What's the limiting factor?

[dla]

I own a 2007 2wd Ranger, 2.3L 5spd - nothing fancy, just a simple little truck that gets great gas mileage. I see that Ford limits the towing to a 1580lb load. Now that doesn't seem like much to me. What is the limiting factor? Is it the 5spd transmission? The clutch? Ultimately I would like to tow a 17' Casita travel trailer that will weigh ~2800lbs full loaded.

 

[midget]

More than likely its the clutch that cant take it... that being said you could throw on bigger springs,brakes,shocks and a better to clutch to try and tow it but with a 2.3 dont expect to get there very quick and your still running the risk of gettin an overweight ticket with the right DOT Officer on a bad day.

 

[Beanmachine7000]

It's the fact that most people can't tow with a clutch, and Ford didn't want to replace clutches in vehicles people towed alot with and burnt them up prematurely... Ultimately, I'd say what really limits your towing ability is your brake setup...

 

[jobar]

It's the fact that most people can't tow with a clutch, and Ford didn't want to replace clutches in vehicles people towed alot with and burnt them up prematurely... Ultimately, I'd say what really limits your towing ability is your brake setup...

+1 I've never pulled a travel trailer with mine (mosly boats and utility trailers) but, 15' sounds like alot for a 2.3 to handle.

 

[Beanmachine7000]

Although, I think it would handle 3,000 lbs alright, it would be the large cross sectional area (aka drag) that would kill the 2.3 pulling that trailer... If you really want to tow it, I'd look into a 4.0 Ranger...

 

[07rangersport]

The limiting factor is the clutch, as has been said. But honestly, you have the worst possible combo for towing: 3.73, 4 cyl, 5 speed. I would be willing to bet that your truck will be over it's GCWR (which is what really matters, not max trailer weight) by probably 1500# or more. Best piece of advice, get a smaller lighter trailer, or a bigger ranger/truck

 

[fastpakr]

3.73's really aren't bad - 4.10 would obviously be slightly better. The 4 cylinder/5 speed combo has no effect on reliability or safety, just power. He's got plenty available to get a 2800 lb load rolling. As long as he isn't planning to run 75mph up a mountain, the 2.3 will be fine.

 

[Beanmachine7000]

The limiting factor is the clutch, as has been said. But honestly, you have the worst possible combo for towing: 3.73, 4 cyl, 5 speed. I would be willing to bet that your truck will be over it's GCWR (which is what really matters, not max trailer weight) by probably 1500# or more. Best piece of advice, get a smaller lighter trailer, or a bigger ranger/truck

So, you're saying every trailer rig that is rated for 80K lbs is limited by the clutch? I don't think so... The limiting factor is NOT the clutch, Ford derates them as to not have to replace them under warranty to people that cannot tow with a manual... The limiting factor of most light duty pickups are the brakes... It is much more dangerous to not be able to stop a rig, than start it... I have no doubt you wouldn't have any trouble getting it up to 35mph or so if you know how to properly drive a manual equipped truck... I do agree that you need a larger truck though, above 35mph you would be killing the 2.3, it just doesn't have the power to pull something that heavy against that kind of drag...

 

[fastpakr]

Power - not torque. Once you've hit peak torque RPM in 1st gear, the only thing that matters is power (above that engine speed you can always put it in the correct gear to generate the most possible torque at the driveshaft). A Duratec 2.3 is barely 10% off the power ratings of the latest 3.0 and the OHV 4.0.

 

[Beanmachine7000]

Power - not torque. Once you've hit peak torque RPM in 1st gear, the only thing that matters is power (above that engine speed you can always put it in the correct gear to generate the most possible torque at the driveshaft). A Duratec 2.3 is barely 10% off the power ratings of the latest 3.0 and the OHV 4.0.

Better?

 

[fastpakr]

Terminology, absolutely. I just don't follow your logic about it not having the power. Are you saying the OHV 4.0 couldn't pull this trailer either?

 

[Beanmachine7000]

Yeah, I think a 4.0 OHV could... I forget that the Duratec is that close in power to the OHV... I think as long as he stays below 55mph he should be fine... I think the drag would kill it after that, if it's the kind of trailer I'm thinking about...

 

[midget]

When it comes to power my Xterra with a whopping 120hp V6 pulls my Ranger just fine down the highway on a 1200lbs car trailer.... you can tow with a low power engine just dont get in a hurry and avoid windy days... like I said though I was guessing at the clutch but since that has been corrected your brakes are going to be an issue UNLESS the travel trail has brakes on the axles.. then dont get in a hurry to get rollin or stopped and avoid slipping the clutch as much as possible and you should be cool.

 

[Beanmachine7000]

When it comes to power my Xterra with a whopping 120hp V6 pulls my Ranger just fine down the highway on a 1200lbs car trailer.... you can tow with a low power engine just dont get in a hurry and avoid windy days... like I said though I was guessing at the clutch but since that has been corrected your brakes are going to be an issue UNLESS the travel trail has brakes on the axles.. then dont get in a hurry to get rollin or stopped and avoid slipping the clutch as much as possible and you should be cool.

Your rig together also has way less cross sectional area, therefore less drag... I'm not saying it couldn't do it, I just think above 45/50mph it would start to struggle, due to wind resistance... I don't know what the trailer looks like though...

 

[GMWIGGS]

The limiting factor like most have mentioned is brakes, brakes and more brakes. With the weight you are looking at towing around, you should be able to get that up to speed within reason (55mph or under). However, I wouldn't tow that much weight that fast in my ranger simply because of braking and handling issues. I tow a 3000+ lb boat with my 3.0 auto all the time. I can get it over 55mph no problem, its just that with all that weight all the bumps you hit and what not makes the truck sway in ways I'm not comfortable with. Stopping is the most important though, I can feel my boat pushing my truck when brakeing.