towing capability

[JamesC]

I have an 86 and an 05 ranger and reading the owners manuals about towing capability is very interesting. the 86 manual says a 2.9 V6 with 4.10 can tow up to 5000lbs but the 05 says the 3.0 V6 with 4.10 gears can only tow 2600lbs

Is the towing capability in the 05 highly under rated or is there something that would keep the 2005 from being rated higher?

 

[Gotta_gofast]

Your '86 wouldn't happen to be an auto and your '05 wouldn't happen to be a manual, are they?

 

[JamesC]

the 86 I have is a 2.0 5 speed, but looking at the owners manual it says the 2.9 auto 4.10 can tow up to 5000lbs looking at the 2005 owners manual the auto 3.0 4.10 is rated for 2400lbs and the manual 3.0 4.10 is rated for 2600lbs.

 

[Gotta_gofast]

Oh, thats odd. Usually automatic transmissions are factory rated to tow more than its manual trans counterpart. The difference in years has a lot of play in the ratings. As times change, so do the mind's of Ford. So, maybe they felt that the new truck shouldn't tow as much for driver error or safety reasons... or to get you to purchase an F150 lol.

 

[JamesC]

I probably won't tow much with the 2005 but I might have to do a bit if my 86 doesn't get finished for the summer. the 350 chevy should tow pretty good. looking at the owners manuals sure gets you scratching your head though.

 

[Wicked_Sludge]

my '93 owners manual puts my 3.0 5-speed with 3.73's at 2,500lbs...and the auto at 4,000. are you sure you were reading that right? ive NEVER seen a 5-speed that was rated to tow more than an auto. make sure your looking at the same setup (4wd/2wd, supercab/standrad cab, etc).

 

[JamesC]

Okay, I have to make a correction after re-reading the 2005 owners manual

the 3.0 super cab 2wd 5 speed is rated for 2460lbs
the 3.0 super cab 2wd Auto is rated at 2420lbs

so in this case the 5 speed is rated higher

although the 2.3 for 2005 rates the automatics higher by about 600lbs more for the autos

the same goes for the 4.0, and the 4.0 has 2460lbs higher rating on the auto. 3400 5speed to 5860 on the auto

also does 2460lbs sound low to anyone else?

 

[Wicked_Sludge]

2460 is a low-ball. its ford playing it safe.

as i said, my truck is rated 2,500lbs (less if i correct for the aftermarket tire size) and ive easily towed over 3,400lbs before. if i had trailer brakes, i wouldnt hesitate to hook up to 5,000lbs.