2.3L ('02-'11) Towing 3500 lbs or less

[Heidy]

Hello all, looking at 2011 Ranger XL Supercab 4 cyl/ 2.3L 5sp auto Tran for towing Casita TT approximately 3300 lbs loaded. What can I expect?

 

[franklin2]

A test of your patience in hilly territory. That's not necessarily a bad thing, we could all use more than we have.

 

[pjtoledo]

getting it moving on flat ground won't be a problem. stay out of overdrive. wind will be your enemy.
for hills, even if your trailer has brakes you're going to be saying a lot of prayers.

if you have the owners manual read up on towing, some auto trannys can be locked up to help with braking.

 

[Fast Eddie]

My 04 is a 3.0 and 3500lb capable however, it's a manual so downshifting on steep grades is easy. Pj is right, wind can get the tail wagging the dog so slow down into your comfort zone. Screw those around you who don't like it. Safety first.

Don't exceed your GCWR. That's a rating for your chassis and the tow assembly, not necessarily horsepower. Tractors can pull a hell of a lot weight with a 4cyl - it's all in the gearing. If your tranny can't hold a lower gear, keep a sharp eye on your brakes in hill country.

 

[Heidy]

2011 Ranger XL 2.3 4 cyl/ 5 speed auto tranny/ Any idea of vehicle weight by itself (not loaded)?? Is that called “dry weight?”

 

[2011Supercab]

Tow ratings 2011 Ranger

So basically with a Supercab and 2.3 and an auto transmission, max trailer weight 2,000 lbs, trailer no taller than the hood of the truck

 

[Heidy]

Thanks Josh, you’ve answered my question loud and clear

 

[rusty ol ranger]

yeah i was thinking 2k was pretty standard for 4 banger trucks pretty much the whole ranger run.

Im shocked though the 4.0 was only rated at 5500.

Coulda sworn the 2nd gen 4.0's were rated higher then that. Possibly the 3rd too.

 

[00t444e]

It will be terrible.

 

[don4331]

@Heidy

Towing that behind a 2.3 Ranger would be slow accelerating -

Tow ratings 2011 Ranger
View attachment 100981
View attachment 100982

So basically with a Supercab and 2.3 and an auto transmission, max trailer weight 2,000 lbs, trailer no taller than the hood of the truck

Frontal area:
Trailer no higher than roof of the truck not the hood And its a soft limit - performance is degraded.

Arizona trailer laws require brakes on trailers of >3k lbs (GVWR not actual weight). Casita trailers are set up with brakes i.e. 7 pin connector - you would need to wire trailer brake controller into a Ranger.

Casita trailers run right around 2k lbs dry (Patriot was 1,750lbs), so you're toying with limit, just don't haul too much stuff.

@rusty ol ranger

My '99 RCSB Ranger has 6k lbs trailer limit.

 

[rusty ol ranger]

@Heidy

Towing that behind a 2.3 Ranger would be slow accelerating -

Frontal area:
Trailer no higher than roof of the truck not the hood And its a soft limit - performance is degraded.

Arizona trailer laws require brakes on trailers of >3k lbs (GVWR not actual weight). Casita trailers are set up with brakes i.e. 7 pin connector - you would need to wire trailer brake controller into a Ranger.

Casita trailers run right around 2k lbs dry (Patriot was 1,750lbs), so you're toying with limit, just don't haul too much stuff.

@rusty ol ranger

My '99 RCSB Ranger has 6k lbs trailer limit.

The duratec 2.3 has the same (peak) torque as a 2.9L. Granted i believe its 1000 or so RPM higher. Youll have to slip the clutch to get it going on a incline, but ive towed over 2k with my 2.9's numerous times and power wasnt an issue.

Stopping was.

They also wernt high wind grabbing trailers either.

I think with paitence you wont do to bad.