Trailers/towing

[James Morse]

What's the towing capacity of a Ranger if it has the tow package and frame hitch? I'm wondering about if it would be nice to have a small travel trailer.
I'm not real familiar with stabilizing bars (so it doesn't whiplash), not sure if it's needed or what.
Having a trailer (any kind) going back and forth behind you is real bad news.
Doubt I'll see any Skampers around for sale... not sure if it's what I'd want anyway but they are way cool.

 

[Blmpkn]

Manual or auto? The rating is considerably lower for a manual truck.

Either way, you'd be looking for a real small travel trailer.

 

[ElectraRider]

If you have never pulled a trailer be mindful that you have enough tongue weight, other you will be in for a wild ride.

 

[sgtsandman]

Do you have the owner's manual? If so, that will be the best source since there is so much variability based on cab type, transmission type, engine type, etc.

I strongly suggest you browse through this sub-forum and various tips, info and tricks on the entire subject: https://www.therangerstation.com/forums/index.php?forums/snow-plowing-towing-safety-lighting.72/

 

[don4331]

Manual or auto? The rating is considerably lower for a manual truck.

Either way, you'd be looking for a real small travel trailer.

It's in his signature '99 Mazda B3000 with Automatic

Secret decoder ring* says...GCWR 7,500lbs, trailer 4,000lbs. Do I have a beautiful 5th wheel to sell @James Morse

GVWR of my 5th wheel is just over 3,400 lbs. That will allow you to install the 5th wheel (~150lbs), your and sandwich make and still be under max.​

​

Secret decoder ring aka owner's manual and/or sales brochure. Both found in the Articles/Resource section of RangerStation

 

[rusty ol ranger]

Remember with travel trailers its important to punch well below your trucks weight class...so in the case of a ranger youre in pop-up territory.

I had a 32ft travel trailer (about 7000-7200lbs loaded) i towed with my 97 F250 HD. It pulled it good but you definantly knew it was back there. The truck is rated at 10k (bumper pull) and 12500 5th wheel, i couldnt imagine even approaching that with a camper on it.

I have had 9-10k behind it a few times on regular trailers hauling various things and it towed better then the camper did.

 

[Blmpkn]

^^^^ that.

A travel trailer is like the sail on a boat. 7500lbs of bricks on a utility trailer will tow better than 3750lbs of travel trailer just because of its dimensions and aero.

 

[rusty ol ranger]

^^^^ that.

A travel trailer is like the sail on a boat. 7500lbs of bricks on a utility trailer will tow better than 3750lbs of travel trailer just because of its dimensions and aero.

Campers also have weird dynamics in general that i feel like make them harder to tow. Weight distribution, etc.

Ive towed 4000lbs with rusty #1 before...no way id do it with a 4000lb camper lol.

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

So… a 5th wheel and a bumper pull are entirely different animals. 5th wheel puts the weight over the rear axle where it belongs instead of levering on the back of the frame.

My parents were at one point looking for a 5th wheel to tow with a Ranger, puts you into the smaller ones (think for the ext cab 4.0 auto it was 28’ max) but that would likely tow considerably better than a 28’ “bumper” pull.

Trailer brakes are a must have as far as I’m concerned with anything over 3k and something I’d recommend for something less than 3k. Electric with a good inertia controller. Those time delay ones are too slow in an emergency.

For a trailer hitch, get a weight distributing class 3 or higher. If you get a 5th wheel, probably a slider would be a good idea.

You aren’t going to have a ton of extra power for pulling, but I wouldn’t hesitate with pulling up to 5k with a v-6 Ranger.

Making sure it’s set up right is critical. Having the balance right, proper tongue weight and all makes a huge difference to how well weight tows.

 

[James Morse]

That's a lot higher than I would have expected for my truck. It seems incredible the bumper would hold 4k lbs, of course it's not hanging off it vertically. Or does it require frame-attached hitch?
Thanks for all the info and the references. I wasn't really clear about it, but I was really thinking about if/when I upgrade, I'd look for 4.0L and almost for sure after '01 so that's maybe 50% more HP (and probably torque) than my engine. So I can probably find those other towing specs in the references.
I'd also assume the max pulling weights are with tow package, that would seem only logical.
Fifth wheel is cool as can be, only thing is, then it really cuts into the cargo area (bed) so it's kind of a one-purpose vehicle. I don't think I've ever seen a Ranger with a 5th wheel so it's kind of interesting.
Trailers are pretty expensive... I wonder if by the time all is said and done, if it isn't tons cheaper to just stay in a hotel. Of course then you lose the camping experience.
I was kind of thinking of going to places say within 100 miles there are a ton of places so I wasn't thinking of long trips with it.
I appreciate all the help. I'll check out the links.

 

[James Morse]

I neglected to mention the other and perhaps more probably use would be to tow a car trailer. This would be a light car, say 2500 lbs. I don't know what a car trailer weighs, but seems like inclusive of it, I'd still be under the limit even with this truck. Should tow a lot more aero than a camping trailer for sure.

 

[Blmpkn]

The uhaul trailers weigh 1500 I believe, and they're on the lighter side of things with how they're constructed.

 

[bilbo]

Remember with travel trailers its important to punch well below your trucks weight class...so in the case of a ranger youre in pop-up territory.

I had a 32ft travel trailer (about 7000-7200lbs loaded) i towed with my 97 F250 HD. It pulled it good but you definantly knew it was back there. The truck is rated at 10k (bumper pull) and 12500 5th wheel, i couldnt imagine even approaching that with a camper on it.

I have had 9-10k behind it a few times on regular trailers hauling various things and it towed better then the camper did.

This is absolutely true. I towed an empty covered UTV trailer to haul my son's tool box into a 25 plus mph quartering headwind and it was terrifying. I believe the owners manual for my 94 F250 has limits for frontal area of the trailer listed.

Also just remembered another time I was towing my v-front last spring in a strong crosswind. It only had a snowblower and a few other items in it. I hit a frost boil in the road and when the trailer lifted it slid to the side before the tires caught again and yanked the truck over. It was probably only a couple inches but it felt like 6 feet! That was a pucker moment for sure.

 

[Roert42]

18’ steel deck car trailer is about 2k lbs.

you can get the ones that only have the tire tracks, open frame in the middle to save weight. Then you can only use it for cars, not general utility work.

Save a little weight and go with the 16’ foot deck.

Or an 18’ deck aluminum car trailer is about 1200lbs, but they generally cost at least 2x a steel trailer cost. Plus, harder to add brackets and tie downs.

 

[rusty ol ranger]

I neglected to mention the other and perhaps more probably use would be to tow a car trailer. This would be a light car, say 2500 lbs. I don't know what a car trailer weighs, but seems like inclusive of it, I'd still be under the limit even with this truck. Should tow a lot more aero than a camping trailer for sure.

I have a 18ft brimar 10kgvw equipment trailer that tips the scales at just under 2500lbs. Which would be total overkill for a 2500lb car.

My buddys 16ft car trailer is like 1500lbs. With an average car trailer like his and a 2500lb car, with good trailer brakes and a reese style hitch i wouldnt bat an eye at hauling that.