• 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.

Towing Capacity Question


Guggenheim99

New Member
Joined
Sep 14, 2019
Messages
14
Reaction score
5
Points
3
Age
24
Location
New Jersey
Vehicle Year
2002
Make / Model
Ford Ranger
Engine Type
4.0 V6
Engine Size
4.0L
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
4WD
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
40014
 


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
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
 
Last edited:

sgtsandman

Aircraft Fuel Tank Diver
TRS Forum Moderator
U.S. Military - Active
TRS 20th Anniversary
TRS Event Participant
Ham Radio Operator
GMRS Radio License
Joined
Mar 11, 2017
Messages
12,695
Reaction score
12,381
Points
113
Location
Aliquippa, PA
Vehicle Year
2011/2019
Make / Model
Ranger XLT/FX4
Engine Size
4.0 SOHC/2.3 Ecoboost
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
Pre-2008 lift/Stock
Tire Size
31X10.5R15/265/65R17
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

Former Middleweight Moss Fighting Champion
Joined
May 28, 2018
Messages
19,304
Reaction score
13,326
Points
113
Location
41N 75W
Vehicle Year
2009
Engine Type
2.3 (4 Cylinder)
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
2WD
Total Lift
It's up there.
Total Drop
It's down there.
Tire Size
Round.
My credo
I poop in the furnace.
Last time I drank a gallon of gasoline I only gained 7 pounds.
 

alwaysFlOoReD

Forum Staff Member
TRS Forum Moderator
TRS Banner 2012-2015
TRS 20th Anniversary
Joined
Apr 13, 2009
Messages
13,868
Reaction score
5,029
Points
113
Location
Calgary, Canada
Vehicle Year
'91, '80, '06
Make / Model
Ford, GMC,Dodge
Engine Size
4.0,4.0,5.7
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
4WD
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

Former Middleweight Moss Fighting Champion
Joined
May 28, 2018
Messages
19,304
Reaction score
13,326
Points
113
Location
41N 75W
Vehicle Year
2009
Engine Type
2.3 (4 Cylinder)
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
2WD
Total Lift
It's up there.
Total Drop
It's down there.
Tire Size
Round.
My credo
I poop in the furnace.
Weight, doesn't Canada use Kg and Liters?
 

sgtsandman

Aircraft Fuel Tank Diver
TRS Forum Moderator
U.S. Military - Active
TRS 20th Anniversary
TRS Event Participant
Ham Radio Operator
GMRS Radio License
Joined
Mar 11, 2017
Messages
12,695
Reaction score
12,381
Points
113
Location
Aliquippa, PA
Vehicle Year
2011/2019
Make / Model
Ranger XLT/FX4
Engine Size
4.0 SOHC/2.3 Ecoboost
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
Pre-2008 lift/Stock
Tire Size
31X10.5R15/265/65R17

Dirtman

Former Middleweight Moss Fighting Champion
Joined
May 28, 2018
Messages
19,304
Reaction score
13,326
Points
113
Location
41N 75W
Vehicle Year
2009
Engine Type
2.3 (4 Cylinder)
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
2WD
Total Lift
It's up there.
Total Drop
It's down there.
Tire Size
Round.
My credo
I poop in the furnace.
You just blew my mind...
 

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
"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

Former Middleweight Moss Fighting Champion
Joined
May 28, 2018
Messages
19,304
Reaction score
13,326
Points
113
Location
41N 75W
Vehicle Year
2009
Engine Type
2.3 (4 Cylinder)
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
2WD
Total Lift
It's up there.
Total Drop
It's down there.
Tire Size
Round.
My credo
I poop in the furnace.
But... whos gallon are we talking about now!?!?! I literally just found out there's two!
 

sgtsandman

Aircraft Fuel Tank Diver
TRS Forum Moderator
U.S. Military - Active
TRS 20th Anniversary
TRS Event Participant
Ham Radio Operator
GMRS Radio License
Joined
Mar 11, 2017
Messages
12,695
Reaction score
12,381
Points
113
Location
Aliquippa, PA
Vehicle Year
2011/2019
Make / Model
Ranger XLT/FX4
Engine Size
4.0 SOHC/2.3 Ecoboost
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
Pre-2008 lift/Stock
Tire Size
31X10.5R15/265/65R17
"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

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

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

Dirtman

Former Middleweight Moss Fighting Champion
Joined
May 28, 2018
Messages
19,304
Reaction score
13,326
Points
113
Location
41N 75W
Vehicle Year
2009
Engine Type
2.3 (4 Cylinder)
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
2WD
Total Lift
It's up there.
Total Drop
It's down there.
Tire Size
Round.
My credo
I poop in the furnace.

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
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 :)
 
Last edited:

91stranger

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jul 28, 2010
Messages
1,806
Reaction score
512
Points
113
Location
Whats round on the sides and hi in the middle-OHIO
Vehicle Year
2003
Make / Model
Gets Mo Chicks
Engine Size
4.2 straight six powered by gremlins, goblins and mudbloods.
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
4WD
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.
 

Sponsored Ad


Sponsored Ad

Staff online

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