• Welcome Visitor! Please take a few seconds and Register for our forum. Even if you don't want to post, you can still 'Like' and react to posts.

2 part question/How much weight /can I flat tow


bcraig

New Member
Joined
Sep 22, 2013
Messages
46
Reaction score
0
Points
0
Location
Arkansas
Vehicle Year
1996
Make / Model
ford
Transmission
Automatic
I am going to get either a small used Rv to tow a Ranger extended cab XLT with 4 liter v6 Automatic Transmission or a camper to tow behind the ranger.
I would use it to drive about 150 miles to go deer hunting on the farm I have hunted for over 40 years.
IF I got The rv and towed the truck I would pull it to the farm and park the Rv and hunt using the 4wd,leave the RV there for about a month and drive the truck back home 2 or 3 times.
If I got a camper I would do the same thing.

My questions are IF I wanted to get the RV can I flat tow the Truck without doing damage?
If I decide to get a pull camper about what size and weight camper would be max.I have a class 3 hitch on the truck

I was using a Pop up but due to triple bypass done on feb 1 and general health cant put it up anymore.

On the truck ,it has a knob that shows 2wd,low4wd and high4wd
I also changed out the hubs from auto hubs to warn lock in lock out hubs several years ago.

All level driving on Interstate .
 


adsm08

Senior Master Grease Monkey
Supporting Member
Article Contributor
Ford Technician
TRS 20th Anniversary
Joined
Sep 20, 2009
Messages
34,623
Reaction score
3,613
Points
113
Location
Dillsburg PA
Vehicle Year
1987
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Type
4.0 V6
Engine Size
4.0
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Tire Size
31X10.50X15
Well you can't flat tow the truck, not with the drive shaft in anyway.
 

RonD

Official TRS AI
TRS Technical Advisor
Joined
Jun 2, 2012
Messages
25,290
Reaction score
8,290
Points
113
Location
canada
Vehicle Year
1994
Make / Model
Ford
Transmission
Manual
These might be discontinued: http://accessories.ford.ca/neutral-tow-kit-9818.html
But there still may be stock available.

It adds Neutral shift for transfer case.

All BW1354 transfer cases have Neutral position between 4hi and 4low, if you move shift shaft manually you can feel the detent for Neutral.
Ford just never added that to the electric shift controller.

But I would do the trailer and a small generator :)

1996 Ranger 4x4, 4.0l automatic shows 5,700lbs max trailer weight



With the RV you have two drive trains and engines to deal with when all you really want is a warm and dry place to sleep.

Unless you have other plans to use the RV.
 

adsm08

Senior Master Grease Monkey
Supporting Member
Article Contributor
Ford Technician
TRS 20th Anniversary
Joined
Sep 20, 2009
Messages
34,623
Reaction score
3,613
Points
113
Location
Dillsburg PA
Vehicle Year
1987
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Type
4.0 V6
Engine Size
4.0
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Tire Size
31X10.50X15
The neutral tow kit has another issue besides parts availability. There is a software component that was to be installed as well and paid for per use by Ford
. There was a falling out the the writer or said software who retained the rights to it and it is no longer available.
 

bcraig

New Member
Joined
Sep 22, 2013
Messages
46
Reaction score
0
Points
0
Location
Arkansas
Vehicle Year
1996
Make / Model
ford
Transmission
Automatic
re

These might be discontinued: http://accessories.ford.ca/neutral-tow-kit-9818.html
But there still may be stock available.

It adds Neutral shift for transfer case.

All BW1354 transfer cases have Neutral position between 4hi and 4low, if you move shift shaft manually you can feel the detent for Neutral.
Ford just never added that to the electric shift controller.

But I would do the trailer and a small generator :)

1996 Ranger 4x4, 4.0l automatic shows 5,700lbs max trailer weight




With the RV you have two drive trains and engines to deal with when all you really want is a warm and dry place to sleep.

Unless you have other plans to use the RV.
I think you make a good point about the extra Engine and transmission.
I am definitely going to go with pulling a camper with The Ranger.

I know I had a manual with the truck but cant find it.
And I dont know the average weight of different lengths of Travel trailers
But assuming the weight of a travel trailer was 5000 pounds would the truck handle pulling it under the conditions I described?

Thanks
 

RonD

Official TRS AI
TRS Technical Advisor
Joined
Jun 2, 2012
Messages
25,290
Reaction score
8,290
Points
113
Location
canada
Vehicle Year
1994
Make / Model
Ford
Transmission
Manual
I would for sure have trailer brakes for anything over 1,500lbs.
And all automatics should have a 2nd trans cooler regardless of whether or not you tow anything, but it is a must have for towing.

And as long as trailer hitch is rated for it then you should be fine at 5,000lbs
 

bcraig

New Member
Joined
Sep 22, 2013
Messages
46
Reaction score
0
Points
0
Location
Arkansas
Vehicle Year
1996
Make / Model
ford
Transmission
Automatic
re

Thanks
Where can I find a 2nd trans cooler for the truck and bout how much?

I am not a mechanic so will need to have a mechanic install
 

RonD

Official TRS AI
TRS Technical Advisor
Joined
Jun 2, 2012
Messages
25,290
Reaction score
8,290
Points
113
Location
canada
Vehicle Year
1994
Make / Model
Ford
Transmission
Manual
$50-$150, depending on where you will mount them, in front of the radiator doesn't need a frame or protection so those are less expensive, if being mounted where it will be more exposed then it needs a frame for support and some protection.
Not hard to install, just hoses and clamps really

Look here: https://www.etrailer.com/vm/Ford/Ranger/tran

Select year and "style"/engine size
 
Last edited:

bcraig

New Member
Joined
Sep 22, 2013
Messages
46
Reaction score
0
Points
0
Location
Arkansas
Vehicle Year
1996
Make / Model
ford
Transmission
Automatic
re

Thank you much,I appreciate the help
 

Sponsored Ad


Sponsored Ad

Member & Vendor Upgrades

For a small yearly donation, you can support this forum and receive a 'Supporting Member' banner, or become a 'Supporting Vendor' and promote your products here. Click the banner to find out how.

Truck of The Month


Kirby N.
March Truck of The Month

Recently Featured

Want to see your truck here? Share your photos and details in the forum.

Follow TRS On Instagram

TRS Events

25th Anniversary Sponsors

Check Out The TRS Store


Sponsored Ad


Sponsored Ad

Sponsored Ad


Amazon Deals

Top