towing/pushing question

[jeffw920]

how much would you think would be safe to push using a front hitch? I'm talking what can the front axle/transmission handle. The load i'm looking at would be 5k boat pushed up steep hill on pavement.

 

[Will]

Might break it. You'll be steering a lot to keep it straight and putting those front CVs to the test. Can you turn it around and tow it?

 

[4.0B2]

use the rear hitch... IMO

whats the tongue weight?

 

[jeffw920]

tongue is probably 450lbs. It would need to be pushed to get it along side the garage. The driveway is such that you cant maneuver the whole rig up in reverse if that makes sense. we usually use a gmc 1500 4x4 with a front hitch but are looking to get rid of it if we can do it with the ranger

 

[4.0B2]

Just try it. See If it breaks anything lol

 

[jeffw920]

i guess thats the only way to be sure lol

 

[AllanD]

Low speed, in a driveway?

I wouldn't lose any sleep worrying about doing it.

 

[Will]

5,000# trailer on pavement on a steep driveway with lots of angle on the joints while maneuvering, all with an additional 450+ lbs on the front axle.

Only with someone else's Ranger.

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

Meh, I've had the back wheels just about off the ground with my redneck converted three point hitch snow plow on the front of my b-II....with the d-28.

I've hit drifts pretty hard with it and pushed a lot of heavy snow. I wouldn't worry about a 500 lb tongue weight trailer being moved up a drive way.

Richard

 

[jeffw920]

eh, we'll see. I wouldnt be concerned if it wasnt dry pavement where lots of maneuvering and 4x4 are required. I'll probably try it eventually but for now it's the sierra's job. was just curious to see if anyone has had a similar situation. Thanks for the replies.

 

[rusty ol ranger]

PUt it this way...you think you ranger would handle 2 225 lb men on the hood? Im sure you would say yes....same deal.

 

[cdawall]

Should be just fine people plow with rangers. The 1500 you were using has an equally weak IFS.

 

[jeffw920]

yeah good point. It's visibly larger than the d35 ifs but i haven't looked into what it is or how it compares to the strength of the ranger front end.

 

[Will]

I plowed with a B2. It kept unscrewing the lug-nuts on the left wheel. I discovered this phenomenon when my left tire separated, hit a tree, bounced over the truck an inch from the cab and soared off into a creek.

A 1500 Chevy IFS is stronger than a Ranger IFS.

It's not like 2 men on the hood. There are 2 different forces in action here. The tongue load and then the weight you have to actually push. The torsion bars can easily handle 2 men on the hood. The axle shafts and joint have to handle the push to get the 5,000# trailer up the hill. When you push something up the hill you are constantly turning the wheels to steer it. The steering is a lot more sensitive than when pulling it. There will be lots of times when the joints have a lot of angle and a lot of torque on them at the same time. When you use the rear hitch, the front wheels are much less sensitive and you will do less turning, plus the much stronger rear axle will do most of the pulling.

Ford did not design the Ranger to do what you are suggesting and it won't survive it for long.

 

[cdawall]

you would be surprised how weak GMT400 front clips were they are only rated for 3400lbs and carried a lot more load up there than the ranger which is rated to 2900lbs. The ring gear is bigger but the shafts are not and the torsion bars in the 1500 are notorious for sagging beyond belief. With his truck in 2wd there is no torque on the shafts simple fix for that issue. If it needs 4low for any reason be careful and don't crank the wheel lock to lock which keeps the cv's at a good angle.