Trailer towing with a 3.0


rycomm

10+ Year Member

Joined
Nov 30, 2007
Messages
3
Points
3,001
City
KCMO Metro
Vehicle Year
2003
Transmission
Automatic
I need to haul some stuff about 1000 miles. I think I'm going to rent a 5x8 single axle or 5x10 tandem enclosed trailer. I have a 2WD supercab with a class III hitch. I was thinking of doing the intake / exhast / and throttle body spacer mods, but after checking out the forum, I guess most of that is not money well spent.
I just had the front wheel bearings / hubs packed and tightend.
So, is there anything I need to do, or be aware of before I make this trip.

Thanks, Ryan
 
You don't need anything. Just go.
 
I've pulled 5000 pounds with no problem in my ranger. I don't know why people say the 3.0 is gutless, it's got enough power to do anything I need done. Just stay out of OD and you'll be fine.
 
2000fuelishdreams said:
I've pulled 5000 pounds with no problem in my ranger. I don't know why people say the 3.0 is gutless, it's got enough power to do anything I need done. Just stay out of OD and you'll be fine.
Click to expand...

you sure it was 5000lbs? The previous owner of my truck pulled a caravan on a double axle trailer, he couldn't top 50 on the highway, the truck was pretty much bottomed out. And about that whole stopping thing...better give yourself a couple extra miles. He only had to pull it 40 miles fortunately, but it would have been better if he didn't pull it at all, his rebuilt tranny went out 3 months later.

Now the OP, he'll have no problem pulling that little trailer.
 
It's bad to tow with any engine in OD. The best thing to do is keep your tranny out of O.D. and keep the engine at it's peak tourqe(better in mileage and towing)....around 3,200 rpm...yes 3,200 rpm. This will gain you better gas mileage also. If you have to do any mods, gear change is a sure winner. 4.10's would help alot when towing, by allowing your engine to have more leverage over your wheels(also again, allowing your engine to work less, possibly slightly raising your MPG). A 4.10 geared axle can be found in junkyards in almost any RBV(especially 4x4 4cyl models) and can be bolted in directly.
 
Best towing mod is a brake controller.
 
It was 5,096 pounds, coupled with the 4,000 pound truck. Its what my scale ticket says, had to take some trash upto my local landfill. I had no problems what so ever and my was able to cruise in 4th with very little strain, even up hill. If you thinks thats something, I move my Snap-on KRL7023 toolbox, which weights a bit over 1000 pounds, in my bed. Pain in the ass getting it up there but it fits and barely squats. OP just do your thing man, check tire pressures, make sure your brakes are good, don't tow in OD, and GO. Don't worry yourself with a brake controller, you'll never pull anything heavy enough to need it with a ranger.
 
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Change your fuel filter if your going a far distance, make sure the engine is in good tune, change your oil, make sure your brakes are in decent shape, bearings all good, and go. Try and eliminate any week links before you leave and you should be fine.
 
.

a 5x8 will be easy
i pull a 6x10 full of tools <approx 2500lbs i would say> and it takes it like a champ
only things i did besides a tune up was added a tranny cooler and put adjustable air struts in mine. i pump them up with a craftsman 19.2v cordless pump when i need to tow and deflate them when i dont to soften the ride back to normal. the best thing is they were only $57 bucks.
 
Trailer towing with a 3.0


thats about 3,000lbs in the trailer, 200lb topper with 300lbs of extra in the bed. towed it almost 3,000 miles including through the candian rockies. averaged almost 60MPH for the whole trip.

Trailer towing with a 3.0


thats about 2900lbs of gen 1. towed that 50 miles at 65MPH.
 
thread hijack: Wicked, where'd you get that windshield visor?

WAY cool... does it whistle at speed or reduce hwy MPGs???
 
It'll do ok pulling it just hope you dont have to take off on any long steep hills :)

The 3.0 does fine once its rolling, but throw any kind of weight on it and it begs for mercy from a stop.

later,
Dustin
 
i really need to have mary follow me in the escort some day and take a picture of me passing idiots on the 2-lane highway towing the boat behind the truck :icon_thumby:

fixizin, got the visor while i was working at napa years ago. its a lund lunar visor (the lunar has lights, the solar doesnt). it makes kind of a soft whooping noise at about 110, but its perfectly quiet at all reasonable highway speeds :icon_thumby: im still getting 22-24MPG...so i havnt noticed any change in fuel economy. i need to have it repainted...its starting to fade :annoyed:
 
I think a sun visor on any vehicle is butt ugly.:)shady
 
damn, my 3.0 must really be tired then, or the trans is in worse shape than i thought, towing a enclosed trailer empty kill my mileage to about 14 on the hwy and loaded to about 11. it takes it real good once im too speed, but its like im towing my parents excursion worth of weight because of the wind resistance.

if you can get a hold of a cap to help aerodynamics, do it is my suggestion
 
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