pull a fully loaded U-Haul trailer from Wisconsin to Ohio and back to Wisconsin. I weighed the "rig" on the Wisconsin end of the journey before I began - 8,500 pounds. So the trailer wasn't quite at 6,000 pounds but it was dang close.

This is a vehicle that normally would get about 25-26 MPG on the open road, and at one point it was getting 9 MPG pulling that trailer. It also had to run in 3rd gear a lot with the engine screaming at 4,000 RPM (Red line on that engine was 6500 RPM) and it would not exceed 70 MPH no matter what - we're talking accelerator on the floor the whole way.

I did have to take off up-hill with it a lot on that trip for various reasons. The key is to give it just enough throttle to keep the engine from stalling (Usually zero throttle on a level surface) until you can get the clutch all the way out, then stand on it as soon as your left foot is off the clutch. Sure the launches are a little slow, but I kept the original clutch in that Rav4 until I traded it for a Ranger at 160,000 miles.

The only issue I had was the Rav4 being pushed by the trailer going downhill - it had a pronounced swaying motion that only a very firm grip on the steering wheel would stop. I think this was caused more from the unibody construction than anything else - just allowed for way too much flexing.

So....anyone want to buy a used and very abused Rav4? Its sitting at the local Ford dealer with a spark plug blown out the head and a "Wholesaler" sticker on it. Burns lots of oil.

[Wicked_Sludge]

Turn the wheel left, it goes left, same if you turn it right

wait, so if i turn the wheel right the truck turns left too? im not sure id feel safe in a vehicle that only makes left turns unless i was on an oval track :icon_thumby:

the key thing to remember about towing is: its not how much weight your vehicle can tow, its how much weight your vehicle can stop. overloading your engine just makes for a slow trip. overloading your brakes makes for....death.

[Will]

I hope you realize that your truck brakes aren't meant to stop the trailer. Your trailer brakes should be able to skid the trailer tires. That's how you adjust the controller--skid them and then back off. If your brakes won't skid the trailer tires, time to investigate. Undersized wiring; poor connection at the plug; crap controller; whipped magnets and drums.

Any combined weight that exceeds the trucks GVWR is going to need properly functioning trailer brakes. I had to stand on my brakes once at 80mph pulling my hoe and Bobcat and in too much of a hurry to get home. A car yanked right out in front of me as I was burning up the left lane passing a row of vehicles. I stood on the brakes and the trailer pulled me down straight and even. If I had a time-delay $70 controller I would have run over that car because those things do not recognize a panic stop. My inertial controller does and most of the time does its job without me noticing. But that time I felt the trailer pulling me back. Even with the huge brakes my truck has--the rear drums weigh 45# each, I would have hit that car. I learned alot right then. First, I wasn't in that much of a hurry after all and second, I was damn glad I didn't mess around when I set up my truck and trailer.

My wife woke up and said "what?"
I said "Nothing, just a car pulled out."

No red white and blue lights slashing up the night.

[Wicked_Sludge]

thats if your pulling a trailer equipped with brakes :icon_thumby:

[Roadkill]

My God! I am so glad that I get to share the roads with some of you that critically overload a 4 banger and think that since you can get going all is OK. Some people here REALLY need to read up on proper towing.

My '05 Volvo 670 with a 13 speed can safely tow 65K Kg's. My F-350 with electronic brake controller can safely tow up to 35K lbs. The biggest thing is that both vehicles are properly built with the drivetrain, frame, and braking system to handle the loads.

I have towed a 3300# car on a dolly with my old 3.0 5 speed. It ended up being just over the maximum weight and I would never do it again. That's why I have a truck that can tow what I need, and then some.

I'll bet I can safely stop my rig loaded to 80,000# faster than anyone's 4 banger with 6000# behind it.

This is one area that I like that the DOT can stop small vehicles that are not safely towing and fine them. They don't do it nearly as often as I'd like to see though. But then you have truck drivers that will call in that type of idiocy.

/rant off

[Will]

You tow 35,000# trailers with an F350 and you are going to call in a Ranger pulling 6,000#?

