i want to be able to tow a couple atvs...

[goldxlt]

ok im looking to replace my truck and what i want out of a new one is to be able to tow 2 4wheelers, i dontknow much about towing yet but i figured a ranger should be up to the task. would i need the 4.0 or would the 3.0 be fine? also will i be asking for trouble if i go with a 2wd, i was just worried about getting stuck with a trailor. thanks

 

[spittinfire]

What size atvs are you pulling? The 3.0 will pull them, the 4.0 will pull them better.
4wd vs 2wd would be preference and nothing else. Having a 4wd is nice sometimes though but if you don't want to spend the money the 2wd will work fine. As far as getting stuck.....that just depends where you go. If you get into a lot of places where you really think you'll need 4wd then I'd go for it.

 

[goldxlt]

thanks, that helps, i pretty much figred 4.0 would tow better, im not even really sure why i had to ask that. i was only thinking the 4wd because i figured the trailor might hold me back if im trying to pull out of a slushy driveway or some similar situation.

 

[michowski]

3.0 will do it just fine. I towed a car a few miles before with just a tow strap and I had no issues. I didnt even really feel the load going from a stop at times. Mines also a manual 4x4.

 

[Wicked_Sludge]

a few mid sized ATVs on a flatbed trailer wont top 1500lbs or so. you could tow that with a 2.3 powered 4x4 if you wanted....much less a 3.0 or 4.0. either will work just fine.

 

[dburton07]

my 93 3.0 pulled my wheeler and dirbike on a trailer like it was nothing, even with 2 manifold leaks (replacing them soon). I was really surprised, but i do want to get a reciever hitch instead of towing off my bumper

 

[OhShietitzMike]

2wd usually have a higher towing capacity than a 4x4 because there is less weight . . . it could varry about 2000lbs towing capacity diff. better for the 2wd . . . but both trucks have plenty of power to tow atvs in 2wd or 4x4 models . . . good luck either way

 

[Jspafford]

No way is the 2WD rated to tow 2,000 pounds more than a 4WD. I also find it BS. They should be rated the same. Truth be known a 4WD will drag a 2WD around all day long, but it's the weight they consider.

There is not more than 300# difference between a 2WD and 4WD.

Now Automatics and Manuals are a whole nother story.

 

[broken2wd]

automatic is rated to tow more than the manual

 

[Jspafford]

automatic is rated to tow more than the manual

Because Ford does not want to replace a bunch of burnt out clutches from people who don't know how to drive a stick and try towing with it.

 

[michowski]

Because Ford does not want to replace a bunch of burnt out clutches from people who don't know how to drive a stick and try towing with it.

+1 to that. Id prefer a manual because its easier to keep the motor in its powerband vs an auto trans.

 

[dburton07]

couple nights ago we had a real bad snow storm here at my college, had to move all the resident students cars into one parking lot (to plow the others) that was up ontop of a hill, my little 3.0 towed 3 cars 1 minivan and 1 fellow 2wd ranger up there in 4wd with 35-40%ish tread bfg land terrains and with no weight in the bed. and last night, my friend got his silverado stuck in the snow and who pulled him out? this guy, he wasnt happy to get pulled out by a little ol ford

 

[goldxlt]

well i went with the 4.0, all the 4.0 in the market were around the same price as the 3.0 so why not go bigger, now i just need to get a trailer

 

[972wd]

hey guys

i tow one kawi brute force with my 97 2wd 2.3 5 speed on a 4x8 "homade light weight" trailer...........no probs on the back roads while going slow..but the highways with big hills suck..........i do get stuck alot, in the snow and muddy fields!!

 

[07rangersport]

well i went with the 4.0, all the 4.0 in the market were around the same price as the 3.0 so why not go bigger, now i just need to get a trailer

good choice.