Towing Capacity Question

[Guggenheim99]

I plan to tow a rental tow-behind boom lift soon. It's weight is 4,800 pounds. Truck specs is 2002 Ranger XLT 4x4 4.0L 5 speed auto 4.10 LSD. I have a Class III hitch, trailer brake controller, and all the wiring going from the controller to the plug in the rear from the previous owner. I'm pretty sure I have the tow package also since I have the aux trans cooler up front. Only thing I do not know yet is if the trailer the lift is on has trailer brakes and what size ball it takes (I still need to call for that) Only extra weight I would have is me, my father, and a full tank of fuel. I should also add that the route to the rental place is all back roads, no major highways. Truck is in good shape as well. What I need to know is, do you think my truck could pull the load? I read my trim level Ranger can tow 5,860 pounds. I want to know if that is true. Also, if the trailer happens to not have brakes, would I be able to tow it safely if I brake early, leave space, etc? Front brakes have plenty of material left, and rear shoes also have good material left. I could get people to lead and follow me if that's the case. I appreciate any answers. Thanks

 

[RonD]

2002 Ford towing guide here: https://www.fleet.ford.ca/content/dam/aem_fleet/en_ca/fleet/towing-guides/2002_TowingGuide_Eng.pdf

Rangers are on page 21

2002 Ranger 4.0l, 4x4, supercab with automatic is rated for 5,600lbs, 2WD is 5,860lbs

GCWR is 9,500lbs, Gross combined weight rating is loaded trailer and loaded truck combined weight
Trailer 4,800
Truck 3,400
2 passengers 400 ??
Gasoline 160 ------gallon of gas weighs 8lbs x 20gal

= 8,760lbs

So you should be fine, you can even wear hats and 2 pairs of socks, each, lol


The boom lift will probably have a tongue brake, most rental equipment does

There will be a lever or pin for this brake, if you need to back up a trailer with tongue brake you need to lock it so it doesn't apply the brakes when backing it up

 

[sgtsandman]

I agree with everything but the weight of gasoline. Gasoline is about 6.1-6.3 pounds, depending on who you ask. However, it doesn't hurt to err on the side of caution.

 

[Dirtman]

Last time I drank a gallon of gasoline I only gained 7 pounds.

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

Yeah, @RonD, get it right for Pete's sake. Water is 8lbs for an American gallon, 10lbs for a Canadian gallon. Gasoline floats on water so has to be lighter.

 

[Dirtman]

Weight, doesn't Canada use Kg and Liters?

 

[sgtsandman]

Weight, doesn't Canada use Kg and Liters?

They also use the Imperial Gallon.

 

[Dirtman]

You just blew my mind...

 

[RonD]

"A pints a pound the world around", remember it, forever

8 pints in a gallon

A gallon is 8 pounds

Yes, some fluids weigh less and some more, but in my world................."A pints a pound the world around"
And yes "gallon" and "pint" are different in other places, but again..........."A pints a pound the world around"
"A pints a pound the world around"
"A pints a pound the world around"
"A pints a pound the world around"

Are we CLEAR

If some one ever asks you who shot Kennedy???...................................................."A pints a pound the world around"
Works for any thing

 

[Dirtman]

But... whos gallon are we talking about now!?!?! I literally just found out there's two!

 

[sgtsandman]

"A pints a pound the world around", remember it, forever

8 pints in a gallon

A gallon is 8 pounds

Yes, some fluids weigh less and some more, but in my world................."A pints a pound the world around"
And yes "gallon" and "pint" are different in other places, but again..........."A pints a pound the world around"
"A pints a pound the world around"
"A pints a pound the world around"
"A pints a pound the world around"

Are we CLEAR

If some one ever asks you who shot Kennedy???...................................................."A pints a pound the world around"
Works for any thing

What if it's a gallon of molten lead? It it still 8 pounds?

 

[RonD]

Doesn't matter......................................"A pints a pound the world around"

Never complicate things with FACTS.........................."A pints a pound the world around"

 

[Dirtman]

 

[RonD]

Just having some fun

Yes, gasoline does weigh less than water so full tank of gas, 20gal, would weigh less than 160lbs, about 40lbs less, so you could also bring those steel toed/soled work boots with you in the truck

 

[91stranger]

I think you're forgetting a crucial point..... If the trailer is tongue heavy then that will cause your front tires to have a hard time steering. Without a good weight distribution hitch you are going to have a hard time steering with something that heavy. I think you could tow it but you are going to have a sketchy ass ride..... The rental place probably wont let you tow it when they see you pull up in a ranger anyway.