2008 Ranger Sports V6 3.0 Tow

AQUADGIO1200 · Jun 12, 2008

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 · Jun 12, 2008

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 · Jun 12, 2008

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 · Jun 13, 2008

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

Muscleford · Jun 14, 2008

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 · Jun 15, 2008

Muscleford said:
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 · Jun 16, 2008

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 · Sep 1, 2008

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 · May 29, 2009

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 · May 29, 2009

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

Jon581 · May 29, 2009

AllanD said:
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 · Jun 1, 2009

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.

2008 Ranger Sports V6 3.0 Tow

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