[Roadkill]

Will, that is the rating on my truck using a fifth or gooseneck (can't remember which right off the top of my head).

[Captain Ledd]

4 banger or 4.0L, if you've got the same brakes... My 2wd has the 9" rear brakes (instead of the 10" ones), but since it's 2wd, alot smaller tires. All Rangers run the same front brakes per given year.

I realize you may tow for a living where as I do not, but you're still going to have to post one very convincing argument about how engine size makes towing much more safer than brakes.

If it involves anything about driving slower with a load it's automatically discredited. Everyone has brakes, e-v-e-r-y-o-n-e. Plenty of things end up in front of you where you have to slow down, even excluding other vehicles. It's part of driving. No police officer is going to give you a ticket for being too slow except on the interstate, and I guarantee they'll give you some leeway (as they have lots of various campaigns out there to get people to slow down, and their slogan "slower speeds save lives"). Brakes, suspension, and tires dwarf engine size in terms of towing ability. Because we're not driving fast enough is not our problem, the're public roads, not racetracks. It's not you're responsibility to get out of the way of those in a hurry. [/rant]

[vavet]

Once upon a time I had a 91 Ranger with the 2.3L 4 cyl and 5 speed manual. I towed a small (4x8) H-haul enclosed cargo trailer from Atlanta, GA to Maryland. It did fine. The truck had a little over 100k on it then with the original clutch. I sold the truck 3 years later with 148k miles on it and still the original clutch.

My normal gas mileage on the interstate was 25-27. That trip was a solid 20 mpg. I felt comfortable at 70 mph, but she just couldn't hold that speed going uphill. To be fair though, that truck wouldn't hold 70 mph on going uphill without the trailer.

[Wicked_Sludge]

+1 to everything captain ledd said. as i said before, towing isnt about how much weight your vehicle will tow, its about how much weight your vehicle will stop (with or without trailer brakes). all rangers over a given generation have essentially the same brakes. obviously a 4.0 will get the job done faster than a 2.3...but the 2.3 is no less safe (if anything, its more safe as the lack of power will prevent excessive speed build up).

thats not to say you should go hook a 6,000# trailer to your 2.3 and try to tow it....that wouldnt exactly be good for the engine....but the truck would have the same stopping power as would a 4.0.

[Will]

Will, that is the rating on my truck using a fifth or gooseneck (can't remember which right off the top of my head).

Towing Guide (http://www.meadowlandford.com/2002%20towing%20guide.pdf)

http://therangerstation.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=2404&stc=1&d=1250389012

[p38fln]

Those times i did it I used one of the 6x12' U-Haul van trailers with the surge brakes - I would never recommend pulling that much weight with such a light vehicle without having trailer brakes of some sort.

[Roadkill]

^ +1

Mind you I have found out that my 350 was registered commercially and had been modified to handle extra towing weight. I will never be towing as much as the gross weight was rated at one time. I don't have anything that uses a 5th or gooseneck. Heck, right now the heaviest thing I have is our 32' travel trailer at 10,000#. It has electric brakes on both axles and it will stop everything dead straight and fast if I pull the spike on the controller. I also got the best digital electronic controller I could find.

I would tow that trailer around cross country for weeks without a worry.

Surge brakes work, they aren't the best for "dry" trailers. They are on just about every boat trailer since they don't care if the system gets wet.

Adding a controller and brakes to a trailer will help with the 2200# 'ish limit on the 2.3. It won't come close to tripling the amount you can tow safely though.

Oh, and BTW, the engine plays as large a roll in safe towing capacity as does the entire rest of the drivetrain and suspension/frame.

But then, what could I know about heavy hauling. :icon_rofl:

[Frank The Tank]

I saw a guy pulling a combine on a gooseneck with a 3500 Dodge dually bone stock 5spd a while back, it was awesome.

We hooked 3 round bales of hay to my bosses ranger on a brakeless dual axle trailer (the wheels are in the center of the 16ft trailer).
After doing this for 7 years straight.... it finally bent the frame where the hitch mounts.
Now when I tow equipment I have to use a drop hitch and flip it upside down so the tongue doesn't drag the road.

it has a towing package too.

Frank