Towing with ball on bumper

[suprapsu]

I have an interstate cargo trailer on the title it says it's rated at 3,000 lbs. I towed it home the other day "empty" with no problems at all. My concern is when I have the trailer loaded up is it okay to tow with my 2.3L manual trans ranger? Is there something I need to know before towing it on long distances?

Is the bumper ball I'm using okay to handling the tow? It says the bumper is good for up to 2,000 lbs and 200 lbs tongue load.

I had a dream last night that I was towing the trailer and the bumper ripped half way off so I had to get a real hitch to attach the trailer.

Any recommedations?

I have a 1994 XLT 4cyl 2.3L ranger has a manual trans. 2wd.

 

[BRUTUS_T_HOG]

had a dream huh? better follow your own advice.

its a good idea to get a frame mounted hitch

 

[ForOffRoadDriving]

i wouldnt tow with it unless its your only option and youre not going very far. ill tow my boat on the trailer 200+ miles on the bumper ball, but the whole outfit only weighs 300-400lbs tops.

 

[The purple one]

The truck is 16 years old and you would like to go 1/2 ton more then it is rated for. Get the frame mount. Also my 93 is a dog on hills with no trailer and 1/2 ton in the back. Let me know if you can even start out on a hill with 3000 lbs. trailer.

 

[Will]

The bumper bolt holes are about 1/2" from the end of the frame, and that's it. A receiver bolts to the last 12" of frame. Besides the strength, the bumper is rarely at the correct height.

 

[suprapsu]

What would you say is my weight limit with the 94 Ranger 2WD manual trans?

I'm planning on buying the hitch. I looked and it's about $150 on fleebay.

 

[450rwhp]

you can get a class III from walmart for around $130. if your pulling the max capacity of your trailer, (3000lbs), it will pull it but it will not be a happy truck up hills or strong head winds.

 

[dennis461]

Order a new clutch now...

 

[BRUTUS_T_HOG]

and new exhaust valves if you plan on driving through hills

 

[suprapsu]

Order a new clutch now...

Why would you say that? Is the ranger too weak to tow 2,000 lbs? 3,000 lbs?

I towed the trailer empty and it felt fine.

 

[BRUTUS_T_HOG]

the 2.3l is basicly useless for towing, at 2000-3000lbs you're going to have to let the clutch slip more and more to get your load going.

mine is a 2.3l with 3.45 gears in the axle and 1000lbs had me going 30 in 3rd gear (just to keep rpms down) going up a 6% hill, thats with a 70mph running start at the bottom.

1000lbs wasn't too harsh on the clutch but i'd say 2000-3000lbs would put it to work. considering the small diameter of ranger clutch discs

 

[TheTopher]

the 2.3l is basicly useless for towing, at 2000-3000lbs you're going to have to let the clutch slip more and more to get your load going.

mine is a 2.3l with 3.45 gears in the axle and 1000lbs had me going 30 in 3rd gear (just to keep rpms down) going up a 6% hill, thats with a 70mph running start at the bottom.

1000lbs wasn't too harsh on the clutch but i'd say 2000-3000lbs would put it to work. considering the small diameter of ranger clutch discs

I have the same motor and rear axle in my truck. In the owners manual it lists the recommended max towing loads based on your rear axle ratio for the 2.3. If I recall correctly for 4.10 it says 2000lbs for 3.73 it says 1600lbs and for our 3.45 it says "Not recommended for towing"

 

[doorgunner]

Load the bed with a 1,000 lbs of anything....try going up a nice size hill or inclined bridge just to see what your in for...then figure that you'll only go 1/3 the speed up the same hill/bridge pulling a 3,000 lb. trailer load.

ohhhhhhh...and don't forget to figure that the 3,000 lb. trailer going up a hill is gonna acting like it's 4,500 lbs. on that trailer ball/bumper because of the incline!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

i'm starting to scare myself

 

[TheTopher]

i'm starting to scare myself

Now you know what you do to the rest of us, mate.

 

[suprapsu]

Thanks for your advice. I'm glad I came here first about the towing issue. I think I will not push it with my ranger and tow the trailer. What about a 3.0 liter 4wd ranger? Or Ford Aerostar? Would that be sufficient for towing the trailer?