Can I tow with 1st gen ranger?

[bobbywalter]

My standard disclaimer: I provide legal information on the forum.

Your owner's manual limits the '85 Ranger to 2,200lbs trailer towing for the 2.8/manual/4x2.. (It's really 5,000lbs GCWR, as the 4x4 tows 200lbs less) See the attached Towing guide - its a copy of a copy but the best I have.

Note: The 2,200lbs is based on the truck having 3 - 150lb occupants* in the cab and full tank of gas, no junk stuff behind the seat/in the box, etc. The 3 occupants is derived from the number of seatbelts, 150lbs was (still is for J2807 trailer standard) the average weight for an individual. So, in theory you could tow a little more than the manual, legally. Just no sandwich maker in passenger's seat(s), etc...​

Arizona trailer law requires truck with trailer having less than 3k lbs. GVW to be able to stop within 40'; a number of other states (Pennsylvania, Washington) add a caveat; the trailer needs brakes if >40% of the GVW of the towing vehicle ('85 Rangers start at 3,800lbs GVW = 1,750 lb. GVW trailer). The fine print: The trailer weight is the GVW of the trailer, not the actual weight of the trailer. (There is an assumption that you might fill up to limit but not overload the trailer.)

To address some points above:

A Cologne V-6 (2.8) is a Cologne V-6 (2.9) is a Cologne V-6 (4.0 OHV) is a Cologne V-6 (4.0 SOHC) as far as mating transmissions goes (OK, there is an extra bolt hole for the SOHC, but it isn't critical for this discussion). Therefore it would be possible to replace the weak Toyo Koygo with the stronger Mazda M5ODR-1.​

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It is possible to upgrade brakes on '85 Ranger:​

Replacing knuckles with '95+ to get larger rotors/2 piston calipers)​

Upgrading to 10" drums/Aerostar drums (finned) if you only have 9" ('85 will have smaller axle hubs, so Aerostar drums should be a simple install.)​

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The above don't change things in the eyes of insurance, but they help with peace of mind.​

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@Terrys87's comments are spot on:​

Weight Distribution Hitch (WDH) - for the latest small SUVs, they are making them for 350lbs tongue weight 2,200lb. trailer * 15% = 330lb tongue weight - close enough for me. Heavy on the tongue is OK; light is not. WDH will weight ~50lbs, but are worth every ounce e.g. https://www.blueox.com/swaypro-weight-distributing-hitch/?weight=0-350+Lbs​

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Trailer brake controller (The state of the art ones with accelerometers are pretty hands free)​

To stay under 2,200lbs, tent trailers like @85_Ranger4x4's are your best bet. (There might be older Scamp trailers in that weight range too.)

p.s. The trailer sales guys will sell you way too much trailer given the chance - bigger trailers cost more = higher commission.

to be fair though, that is because the average driver will overwork the clutch and ford had to tank those ratings... i knew they were over 5 k and that the manual was a bit less.....seems i would remember it being that the manual may as well have had a non existant tow rating, but i did not.

great post Don.

with that, a heavier trans/clutch combo or swap to an auto would make that a rare case in which you could have the title and gcwr legally increased. at least there is that.

we had a member for ahwile that made an adapter that allowed sbf transmissions to be installed...going to a zf or t18/19 would bump ya to chassis matched max of the auto. the t18 had 8k plus applications with 410 gears iirc. i dont have any manuals handy for that. but that rating could exceeds the ranger chassis max so componant matching the chassis would allow that.

might be a data set worth compiling.

 

[rusty ol ranger]

to be fair though, that is because the average driver will overwork the clutch and ford had to tank those ratings... i knew they were over 5 k and that the manual was a bit less.....seems i would remember it being that the manual may as well have had a non existant tow rating, but i did not.

great post Don.

with that, a heavier trans/clutch combo or swap to an auto would make that a rare case in which you could have the title and gcwr legally increased. at least there is that.

we had a member for ahwile that made an adapter that allowed sbf transmissions to be installed...going to a zf or t18/19 would bump ya to chassis matched max of the auto. the t18 had 8k plus applications with 410 gears iirc. i dont have any manuals handy for that. but that rating could exceeds the ranger chassis max so componant matching the chassis would allow that.

might be a data set worth compiling.

My 78 F350 was a 10000gvwr truck and had a T18.

It would handle anything a ranger can handle